Academia Cesar Chavez Charter School

“The Form 990 is reviewed by the School's Accounting Manager, Executive Director, Executive Associate, and Board Chair and approved by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee recommends approval to the full Board of Directors.”

“New Board Members are made aware of the School's Conflict of Interest Policy and Board Members sign the policy annually. It is the responsibility of each Board Member to make the entire Board aware if a conflict of interest exists as the Board considers any action. Disclosure of a conflict of interest should be made to the Executive Director (or if she or he is the one with the conflict, then to the Board Chair), who shall bring the matter to the attention of the Board of Directors. Disclosure involving Directors should be made to the Board Chair, (or if she or he is the one with the conflict, then to the Executive Committee of the Board) who shall bring these matters to the Board of Directors.From time to time, transactions with parties with whom a conflicting interest exists may be undertaken only if all of the following are observed and if they are not in direct conflict with Minnesota State Statute 124D or Minnesota Law: 1.) the conflicting interest is fully disclosed; 2.) the person with the conflict of interest is excluded from the discussion and approval of such transaction. The conflict of interest policy affects Board Members and Board actions. All proceedings are documented in the meeting minutes.”

“The salaries of all employees of Academia Cesar Chavez School have been set by discussions held by the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, which includes the Board Chair, the Board Treasurer, the Executive Director and Finance Manager (for the past several years, Judith Darling, representative of Beltz, Kes, Darling and Associates). The Finance Committee prepares the budget for the School, including salaries and staff levels, for Board approval.The starting compensation of the Executive Director was/is determined based upon the comparison of salary and benefits matrix offered for similar positions at charter schools in the St. Paul district area. Other considerations in making the initial determination are education, experience, and skills of the Executive Director. For annual salary adjustments, the percentage of interest is in alignment with other staff increases as determined in the Annual Budget process and the amount of MDE General Aid. All salary adjustments for the Executive Director are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.The Executive Director worked with the Finance Committee, to examine payroll and look at overall staffing to be able to pay teachers fair and competitive rates as similar schools. The matrix for teaching staff was reviewed, comparisons with other public/charter schools were made and the salary levels based upon experience and education were adjusted. A key item approved by the Board during the 2014-15 year was a review of teacher salaries and an increase in salaries by adjusting where teachers were on the placement scale. This helped ACC to attract and retain highly qualified teachers.”

“The School's Governing Documents, Conflict of Interest Policy, and Financial Statements are made available to the public upon request.”

“The School implemented two new accounting standards (GASB 68 and 71) for the year ended June 30, 2015 which required recognition of the schools proportionate share of the unfunded pension liability. As a charter school in the state of Minnesota, participation in two multiple-employer, cost-sharing defined benefit pension plans is statutorily required. The schools contributions to the plans are also regulated by statute and are based on a percentage of salaries and wages earned by current employees. Therefore, while the Net Pension Liability is reported on the schools Statement of Net Position, the school is not in a position to directly control the liability or the subsequent liquidation of the liability.”

“Per MN Statute 124D.10, Charter Schools are required to have licensed teachers as members of the Board of Directors.Elizabeth Rodriguez and Jennifer Villella are Board Members, but received compensation for their services as Teachers.”