American Dream Charter School
Minutes
ADCS Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting
SY23-24
Date and Time
Monday January 22, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Location
Trustees Present
L. Rojas (remote), P. Simon (remote), R. Espinal (remote), Z. Martinez (remote)
Trustees Absent
A. Cabrera
Guests Present
M. Melkonian (remote), N. Gallagher (remote), S. Espinal (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
L. Rojas called a meeting of the board of trustees of American Dream Charter School to order on Monday Jan 22, 2024 at 5:34 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
L. Rojas made a motion to approve the minutes from ADCS Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting on 12-18-23.
R. Espinal seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Educational Success
A.
BENCHMARK 1: Student Performance
- Seal of Biliteracy
- This year ADS has been selected for auditing. The office of World Language will come visit (date pending)
- 51 out of 80 students will take the English regents on 1/23
- The seal of biliteracy coordinator is working on the project presentation schedule.
- Regents week 1/22 to 1/26
B.
BENCHMARK 2: Teaching and Learning
- High School Data Day 1/22
C.
BENCHMARK 3: Culture, Climate, and Student and Family Engagement
III. Organizational Soundness
A.
BENCHMARK 4: Financial Condition
- Account balances
- Accounts moving to FlagStar to consolidate accounts
B.
BENCHMARK 5: Financial Management
A. Bilingual Extension Compensation: Initial $1,000 for getting the cert (we are in December and by the time they get it, I assume it will be in the Spring)
$2,500 stipend on top of their yearly salary every year they work at ADS.
They must maintain both their certification as well as the extension to qualify for the yearly stipend.
- The Board should consider reviewing this. - M. Melkonian
- Accounting Solutions will meet with the Board on a pending date and Digant will further discuss the options available.
- Statistics show the effectiveness of teacher retention due to bilingual extension compensation.
B. Possible bonus compensation for SY2324 and SY2425
- Financial discussions will take place with the finance team at the budget meeting.
C.
BENCHMARK 6: Board Oversight and Governance:
A. Term Renewal for Board Member Patricia Simon
- Will change the term renewal to two years. - P. Simon
B. Board Recruitment
- Elisa Botero
- Out-of-state non-voting member. Can Join the Board for the February Board Meeting. N. Gallager and S. Espinal will reach out to her.
C. Renewal
- Will get updates by springtime.
L. Rojas made a motion to Term Renewal for Board Member Patricia Simon for 2 more years.
R. Espinal seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
BENCHMARK 7: Organizational Capacity
IV. Faithfulness to Charter & Law
A.
BENCHMARK 8: Mission and Key Design Elements
B.
BENCHMARK 9: Enrollment, Recruitment, and Retention
- Discuss student recruitment
- SY23-24 Enrollment Numbers:
- 6th Grade: 86
- 7th Grade: 83
- 8th Grade: 86
- 9th Grade: 94
- 10th Grade: 87
- 11th Grade: 73
- 12th Grade: 71
- 580 students enrolled to date.
C.
BENCHMARK 10: Legal Compliance
V. 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 6:25 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
L. Rojas