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Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools

Minutes

25-26SY NWILCS October Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday October 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Location

NWILCS Admin Building

1755 W 41st St.

Gary, IN 46408

Directors Present

A. Brown Thirston, A. Nicholson, E. Little, J. GEORGE (remote), J. Parks, S. Caruthers

Directors Absent

A. Briggs

Guests Present

A. Franz, A. Shaw, C. Jackson, D. Jones (remote), D. McGleese, D. Sevier, J. Beasley, K. McGuire, L. Franklin, Ms. Georgette, R. Mayberry, S. Breitenbach

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

A. Nicholson called a meeting of the board of directors of Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools to order on Monday Oct 27, 2025 at 5:45 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes - August

S. Caruthers made a motion to approve the minutes from August August Board Meeting 25-26SY on 08-25-25.
J. Parks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. GEORGE
Aye
A. Briggs
Absent
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
A. Nicholson
Aye
E. Little
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
J. Parks
Aye

D.

Approve Minutes - October 2, 2025 Special Meeting

S. Caruthers made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Meeting: Budget Hearing on 10-02-25.
J. Parks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
J. Parks
Aye
A. Briggs
Absent
A. Nicholson
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
E. Little
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye

E.

Approve Minutes - October 13, 2025 Special Meeting

S. Caruthers made a motion to approve the minutes from October 13 Special Meeting Special Meeting: Budget on 10-13-25.
J. Parks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. GEORGE
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
J. Parks
Aye
A. Briggs
Absent
A. Nicholson
Aye
E. Little
Aye

II. Building Level Reports

A.

Principals Reports

See Full Reports

 

Principals Franz and Jackson highlighted their upcoming fall festival events and asked for board and administration's participation.

III. Finance

A.

East Chicago and Gary Financials

See Attached Reports

 

David Sevier reporting — Financials through August reviewed.

Questions and answers around bonding, federal dollars and addressing possible student needs relating to the budget were asked and answered.

J. Parks made a motion to accept the financial statements as present for the Gary and EC campuses.
E. Little seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Little
Aye
J. Parks
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye
A. Briggs
Absent
A. Nicholson
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye

B.

25-26SY Budget Amendment

Mrs. Beasley reported. See attached report

 

There is a $545,673 revenue difference which is set to offset the change in the number of students and infrastructure costs.

 

*Interventionist at the elementary schools to assist with the influx of special education and ELL students.* 

 

 

 

S. Caruthers made a motion to approve the proposed amendments to the budget.
J. Parks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Parks
Aye
E. Little
Aye
A. Briggs
Absent
A. Nicholson
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye

C.

Primary Project Update

See attached reports and building plans

 

Review building plans submitted by Perfect People Solutions

The project is to begin in Spring 2026 and be completed by 27/28.

IV. Committee Reports

A.

Governance

Alyse Nicholson presents

 

The board needs to make plans to convene to complete the evaluation criteria for Mrs. Beasley's annual review.  

B.

Academic Excellence Report

Andrea Thurston presents

 

The committee reviewed the EOY and BOY data and found the framework documents impressive around pacing, lesson plans, etc.

C.

Development

Jessica Beasely presents

 

Mr. Mayberry will be joining the development committee. Request to schedule a meeting within the coming weeks.

 

 

V. NWILCS District Reports

A.

District Level Reports

Operations report— 

See Full Report

Mrs. Franklin presents

 

Community Engagement—/

See Full Report

Mr. Maybery presents

 

Websites to be updated, each school will have its own landing page.

Community partners identified

Enrolled over 500 scholars, attention to retention is underway.

 

Academics-

See Full Report

Mrs. McGuire presents

 

Current direction

academic frameworks

Bi-weekly academic team meeting at schools

Math and SIOP training

Teacher collaboration

 

Executive Director Reports

Jessica Beasley

 

Marketing efforts continue

ICIC conference underway

Submitted a grant for AI engagement(AI SOP underway)

 

 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Public Comments

Ms Georgette is present and addresses the body.

B.

Executive Session

S. Caruthers made a motion to move into executive session.
J. Parks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
S. Caruthers made a motion to leave executive session and return to the meeting.
J. Parks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Adjourn Meeting

S. Caruthers made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
J. Parks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. GEORGE
Documents used during the meeting
  • 2025-2026 GLCPC October Board Report.docx.pdf
  • EC Board Report September 2025.docx.pdf
  • UPPER BOARD REPORT 25 26 - October.docx.pdf
  • _GLCS Primary Campus Board Report-September_October 2025.docx.pdf
  • JULY 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.xlsx
  • AUGUST 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.xlsx
  • 10-06-25 Summary Count Day FY26 NWILCS Budget- APPROVED.pdf
  • 250804-lighthouse- pre-k center-10-02-25.pdf
  • 2025.09.18_SCHEMATIC SITE PLAN (1).pdf
  • October Executive Director Report 25-26.pdf
  • October SY2526 EandCR Board Report .docx.pdf
  • October SY2526 Operations Board Report .docx.pdf