Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence

Minutes

MLKCSE Board of Trustees Annual Board Retreat Annual Board Retreat

Annual Retreat

Date and Time

Saturday July 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Location

285 Dorset St, Springfield,MA - In person

Trustees Present

Alton Jones, Dean Morneau, Denise Pagan-Vega, Diana Foskett, Jennifer Wallace-Johnson, Kailey Boyd, Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez

Trustees Absent

Darren James, James Lightfoot, Kiyota Garcia

Guests Present

Kendra Salvador

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez called a meeting to order on Saturday Jul 13, 2024 at 12:29 PM.

II. Special Board Meeting

A.

Vote for Board Chair - Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez

Diana makes motion to appoint Teremar Board Chair, all in favor.

Kailey motions to appoint Diana to Treasurer, all in favor.

Diana Foskett made a motion to appoint Teremar Board Chair.
Jennifer Wallace-Johnson seconded the motion.
The team VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Board Chair's Report

Meeting schedule for new year was shared with Board, no concern with current schedule. Approved unanimously.

C.

Academic Excellence Committee

Kiyota was absent, but provided a report. Four goals for the upcoming year. Looking to recruit new members to this committee. Phasing out old curriculum and implementing new one this year.

Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez made a motion to Approve goals for new year.
Jennifer Wallace-Johnson seconded the motion.
The team VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

HR Committee

Have reviewed employee handbook, new regulations for Title IX taken into consideration. Updated smoking policy to be in compliance with Federal guidelines. Included language regarding use of headphones by staff during meetings.

Diana Foskett made a motion to Approve changes to Employee handbook.
Denise Pagan-Vega seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Jennifer Wallace-Johnson made a motion to approve revision of ED succession plan.
Kailey Boyd seconded the motion.
The team VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Governance Committee

Been sourcing for potential board members based on current needs. 5 or 6 replies of not interested, but continuing to send out communications. Will be evaluating the current term limits for board members for potential changes.

Alton Jones made a motion to adopt the goals for the new year.
Denise Pagan-Vega seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Other Business

Finance committee set meeting schedule for new year. Goals updated for new year, to organize the committee, and work with Kendra on a capital plan.

Denise Pagan-Vega made a motion to approve Finance committee goals.
Kailey Boyd seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

Strategic planning updated there goals for the new year, presented by Jennifer. Meeting schedule for the year has been set, will meet quarterly.

Diana Foskett made a motion to adopt strategic planning committee goals for new year.
Denise Pagan-Vega seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. Special Board Meeting - Executive Reports for DESE

A.

Updated Capital Plan

Kendra worked with Central Source to revise with capital plan. Asbestos abatement and window replacement, parking lot repavement/expansion ($400k estimate) waiting to hear back on final price. Fences of surrounding properties need to be moved/re-located off school grounds. Basketball court would need to be moved due to parking lot expansion. Build out of additional space for school use estimated at $5 million.

Kailey Boyd made a motion to approve FY25 capital plan.
Denise Pagan-Vega seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Annual Report to DESE

In draft form, due August 1st. Set a meeting for 7/23 at 5:00 to discuss.

C.

Student Opportunity Act

School districts have to have, by law, an SOA plan. Beginning of the second 3 year cycle. Goal of these plans is to accelerate student achievement and growth in areas of greatest disparities. Have to show how much will be allocated to each of the areas. Kendra met with advisory council, teachers, staff to prepare the document. Will be focusing on those identified as high needs, which makes up 88% of school members. Parents want more involvement in efforts to improve student performance. Total investment to be made of $13 million over 3 years.

 

Other note: One of 10 schools in the State acknowledged for improvement in absenteeism rate reduction. Will be receiving basketball signed by Celtics players.

Diana Foskett made a motion to approve SOA.
Kailey Boyd seconded the motion.
The team VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

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 1:17 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Denise Pagan-Vega