May 19, 2010 ACE Board Meeting
9:00 A. M. @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center

ACE board members present were: Al Sipes, Josh Middleton, Tim Dolphay, Jennifer Hickok, Andy Begger, Mark Brajcich, and Brenda Koch.
Guests present were: Sandy Watts, Sharon Stands, and Bill Feyereisen. Jerry Scott was also present.

1. Chairman Al Sipes called the meeting to order at 9:15 A.M. Introductions of those present were made.

2. Tim Dolphay moved to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2010 meeting. Josh Middleton seconded the motion which carried 7 - 0.

3. The financial report was reviewed. Andy Begger moved to approve the report and Brenda Koch seconded the motion which passed 7 - 0.

4. Jerry Scott gave an update of the situation with TRS distributing a copy of the agreement signed by Al Sipes, Jeff Weldon and himself. Jeff’s billing to Ace was $480 and Jerry felt there would be little if any more billing hours from Mr. Weldon. The board directed Jerry to go ahead and pay the bill because it had been approved at the last meeting.
   
   Jerry stated that he would like to continue as the part-time ACE Director for 2010 - 2011 fiscal year. He felt that this would then allow the ACE board to have time in order to address the future of ACE. Discussion on a contract for Jerry and some future goals including looking at a full time director that would be available to help member schools at their own facilities, write curriculum reviews, set up and present workshops, and other possibilities were brought up. The board agreed that having a year to set goals would be an advantage for ACE. Andy Begger moved to offer Jerry Scott a part-time directorship of ACE at whatever salary and benefits TRS would allow him to have. Tim Dolphay seconded the motion which passed 7 - 0.
   
   A handout with the ACE goals that were set in the fall was distributed along with a SAM survey on professional development needs. The board will review these at a future date. A copy of the past few year’s budgets and last years contract for Jerry was also handed out.
   
   Jerry’s contract and the 2010 - 2011 budget will be placed on the next meeting agenda.

5. A handout showing the March 1, 2010 ACE PIR Day finances were reviewed. There are still about 50% of the billings to still be received.

6. Josh Middleton said he would work with Jerry on obtaining a contract from Jay McTighe for the September 13, 2010 ACE PIR Day. McTighe has verbally committed to do the presentation. Jerry reported that he returned the contract and deposit to Faith Chapel. There will be a separate facility for the bus driver workshop on that day. The board felt that the workshop could be opened to non-member schools at a fee of $60 per person depending on the room available. (Post meeting note … the main floor of Faith Chapel can hold 1290 with a total of 1860 if the balcony is opened.)

7. A summary of the May 12 Principal meeting was discussed. The principals felt the meeting was very beneficial and would like to have at least one meeting per semester during the 2010 - 2011 school year. 13 attended from 10 member schools. The handout from Gail Richardson on the curriculum revision dates and information on the common core standards was passed to those in attendance. The dates and location will be placed on the mtace.org web site.

8. The board felt that ACE should take a position of disseminating information on workshops being offered and not set up any summer or MEA sessions at this time. ACE will offer the 6 + 1 Trait workshop in the fall of 2010 - 2011 as they did last year.

9. Thus far Broadview, Pryor, Elder Grove and Joliet have turned in their form to start MAP Testing in the 2010 - 2011 school year. Others have indicated an interest but have not returned their paperwork at this time. Jerry will go ahead and make arrangements for the training in August and invite other member schools to attend if there is room. Linda Filpula said she would be willing to do more workshops on MAP testing throughout the year if the board wanted her to.

10. No one applied for the June ASCD conference ACE scholarship.

11. Jerry attended the SMART board meeting on May 10 and reported that they were working on a restructuring to change the name as well as make the organization a resource center for professional development.

12. Sandy Watts requested ACE visit her area schools because some of them were interested in joining. Jerry will work with Sandy on setting up future meetings.
    


13. Next ACE board meeting was set for 9:30 A.M on June 22nd at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.