KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools
Minutes
KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools Board of Trustees Meeting
October Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday October 27, 2021 at 4:00 PM
Location
TBD
A regular meeting of the KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools Board of Trustees in joint session with regular meetings of the KIPP Philadelphia Charter School Board of Trustees, KIPP DuBois Charter School Board of Trustees, KIPP West Philadelphia Charter School Board of Trustees, KIPP North Philadelphia Charter School Board of Trustees, and KIPP Catto Charter School Board of Trustees with Board Chair Samantha Wilson-Jones presiding.
Trustees Present
A. Aerts (remote), A. Keyes (remote), B. Cummings (remote), C. Johnson (remote), D. Reuter (remote), G. Lewis (remote), H. Richman (remote), J. Davidse (remote), L. Whitaker (remote), M. Carter (remote), S. Wilson Jones (remote), T. Algarin (remote)
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
A. Corona (remote), C. Benson (remote), E. Otuije (remote), J. Cunningham Akoto (remote), Laura Fredericks (remote), M. Eigen (remote), N. Wiltshire (remote), W. Jones (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
S. Wilson Jones called a meeting of the board of trustees of KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools to order on Wednesday Oct 27, 2021 at 4:07 PM.
II. WELCOME, BOARD REFRESH & STUDENT FOCUS
A.
WELCOME, BOARD REFLECTION & STUDENT FOCUS
BOARD REFLECTION
- S. Wilson Jones welcomed everyone and invited C. Johnson to give his board reflection.
- C. Johnson gave his Board Reflection on his perspective around his background & how he was raised and the impact of income on his upbringing in how he crafts his equity statement.
- A. Aerts gave her reflection on how she would recalibrate herself to be at the right mechanism on how to build an equity statement that embodies a more impactful member of the board and community as well as the boards statement on Equity.
STUDENT FOCUS
- J. Cunningham informed the board on the 3 students accepted to Duke University. A huge accomplishment for the KIPP Philadelphia as first time Kipp is having this many students accepted.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
A.
VOTE: CONSENT AGENDA
G. Lewis made a motion to Approve the Consent Agenda.
A. Aerts seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
G. Lewis made a motion to approve the minutes from KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools Board of Trustees Meeting on 09-01-21.
A. Aerts seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A.
Academics
SY21-22 ACADEMIC GOALS
- M. Eigen updated the board on the SY21-22 Academic Goals.
- H. Richman & J. Davidse had questions about the guidelines for assessing how goals are crafted for 8th graders.
2021 PSSA ELA RESULTS
- M. Eigen explained that the results are based approximately on the number of students taking the test. Results are reflective of 40% of eligible test takers.
- M. Eigen outlined that test results dropped because it was the first time some kids were taking the test and a vast number of kids were not proficient in Math especially with the issues with missed learning insight of the pandemic.
- H. Richman expressed concern on how students all over will catch up in light of the lost year everyone experienced.
- D. Reuter suggested holding the kids back to repeat the school year as a solution.
- J. Cunningham outlined that plans were in progress on a national level to explore the possibilities of a solution like retaining students in their current year.
- J. Cunningham further explained that based on data, what is needed is to change how you do schools because retention alone does not fix learning loss.
2021 KEYSTONE RESULTS
- M. Eigen outlined that the results were reflective of 50% of eligible test takers with drops in Literature, Algebra
SAFE SCHOOL OPENING
- M. Eigen outlined that quarantine and positive case trends with mandatory weekly testing for unvaccinated staff & a push for vaccinations for students are the steps being taken to facilitate safe school opening.
- J. Cunningham commended the operations team for the hard work they have been putting in to that.
B.
Development
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE
- J. Davidse updated the board on the campaign goals and the excitement of new members coming in.
- J. Davidse updated the board on the fundraising progress to goals with about $4m given or pleaded towards the $10m goal.
- C. Benson outlined that 97% of that amount are from principal & major gifts.
- J. Davidse discussed that17% of board members have committed to giving annually or towards the campaign.
- J. Davidse commended C.Benson on the work done so far to bring in the $4m & the campaign timeline.
- M.Carter had questioned on whether the goals are aggressive enough meet the demands KIPP is facing today.
- J.Cunningham brought clarity to how funding will serve t he current demands.
CAMPAIGN QUIET PHASE & STAFF/COMMITTEE ROLE
- J. Davidse presented on active recruitment happening for new committee members to solicit major gifts on behalf of the board.
NEXT STEPS
- J. Davidse promised to reach out to board members for further solicitation for donations to get more traction before going public with asks.
- L. Fredericks encouraged the board to increase their giving and brought more perspective and commended the efforts so far.
C.
Governance
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE
- A. Aerts updated the board on SY 21-22 Governance Committee Goals.
- A. Aerts outlined how the committee is working with A.Corona to oversee the execution of an approved strategic plan.
- A. Aerts called for a motion to approve the by-laws amendment.
LEGAL RFP UPATE
- A. Aerts updated the board on the legal RFP
BOARD RECRUITING
- A. Aerts outlined to the board a robust pipeline of 22 individuals for potential engagement.
- A. Aerts outlined to the board the importance of all board members helping to reach out to the 22 at least by Dec 15, 2021
S. Wilson Jones made a motion to Governance Committee By-laws amendment for vote.
G. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Finance
FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE
- B. Cummings updated the board on the finance committee
- W. Jones updated the board on the FY22 Revised Budget Summary and called for a vote to approve.
- W. Jones updated the board on ESSR funds and the strategies taken to cover shortfalls per pupil and hire for part time and full time positions in the light of the pandemic.
- W. Jones outlined to the board on Next Steps to manage risks.
FY22 YTD-9/30/21 BUDGET vs ACTUALS
- W. Jones updated the board on FY22 Budget to Actuals
AUDIT UPDATES
- W. Jones updated the board on the audit date that started September 27, 2021
REAL ESTATE UPDATES
- N. Wiltshire presented an update to the board on real estate status with the Whittier construction & 4601 Market properties.
- N. Wiltshire mentioned that we are on course to meet the August 2022 delivery deadline.
S. Wilson Jones made a motion to Approve FY22 Revised Budget Updates.
T. Algarin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Executive
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE
- S. Wilson Jones updated the board on the goals for the school year and called for a vote to approve them.
A. Aerts made a motion to Approve the board goals for SY 21/22.
A. Keyes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Information
A.
Public Comment
No Public Commens
B.
New Business
No New Business
C.
Old Business
No Old business
D.
Announcements
No Announcements
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
A. Keyes made a motion to Adjourn the Board of Trustees Meeting.
A. Aerts seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:16 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
S. Wilson Jones