BOARD OF TRUSTEES LADY LIBERTY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Newark, New Jersey MINUTES

Transcription

1 BOARD OF TRUSTEES LADY LIBERTY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Newark, New Jersey MINUTES Lady Liberty Academy (Cafeteria) January 20, Sandford Avenue 5:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Board President, K. Anthony Thomas II. SUNSHINE ANNOUNCEMENT: Courtney Young (Board Secretary) read the following: In accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L Announcement, I wish to announce that: The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advance notice of, and to attend meetings of, public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Lady Liberty Academy Charter School Board of Trustees has caused notice of this meeting to be advertised by having the date, time and place thereof posted on the parents notice board in the school, published and/or transmitted to the Star-Ledger and El Nuevo Coqui newspapers, to the Essex County Superintendent of Schools, and posted on the school s web site. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The assembly was led in the Pledge by Executive Director, Glen Pinder IV. BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESOLVED:, in the county of Essex, New Jersey hereby accepts the resignation of Nichelle L. Holder from the Lady Liberty Academy Charter School Board of Trustees effective January 13, V. ROLL CALL Motion: Mr. Easterling Second: Mr. Thomas Present: Monique Mitchell, K. Anthony Thomas, Therone Hopkins, Kimya Jackson, Michael Easterling and Sandy Lizaire Duff Absent: Soyini Ma at Quorum: Yes Also Present: Glen Pinder (Executive Director), Albert Wright (Human Resources Coordinator) and Courtney Young (Board Secretary) Public: 8 members of the public were present

2 Page 2 of 9 VI. REPORTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S REPORT State Visit Discuss outcome of State Authorizers Visit on 1/14/2015: Mr. Pinder stated that the administration and staff worked to address issues from probation visit feedback. Dr. Duff expressed that the teachers are to be commended for delivering differentiated instruction, actively engaging students and having clear objectives. Arts Connected Enrichment ( ACE ) Update Status of January 2015 Deliverables to be Provided by ACE pursuant to the 1/5/2015 MOU entered into by ACE and LLA: Mr. Pinder stated that the deliverables were received and will be forwarded to the Board after the meeting. He also said he would be having a meeting with A. Raza to discuss items moving forward. Building/Security Update: Mr. Pinder stated that the visitor access system has been delivered and will be up and running by the next meeting. He also mentioned that LLACS has looked into swipe cards for staff but the systems are very expensive so LLACS will explore other options. Data Committee and Leadership Search Committee: Mr. Pinder asked for volunteers to join each committee. (Lizaire-Duff, Jackson and Easterling volunteer for Search Committee) Mr. Easterling explains the process for the search for a Principal and Director of Curriculum Lady Liberty Academy Student Enrollment Chart See Below Student Enrollment Grade # of Students as of 1/12/2015 # of Students as of 12/16/14 Enrollment Need K Total ACADEMIC REPORTS

3 Page 3 of 9 Principal-PARCC: L. Dortrait stated that the staff will be receiving training on 1/27/2015 and the parents will be trained in February. The test will take place starting March 2 nd. The interim assessments are online with Measuring up Live. Also, there is a lesson once a week that is PARCC based. During Saturday Academy, the entire lesson is technology based with 30 minutes of typing. Director of Curriculum- Scope and Sequence/Unit Planning: L. Dortrait expressed that the curriculum is being reviewed and glitches formatted. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance: Audit Presentation Olugbenga Olabintan, CPA present the audit to the Board. IX. MINUTES X. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: The meeting is open to the public for comment on items on or off the agenda (limited to 5 minutes per person). Parent of a 1 st grader and 2 nd grader asked for the PARCC parent training to be open to all parents. Also, asked about the State visit; to which Mr. Pinder responded he thought it went well but we will have a decision in early March. The parent invited the Board to the next PTO meeting. XI. ACTION ITEMS A. Personnel A1. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, the Lady New Jersey, hereby approves the termination of the following employee effective on the effective date: Name Position Effective Date Porter, Marquis Security Guard/Custodian 01/30/2015 A2. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, the Lady New Jersey, hereby approves the following new hire effective on the date of hire: Name Position Salary Date of Hire Truss, Sherry Special Education $50,000 01/05/2015

4 Page 4 of 9 Teacher K-8 prorated $28,935 A3. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, the Lady New Jersey, hereby approves the following resignation effective on the effective date: Name Position Effective Date Kaplan, Art Teacher 01/16/2015 Deborah Consent items A1-A3 was voted on: Motion: Ms.Mitchell Seconded: Dr. Duff B. Finance B1. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady New Jersey, hereby approves the payment of the following list of bills: DATE AMOUNT BILL December 19, 2014 $200, Payroll December 19, 2014 $14, ER Taxes December 22, 2014 $ Payroll December 22, 2014 $26.70 ER Taxes December 29, 2014 $3, Payroll December 29, 2014 $ ER Taxes January 7, 2015 $184, Payroll January $15, ER Taxes January 20, 2015 $ 920, See Bills List B2. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady Liberty Academy Charter School Board of Trustees, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, hereby approves and affixes to the minutes of this meeting the Report of the Board Secretary for November B3. RESOLVED: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:17-9, the Board Secretary does certify that no line item account has encumbrances and expenditures, which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of N.J.S.A. 18A:17-9. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:17-36, the Lady Liberty Academy

