Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence

Minutes

Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday March 19, 2024 at 5:30 PM

Location

Remote

Trustees Present

Alton Jones (remote), Darren James (remote), Dean Morneau (remote), Denise Pagan-Vega (remote), Diana Foskett (remote), Jennifer Wallace-Johnson (remote), Jessica Putnam (remote), Kiyota Garcia (remote), Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez (remote)

Trustees Absent

James Lightfoot, Kailey Boyd

Guests Present

Kendra Salvador (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Jessica Putnam called a meeting of the board of trustees of Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence to order on Tuesday Mar 19, 2024 at 5:32 PM.

C.

Meditation

Jessica Putnam shared a meditation via video 'The Danger of Silence" Ted Talk

D.

Public Comments

No public comments.

E.

Vote on Board of Trustees February Meeting Minutes

Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Board Meeting on 02-20-24.
Denise Pagan-Vega seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Executive Director's Report to the Board

A.

Executive Director's Report to the Board

Ongoing discrimination complaint (4 years ago) we are finally wrapping it up.  Putting more structured preparations into MCAS - given to recent student outcomes. there are incentives around incentives and its giving positive results. Each town hall meeting there are shoutouts to those with good attendance and there is a monthly event (recent one was dance party and next one is bowling event). Transportation issues continue  - missing beginning breakfasts, and students are not having the best start to their day. not in our control - this past Monday was the first time buses were on time. 

Budget call with the Mass Board - budget we have is projecting at 3% - grants that carried over are on the documents, and e rate (IVAC grant) - we'll spend 30k and carry over 70k. There is not major positions being cut throughout the school. We are prepared with our finances and have budgeted conservatively. 

III. Academic Excellence Committee Report

A.

Review Monthly Academic Data

Team met to discuss - main takeways were about Summer school planning, which is underway. Also, intervention - there will be happening during Saturday school and upcoming break. A couple of field trips are planned and MCAS prep is underway. Teach for America is important. Iready diagnostics continuing.

IV. Treasurer's Report

A.

February Financials

Fairly straightforward - we have a good amount of cash, we have the CD which is collecting interest. If we are showing a surplus for next year, we can think about another CD or re-invest. Income statements - we have a good positive one. February we had 347k and we have 402k - a lot of savings is personnel costs because we don't have 100% staff. Tuition has been lower mainly due to student numbers but that should be closer as the reports were fixed. 

V. Board Chair Report

A.

Updates

Teremar provided update on ongoing ED evaluation - last survey received yesterday and will be finalizing soon. 

Board recruitment - we need help in recruitment, we have reached out to others but if everyone could reach out to others that will be great.

 

Question about Jess staying on treasurer - she will be staying a non-voting member.

 

Dean will be the new Clerk. Teremar will be the vice-chair.

 

Darren suggested open house for board trustees. 

VI. Other Business

A.

New Business

No new business

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 6:16 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez
Documents used during the meeting
  • Executive Director’s Report to the Board March 2024.pdf
  • MLKCSE Budget & Spending Plan 24-25.pdf
  • MLK Balance Sheet February.pdf
  • Budget vs Actual February Summary.pdf