Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Minutes

Board of Directors – Regular Meeting
November 15, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
MBUSD Office, 325 S. Peck Avenue, Manhattan Beach

Present:

Directors (20/29): Edie Babbe, Geoff Bremer, Webster Burns, Brian Currey, Randy Dotemoto, Mike Dunitz, Carolyn Lesserman, Anne McLaughlin, Diane Levitt, Cindy McMahon, John Oshiro, LeeAnne Richter, Jeff Thaler, Ida VanderPoorte, Jean VanZanten, Gary Wayland, Rich Weiss, Tati Wennekamp, Laurel Wright, Pam Yarbrough

MBUSD Rep: Steve McMahon

Board of Trustees: Amy Howorth

Business Partnerships: Sherry Kramer

MBEF staff: Debbie Bowen

Guests: Penny Bordokas, Tammy Choy, Brandin Cohen, Evan Duncan, Linda Harper, Marija Kosanovich, and Bob Timberlake.
Presiding: Webster Burns, President

Recording: Brian Currey, Secretary

Handouts: Agenda, Minutes, Financial Report, Manhattan Beach Athletic Foundation presentation, and November 15, 2005 letter to Pennekamp parents from Susan Warshaw and Beth Allen

Welcome of Guests:
Webster Burns welcomed our guests to the meeting.

Mayor's Golf Tournament:
Sherry Kramer thanked the Mayor's Golf Tournament Committee for its efforts on behalf of the Foundation and the Mira Costa High School golf teams. Ms. Kramer introduced Linda Wilson, former Mayor of the City of Manhattan Beach. Ms. Wilson praised her committee of 20 to 25 volunteers, and thanked the Mira Costa High School boys and girls golf teams for participating in the tournament. She also thanked and acknowledged Ms. Kramer for her assistance. Ms. Wilson then presented student representatives of the Mira Costa girls and boys golf teams with checks for $500 for each team. Mira Costa golf coach (and Model United Nations advisor) Bob Timberlake, who was in attendance, was introduced. Ms. Wilson indicated that the total gift to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation from the tournament is expected to exceed $7,700. Board members expressed their gratitude. Next year's tournament will be held on October 9, 2006 (Columbus Day).

Business Partnerships Report:
Ms. Kramer reported on the recognition event for Marija Kosanovich, as well as the recent Shop for Schools promotion held by the Downtown Business Association.

In view of Ms. Kramer's resignation, Mr. Burns thanked her for her service, noting that she "has been the face of the Foundation to the entire community." He complimented her sense of grace and good humor, her boundless enthusiasm, and the excellent job she has done for the Foundation over the years. In particular, he noted that her work on the wine auction has allowed that event to take place, and has contributed to making it the success that it is.

Debbie Bowen and Jeff Thaler presented gifts to Ms. Kramer that had been donated by her friends and colleagues. Mr. Thaler noted that Ms. Kramer has been the "heart and soul of this organization." A number of other directors, including Diane Levitt, Carolyn Lesserman, Randy Dotemoto, and Geoff Bremer, also paid tribute to Ms. Kramer. The board expressed its appreciation.

Ratification of Mintues:
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of October 11, 2005 were approved as presented.

Annual Appeal Report:
Ellen Rosenberg reported on the progress to date of the annual appeal. Ms. Rosenberg noted that the annual appeal has received over $1,137,000 to date.

Ms. Rosenberg also reported on a "town hall" meeting held with Meadows and Pacific parents, thanked Penny Bordokas and her husband for hosting a peer-to-peer event for Pennekamp parents, reported on the creation and distribution of various written materials, and outlined future plans.

Financial Report:
Ida VanderPoorte presented the written financial report.

Investment Report:
Mr. Bremer reported that as of the date of the meeting, the Endowment fund had unrealized investment income of $48,000, but noted that investment returns will vary as the market value of the portfolio fluctuates. Mr. Bremer also reported that additional uninvested cash soon would be added to the Vanguard portfolio.

Audit Committee Report:
Mr. Dotemoto reported that our auditor has given a clean audit report for the period ending June 30, 2005. He noted that he would schedule a committee meeting to meet with the auditor.

MBUSD Board of Trustees' Report:
Amy Howorth noted that new school board members will be seated on December 7, and that the newly constituted board will conduct an organizational meeting at that time. Among other things, the board is expected to make its traditional assignment of board members as liaisons with individual schools. Ms. Howorth encouraged the Foundation to communicate with all board members.

MBUSD Report:
Steve McMahon provided the MBUSD report, noting that Dr. Gross was unable to attend due to illness. Mr. McMahon stated that the district's auditors are completing their work and will report to the board concerning the last fiscal year. Mira Costa enrollment is down about 60 students from what had been anticipated, resulting in less revenue to the district. Collective bargaining with teachers and classified employees is on-going. The district's employees are voting on a proposed new calendar.

Grad Nite Grant Request:
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved a $500 grant to Grad Nite.

Technology Task Force:
Ms. Levitt reported that the Technology Task Force had met and agreed to the following three action steps: (1) update technology strategic plan, (2) identify standards for purchase of personal computers by mid-December, and (3) obtain funding for technology infrastructure.

Strategic Planning Follow-Up -- Communications:
Pam Yarbrough noted that the next edition of "School Notes" is at the printer and will be ready for mailing soon. The goal is to make it a quarterly publication.

Report on MBAF Gym Renovation Project:
Gary Wayland provided a brief overview of the Manhattan Beach Athletic Foundation and reported on recent efforts to explore renovation of the Mira Costa gymnasium. MBAF has been meeting with potential donors and others interested in the project, with a goal of presenting the district with a fully funded proposal to renovate the gymnasium. Mr. Wayland provided a handout that included several conceptual alternatives for the renovation project.

New Business/Old Business:
Mr. Burns reported that Nancy Hersman has resigned from our board as a result of her election to the MBUSD Board of Trustees. Ms. VanderPoorte will also resign, effective upon her installation to the MBUSD Board of Trustees.

Ms. Lesserman gave a brief report on the survey project.

Finally, board members were reminded of a number of upcoming school and community events.

Meeting Adjourned:
Approximately 8:50 p.m.

Next Meeting:
Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the District Office.

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