Pinnacle Board Meeting Minutes
April 9th, 2026
Attendees in person: Kelly Cunningham, Pam Kaplan & Beth Marquis
Attendees via zoom: Kristen McQuaide, Alex Roosenberg, Michelle Strasburger & Kurt Simione
Absentees: Kathleen Reardon & Monica Sava
The meeting was called to order by Michelle. Meeting minutes from March 19th were approved.
Agenda Items:
Financial Update:
We will be closing on the $400,000 line of credit soon. Pam will be going to Bangor to close the line of credit from them.
$6,000-paying the architect
$6,800-Matt for demo on building
$3,000-commitment fee for new line of credit
$2,000-left in NCQE
We have no financial room for non-reimbursable funds. Kelly is going to try and see if some of the grant will go towards paying the architect.
Pinnacle Timeline:
We need to prioritize life safety plans and codes (hopefully by 4/21), then they will be submitted to the fire marshal for approval. Some work can be done while waiting for that approval. After the fire marshals’ approval, we can apply for the certificate of occupancy.
After much discussion, Pam made a motion for Matt to move forward with the demo and we will pay him half upfront and half upon completion (quoted at $6,800 total). Kelly seconded the motion. Beth was in favor, Michelle and Kurt were not. The motion passed.
Matt is going to send the board his demo plan. It includes taking down walls, placing other walls, taking out toilets, bathrooms, etc.
Board Member Updates & Discussion:
Monica Sava officially resigned from the Pinnacle Board.
Erin Neuhart never officially resigned, she did so verbally.
Kelly made a motion to remove Erin from the Board. Pam seconded the motion. All were in favor.
We need to start recruiting members to join the Board and NCQE. Michelle said there are a couple of people who have shown interest in joining NCQE. She thinks we should reach out to other parents to see if there’s interest. We could also advertise. Kelly will see if the grant will cover advertising for recruiting board members.
Policy Review & Board Approval:
There were two policies sent to legal and the board to review. One had no comments from legal, the other one did. The policy was amended.
Kelly made a motion to approve the two policies. Beth seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Targeted Updates:
Architectural design set: Ann will be submitting a second, more detailed set of plans (that the electricians and plumbers will use). Matt is putting in new windows and is set to start the demo on Monday. The second phase of the design will cost $33,535.00. Kelly will find out if any of that is covered by the grant.
Technology: Fidium is the only internet provider that we will be able to use. They’re not charging us for bringing the line into the building. The cost is $390 a month. They want us to sign a 60-month contract. Kelly thinks the Innovation Grant may cover the cost.
Kurt made a motion for Michelle to sign the contract with Fidium. Pam seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Tutor Bot, ILP, SIS: Kelly is waiting until Alma is up and running before incorporating these.
Recommendations: Alex had a demo with Discovery Innovation today. They have textbooks, discovery experiences, virtual field trips, ed tech, social studies, illustrative math, future ready skills, civics and more! It’s through the Department of Education. They’re giving us a 1.5-month demo to try. They’re very responsive. While everything they have goes to the 12th grade level, the textbooks only go to grade 8.
There are 13 students in total that have enrolled in Pinnacle. 4 with paperwork completely done, 7 in the lottery and 2 more have applied.
Alex broke down a comparison she made on 3 assets management software systems:
Sortly: very basic, strictly asset management. $74 a month.
Asset Panda- connects with quick books, seemed like the best fit. $3000-$7200 a year.
FMX- focuses more on the maintenance of facilities. $7425 a year.
We need to choose one before ordering supplies and materials. Alex will reach out to Caitlin to see what other schools use.
Michelle is going to set up a meeting with her, Kurt and her “furniture guy”.
Marketing & Outreach:
Pam went to Berlin and wanted to pass out fliers at the food bank but was told she couldn’t do that. She passed out fliers at the Welfare office, the Family Resource Center, thrift stores, Catholic Charities and the Department of Education. They were very interested and asked if we’d be willing to do a presentation.
The yard signs and banners are covered by the grant.
Banners (one-sided color with grommets)
6’x3’: $125.00
8’x4’: $195.00
Yard Signs (24” x 18” with step stakes, minimum 25)
One-sided color: $20.00 each ($500.00 total)
Two-sided color: $25.00 each ($625.00 total)
Standard production turnaround time- seven days; additional three days required to set up files for banners and signs.
Kelly made a motion for Kathy to purchase 20 yard signs and two banners (one for the front, and one for the side of the building). Pam seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Finance & Accounting:
Discussion around spending limits. Pam would like to carry this over to the next board meeting.
Pinnacle Hiring, Onboarding & Contract Oversight:
There’s a new Questco form that will add benefits such as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. There’s no cost, it’s just adding the plans to the form.
Kelly made a motion to have Michelle sign the contract. Pam seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Fundraising & Grant Acquisition:
Kathy was not at this meeting. Michelle said she would be meeting with Kathy and Ha on Monday for a fundraising update and to make a fundraising plan.
Insurance:
Policy titled Educators Legal Liability (ELL); this does provide D&O protection for board members, officers and senior leadership.
Policy defines “insured” to include past, present or future duly elected or appointed
directors, officers, trustees, and school board members.
$1M insurance is $8,155.30. $2M insurance is $5,260.43 (which includes educators liability). There are also some insurance options through Questco.
Kelly made a motion for Michelle to sign the contract for the $2M insurance (if covered by the grant). Pam seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Curriculum Development:
The curriculum reviewers are almost done. Alex received feedback from one reviewer on one subject. Alex put the feedback from the reviewer in the shared drive.
Next Meeting:
The next Pinnacle Board Meeting will be on Thursday, April 16th at 5:30
Adjournment:
Kelly made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Pam seconded the motion. All were in favor.