Paramount Schools of Excellence

Minutes

Paramount Board of Directors Public Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday May 24, 2022 at 5:30 PM

Location

Paramount Online Academy Training Room

1203 East Saint Clair

Door #8

Indianapolis, IN 46202

 

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Directors Present

A. Bekele (remote), B. Eldridge, J. Amu (remote), J. Hazzard, Jr., M. Bishop, P. Blackard (remote), T. Rude

Directors Absent

E. Mendez

Guests Present

Aaron Teater (remote), B. Richardson (remote), Brandalyn Hayes (remote), Brenda Mescher (remote), Brent Eskridge (remote), Case Calvert (remote), Chris Larson (remote), D. Sawyers (remote), Darius Sawyers (remote), Hanan Abdelmasseh (remote), J. Hurley (remote), Justin Braun (remote), K. Beauchamp (remote), K. Sherrow (remote), Keith Thomas (remote), Lisa Hopman (remote), M. Laflin (remote), M. Miller (remote), Marc Hardy (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 May 24, 2022 at 5:32 PM.

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

No members of the public were present.

III. Consent Agenda Review and Approval

A.

Review and Approve Minutes

T. Rude made a motion to to approve the consent agenda (minutes, financials, vouchers.) Paramount Board of Directors Public Meeting on 04-19-22.
P. Blackard seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Amu
Aye
P. Blackard
Aye
E. Mendez
Absent
T. Rude
Aye
M. Bishop
Aye
J. Hazzard, Jr.
Aye
B. Eldridge
Aye
A. Bekele
Aye

B.

Voucher Approval

Each consent agenda includes minutes from the prior meeting and the monthly financial packet including monthly vouchers.

IV. New Business

A.

Lafayette Charter and Building Renovations

Construction work at the Lafayette campus will be underway in June. All of our upcoming projects are tied to grant funding and Keystone remains to be a great partner. The Indiana Reuse Network has been introduced to outfit the Lafayette and South Bend campuses with furniture, which will decrease our previously anticipated spending with Business Furniture. 

B.

ILEARN

ILEARN scores are coming in and we almost have a complete picture of our pass rates. This was another high-ranking year and we anticipate we will be within the top percentiles in the state and a top-ranking charter school nationally. 

V. Operations Reports

A.

Navigation Team

Keystone will become our presenting sponsor for the 2022 TURN Festival. Starting on June 1st, the schools will begin the late enrollment period with Enroll Indy, which will allow families to enroll on the spot as long as there is a seat available. On the financial side of things, we are focused on wrapping up the fiscal year over the coming months and preparing for grants that will be opening up on July 1st. 

B.

Principal Reports

Dr. Brandalyn Hayes (POA)

The school is looking at trends in ILEARN data and identifying gaps where additional planning and support is needed for the upcoming school year. 8th grade and kindergarten students took part in graduation ceremonies over the past week. The POA staff is ramping up for summer enrollment and is making enrollment their main focus over the coming weeks.

 

Tara Gustin (PCH)

All ILEARN scores for PCH have been reported. The school is very focused on enrollment and staff is getting involved in neighborhood recruitment events and canvassing. The school staff is beginning to make preparations for summer school which will be starting in just a couple of weeks. Academic planning sessions will also be taking place next week to prepare for the 2022-2023 school year. 

 

Korry Sherrow (PBR)

Formal evaluations and contract renewals are complete and PBR will see 90-95% of staff returning for the upcoming school year. The school saw a great turnout for kindergarten and 8th-grade graduation ceremonies and is proud to say that 96% of the 8th-grade graduating class is enrolled in 21st Century Scholars. 

 

Darius Sawyers (PEN)

PEN used the TC Howe gym for field day and 8th-grade graduation ceremonies that took place over the past week. All staff members at PEN have signed up for recruitment events this summer and parent orientation and STEM nights are scheduled throughout the summer to continue to engage families for enrollment. 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Next Meeting

Date: June 21st

Time5:30 pm

Location: 1203 E. St. Clair Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 or via Zoom

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:03 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
T. Rude

VII. Executive Session:

A.

Finance Committee

B.

Governance Committee

The committee discussed updates to the school's SRO, visitors, conflict of interest, complaint, and staff handbook policies so that the items are prepared for a vote at the June  board meeting.