Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools

Minutes

25-26SY NWILCS February Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday February 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Location

NWILCS Admin Building

1755 W 41st St.

Gary, IN 46408

Directors Present

A. Briggs, A. Brown Thirston, A. Nicholson, E. Little, J. GEORGE, S. Caruthers

Directors Absent

J. Parks

Guests Present

D. Jones (remote), D. McGleese, D. Sevier, J. Beasley, K. McGuire (remote), L. Franklin, R. Mayberry, S. Breitenbach (remote)

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 Tuesday Feb 3, 2026 at 5:34 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes - October

E. Little made a motion to approve the minutes from 25-26SY NWILCS October Board Meeting on 10-27-25.
A. Brown Thirston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Briggs
Aye
A. Nicholson
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
E. Little
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
J. Parks
Absent

II. Building Level Reports

A.

Principals Reports

See Full Report

 

Mrs. Beasley highlighted upcoming activities at the school and requested the board's continued support. 

III. Finance

A.

East Chicago and Gary Financials

See Full Report

 

Mr. Sevier reviewed the financial statements from October 2025, November 2025 and December 2025 for both EC and Gary campuses. 

 

Both campuses show increased revenue. Gary's increase is a result of ESSER funding. 

 

Statements approved per vote. 

E. Little made a motion to approved the financial Gary and EC campuses statements for October, November and December be accepted as presented.
A. Brown Thirston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. GEORGE
Aye
A. Nicholson
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
A. Briggs
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
E. Little
Aye
J. Parks
Absent
E. Little made a motion to authorize the payment of outstanding bills for the Gary and EC campuses.
A. Brown Thirston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Parks
Absent
A. Nicholson
Aye
E. Little
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
A. Briggs
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye

B.

Primary Project Update

See Full Report

 

The project remains in negotiations. The timeline remains unclear until the finance packet is done. 

 

IV. Committee Reports

A.

Governance

Mrs. Nicholson 

 

Consideration given to scheduling board meetings to allow for weather-related school closures. 

B.

Academic Excellence Report

Mrs. McGuire reported, see district level report.

 

Mrs. McGuire highlighted IREADY testing. 

Math preparation to be the focus.

Professional development days in February and March will include collaboration between school staff and vendors.

 

 

 

 

C.

Development

Discussions are underway to coordinate the goals of this committee with expanded community-based engagement. 

V. NWILCS District Reports

A.

District Level Reports

See each of the full reports submitted

 

 

Mrs. Franklin reported.

 

Employee searches and retention remain one of the district's primary goals. 

Efforts to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment have paid off, with parents and scholars reporting positive engagement from school staff. 

Building upgrades continue due to this winter exposing areas that need addressing.

Updates on the employee's SOP are underway.

 

 

Mr. Mayberry reported.

For the second count day, student enrollment was down.

Applications for enrollment are still being accepted.

Enrollment stations are being created at the campuses.

Discussions about a parental advisory board are underway.

 

 

Mr. Beasley reported.

 

Strategic Planning will remain a priority through the remainder of the school year. 

AI research development initiative application made. Will advise if selected

Thanked all for their help in making the 20-year celebration a success. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Public Comments

No Public Comments

B.

Executive Session

C.

Adjourn Meeting

S. Caruthers made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
A. Brown Thirston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Nicholson
Aye
E. Little
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye
A. Briggs
Aye
J. Parks
Absent
S. Caruthers
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:34 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. GEORGE
Documents used during the meeting
  • GLCPC January Board Report-2026.docx.pdf
  • UPPER BOARD REPORT 25 26 - December_January.docx.pdf
  • GLCSPC Board Report Dec Jan.pdf
  • EC Board Report December 2025.docx.pdf
  • DECEMBER 2025 FINANCIAL CHARTS.xlsx
  • December 2025 Financials (1).xlsx
  • MONTH OF DECEMBER Financial Info.docx
  • January Executive Director Report 25-26.pdf
  • January SY2526 Operations Board Report .docx.pdf