5 Page 5 of 9 Charter School Board of Trustees has reviewed for the minutes of this meeting the Board Secretary and Treasurer s monthly financial report for November 2014 and found that no major account or fund has been overexpended in violation of N.J.S.A. 18A: Consent items B1-B3 was voted on: Motion: Ms. Mitchell Seconded: Dr. Duff B4. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady New Jersey, hereby accepts and approves the 1/5/2015 Memorandum of Understanding with ACE to implement strategies from 1/14/2015 through 8/30/2015, for an amount not to exceed $286,334. Consent item B4 was voted on: Motion: Ms. Mitchell Seconded: Dr. Duff Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 1 B5. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady New Jersey, hereby approves the revised budget to include ending audited fund balance ($4,476,798) and revenues based on the 10/15/14 enrollment count from the State ($6,427,089). B6. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady New Jersey, hereby accepts the Comprehensive Annual Report of Finances and Management (CAFR) report for the charter school accounts for fiscal year ; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the School Business Administrator is directed to file copies of this audit with the New Jersey Department of Education and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. B7. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady New Jersey, hereby directs the School Business Administrator and other appropriate administrators to implement the corrective actions for the recommendations noted by the auditors. B8. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady New Jersey, hereby accepts and approves the engagement letter from Olugbenga Olabintan, CPA, for the preparation of the Federal Form 990

6 Page 6 of 9 and New Jersey Form NJ-CRI-300R for the year end June 30, 2014, for an amount not to exceed $1,500. B9. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady New Jersey, pursuant to N.J.A.C 6A:23A-7.3(a), hereby establishes a travel expenditure maximum not to exceed $3,000 for B10. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady New Jersey, hereby approves the out-of-state travel of K. Carter, J. Stokes and T. Hunter for $ per round-trip ticket ($ total) to attend the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on February 27- March 4, C. Curriculum Consent items B5-B10 was voted on: Motion: Ms. Mitchell Seconded: Dr. Duff C1. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, Lady Liberty Academy Charter School Board of Trustees, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, hereby approves the following field trips: Grade Location Admission/ Trip Cost Quantity Bus Cost Total Cost 4 Statehouse in Trenton $0/student 48 students 6 adults $900 $900 D. Policy Consent items C1 was voted on: Motion: Ms. Mitchell Seconded: Mr. Hopkins D1. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, that Board of Trustees, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, hereby approves the Streamline Tenure Policy. D2. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, that Board of Trustees, in the County of

7 Page 7 of 9 Essex, New Jersey hereby approves the Integrated Pest Management Policy. Consent items D1-D2 was voted on: Motion: Mr. Thomas Seconded: Mr. Easterling E. Facilities Discussion: Mr. Pinder informed the Board that there is a leak in the basement. He stated that Build with Purpose is already aware and they are investigating remedies. Mr. Easterling expressed that the facilities committee should meet more often in order to be proactive on issues. F. Correspondence G. Students G1. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, that Board of Trustees, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, hereby accepts the November 2014 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Incident Report. Zero (0) incidents reported therein. G2. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, that Board of Trustees, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, hereby accepts the November 2014 Student Suspensions Report. Six (6) incidents reported therein. G3. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, that Board of Trustees, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, hereby accepts the December 2014 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Incident Report. Zero (0) incidents reported therein. G4. RESOLVED: Upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, that Board of Trustees, in the County of Essex, New Jersey, hereby accepts the December 2014 Student Suspensions Report. Six (6) incidents reported therein. Consent items G1-G3 was voted on: Motion: Ms. Jackson Seconded: Mr. Hopkins

8 Page 8 of 9 XII. FOLLOW-UP/MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Board Development: NJCSA is a tool to use. Strategic Goals: Possible fundraising to cover Food Service deficit. Successmakeronline sessions students can do at home and aligned with PARCC/Common Core. Edutying for typical assistance. Expansion of ICore program- Monica Spence handed out a fact sheet on how LLACS students have improved while participating in the program. Professional Development Review/Feedback o Specific Feedback from Eric Milou regarding the Math & ELA Professional Development Training so that the Board is satisfied that its $4000 expenditure was worthwhile. o Discuss implementation of General procedures to govern provision of sufficient feedback from professionals/teachers with respect to professional development training, such as: Oral feedback; Brief written assessments; and/or Workshop Surveys. XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION WHEREAS: The Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-11, permits the Board of Trustees to meet in closed session to discuss certain matters, now, therefore be it RESOLVED: The Board of Trustees adjourned to closed session at 8:00 PM to discuss: 1. a matter involving the purchase, lease, or acquisition of real property with public funds; and 2. specific prospective or current employees unless all who could be adversely affected request an open session. RESOLVED: The minutes of this closed session will be made public when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. RESOLVED: The Board of Trustees will return from private session at 9:00 PM. There being nothing further to discuss, upon motion of Trustee Jackson, seconded by Trustee Lizaire-Duff, the board considered a motion to adjourn at 9:00 PM The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.

9 Page 9 of 9 Next Meeting February 17, :00 p.m. Lady Liberty Academy (Cafeteria)