SEPTEMBER REGULAR BOARD MEETING AGENDA

SCHOOL DISTRICT #4296

REGULAR BOARD AGENDA

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

5:30pm, Caribou Coffee Crossroads

http://scsjacademy -

info@scsjacademy.org

108 6th Avenue Waite Park, MN 56387 - 320-131-3131

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to nurture students’ innate curiosity and love of learning through democratic practice, emergent curriculum, and hands-on projects, helping students become life-long problem solvers and socially aware, responsible and engaged citizens.

Our vision is to promote social and environmental awareness, skill building and kindness to

prepare all learners to be leaders and citizens of their community and our world.

Board Members Present:

Board Members Not Present: Sandy

Also Present: Paula, Mohammed

*Additions to agenda after initial posting

AGENDA ITEM

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION/ACTION

1. Call Meeting to Order

a. Roll Call and Conflict of

Interest

b. Introduction of Guests

c.Review and Approve Agenda

d. Pledge of Allegiance

1A – Board Roster
A. CONFLICT OF INTEREST BY BOARD MEMBERS

Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance,

to the flag -

Of the United States of America.

And to the Republic, for which it stands.

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all

2. Public Input and Announcements

Please limit input to 3 minutes or less.

Public Input

NOTE: If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this event, please contact 320-980-7180 at least one week in advance of the meeting.

3. Consent agenda

3A. Minutes from August Special Meeting

3B. Resignation of Hodan Omar, Board Member

4. Discussion and Possible Action Items

2A - Board Recruitment - Abdi

2B - Facilities Update and Board Direction - Abdi

2B - Review of CSP Grant Status - Abdi

2C- Positions to Post/Contracts to Pursue

Director/ Coordinator
Business Services Company

2F - Committee Chairpersons and Membership

Ready to Open Review -

9. Next Meeting

Next Regular Board Meeting: September 27, 2023.

10. Adjournment

Zoom Link!

BUSINESS SERVICES PROPOSALS NOW BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2023.

Request for Proposal

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2023

Questions

Questions can be submitted prior to the proposal deadline; however, no answers will be provided or circulated prior to that date. Questions may be submitted in written form to Abdi (Ahmed) at goawhar@gmail.com Questions will be answered by the appropriate individuals within two business days via email. Questions and answers will be shared with all bidders.

Action

St. Cloud Social Justice Academy requests proposals from qualified organizations to provide Business Services. The Business Services Provider will assist St. Cloud Social Justice Academy with all aspects of Business Services, Budget, Payroll, Benefits Management, and other program oversight and leadership. The result of this Request for Proposal will be a contract for Business Services Support.

Purpose/Anticipated Results

The objective of the work activities is to provide program leadership, support staff/students/administration and families, and to ensure that all Federal/State and District policies and procedures are enforced..

Duties and Responsibilities of the Firm

1. Serve as the Business/Operations Manager for the school.

2. Serve as the contact and leader with MDE and other entities regarding all finance and operations issues.

3. Provide leadership in all aspects of budget development, implementation, accountability and communication.

4. Provide leadership and support in all payroll and benefits development, implementation, accountability and communication.

5. Provide leadership and support in all accounts payable and receivables development, implementation, accountability and communication.

6. Other tasks as agreed upon by the Provider and Board.

Background of School

St. Cloud Social Justice Academy is a free, public charter school which will open in the fall of 2024 in the greater St. Cloud area. The K-5 school will host two sections of each grade level. Osprey Wilds is the school’s authorizer. Areas of school focus include, but are not limited to social justice teachings, environmental education and project based learning.

Criteria for Award of Proposal

A. PRICE AND CONFORMITY TO SPECIFICATIONS: While cost is a significant factor in considering the placement of the award, it is not the only factor and the award will not be based solely upon the lowest fees submitted.

B. APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT A PROPOSAL BY 9-30-23 to INCLUDE LEADERSHIP IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Required Profile of the Business Services Provider:

Bidding firms will be required to meet the following criteria:

1. Be fully licensed in all necessary business services areas required for this position.

2. Have at least three other client accounts in good standing. 3 Letters of Recommendation are to be submitted as part of the bidding process.

3. Have been in operation for a period of at least 3 years and are in good standing with MDE and other educational institutions..

4. Should demonstrate that it has the capacity, capability and experience required to undertake the Business Services Provider within required time lines.

