Living School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday September 17, 2019 at 6:00 PM
Location
Living School, 6003 Bullard Ave., New Orleans, LA 70128
All are welcome at Living School Board Meetings. Translation is available with 24 hours notice. Public comment is welcome on any item on the agenda. Members of the public wishing to comment, may raise their hand and be recognized by the Board Chair to speak for up to 2 minutes per person, per agenda item. On any matter up for a vote, public comment must be heard prior to taking the Board's vote. For members of the public wishing to address the Board for longer than 2 minutes on any given agenda item, please give the Board Chair at least 24 hours notice to be added to the agenda.
Directors Present
D. Lister, D. Mitchell, I. Bamgbàlà Arẹ̀sà (remote), I. King-Robins, J. Wagner-Romero, M. Davis, M. Lehnherr, P. Roussel, T. Millard (remote)
Directors Absent
J. Ojo, R. Ashmore
Guests Present
J. Daschbach, R. Brown, S. Pasternak
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
D. Lister called a meeting of the board of directors of Living School to order on Tuesday Sep 17, 2019 at 6:26 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes from previous Board Meeting
M. Lehnherr made a motion to approve minutes from the Board Meeting on 08-20-19 Board Meeting on 08-20-19.
I. King-Robins seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. CEO Support & Evaluation Committee
A.
Committee FY20 Goals
Board reviewed goals.
B.
CEO Report
We are up to 55 students as of today. 14 students have IEPs.
We have had a total of five (5) school suspension and have added "The Zone" which is more of an in-school suspension. Mandi asked about tracking that info for students and gave explanation to board as to why this info should be tracked for students with IEPs.
Danneka asked what does re-entry from The Zone back to regular class looks like.
Jancarlos asked about number of students.
Stefin explained about where we are as far as grades and PowerSchool. We will take attendance and track grades in Google for first Quarter.
We just administered MAP testing and will be able to report in about a week.
Students have been really working hard in wood shop and in STEM. They have created Elderberry Syrup and Plant Boxes. Humanities students have completed their first draft of school newspaper and art has completed a couple of great projects.
Class instruction is not where we want it to be but we're working on it. India suggested that a sample lesson be included in the hiring process for teachers going forward. Stefin brought up the possibility of coaching for teachers. Stefin will be implementing the process of him going into classes to actually teach.
India asked about grades. Progress reports will be issued at end of 1st quarter and report cards will be issued at end of 1st Semester.
CEO emergency plan - if anything was to happen to Stefin, Charm would become the interim CEO. The Board would vote on a permanent replacement.
CEO Committee will draft a proposal on CEO emergency plan.
We have had a total of five (5) school suspension and have added "The Zone" which is more of an in-school suspension. Mandi asked about tracking that info for students and gave explanation to board as to why this info should be tracked for students with IEPs.
Danneka asked what does re-entry from The Zone back to regular class looks like.
Jancarlos asked about number of students.
Stefin explained about where we are as far as grades and PowerSchool. We will take attendance and track grades in Google for first Quarter.
We just administered MAP testing and will be able to report in about a week.
Students have been really working hard in wood shop and in STEM. They have created Elderberry Syrup and Plant Boxes. Humanities students have completed their first draft of school newspaper and art has completed a couple of great projects.
Class instruction is not where we want it to be but we're working on it. India suggested that a sample lesson be included in the hiring process for teachers going forward. Stefin brought up the possibility of coaching for teachers. Stefin will be implementing the process of him going into classes to actually teach.
India asked about grades. Progress reports will be issued at end of 1st quarter and report cards will be issued at end of 1st Semester.
CEO emergency plan - if anything was to happen to Stefin, Charm would become the interim CEO. The Board would vote on a permanent replacement.
CEO Committee will draft a proposal on CEO emergency plan.
III. Finance & Facilities Committee
A.
Committee FY20 Goals
B.
Finance Dashboard & Report
Finances remain in a strong position. Board discussed questions about Finance Director's report.
Stefin gave brief explanation of planned construction projects. One is to expand classrooms and the other is to build out the wood working shop.
Stefin gave brief explanation of planned construction projects. One is to expand classrooms and the other is to build out the wood working shop.
IV. Academic & Culture Committee
A.
Committee FY20 Goals
V. Development & Recruitment Committee
A.
Committee FY20 Goals
OneApp will open in November, recruitment is beginning now.
Stefin reviewed possible grants and other finance opportunities we're working on.
Mark Davis discussed connecting with possible donors and suggested a few strategies. Board members offered to come in and observe instruction with possible donors.
Danneka asked about marketing and if there is someone who is taking on the task of tell the Living School story to get positive stories out about the school. We will work with BAMM Communications on this.
Stefin reviewed possible grants and other finance opportunities we're working on.
Mark Davis discussed connecting with possible donors and suggested a few strategies. Board members offered to come in and observe instruction with possible donors.
Danneka asked about marketing and if there is someone who is taking on the task of tell the Living School story to get positive stories out about the school. We will work with BAMM Communications on this.
VI. Governance Committee
A.
Committee FY20 Goals
We welcome Kieta Mutepfa who will serve on the Development Committee for 6 months before becoming eligible for Board membership. Stefin recommended her and we've met with her. She'll be starting next month.
Jancarlos suggested reaching out to Mary Moran from Our Voice Nuestra Voice for further candidates. He will email India and Tris that information.
Jancarlos suggested reaching out to Mary Moran from Our Voice Nuestra Voice for further candidates. He will email India and Tris that information.
VII. Board Business
A.
Committee Structure
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Review Upcoming Dates
Overcoming Racism has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8th.
Next meeting Oct. 15, 2019
Next meeting Oct. 15, 2019
B.
Adjourn Meeting
M. Lehnherr made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M. Davis 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 7:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
D. Lister