Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Board of Directors - Regular Meeting
April 5, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
MBUSD Office, 325 S. Peck Avenue, Manhattan Beach

Present:

Directors (20/28): Edie Babbe, Vanessa Benya, Webster Burns, Wendy Carson, Brian Currey, Randy Dotemoto, Mike Dunitz, Michelle Erickson, Nancy Hersman, Chuck Kaminski, Craig Kline, Carolyn Leserman, Anne McLaughlin, Ellen Rosenberg, Fredi Segal-Gidan, Jeff Thaler, Ida VanderPoorte, Susan Warshaw, Tati Wennekamp, Pam Yarbrough

MBUSD Representatives: Gwen Gross, Steve McMahon

Business Partnerships: Sherry Kramer

MBEF Staff: Debbie Bowen

Guests: Tammy Choy, Margo Thole

Presiding: Carolyn Leserman, President

Recording: Anne McLaughlin, Secretary

Handouts: Agenda, Minutes, Financial Report, Organization Chart, Executive Board Job Descriptions, Slate of Officers for the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year

President’s Notes:
Ms. Carolyn Leserman thanked Ms. Sherry Kramer for her work on the Comedy & Magic Club event.

Minutes:
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of March 8, 2005 were unanimously approved as amended.

Financial Report:
Ms. Ida VanderPoorte presented financial statements for the nine months ended March 31, 2005.

MBUSD Report:
Ms. Amy Howorth announced that the MBUSD Board of Trustees had adopted a recommendation to restructure the child development center and that this would result in substantial savings. She discussed the District’s projected shortfall for the 2005/2006 school year. Ms. Howorth announced that a budget workshop would take place on April 19 at 4:00 p.m.
She reported on the recent PTA-sponsored Capitol Convoy trip to Sacramento.

Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Gwen Gross announced that the Mira Costa High School orchestra has been asked to play at Carnegie Hall on April 10, 2006.

Dr. Gross reported on the process for selecting a new principal for Mira Costa High School.

Mr. Steve McMahon stated that elementary schools wanted guidance on how elementary physical education might be reinstated. He said that discussions needed to take place to reset priorities for the coming school years.

Dr. Gross thanked MBEF for the $950k check presented by MBEF and the PTAs to the District at its last board meeting. This represented the first half of $1.9 million in donations committed for the 2004/2005 school year.

Wine Auction Report:
Mr. Thaler and Ms. Kramer reported on Wine Auction preparations to date.

Nominating Committee Report:
Ms. Anne McLaughlin, Chair of the Nominating Committee, thanked the committee members: Vanessa Benya, Brian Currey, Randy Dotemoto, Linda Figel, and Jeff Thaler. She reported on the committee’s process for evaluating MBEF’s current organization structure and recommending changes to the structure. She reviewed the proposed organization chart and job descriptions for the executive board positions. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the following Executive Board positions: President, Vice President – Operations, Vice President – Fundraising, Vice President – Marketing/Communications, Secretary, Treasurer, and Endowment Chair, and directed that the upcoming amendment to MBEF’s By-Laws reflect these changes.

Next, Ms. McLaughlin presented the Nominating Committee’s Slate of Officers for the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year: Mr. Webster Burns - President, Ms. Anne McLaughlin - Vice President – Operations, Ms. Ellen Rosenberg - Vice President – Fundraising, Ms. Pam Yarbrough - Vice President – Marketing/Communications, Mr. Brian Currey - Secretary, Ms. Ida VanderPoorte - Treasurer, and Mr. Jeff Thaler - Endowment Chair. Ms. McLaughlin explained that Mr. Thaler is searching for a permanent Endowment Chair and agreed to accept this position on an interim basis only.

A discussion took place regarding the role of PTA Presidents and MBEF school representatives.

Technology Committee Report:
Mr. Jeff Thaler said that he had identified a vendor to upgrade MBEF’s database system. Mr. Thaler said that MBEF would have a copy of the source code and that the vendor would be able to remarket the software. Mr. Thaler recommended that MBEF move forward, but not put the new system in place until after the Wine Auction. He estimated that the project would cost approximately $5,000, but asked that MBEF allocate $10,000 plus $150 per month for hosting, security, and ongoing maintenance. This cost includes conversion of the old data into new system. The goal is to have the database up and running before the next fundraising campaign.

Business Education Partnership Report:
Ms. Sherry Kramer said that the Business Advisory Committee would meet on April 21. She reported on various business community promotions for the benefit of MBEF.

New and Old Business:
Vanessa Benya presented a $1200 check to MBEF from Meadows Elementary School Ice Dogs fundraiser. She stated that the Meadows Camp Expo was a success and that the proceeds of this event would be donated to MBEF.

Ms. Benya discussed the idea of selling bracelets as a fundraiser, and a discussion ensued.

Mr. Dotemoto requested assistance with graphics for the Golf Tournament, and Ms. Benya agreed to assist. Mr. Dotemoto also stated that he needed volunteers to serve on the committee and help with the event. He discussed possibilities for direct mail.

Mr. Dotemoto asked for volunteers to serve on the Audit Committee.

Ms. Susan Warshaw announced that the Pennekamp Elementary School PTA had voted to donate $30,000 to MBEF in support of the 2005/2006 school programs.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:34 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 10, 2005, 7:30 p.m. at the District Office, 325 S. Peck Avenue