PATTISON’S D.R.E.A.M. ACADEMY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
DATE: September 22, 2016
MEETING LOCATION: Pattison’s Academy School
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: • Richard Gross, Randy Disharoon, Gerry Kelly, Maurice Johnson, Larry
Ladue, Margaret Mays.
Conference Call: None
Open to public: Mason Duffy, Director Family Support Services and Paige Knowlson, OT, Therapy
Coordinator.
Call to order: 5:00 pm
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS
TOPIC
Call to Order
Richard Gross
Welcome
Richard welcomed new member Margaret Mays, Executive
Director of the Charleston Medical Society. Richard also
welcomed two staff members from Pattison’s: Mason Duffy and
Paige Knowlson.
1. Approval of
minutes
The Minutes of the August 26th Board meeting were reviewed
with no changes. Motion was made by Randy for approval and
seconded by Maurice. Minutes approved unanimously.
2. Treasurer’s Report
Randy distributed the budget report for Pattison’s Academy for
Fiscal Year 2017. The report compared the budgets for fiscal
year 2017 and 2016. Overall, there was a decrease in budgeted
income and expenditures of approximately one million dollars
from 2016 to the current 2017 budget. This is important to note
since the previous 2016 budget reflected the exaggerated
income projections and the documented real expenditures of the
previous Executive Director. The 2017 budget sets forth a very
conservative income projection and only essential expenditures
for the 2017 year. Randy discussed each budget item and
addressed questions from the membership. The question of
audits arose and Randy stated that an audit is required every
year for PACE but not every year for Pattison’s Academy. Since
Pattison’s had an audit last year, there will not be an audit this
year which will help save needed dollars. The entire
membership asked a series of questions regarding the budget
management and how the process for accountability will be
1
RECOMMENDATIO
NS /ACTIONS
implemented. Randy responded that there are now several
levels of review on income and spending which will keep the
process more transparent. He also emphasized the most
important point which is that if the budget completes the year as
projected, both lines of credit accumulated by the previous ED
will be completely paid off within the fiscal year. It is projected
that Pattison’s will be debt free by June of 2017. The members
were extremely pleased with the budget as presented and
pledged with Randy to keep closer oversight on the budget as
the year progresses.
Following a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Randy to
approve the budget as presented and Gerry seconded the
motion. The members unanimously approved the Pattison’s
budget as written.
Randy next presented the PACE budget which again compared
FY16 to FY17. The 2017 budget was reduced by approximately
$200,000 from the previous 2016 budget. Again, each item was
reviewed by Randy and all members concurred that the budget
is tight, yet realistic. Randy also explained that the funding
allotment from the State Department of Education (SDE) still
uses an allocation model approved in 1978 which is the major
reason that Pattison’s income from CCSD is far below what is
needed to operate the school without heavy reliance on
fundraising. Throughout the presentation Randy emphasized
that all the creditors who are owed money have been contacted
and monthly payments are being made to each one’s satisfaction.
Most importantly, the debt owed to the Church has been paid in
full and the monthly rent has been reduced from $5,500 to
$4,400 each month. Thanks to Randy and Dick’s negotiating
skills, PACE is moving away from the financial turmoil that was
inflicted from last October to June of this year. The budget is a
balanced projection of realistic income and expenses. The
budget is in line with the reality of running the school and
insuring that all requirements of CCSD and the parents of the
students are met.
Following the discussion, a motion was made by Maurice to
approve the PACE budget as presented and Larry seconded the
motion. The members unanimously approved the PACE budget
as written.
One final note: Richard commended both Randy and Dr. Cheryl
Belcher for their work on the budget. Not only for this budget
presentation, but for their tireless work from last January until
now to move Pattison’s to a point of projected solvency. Their
work and dedication helped Pattison’s and PACE to be able to
2
continue serving the children and staff who have come to rely on
the school. The membership expressed their sincere
appreciation.
3. Update on staff
Richard summarized that he and Cheryl are continuing to pursue
the hiring of qualified staff for the school. The website presents
a clear picture of all the staff under each category of work and
should be consulted by all members. Richard again mentioned
Paige Knowlson, OT who has joined the Pattison’s staff and
indicated that he is interviewing an additional Physical
Therapist on September 23rd. Cheryl has put an ad in the paper
for a 3rd teacher and she is considering adding another teaching
assistant. The goal is to have a full staff by November and
remain within budget for personnel.
4. Donations, grants,
and fundraising
Richard is preparing a grant to the Medical Society for a
wheelchair posture study. The application is due by September
30th.
Randy reported that our Back to School Celebration raised over
$7,500 and that the Summerville Rotary raised $200. Randy has
been contacting previous donors and asking corporations such
as Inter-Tech for an early request to assist with our need for
expanding our therapy and transportation capabilities. Larry
mentioned several possible businesses that may help with a bus
or van. He also is working out a fundraiser at the school for a
possible basketball tournament. Additionally, there is a
possibility that Andolini’s may assist with a fundraiser. Gerry
mentioned that the Charleston Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
Lodge #5 donated $250 to Pattison’s. The members expressed
their thanks for these efforts and realized the fundraising is a
major challenge that needs constant attention.
5. Board
Reorganization
Discussion
The Board had a brief discussion on the need and the process for
possibly reorganizing the Board and formally changing the ByLaws as needed. The discussion centered on whether there is a
need for a full time Executive Director and how that role should
be accomplished. There is a real need for some central person to
coordinate all the “moving parts” of the organization, but how
this is to be accomplished needs much discussion.
There was also a proposal and discussion around adding an
Advisory Committee to assist the Board in future planning and
direction. The Committee would consist of professionals in
various disciplines and also past individuals who could lend
their strengths to the Board. Both a change in the Executive
Director role, the By-Laws, and the addition of an Advisory
Board will need much discussion prior to final implementation.
3
All members will
re-read the ByLaws and be
prepared for a
detailed
discussion.
6. New Members
7. Adjournment
The Board members discussed the need to add at least one more
Board member to fulfill the CCSD requirement for the PACE
Charter and to assist with all the Board work. The members
agreed that one additional member would be solicited from the
community to maintain the balance between elected and
appointed members. The next member must be elected based
on the current By-Laws. A discussion on how this could best be
accomplished ensued, and it was decided that Randy will send
out an email to all parents of the students as well as all faculty of
the school to solicit names for possible Board membership. The
current Board will then vet the names of all those submitted to
determine if they meet the requirements of Board membership.
Once a final list of names is constructed, the Board will hold an
election among the parents and faculty to determine who will be
the new Board member. The entire process will take several
weeks.
With no further business to discuss, a motion for adjournment
was made by Randy and seconded by Larry. The members
unanimously concurred and the meeting was adjourned.
Meeting adjourned: 6:50pm
Next Meeting – Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Location – Ms. Roses meeting hall
____________________________________________________
Gerard Kelly, PhD
Secretary
4
Randy to send out
email to parents
and faculty