Paramount Schools of Excellence
Minutes
Paramount Board of Directors Public Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday February 15, 2022 at 5:30 PM
Location
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81567255132
Meeting ID: 815 6725 5132
One tap mobile:
+13017158592,,81567255132# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,81567255132# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
' +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 815 6725 5132
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kedhW176I6
Public Meeting Notice of Paramount Schools of Excellence Board of Directors
Board of Directors Meeting
February 15, 2022
5:30 PM
Join with Google Meet
Join by phone
(US) +1 657-233-7730 (PIN: 850939278)
Directors Present
A. Bekele (remote), B. Eldridge (remote), E. Mendez (remote), J. Amu (remote), J. Hazzard, Jr. (remote), M. Bishop (remote), P. Blackard (remote), T. Rude (remote)
Directors Absent
L. Smith
Ex Officio Members Present
T. Reddicks (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
T. Reddicks (remote)
Guests Present
B. Richardson (remote), Brandalyn Hayes (remote), Brent Eskridge (remote), Chris Larson (remote), D. Sawyers (remote), D. Taylor (remote), Darius Sawyers (remote), K. Beauchamp (remote), K. Sherrow (remote), Lindsay Omlar (remote), M. Laflin (remote), M. Miller (remote), Megan Bouckley (remote), T. Gustin (remote), T. Palacios (remote), V. Hereens (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
III. Consent Agenda Review and Approval
A.
Review and Approve Minutes
Each consent agenda includes minutes from the prior meeting and the monthly financial packet including monthly vouchers.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Amu |
Aye
|
| A. Bekele |
Aye
|
| P. Blackard |
Aye
|
| E. Mendez |
Aye
|
| B. Eldridge |
Aye
|
| M. Bishop |
Aye
|
| T. Rude |
Aye
|
| J. Hazzard, Jr. |
Aye
|
| L. Smith |
Absent
|
B.
Voucher Approval
Voucher approval was included in the consent agenda from the prior vote.
IV. New Business
A.
Teacher Salary Adjustment
Bring all licensed teachers up to $48,000 for base salary to stay competitive. There will still be room for merit based stipends/bonuses.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| B. Eldridge |
Aye
|
| J. Amu |
Aye
|
| T. Rude |
Aye
|
| E. Mendez |
Aye
|
| A. Bekele |
Aye
|
| M. Bishop |
Aye
|
| J. Hazzard, Jr. |
Abstain
|
| L. Smith |
Absent
|
| P. Blackard |
Aye
|
B.
School Name Review
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| B. Eldridge |
Aye
|
| L. Smith |
Absent
|
| T. Rude |
Aye
|
| E. Mendez |
Aye
|
| P. Blackard |
Aye
|
| J. Hazzard, Jr. |
Aye
|
| M. Bishop |
Aye
|
| A. Bekele |
Aye
|
| J. Amu |
Aye
|
C.
Trine Multi-App Approval
Lindsay Omlor explained that preferred partners who operate a successful network of schools can fill out one application with the approval for 5 schools. There will not be an expiration date for these approvals. The school will have an implementation schedule that outlines when they will be ready to execute another charter if they are meeting metrics. This eliminates the red tape for 5 separate approvals. This does not eliminate other authorizers and does not mandate that Paramount opens 5 schools.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| B. Eldridge |
Aye
|
| A. Bekele |
Aye
|
| J. Hazzard, Jr. |
Aye
|
| L. Smith |
Absent
|
| J. Amu |
Aye
|
| T. Rude |
Aye
|
| M. Bishop |
Aye
|
| E. Mendez |
Aye
|
| P. Blackard |
Aye
|
D.
Covid Policy Discussion
Tommy Reddicks presented.
PSOE is looking to revert to the norm. At the height of COVID, the school was trying not to burden staff members with time off when it came to exposure and contact tracing. The health department has clarified the control it wants to have in this process. The school would like to create more detail within this policy so that staff is incentivized to stay in school. If the staff member is unvaccinated, they shall first use their sick and PTO time and then will have to take unpaid time off (if the staff member is out due to COVID). If the staff member is vaccinated, they shall use sick and PTO time, but remaining time off may be paid if they are out due to COVID-19. This policy would also curb abuse of the current policy. Schools shall provide access to on-site COVID testing and masks are required which helps in preventing the spread.
Peggy asked if we are protected under the law by doing this.
Tommy offered to get a legal review of this policy if the board would feel more comfortable with the school taking that initial step. Tiffany Palacios said that we are following FMLA standards from an HR perspective with taking sick and PTO time before going into an unpaid status. The motion to approve was amended to include confirmation of a legal review prior to initiating the policy.
An effective date of 3/1 allows time for legal review and staff rollout.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| A. Bekele |
Aye
|
| E. Mendez |
Aye
|
| J. Amu |
Aye
|
| B. Eldridge |
Abstain
|
| L. Smith |
Absent
|
| P. Blackard |
Aye
|
| T. Rude |
Aye
|
| J. Hazzard, Jr. |
Aye
|
| M. Bishop |
Aye
|
V. Operations Reports
A.
Navigation Team Reports
The largest effort of the Navigation team is getting the My Learning Nook up and running in South Bend. Team members are working on the marketing, hiring, and facilities to get the space ready to go for early March. In addition the Executive team is working on writing charters for the organization.
B.
Principal Reports
Brookside (Dexter Taylor/Korry Sherrow Presented)
The school is working on the final push academically to prepare for end of the year testing. Retention and recruitment have also been the main focus looking ahead to next year. Ann PH came to visit. Teachers really benefited from her observation and positive feedback sessions. Robotics and athletics have resumed for the school year and Brookside students are bracing for a competition with the Englewood team coming up. WIDA testing is underway and Brookside wanted to recognize the hard work of Hanan Abdelmasse who is working hard to assist with this testing to ensure that this gets completed for their student population. The staff in-service day focused around three major topics including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Academic Planning, and Career Pathway Cohorts.
Cottage Home (Tara Gustin presented)
Paramount Cottage Home finished the mayor’s office year four review and met or exceeded all of the standards. The focus of the school's in-service day was increasing rigor in kindergarten through 2nd grade and they are excited to ramp this up in the coming weeks.
Englewood (Darius Sawyers Presented)
EOY testing started today at Paramount Englewood for resource students and it was a successful first day of testing. The end of the year incentive for students is a bowling trip for those who are showing progress academically for EOY testing. Students are working hard to secure their spot to participate in the activity.
Online Academy (Brandalyn Hayes Presented)
The school has been providing teachers with very intentional feedback in preparation for EOY testing that will start next week. POA will be joining PEN for the bowling incentive with their students.
My Learning Nook - Lafayette (Kyle Beauchamp Presented)
Recent news coverage for the My Learning Nook in Lafayette has increased participation in the tutoring program. The demand for tutoring services has increased and they are seeing a lot of engagement with families.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Next Meeting
March 15th 2022
5:30pm
Location TBD
B.
Adjourn Meeting
VII. Committees
A.
Governance
Governance committee did not convene.
B.
Finance
The finance committee reviewed the latest budget draft.
No members of the public were present.