Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence
Minutes
MLKCSE Board of Trustees Annual Board Retreat Annual Board 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
II. Special Board Meeting
A.
Vote for Board Chair - Teremar Rodriguez-Vazquez
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.
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.
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.
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.
Strategic planning updated there goals for the new year, presented by Jennifer. Meeting schedule for the year has been set, will meet quarterly.
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.
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 makes motion to appoint Teremar Board Chair, all in favor.
Kailey motions to appoint Diana to Treasurer, all in favor.