Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.01.2022 Special Museum Board Meeting MinutesMinutes of the November 1, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 1 of 2 Minutes of the November 1, 2022 Board Meeting (Approved at the Dec. 1, 2022 Board Meeting.) A special meeting of the Oshkosh Public Museum (OPM) Board was held Tuesday, November 1, 2022, in the Lecture Room of the Museum. President Loiacono called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. The roll was taken by Administrative Assistant Theresa Books. PRESENT AT ROLL: President Gabe Loiacono, Vice President Becky Matzke, Secretary Connie Drexler, Board Members Carol Fenrich, Jim Hoffman, and Jean Thierman, Alternates Tiara Cavett and Vicky Redlin EXCUSED: Board Member Dana Stolley, Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis, and Oshkosh Area School District Board President Barb Herzog ALSO PRESENT: Director Sarah Phillips, Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo, Marketing Coordinator Kate Stel, and Administrative Assistant Theresa Books taking the minutes With Ms. Stolley absent, President Loiacono appointed Ms. Redlin. The only item on the agenda was discussion regarding funding of 2023 City of Oshkosh Operating Budget Enhancement for an additional staff person who would handle and develop the Museum’s Education Programs. Director Phillips began by reporting that at both the budget meeting with Council and the joint Council/School District meeting Mayor Palmeri asked if there is possibility for sharing the expense of the educator. At the joint meeting Superintendent Davis said that the School District’s contribution in this is allowing Tanya Schmidt to spend Mondays at the Museum to work on curriculum coordination, to coordinate things between the Museum and the School District, etc. Tanya is a great connection for the Museum to the OASD, however now that she has helped make it happen, to have all OASD 3rd graders come to the Museum, a staff person is needed to schedule the fieldtrips, schedule volunteers to assist with any hands on activities and to present information to the groups, as well as to reach out to other schools. Further, today Director Phillips was informed that City Manager Rohloff recently put the Museum Educator position at the lowest urgency. Ms. Cannizzo noted that the Museum has a goal mandated to us to get Oshkosh school children in the Museum. It has been in the City’s Strategic Plan for several years. Working toward this goal, the Museum has succeeded in getting all 3rd graders to be coming to the Museum. This remains an unsupported, unfunded mandate. Ms. Matzke asked what Board governed funds are available. Ms. Books pointed out that there is the new-this-year Osborn Endowment at the OACF, of which the Museum received interest of $22,000 that is available now and about that amount will be available each year. There is interest from the Museum Endowment at the Oshkosh Area Minutes of the November 1, 2022 Museum Board Meeting Oshkosh Public Museum ■ 1331 Algoma Boulevard ■ Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 Page 2 of 2 Community Foundation of approximately $12,500 yet undesignated. Ms. Books pointed out several other available funds. Director Phillips noted that historically the Museum Board has approved about $60,000 since 2019 for a full time LTE position, the Assistant Curator. When the Assistant Curator resigned this year, that position was left open. She further pointed out that the lack of an Educator is at the core of why OPM’s accreditation was not renewed. Establishing the position builds a good foundation. The position does need to be full time to meet the needs, but a part time would be fine for now. After much discussion two motions were brought to the Board. MOTION: That the Museum Board approve $50,000 of Board-governed funds for a Full Time Equivalent Museum Educator position; and that the City be asked to provide the balance of the funding for the position for FY 2023. (Matzke; second Redlin) CARRIED: Yes (7) Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Loiacono, Matzke, Redlin, Thierman MOTION: In the event the City refuses to provide the balance of funding for the Education positon, the Board approves use of the $50,000 of Board-governed funds for a Limited Term Employee (LTE) Educator. (Matzke; second Redlin) CARRIED: Yes (7) Drexler, Fenrich, Hoffman, Loiacono, Matzke, Redlin, Thierman With no other agenda items, President Loiacono asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Adjourn (Thierman; second Redlin) CARRIED: Voice Vote The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.