Dustin reported for the principals. Uptown campuses are in the midst of testing for ELL students and LEAP connect practice for all students. Both Uptown campuses had a great, festive Luna Festivities. We recently had French students from France visiting for the week who experienced the city and instruction. We will send our students and teachers to France in the Spring. Third Grade Parent Night is on March 12th- a informative night to speak with teachers and changes to expect moving to the new campus. Gentilly PTC just held a Sweetheart dance that was very successful. They also have an upcoming book fair. 

Cash on hand is $5.5 million. It's $543K better than budgeted. Waiting on NOLAPS to provide us with forecast data for student based funding. Right now it is projecting $825 increase per student base funding. Fund Balance is at a very healthy balance. 

There is a very strong belief we have grants that will be funding these projects plus loan rates are moving in our favor. One of the grants is the Capital Improvement Grant from NOLAPS and we received $772.035, that we are using to implement the elevator at Gentilly and to input a upstairs bathroom for both the boys and girls. We also have an Upper School playground project for our Live Oak campus. The estimated cost is $1,249,360 with project completion in Summer 2024. This project will allow of outside lunch, performance space, etc. We will be submitting another application for the next round of Capital Improvement Grants. Additionally, we have had an increase in enrollment, so we would like to renovate Broadway's science lab to create two classrooms to accommodate the increased enrollment without having to take Arts away. Estimated cost is $75,000-$150,000 with completion either in Summer 2024 or Summer 2025. Finally, Gentilly is adding 8th grade making them fully enrolled and requiring additional space for intervention and SpEd to maintain our Arts Programs. The plan is to cut the auditorium, which is too small for school wide performances, into 4 classrooms. Cost is $585,833 and estimated completion is 2024. We were also approved to put lockers in at our Live Oak Campus from NOLAPS, but the cost will be expensive and will require bids. 

These are recommendations for compensation moving forward. Votes will be for next board meeting. Current issue is that teachers and staff are not reflective of what they deserve and other schools are making more competitive offers making it hard for recruiting and retention. Audubon's last salary approval was in 2018 when Gentilly was founded. We used a national organization, EdFuel, to implement a study that charters across the city and nation participated in. We also used an state provided survey Upbeat that showed us that teachers feel underpaid at Audubon. Teachers are interested in receiving a raise, cost of living adjustments, more leadership opportunities, etc. Using this data we are proposing to implement one-time increase of $2500 for teachers and $1250 for TAs. Then moving forward a 2% increase each year along with a longevity bonus at year 4. Additionally we are looking to implement paid maternity and paternity leave as well as create Grade Team Leads that will be provided stipends. Right now we have a surplus to cover these recommendations. 

This is an information item.  Mathes Brierre will submit an AIA contract for approval at the next meeting.

Parent group is putting on a dance for the 6th graders and also an auction. Encouraging meetups at park. Bringing back snacks for staffs on Wednesdays. PTO would like the board to attend their meeting on May 7th at 5:30.  

We filed for employee retention credits, and we are projected to return is $2.3 million. Our health insurance is currently sitting at it's best loss ratio in years, which is amazing for renewal rates.