Adelante Schools
Minutes
Governance Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday March 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Location
Emma Donnan Elementary & Middle School - 1202 E. Troy Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203
Goals:
- Approve organizational foundational tools and policies to govern our school and operate effectively.
- Deepen our understanding of Adelante’s Emma Donnan operational state and provide any necessary support and guidance.
Committee Members Present
B. Burcope (remote), K. Kainrath (remote), N. Frech
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
B. Chandler (remote), E. Rangel (remote), M. Rooney (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
N. Frech called a meeting of the Governance Committee of Adelante Schools to order on Wednesday Mar 11, 2026 at 5:01 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Governance
A.
Strategic Planning
III. Other Business
A.
Review of Mary's Term
The board needs to verify that she is still interested. - Barb will reach out to make sure.
B.
Upcoming Board Reports
On June 30th, two OEI reports are due - The Board Evaluation of Leadership and the Board Self-Evaluation.
We will need to hold an executive session after the April board meeting in order to begin the work of the leader evaluation.
IV. 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 5:33 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
B. Chandler
Transition - Strategic Planning
ER: Rooney has hit the ground running. We have collaborated on action items, everything from board relations to stakeholder engagement. Rooney has already reached out to staff to make connections. We probably sit down about 10 hours a week at this point, to go over questions.
MR: We are thinking about two big categories - Technical and strategic. We have to navigate what the change in IPS and legislation looks like. I’d really like to find one to two more board members by the end of the school year, using our network of community and family partners.
NF: The key will be in finding somebody who wants to improve the school. I would focus on making sure the role is clear.
ER: It might behoove us to make accommodations and eliminate barriers in order to give access to families, like adjusting meeting hours or allowing for remote attendance.
KK: The family insight is great, and if we could couple that with the skill that the board needs, that would be even better. It would be really helpful to have somebody else with a financial background, especially as Rachel adjusts her focus.
BB: Those strengths and the role responsibilities would become clear during the interview.
MR: I will reach out with questions when I have them. I already scheduling my standing meeting with Rachel. And I will want to work together to identify more board members. I don’t always see the scope that you all see.
KK: We need a guide with a background in HR and leadership, probably most of all.
NF: Financial and development would be the other gap needed.
MR: The next piece that I would ask for in terms of the transition is an executive coach.
KK: Yes, that is extremely important.