Paramount Schools of Excellence

Minutes

Paramount Board of Directors

Date and Time

Tuesday September 8, 2020 at 5:30 PM

Location

Public Meeting Notice of Paramount Schools of Excellence Board of Directors

Board of Directors Meeting
September 8, 2020
5:30-6:15 PM

Executive Session as needed
6:30 PM

Topic: September PSOE Board Meeting
Time: September 8, 2020 05:30 PM Indiana (East)

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Meeting ID: 702 256 528

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Meeting ID: 702 256 528
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Directors Present

A. Bekele (remote), B. Eldridge (remote), C. Park (remote), J. Amu (remote), J. Hazzard, Jr. (remote), L. Smith (remote), P. Blackard (remote), T. Rude (remote)

Directors Absent

M. Bishop

Ex Officio Members Present

T. Reddicks (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

T. Reddicks (remote)

Guests Present

A. Wong (remote), B. Richardson (remote), Chris Larson (remote), Darius Sawyers (remote), Dexter Taylor (remote), H. Okerson (remote), J. Monk (remote), Justin Braun (remote), Korry Sherrow (remote), Kyle Beauchamp (remote), Megan Bouckley (remote), T. Gustin (remote), T. Palacios (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

T. Rude called a meeting of the board of directors of Paramount Schools of Excellence to order on Tuesday Sep 8, 2020 at 5:32 PM.

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

No members of the public were in attendance to make a comment.

III. Consent Agenda Review and Approval

A.

Review and Approve Minutes From 8/11/2020 Meeting

T. Rude made a motion to approve the minutes from Paramount Board of Directors on 08-11-20.
A. Bekele seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Eldridge
Absent
M. Bishop
Absent
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Absent
J. Amu
Aye
L. Smith
Aye
C. Park
Aye
P. Blackard
Absent
T. Rude
Aye
A. Bekele
Aye

B.

Review and Approve Minutes From 8/25/20 Meeting

T. Rude made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 08-25-20.
A. Bekele seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Absent
C. Park
Aye
A. Bekele
Aye
T. Rude
Aye
B. Eldridge
Absent
M. Bishop
Absent
L. Smith
Aye
J. Amu
Aye
P. Blackard
Absent

C.

Approve Minutes from 9/2 Meeting

T. Rude made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors on 09-02-20.
A. Bekele seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Park
Aye
P. Blackard
Absent
B. Eldridge
Absent
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Absent
A. Bekele
Aye
M. Bishop
Absent
J. Amu
Aye
L. Smith
Aye
T. Rude
Aye

D.

Voucher Approval

T. Rude made a motion to approved the voucher as distributed.
A. Bekele seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Eldridge
Absent
P. Blackard
Absent
T. Rude
Aye
J. Amu
Aye
C. Park
Aye
L. Smith
Aye
A. Bekele
Aye
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Absent
M. Bishop
Absent

IV. New Business

A.

School Funding Update

T. Reddicks shared projected funding based on current enrollment versus the state's projection.  There could still be a discrepancy between what we expect and what the state funds given the decision to fund at 100% or 85% has not been solidified.
Funding from The Mind Trust came in to support expansion.  Charter School Growth Fund has not sent an update as to the support they are able to provide.
Contingencies for construction and furniture still exist through Schola, which can be used to complete the build-out of the 10,000 square feet at 1203 E St. Clair.  This would bring the project to a close to neutral cost.
Reimbursement funding has not yet come through from Schola for the June payout.

B.

Calendar Introduction

J. Monk introduced the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 drafts for questions.  These are subject to change based on IPS and DOE Assessment calendars.

C.

Strategic Planning - Vote to Move Forward

T. Rude made a motion to approve to move forward with strategic planning with Andrew Bray with the terms outlined in the discussion.
J. Amu seconded the motion.
The understanding is Charter School Growth Fund will pay $50,000 and Paramount will pay $15,000 for a 4-6 month contract with an end product of a strategic plan, including timetable. 
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Smith
Aye
J. Amu
Aye
P. Blackard
Aye
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Aye
B. Eldridge
Aye
C. Park
Aye
M. Bishop
Absent
T. Rude
Aye
A. Bekele
Aye

D.

Organizational Structure Discussion

T. Reddicks introduced the need to start defining how Paramount defines the central office and create it as its own organization.  The need for this shift presents itself when outlining central office costs and how to structure within the schools.  Next steps will involve discussions and guidance from legal, Charter School Growth Fund, and Andrew Bray.  Findings and guidance will be shared out on a monthly basis with the board. 
T. Rude and P. Blackard agreed this is a need.  B. Eldridge requested this be researched also from a finance point of-view.

E.

Furniture Purchase Approval

T. Rude made a motion to approve the purchase of the raised floor system and all Navigation Team office furniture to complete the new build at 1203 E St. Clair.
J. Amu seconded the motion.
Contingency funds from Schola will cover all costs associated with furniture.  Business Furniture and RJE (chosen vendors) require 50% and at least an 8 week lead time for items as quoted. 
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Aye
M. Bishop
Absent
C. Park
Aye
J. Amu
Aye
A. Bekele
Aye
P. Blackard
Aye
T. Rude
Aye
L. Smith
Aye
B. Eldridge
Aye

V. Operations Report

A.

Operations Report

  • T. Reddicks shared out updates on enrollment.
  • J. Monk spoke about work completed with the auditors on proof of enrollment.
  • H. Okerson shared out success closing out 19-20 grants.
  • A. Wong is monitoring the cash position until the Schola reimbursement comes in.
  • T. Palacios has worked on expanding capabilities within our HRIS for virtual staff.
  • K. Beauchamp developed an academic dashboard that shows the alignment of feedback, professional development, and student data.
  • B. Richardson is focused on securing funds for 2021 STEAM programming.  Paramount was the "Nonprofit of Note" in the IBJ.
  • J. Braun has been focused on cleaning up the asset management system.  The Cottage Home goat shed also has WIFI.
  • C. Larson shared the success of the Brookside market. He gave kudos to his team for maintaining success at Brookside while attention has been shared with Cottage Home.
  • M. Bouckley shared work done to provide observation/feedback for virtual teachers and support provided to virutal families.

 

B.

Principal Report Discussion

T. Gustin (Paramount Cottage Home) shared they have been focused on observations and team meetings.  Their first data meeting is tomorrow. She has been actively participating in special education move in meetings.  Work is also underway to get all necessary enrollment paperwork in.
D. Sawyers (Paramount Englewood) Teacher observations and building relationships with families have taken priority.  Art was installed to complete their art walk.  Tutoring starts today, as well.
K. Sherrow (Paramount Brookside Middle School) Prior grade-level ClearSight testing has completed.  The first data meeting will be tomorrow.  Preparations for tutoring have paid off with today's first tutoring class for the year starting. 
D. Taylor (Paramount Brookside) shared the first month of school has gone smoother than expected.  Numerous families have indicated they are eagerly anticipating returing to on-campus classes once Marion County allows.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Next Meeting

October 13th, 2020
5:30 PM
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B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
T. Rude

VII. Public Session - T. Rude called public session back to order

A.

Vote to Approve Application for Fourth Charter

P. Blackard made a motion to move that Paramount applies to seek approval for a 4th charter from Trine University.
J. Hazzard, Jr. seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Bekele
Absent
C. Park
Aye
P. Blackard
Aye
L. Smith
Aye
J. Amu
No
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Aye
B. Eldridge
Aye
T. Rude
Aye
M. Bishop
Absent

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM by T. Rude.