The Charter High School for Law and Social Justice (CHSLSJ)
Minutes
Oct. 15, 2020
Date and Time
Thursday October 15, 2020 at 6:00 PM
Location
(US) +1 413-471-2219 PIN: 553 272 374#
Directors Present
C. Bannerman, D. O'Rourke, J. Azriliant, J. Callahan, J. Saunders, R. Marsico, S. Fuentes
Directors Absent
L. Tse
Guests Present
Dan Sang, R. Burke
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
J. Callahan called a meeting of the board of directors of The Charter High School for Law and Social Justice (CHSLSJ) to order on Thursday Oct 15, 2020 at 6:10 PM.
John Callahan thanked everyone for attending via Zoom.
II. Consent of Agenda
A.
September Board Minues
J. Callahan made a motion to approve the minutes from September.
R. Marsico seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
New Hires 2020-2021
III. Financials
A.
Financials
Mr. Burke began reviewing the financials and shared his screen. Mr. Burke reported that our finances are in good shape, although there continues to be a threat of a 20% cut of state funding. Mr. Burke mentioned that there had been a Finance Committee phone call earlier in the week that went into great detail on the financials.
IV. Executive Director
A.
School Updates
Mr. Burke reported that the school year's successful start continued and that the scholars were tested with STAR testing. Mr. Burke then reviewed the Dashboard and the Star testing that showed more than 50-75% 12 of the school is two or more years behind in reading and math, similar to what we saw last year. Mr. Burke discussed the plans for intervention and improvement with the unknown of remote learning hovering over it all. Mr. Burke mentioned that the "Shared Space" was presently going into classes and would give us a report on what they saw and recommendation, which Mr. Burke said he would share with the Board.
Members asked about the students that show above grade level and how do we support them. Mr. Burke reported on our College Now program that has approximately 13 Seniors taking courses at BCC and the Princeton Program ALA that has eight 11th and 12th graders in it. He also mentioned our AP program and the upcoming programs with the College of Mt. St. Vincent and Mercy College Saturday programs that will start in 2021.
Members asked about the students that show above grade level and how do we support them. Mr. Burke reported on our College Now program that has approximately 13 Seniors taking courses at BCC and the Princeton Program ALA that has eight 11th and 12th graders in it. He also mentioned our AP program and the upcoming programs with the College of Mt. St. Vincent and Mercy College Saturday programs that will start in 2021.
V. Chairman Report
A.
Report
Mr. Callahan mentioned that The Shared Space approval as our IP is on the agenda.
Mr. Callahan stated that he would provide Vickie Smith of SED a status report on the Board and the past year before the next board meeting.
Mr. Callahan mentioned we are voting on approval of a contract with a company that put the plastic shields on the desk and other protections due to COVID.
Mr. Callahan stated that he would provide Vickie Smith of SED a status report on the Board and the past year before the next board meeting.
Mr. Callahan mentioned we are voting on approval of a contract with a company that put the plastic shields on the desk and other protections due to COVID.
VI. Committe Reports
A.
Finance
Mr. Callahan reported that we had discussed the finance earlier, and there was a meeting this past Tuesday.
B.
Academic
Mr. Saunders was late coming in and said there was nothing to report.
C.
Fundraising
Mr. Callahan and the Board discussed fundraising, and Mr. Burke stated he would provide a Development/Fundraising proposal for the next meeting.
D.
Governance
Mr. Callahan mentioned that the Governance Committee would be organized for the next meeting, and Dan Sang would be a member. Mr. Callahan asked the Board to go to Board on Track and check out the wealth of materials on Board Committees and Board training. Mr. Callahan mentioned the training from the consultant from CEI and stated we would share those with the new Board members.
VII. New Business
A.
Vote to Ask Approval of SED to Change Insitutional Partners
C. Bannerman made a motion to approve the change of Institutional Partners.
J. Azriliant seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Vote on Daniel Sang - New Board Members (waiting on documents)
R. Marsico made a motion to accept Dan Sang as a new Board Member.
C. Bannerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
C.
Vote to Approve the Purchange of Plexiglass Barriers for Desks from SWITCH CONSTRUCTION LLC
J. Azriliant made a motion to approve the purchase of plexiglass barriers for desks from SWITCH CONSTRUCTION LLC for $29,860.00.
R. Marsico seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VIII. Public Statements
A.
Statements from Members of the Public
Mr. Callahan said there were no public members to make a statement, so he mentioned they would be going into an Executie Session.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Next Meeting: November 19, 2020, 6:00 PM
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
R. Marsico