B. Elliott shared that a lot has happened over the last three months in order to finalize the integration of Fairbanks and Community Hospital, and the final documentation was completed on November 30th. Fairbanks will remain as a separate entity and report up through the Community Network.
She noted that Fairbanks has converted from a fiscal year to a calendar year to be compatible with Community. She also emphasized that there are a lot of benefits from shared resources with Community.

M. Manlove commented that as a result of the integration and the creation of the new school entity, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fairbanks and Hope Academy was updated and a resolution was signed by the Board for the approval of that MOU; those documents are included in the board packet.

Marissa thanked everyone on the board and staff for their help in preparation for the charter hearing. She felt that there was an abundance of support at the hearing and some heartfelt testimonies were shared. The presentation that was shared at the hearing had been provided in the board packet.

J. Shopp presented the changes from the original prospectus submission that showed the difference in funding before the charter approval and at the time of the hearing. Differences from the original prospectus submission to the revised submission was the additional funding which included funding from the Tom Wood Family Foundation and a $250,000 donation from Fairbanks. She believes that this additional funding was the answer to the Office of Education Innovation's (OEI) concern in funding for the first year of the new charter school. Janine shared the slide that showed the Alternative Education payments that will be received and the fact that the first payment won't come until year 2, thus the need for the additional funding.

M. Manlove acknowledged that getting the new charter was a huge first step and the next step is for Hope Academy to find a new space. K. Turner stated that they've been using the services of IFF, a mission-driven real estate consultant that provides financing. He commented that they've done a lot to help us work through what our needs will be. Additionally, A. Levander introduced Avison Young to Hope, a commercial real estate firm, to work with IFF on behalf of Hope Academy.  Avison Young will be bringing forth other spaces to look at.  .

Discussion was held around the timing of the relocation and M. Manlove remarked that we need to stay on course to be able to pull in enrollment and gain confidence of parents of potential students.  Marissa stated that we want to have a final recommendation to the board by the end of January.  

R. Gardner shared that she had a conversation with IPS about potential space at 2 of their schools but would not know about those until after the Jan. 15 IPS school board meeting.  It was noted that the United Way space off the table. Discussion was held around finding a space that can be used for one or two years to allow finding the right space for the school.

Marissa clarified with the board that staying in the current space for the 2020/2021 school year was no longer an option.  A question was asked if Hope Academy could remain in their current space through the end of the year 2020 to allow them to time to gain a space and make the necessary changes and B. Elliott said she would make the inquiry with Community as to whether or not that is an option.

The Facilities Committee will meet later this month and they'll bring their recommendation to the board in February. It's possible an additional meeting of the Board may need to called if the Facilities Committee needs to discuss the space.
 

R. Gardner briefly went through the presentation given to IPS. At the meeting, the IPS school board members asked questions around reasons to become an IPS innovation school, why we had a school versus just a program, cultural diversity questions, and staff and student retention. We should have a timeline by the end of January.

R. Gardner discussed that he talked to the Program Director of the Simon Youth Foundation before the holidays, who informed him that he’s going to present the Hope Academy proposal to the SYF Board on January 13th and then we’ll find out if we’ll move forward as a Simon Foundation school. At this time space is being offered with SYF.  However, they may help with the renovation costs.

L. Gagyi discussed the Taste of Hope, noting ways that the Board can help make it a success; if the Board members have connections that could serve as a sponsor she asked that they please reach out to them. She also commented that gift cards are needed. The Development Committee will forward information to Board members about TOH and links to our website. She confirmed that Rafael Sanchez will host and mentioned we have more restaurants participating this year.

R. Gardner revealed that the Faces of Hope will be awarded to Fairbanks. Invitations will be sent out to all former and current BOD members of Fairbanks. She encouraged the Board to invite their friends to come and experience TOH.

R. Gardner reported that they had 12 kids exit this semester for various reasons, expressing that Hope has a different population of students with the DCS patients included.

M. Manlove commented that as we get students that have not had the benefit of pre-treatment, we need to realize that this is the nature of the school that we are, our student population will fluctuate.

Rachelle informed the Board that they hired a retired IPS teacher as an English teacher. In addition, the GPS coordinator resigned in early December so they are in the process of looking for a new GPS teacher.

Rachelle noted that due to the Fairbanks - Community integration, Hope Academy obtained their own health insurance through Gregory and Appel.

J. Shopp reviewed the October financials, noting that they don’t have November financials yet due to a delay as we transition through the process of using CIES as the accounting partner for Hope Academy and part of the issue has been the integration with Community has consumed a good deal of Janine's time.

Janine pointed out the budget had been created with the CSP grant dollars in place, however we were not awarded that grant.

Another driver of the unfavorable budget was the APG program revenue being off from what we had projected.

M. Manlove commented that now that we have been granted the charter we can move forward with an expansion campaign, stating that we want to build up our cash reserves.

The contract with Transform Consulting was through November however, we have extended that contract to help us with the expansion campaign.

Assistance is needed in identifying individuals or companies that are interested in helping Hope Academy in order to build up our cash reserves.

It was announced that there are two new Marketing Committee members; two young people in recovery, that have some good ideas that involves the use of social media and they are re-energizing the committee.

J. Stanich shared that we have spent the media budget early on in the year so the push is with social media and earned media.

IFF attended the Governance Committee meeting and presented on the work they've done with the Facilities Committee. 

Marissa reminded Board members that the Board self-assessments are due so if you have not completed yours yet, please complete it as soon as you can.

No Academic and Recovery Committee meeting was held.

L. Gagyi had given each Board member a gift bag, thanking the Board members for their help in making Hope Academy successful.

Marissa acknowledged how hard Rachelle and Linda have been working on the charter and with IPS, and thanked them for their commitment. In turn, thanks was given to Marissa for her work as the new Board Chair.