Girls Global Academy

Minutes

GGA Full Board Meeting

Full Board Meeting #2

Date and Time

Monday October 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Location

Scheduled in Person at GGA

Trustees Present

Andria Wisler, Anita Johnson, Beth Blaufuss, Brian Holden, Jessica Giles, Karen Dresden, Lauren Johannesson-McCoy, Maria Miller, Rachel Charles, Ricardo Chapa

Trustees Absent

Laura Bartos, Max Levasseur

Ex Officio Members Present

Karen Venable-Croft

Non Voting Members Present

Karen Venable-Croft

Guests Present

Shamira O'Neal

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Andria Wisler called a meeting of the board of trustees of Girls Global Academy to order on Monday Oct 28, 2024 at 6:12 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Beth Blaufuss made a motion to approve the minutes from March Board Meeting on 03-18-24.
Maria Miller seconded the motion.

Beth offered an edit to the 3/18/24 minutes from "nominates" to "nominate." Edit will be made.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Lauren Johannesson-McCoy
Aye
Jessica Giles
Aye
Maria Miller
Aye
Beth Blaufuss
Aye
Laura Bartos
Absent
Karen Dresden
Abstain
Brian Holden
Aye
Anita Johnson
Aye
Ricardo Chapa
Aye
Max Levasseur
Absent
Andria Wisler
Aye
Rachel Charles
Aye
Beth Blaufuss made a motion to approve the minutes from GGA April 2024 Retreat & Board Meeting on 04-27-24.
Maria Miller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Lauren Johannesson-McCoy
Aye
Jessica Giles
Aye
Laura Bartos
Absent
Max Levasseur
Absent
Ricardo Chapa
Aye
Anita Johnson
Aye
Beth Blaufuss
Aye
Andria Wisler
Aye
Karen Dresden
Aye
Brian Holden
Aye
Maria Miller
Aye
Rachel Charles
Aye
Beth Blaufuss made a motion to approve the minutes from GGA June Board Meeting on 06-17-24.
Maria Miller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Lauren Johannesson-McCoy
Aye
Beth Blaufuss
Aye
Rachel Charles
Aye
Anita Johnson
Aye
Brian Holden
Aye
Jessica Giles
Aye
Andria Wisler
Aye
Ricardo Chapa
Aye
Laura Bartos
Absent
Maria Miller
Aye
Karen Dresden
Aye
Max Levasseur
Absent
Beth Blaufuss made a motion to approve the minutes from GGA Full Board Meeting on 09-23-24.
Maria Miller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Maria Miller
Aye
Jessica Giles
Aye
Anita Johnson
Aye
Laura Bartos
Absent
Lauren Johannesson-McCoy
Aye
Beth Blaufuss
Aye
Andria Wisler
Aye
Rachel Charles
Aye
Max Levasseur
Absent
Brian Holden
Aye
Ricardo Chapa
Aye
Karen Dresden
Aye

II. Governance

A.

Second term

Beth Blaufuss made a motion to Max Levasseur for reelection to the board.
Ricardo Chapa seconded the motion.

Founding members staggered term endings so that all were not up for reelection/completion at once.

Max's biggest contribution to the finance committee, highlighting lease issues.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Lauren Johannesson-McCoy
Aye
Karen Dresden
Aye
Jessica Giles
Aye
Maria Miller
Aye
Andria Wisler
Aye
Brian Holden
Aye
Ricardo Chapa
Aye
Max Levasseur
Absent
Beth Blaufuss
Aye
Laura Bartos
Absent
Rachel Charles
Aye
Anita Johnson
Aye

B.

New Member

Maria Miller made a motion to nominate Nia Spencer to the board.
Andria Wisler seconded the motion.

Nia maximizes team performances and will be a great addition to the board.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Rachel Charles
Aye
Maria Miller
Aye
Karen Dresden
Aye
Ricardo Chapa
Aye
Beth Blaufuss
Aye
Anita Johnson
Aye
Lauren Johannesson-McCoy
Aye
Brian Holden
Aye
Jessica Giles
Aye
Max Levasseur
Absent
Laura Bartos
Absent
Andria Wisler
Aye

III. Academic Excellence

A.

Presentation and Updates

Presentation of strategic goals for the academic program, including guidance provided to teachers and academic data points. Discussion questions related to staff retention and academic clarifications.

IV. Finance and Facilties

A.

Committee presentation

Goal to break-even with student enrollment unaided by philanthropic support. Currently have a shortfall in enrollment resulting in a loss. Cuts in expenses have been identified without sacrificing academic program or strategic priorities. Discussion included student retention and recruitment. Monitoring days of cash-on-hand remains high priority.

Ricardo Chapa made a motion to approve the budget as revised.
Maria Miller seconded the motion.
  • Concerns were raised about student recruitment and retention and this item will be revisited in more depth in next board meeting. 
  • Potentially have 3 scenarios for future budgets. Requesting data about the 47 not filled. 
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Lauren Johannesson-McCoy
Aye
Beth Blaufuss
Aye
Ricardo Chapa
Aye
Rachel Charles
Aye
Andria Wisler
Aye
Maria Miller
Aye
Brian Holden
Aye
Laura Bartos
Absent
Jessica Giles
Aye
Max Levasseur
Absent
Anita Johnson
Aye
Karen Dresden
Aye

V. Executive Director's Report

A.

Presentation

Due to time, Karen will send out her presentation to board members.

VI. Consent Agenda

A.

Academic Excellence Committee

DCPSCB next meeting 11/1. Academic committee needing to work and prepare for ASPIRE network. 

Update Amended 11/18 - The Academic Committee will support the selection of school specific measures for the Aspire Framework.  School leaders will be meeting with DCPCSB representatives on 11/1 to learn more about the process.

B.

Community Engagement Committee

Grants are being explored.

C.

Finance & Facilities Committee

Auditors are coming to 11/18 meeting.

D.

Risk & Audit Committee

E.

Governance Committee

Motion to move into executive session.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Ricardo Chapa
Aye
Max Levasseur
Absent
Karen Dresden
Aye
Lauren Johannesson-McCoy
Aye
Maria Miller
Aye
Laura Bartos
Absent
Andria Wisler
Aye
Brian Holden
Aye
Rachel Charles
Aye
Jessica Giles
Aye
Beth Blaufuss
Aye
Anita Johnson
Aye

VII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Rachel Charles
Documents used during the meeting
None