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Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools

Minutes

25-26SY NWILCS June Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday June 1, 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, J. Parks (remote), S. Caruthers

Directors Absent

None

Ex Officio Members Present

G. Adell

Non Voting Members Present

G. Adell

Guests Present

A. Franz, A. Shaw, C. Jackson, D. Jones (remote), D. Kidd, D. Sevier (remote), J. Beasley, K. McGuire, L. Franklin, M. Segrest, 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 Monday Jun 1, 2026 at 5:33 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes - March

S. Caruthers made a motion to approve the minutes from March 23, 2026 25-26SY NWILCS March Board Meeting on 03-23-26.
E. Little seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Caruthers
Aye
A. Briggs
Aye
J. Parks
Aye
A. Nicholson
Aye
E. Little
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye

D.

Approve Minutes - May

S. Caruthers made a motion to approve the minutes from May 4, 2026 board meeting 25-26SY NWILCS April Board Meeting on 05-04-26.
E. Little seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. GEORGE
Aye
A. Nicholson
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
J. Parks
Aye
A. Briggs
Aye
E. Little
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye

II. Building Level Reports

A.

Principals Reports

See May and June reports. 

 

Building principals discussed end of the year and summer activities. 

III. Finance

A.

East Chicago and Gary Financials (Seperate)

Reviewed financial reports through the end of April for all campuses. 

See attached reports for complete details.

 

 

S. Caruthers made a motion to accept the financial reports for the Gary campuses.
E. Little seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Nicholson
Aye
J. Parks
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye
E. Little
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Absent
A. Briggs
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
S. Caruthers made a motion to accept the financial report for the East Chicago campuses.
E. Little seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Nicholson
Aye
A. Brown Thirston
Absent
J. GEORGE
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
E. Little
Aye
A. Briggs
Aye
J. Parks
Aye

B.

Primary Project Update

Mrs Beasley and Attorney David Jones reported.

See attached report. 

 

The pending request related to the increase in scope and size of the project from Whiteman does  appear to hold merit related to the soil report. The cost is an increase in cost of $10,000 and $3200.

 

The vote for this increase will occur at the meeting in July.

 

 

IV. Committee Reports

A.

Governance

Discussed the board meeting calendar for FY' 27

Will adjust the June date to May.

E. Little made a motion to accept the board meeting calendar for FY'27 pending the June meeting to May.
A. Briggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Brown Thirston
Aye
A. Nicholson
Aye
J. Parks
Aye
J. GEORGE
Aye
S. Caruthers
Aye
A. Briggs
Aye
E. Little
Aye

Recognized the final board meeting of Vice President Shana Caruthers. 

B.

Academic Excellence Report

Ms. Briggs reported. 

 

Highlighted: Honors class pilot program. Will offer high ability classes to middle school students.  

                       Google Play Labs grant to learn to use AI software, app creation 

                        Creation of AI Use Protocols to protect students, staff and school. 

                        

 

V. NWILCS District Reports

A.

District Level Reports

Mrs. Franklin reported. See attached report

Highlights

18 teachers and staff were hired for the upcoming year.

EC campus is fully staffed.  Remain in need of maintenance/custodial staff

Continuing to create positive on-boarding to ensure retention

 

 

Mrs. McGuire reported. See attached report.

Highlights

Testing is complete. 

IReady scores have not been released.

Credit Recovery and Summer school offered

Plans to meet with campus leaders to discuss the year as a whole and plans for the upcoming year.

 

 

Mr. Mayberry reported. See attached report.

Highlights

Enrollment and retention efforts remain strong, community engagement will go through August. 

Railcats game night was a success.

Parent advisory efforts will resume in July.

Engaging two new partnerships through Flourish Hub/ Shine Youth Recovery Cafe; 

2200 N Main St Crown Point

 

Mrs. Beasley reported. See attached report

Continued use of social media as part of the strategic plan and student enrollment

Upcoming school year theme: Rooted in Impact, Built with Intention, Leading with Conviction. 

Building and expansion remains a focus to address school infrastructure. 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Public Comments

B.

Executive Session

C.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Parks
Documents used during the meeting
  • 2026_03_23_board_meeting_minutes.pdf
  • 25-26SY NWILCS April Board Meeting_ May 4, 2026.html
  • April_MayGLCS Primary Campus Board Report-April_May.docx.pdf
  • GLCP May Board Report-2026.docx.pdf
  • UPPER BOARD REPORT 25 26 - April _May.docx.pdf
  • EC Board Report 2025 2026 April .docx.pdf
  • april2026financials.zip
  • 26-27 NWILCS Board Meeting Calendar (1).pdf
  • June SY2526 Operations Board Report .docx.pdf
  • June SY2526 EandCR Board Report .docx.pdf
  • June Executive Director Report 25-26.pdf