Meeting Minutes 09/14/08

Attendees: Itisha, Sharanya, Arvind

1. Shristi update and request for increase in Teacher's Salaries -Arvind

− Phone conference with Suchi was held on Sept 11, 2008.

− Updates on Building construction, and other items

− Asha Austin sent $5000 to new building construction at Nagarbhavi (June 2008)

• Construction in progress (ground floor & basement), target move in is 10/1

• Initial move will be Administration

• Partitions still needed for class rooms, 20-25 kids will be accommodated initially

• Lease is Rs 1000 / year. Total 18 lakhs received, 8 lakhs remaining

• May need some funding to finish rooms

• Most kids will move to Nagarbhavi

– Some transportation difficulties with some of the kids from villages

– Autism unit will be set up at campus to address this

• New urban location will likely see increased demand

• Need to recruit more people with specific skill sets

− Main item is Teacher's Salaries.

− The 2nd installment for Teacher's Salaries at Shristi is due

− Asha Austin has previously approved salaries for (5) Therapists, (1) Art Teacher, (1) Music Teacher, & (1) Ayah

− Amount approved was for annual salaries totaling Rs 501,500, & half the amount of  $6,250 was sent in March 2008

− Shristi is increasing salaries

− New requirement is Rs 570,000 per year

− On an annual basis, the increase is Rs. 68,500.  For the second installment, the increase is Rs 34,250 (1/2 the total)

− Total amount requested for 2nd installment is Rs 285,000 (which is $6,235 @ current exchange rate of 45.71)

− Due to exchange rate fluctuation, the amount in $US is essentially the same, but increase (in INR), needs to be voted on 

Arvind will set up online vote to increase the 2nd disbursement by INR 34,250 to a new total of INR 285,000