Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the policy-making and long range planning body of the school. The Board also oversees the budget and supervises the work of the Executive Director.
According to charter school law and the Bylaws of Community of Peace Academy, three teachers, three parents and three community members sit on the Board of Directors. All Directors serve three-year terms. The Board meets monthly and committee work is also required of Directors.
The Executive Director is hired and supervised by the Board, and is a permanent non-voting member.
|
Board of Directors |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Title | Member Type | Term Expiration |
| Director | Parent | June 2026 | |
| Secretary | Teacher | June 2025 | |
| Chair | Community Member | June 2025 | |
| Teresa Vazquez de Nilsson | Director | Parent | June 2026 |
| Director | Community Member | June 2026 | |
| Tom Ciaccio | Treasurer | Community Member | June 2026 |
| Mary Eckberg | Director | Teacher | June 2027 |
| Kimberly Her | Director | Parent | June 2027 |
| Dr. Juhi Upmanyu | Director | Teacher | June 2027 |
| Executive Director | Non-voting Member | ||
ELECTION PROCESS
Elections are run according to the Bylaws of Community of Peace Academy and in compliance with laws governing non-profit charter school boards in the State of Minnesota. CPA teachers, CPA parents/mentors and members of the community are eligible to serve on the Board of Directors and receive notice of openings each year. Teachers, parents and community members who are interested in serving on the Board are asked to submit their names and a brief statement of intent to the Board Nominating Committee by April 1st. This year the election will take place at our Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 16th at 6pm.
BOARD MEETINGS
Board meetings are open meetings; parents and members of the public are welcome to attend. The Board Meeting Calendar is published on the school calendar and on the school website. As a rule, Board meetings are held from 6:00pm-8:00pm in the Community of Peace Academy Conference Room on the second Monday of each month, August through June. Board meeting minutes are published on the school website following Board approval.
The Board of Directors affords students, staff, parents, guardians and members of the public opportunity for public comment. Please refer to the guidelines for public comment
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
| 2024-2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| July 29, 2024 | Aug. 12, 2024 | Sept. 9, 2024 | |
| Oct. 14, 2024 | Nov. 11, 2024 | Dec. 9, 2024 | |
| Jan. 13, 2025 | Feb. 10, 2025 | Mar. 10, 2025 | |
| Apr. 14, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | June 9, 2025 | |
| 2023-2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 14, 2023 | Sept. 11, 2023 | Oct. 9, 2023 | |
| Nov. 13, 2023 | Dec, 4, 2023 | ||
| Feb. 12, 2024 | March 11, 2024 | April 8, 2024 | |
| May 13, 2024 | June 10, 2024 | ||
BOARD COMMITTEES
Board committees are working committees. They are advisory committees to the Board and as such may influence policy. The Executive Director and at least one Board Member sits on all Board committees. Members of the leadership team and outside consultants with expertise in specific areas may also sit on Board Committees. Board Committees include the Finance Committee, and the Facility/Health & Safety Committee.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee is charged with ensuring the long-term financial well-being of the school. The Finance Committee meets monthly to review the school’s financial reports and to advise the Board regarding all financial matters, including but not limited to salary, wages and benefits. The Finance Committee also reviews all budget updates and is the body that votes on individual teacher salary negotiations.
Meeting Schedule
The Finance Committee meets at 3:00 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month.
| 2024-2025 Meeting Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 3, 2024 | Oct. 29, 2024 | Dec. 5, 2024 | |
| Jan. 30, 2025 | Feb. 27, 2025 | Mar. 27, 2025 | |
| Apr. 24, 2025 | May 29, 2025 | ||
MISSION AND POLICY COMMITTEE
The work of the Mission and Policy Committee is to help focus the work of our entire district on our mission. This committee will seek, analyze, and reflect upon evidence related to student performance and growth in the areas of academic excellence, relationships, and peace in order to improve the outcomes of all students and improve our student’s learning experience. This committee will lead the initiative to update our Strategic Plan. Also, this committee sets up a schedule for the regular review of school policy over the course of each school year and submits updated policies to the board for approval.
Meeting Schedule
The Mission and Policy Committee meets at 3:00 p.m on the third Thursday of each month.
| 2024-2025 Meeting Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 19, 2024 | Oct. 24, 2024 | Nov. 21, 2024 | |
| Jan 16, 2025 | Feb 20, 2025 | ||
| March 20, 2025 | April 17, 2025 | May 22, 2025 | |
FACILITY/HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
The Facility/Health and Safety Committee oversees the care and maintenance of our buildings and grounds, and health and safety procedures to ensure the well-being of our students and staff.
Meeting Schedule
The Facility/Health&Safety Committee meets at 3:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.
| 2024-2025 Meeting Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 5, 2024 | Oct 10, 2024 | Nov 7, 2024 | |
| Dec 12, 2024 | Jan 9, 2025 | Feb 6, 2025 | |
| March 6, 2025 | April 10, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | |
BUILDING COMPANY MEMBERS/MINUTES
The Community of Peace Building Company (the Building Company) is a Minnesota nonprofit organization classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, that owns the CPA school building and leases it to the Academy, in accordance with MN Statutes 124E.13 Subd. 3, 7a. Affiliated nonprofit building corporation.
| Building Company Members | |
|---|---|
| Ex-Officio Member: | Tim McGowan Executive Director |
| Member: | Bonnie Johnson District Business Manager |
| Treasurer: | Molly Huml Elementary School Principal |
| President: | Jeremy Harvey Community Member |
BUILDING COMPANY MEETING MINUTES
| 2020-2021 Meeting Minutes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2021 | |||
| 2019-2020 Meeting Minutes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2020 | July 17, 2019 | July 9, 2019 | |
| 2018-2019 Meeting Minutes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| August 4, 2018 | October 30, 2018 | November 12, 2018 | |
| November 19, 2018 | December 19, 2018 | February 6, 2019 | |
| March 6, 2019 | April 15, 2019 | ||