7. Request for Proposal Submission

Firms meeting the above criteria are requested to submit their proposals to Ahmed Elimi at gowhar@gmail.com by 9-30-23:

a) Technical Proposal containing:

1. Confirmation of the Firm’s understanding of the Terms of Reference (TOR) and its capacity and capability to deliver the ];

2. The methodology, work-plan and timelines for undertaking and completing the assignment, and the deliverables;

3. Appropriate references to demonstrate the experience specified in the TOR; 4. The CVs or resumes of key staff proposed to do the assignment.

2024-25 Applications for enrollment being accepted NOW!

The 2024-25 Student Lottery will take place on March 14, 2024 at 4:00 at Caribou Crossroads. Please complete the application (found under the Admissions tab of this webpage) and send it in prior to March 1, 2024 for consideration. Families will be notified as to their acceptance within ten days.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at informationSJA@gmail.com or 320-980-7180 if you have questions.

PLEASE JOIN US!!

St. Cloud Social Justice Academy is a new - tuition free

K-8 grade school that is opening in the fall of 2024

(The school will open to grades K-5 and will add grades each year.)

The school has prioritized high academic standards, environmental education and a focus on social justice as priorities. We are excited to share information with you. Enrollment is limited, therefore, we encourage you to become informed and register now!

Date: March 15, 2024 - 6:30 pm

Location: Crossroads Caribou Coffee - located in the south parking lot of Crossroads Mall - Waite Park, MN

There will be individuals available to share information about SCSJA, answer any questoins and and all will have the opportunity to complete all registrations during this time.

Please call 320-980-7180 if you have questions.

BOARD OF Director's Message

Greetings Families,

St. Cloud Social Justice Academy Welcomes You! SCSJA is a tuition-free, public K-8 charter school located in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Our mission is to nurture students’ innate curiosity and love of learning through democratic practice, emergent curriculum, and hands-on projects, helping students become life-long problem solvers and socially aware, responsible and engaged citizens.

Our vision is to promote social and environmental awareness, skill building and kindness to prepare all learners to be leaders and citizens of their community and our world.

SCSJA is an innovative and progressive school that is opening in the fall of 2023. The school was inspired by the dreams of its founders and friends. The dream is to provide an opportunity for students to learn in an academically rigorous environment that incorporates a focus on social justice and environmental learning. We understand that our children learn in unique ways and have created a school that acknowledges the interests and skills of each learner. We are excited to help our students discover their capabilities and passions!

The school serves the greater St. Cloud area. The school is a public charter school. There is no fee to attend. SCSJA is authorized by Osprey Wilds and works with the Minnesota Department of Education to ensure student progress and growth.

The site is within the transportation boundaries of St. Cloud (District 742). Students living within the District 742 boundaries will receive free transportation to and from the school.

Scheduled tours of the site and informational meetings are published on the website and are available at any time (please email info@scsjacademy.org). We are excited to share our school and program with you.

Student applications for enrollment are posted on our website and are now being accepted. Space is limited, so early applications are encouraged. Please let us know if you have any questions!

We look forward to meeting you!

The SCSJA Board of Directors

School calender 2023

Our core values

Learning & Fun

At St. Cloud Social Justice Academy, we believe that engaging our students in challenging, interesting and relevant learning is a bedrock of a great education. Our instructors plan lessons that embrace environmental learning, social awareness and rigorous academics. We understand that students learn best when they are engaged and happy!

Healthy Meals

St.Cloud Social Justice Academy utilizes an outside vendor to provide student meals each day. The meals meet the Federal Nutritional Guidelines and are chosen based on student tastes and “likes''. SCSJA is also seeking grants to provide farm to table and other nutritional snack options for students.

Children's Safety

The safety of the students and staff of St.Cloud Social Justice Academy is important to all! The campus is a locked campus, where visitors are asked to sign in with each visit. Students are supervised when outside and off campus. The student and staff handbooks highlight the safety and security plans. Students are taught the Safety Plan and are monitored at all times. We believe students who feel safe and secure are able to learn more freely!

Environmental Care

St. Cloud Social Justice Academy believes in taking care of the earth and our environment as a whole. Our Project Based Learning approach to teaching and learning incorporates many strategies and activities that demonstrate the importance of environmental care to our learners. The school is working to incorporate many opportunities for interacting with the environment!

Our goal is for our students and staff to become environmental ambassadors.

The school is committed to incorporating the following elements of environmental awareness in the teaching and overall learning experience at each grade level:

Environmental Awareness
Environmental Knowledge
Environmental Attitudes and Dispositions
Environmental Skills and Competencies
Environmental Behaviors and Actions