Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday November 29, 2018 at 6:00 PM

Location

2723 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005
PUBLIC COMMENT AT EQUITAS ACADEMY BOARD MEETINGS – An opportunity for the public, including those attending via teleconference, to address the Board regarding items listed on the agenda. Comments on an agenda item will be accepted during consideration of that item, or prior to consideration of the item in the case of a closed session item.  Members of the public who wish to speak on any item are requested to identify themselves and indicate on which agenda item they wish to speak. The Board will provide an opportunity for the public to speak for a maximum of three (3) minutes, unless granted additional time at the discretion of the Board. Members of the public who need a translator will be provided a maximum of six (6) minutes to speak.Testimony shall be limited in content to matters pertaining to Equitas Academy. The Board will not take any action on matters discussed during the public testimony period that are not listed on the agenda.

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, may request assistance in advance of the meeting by contacting Equitas Academy Charter School at 1700 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015 or by phone (213) 201-0440.

Additional call in locations: 1801 Century Park East Los Angeles, CA 90067, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Suite#1000 Los Angeles, CA 90067.  Use conference line (605) 475-4350‬ Pin 535493.

 

 
 

 

Directors Present

C. Sanii, J. Cruz (remote), J. Troletti, N. Shaw, O. Bajracharya

Directors Absent

A. Sowrirajan, A. Valentine, T. Bell

Guests Present

L. Chang, M. Borrego, M. Ford, S. Estilai

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

C. Sanii called a meeting of the board of directors of Equitas Academy Charter School to order on Thursday Nov 29, 2018 at 6:08 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Julie abstained because she was not in the last meeting, everyone else said yes.
O. Bajracharya made a motion to approve minutes from the Board Meeting on 10-25-18 Board Meeting on 10-25-18.
N. Shaw seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Consent Agenda

A.

Title IV Plan

O. Bajracharya made a motion to Approve consent agenda.
J. Troletti seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Suicide Prevention Policy

O. Bajracharya made a motion to Approve consent agenda.
J. Troletti seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Bond Resolution

O. Bajracharya made a motion to Approve consent agenda.
J. Troletti seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

III. Organizational Updates

A.

Strategic Vision

Malka presented to Organizational Strategy
  1. Goal is to make transformational and community change
  2. Claudia suggested:
    1. The Scaling to Meet the Need Slide - add facility details of what is lease/owned and add financial information
  3. Tight network - Claudia asked if as we grow this will change. Leslie said we are working on codifying the framework.
    1. Leslie is working on a systemize approach to create an innovation, risk taking environment where schools are connecting
    2. EQ5 hired a School Director
Maggie presented Facility Strategies
  1. Goal - home ownership, find space for EQ5, incubator space, and network space
  2. After tomorrow we will be home owners through the bond (process was 81 days)
  3. Looking into co-locating with other CMOs while we build EQ4

B.

Presentation from YMC on Brown Act

Young, Minney & Corp, LLP presented on Brown Act by Janelle A. Ruley.

Purpose of Brown Act - foster broad public access

Communication
  1. Communication to schedule meetings is okay
  2. Communication through google doc should be made public on website - amend minutes and add link to the google doc
Emails
  1. Don't reply all email
  2. For emails BCC

IV. Resource Development

A.

Update for Resource Development on Committee Goals

Give/Get: Board goal is for every member to give $2,500 and get $2,500 donated
  1. Equitas does appreciate checks
  2. When using a credit card can sign up for automatic payments
  3. Last year we had 100% on board member give $2,500
  4. This year we are looking to get 100% of $2,500 donations
  5. Shout out to Lindsey, who recently donated $3,000
Saturday Event in January
  1. Moved from December to January from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at EQ3 (possible dates Jan. 12/13 or Jan. 26/27)
  2. Celebrate 100% of participation of board members giving
May Event
  1. Board retreat

V. Governance

A.

Update from Committee on Goals

Dashboard - template

RSVP
  1. Important for board members to RSVP and attend
Give/Get Report Metrics

VI. Academic Accountability

A.

Updates on Committee Goals

Julie presented Academic Accountability Dashboard:
  1. State and National Testing
  2. Well Rounded Enrichment Opportunities
  3. Parent Partnerships
  4. Students and Staff
  5. Suspensions and Expulsion Rates
  6. SPED & EL Student Performance
Malka mentioned staff retention varies from elementary to middle schools and that insight scores vary by school site

Suggestions
  1. Claudia suggested to change staff demographics to a pie chart
  2. Add comparison of reclassification rate of district and state

VII. Finance

A.

Board Review and Approval of First Interim Financial Reports

Samira presented the income statement through October 31st, the balance sheet as of October 31st, and the forecast for the year.
Additionally, Samira discussed variances from budget.
J. Troletti made a motion to Approve 1st interim financial reports.
O. Bajracharya seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Board Review and Approval of FY17-18 Audit

Tabled to December 6th meeting.

C.

Update on Committee Goal Progress

VIII. Ad Hoc Facility

A.

Update on Facilities Projects

Please see strategy vision notes

IX. Leader Support And Eval

A.

CEO Goals

Goals:
1. Org health and growth
2. Leadership growth
3. Board partnership

Evaluation Compensation scale by March to be ready for budgeting planning
  1. Evaluation will be in June
Introduced interim Chief of Staff: Nick Orlando
  1. Consultant and working 15 hours a week
  2. Nick Orlando worked in charter schools for years
  3. Works at LMU teaching leadership
  4. Served on a board and serves on a board
O. Bajracharya made a motion to Approve CEO goals.
N. Shaw seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

X. Closed Session

A.

Real Estate Negotiations

Closed session began at 7:06 pm
O. Bajracharya made a motion to authorize M Ford to sign Lease/PSA after review by Council.
C. Sanii seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

XI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Sanii