A correction to the COO report section of the June Board Meeting was offered, to modify the wording "a shout out was given" to "recognition was given to"

The matter of salary approval for the new Guidance Counselor was approved.

 

Rachelle informed the Board that the prospectus for the new charter was submitted to the Mayor's Office and the application will be heard at a public meeting on October 2nd. Meeting notices for the hearings will be sent out to board members so they can attend if possible.

The following are key dates for the charter application:
On September 19th a group from Hope Academy will meet with the mayor's office staff to discuss questions on the prospectus.
October 2nd the group from Hope Academy will present the prospectus to the Mayor's office Charter School Board at that time they will recommend to go for a full charter or not. 
If approved, then the full charter will be presented to the Mayor's Charter School Board on November 21st.  If the Charter school board recommends to be chartered, then we will present in front of the City County Council in early December.  Board Members requested links to the OEI Board and asked who our City-County Counselors are. It was noted that Blake Johnson and Maggie Lewis are on the OEI Board and that Blake Johnson spoke at the Hope Academy graduation two years ago.

Rachelle mentioned that the Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grant was submitted last Thursday and we will find out mid-late September if it will be awarded to Hope Academy.

Rachelle updated the Board on how the discussions with the University of Indianapolis (U of I) have been going. The U of I will vote on their five year strategic plan at their next board meeting, and we are hoping to be included in that strategic plan.   Rachelle will place a follow-up call with the COO, Neil Perdue, to see if we are on that agenda and if it would be acceptable for our board members to reach out to members of their board to share our story of Hope Academy.

Rachelle reported on the discussions with Butler as a possible partner. Butler has expressed that their timeline won't work with our timeline in regards to space, but we have asked if we could move forward on discussions of other ways that we can work with Butler.

Rachelle mentioned that the letter of intent for the Simon Youth Foundation is due October 1 and that the Indianapolis Public School (IPS) letter of intent is due Mid September.

Mary Giesel and Rachelle have met with all Marion County Magistrates, talking about Hope and answering their questions about how to get young people referred to Hope Academy.

A concern was raised wether the charter would be approved if a funding partner has not been confirmed by the fall submission deadline.  It was noted that there was not another board meeting scheduled before the Oct. 2nd meeting.  Addie noted that we have given the Mayor's office 3 budgets that give them different scenarios of how Hope will continue to move forward with or without a funding partner.

 

Linda informed the Board that the enrollment is currently at 28 students and the budget target number is 34; the school count day (Average Daily Membership - ADM) will occur on September 13.


 

Gina informed the Board that at the recent Finance Committee, they updated non-board members of the committee on the current activities of Hope Academy.

Janine shared they have started the transition of bookkeeping support moving from Bookkeeping Plus to the Center for Innovative Education Solutions (CIES) which provides cost effective services offered by The Mind Trust.

Janine informed the Board that we ended the fiscal year with a net loss of $380,000 with the Fairbanks contribution factored in, the actual cash impact was around $140,000 which is better than what we had budgeted; she then went through the budget income statement.

 

Marissa shared that at the last meeting they reviewed the Governance Charter and made adjustments to that. The primary change was with the process to nominate board members. It was decided that as we move forward that process will change and the Governance Committee will take on the role of nominating board and committee members. The Governance Committee discussed whether or not to take on the role of "Past Chair" but it was decided not to create an official position but the past Board Chair will serve on the Governance Committee.

The listing of the new committee chairs and members was reviewed.

Rachelle discussed enrollment activity and the efforts that Mary and Jan are taking to reach prospective students.

Mary Giesel shared that at the end of July, through the Indiana State Mental Health Institute, Hope Academy had 45 mental health coordinators come to the school; the school provided a panel presentation of how Hope could function as a continuum of care with students followed by a tour of the facility. These individuals have direct connection with the students themselves.
 

Colleen Kenney focused on Hope 1.0.  She shared that we have a Rise and Shine breakfast coming up in two weeks. She asked for assistance with filling seats. The breakfast will be from 7:30 - 8:30 and asked if the board members could attend or could bring along someone that would be interested in attending she would welcome them. Ann Marie Tiernan will be the emcee at that event. They are hoping to make $20,000 from this event.

They have started promoting Taste of Hope and are looking for nominations for the Faces of Hope. Qualifications for the nominees  will be sent out to board members with suggestions sent for the September committee meeting.

Last Wednesday evening they held an event that had close to 30 people, with a good mix of supporters, parents, and board members. She felt that it was a gratifying meeting with thoughtful questions asked.

Collen reminded everyone that if they are interested in NAP credits there is still $4,000 available.
 

The committee had nothing to report.