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Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools

Minutes

Lighthouse Academies Of Northwest Indiana

Date and Time

Monday September 16, 2019 at 5:30 PM

Location

Gary Lighthouse Primary - 3201 Pierce Street Call-In 813-967-8308 Access Code #54106

Directors Present

A. Payne, B. Bridges, K. Ward McDuffie, N. Barksdale, N. Lucas, Y. Irons-Johnson

Directors Absent

R. Daniels

Guests Present

A. Anderson, A. Nicholson, Ashley Eslenger, C. Ginty, C. Jackson, Charm Mosley, Chris Bell, J. Beasley, Kimberley Bradley, L. Noel (remote), S. Miranda, V. Meneses

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

K. Ward McDuffie called a meeting of the board of directors of Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools to order on Monday Sep 16, 2019 at 5:36 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Correction:

Minimum Internal Control Resolution was the purpose of the conference call on June 27, 2019. 
Nikia Lucas joined the meeting via phone. 
Nakea Barksdale was present at the previous board meeting.


Minutes to Approve: Minutes from the May meeting. We will approve May minutes during the October meeting. 

 
K. Ward McDuffie made a motion to approve minutes from the Special Call Meeting 813-967-8308 Access Code 54106 on 06-26-19 Yvette Irons MOVED Special Call Meeting 813-967-8308 Access Code 54106 on 06-26-19.
N. Barksdale seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Finance

A.

East Chicago

K. Ward McDuffie made a motion to to accept financial report and pay the bills for EC Nikia Barksdale-MOVED.
N. Lucas seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
  • Enrollment is higher than what was budgeted for, enrollment is at 499
  • Yvette called for questions for the financials for EC (July/August)

B.

Gary

K. Ward McDuffie made a motion to accept the financials and pay bills for Gary Nakea Barksdale- MOVED.
A. Payne seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
  • All Gary schools expect CPA made enrollment. CPA didn't make enrollment by 85 students. LHA Finance team will adjust the budget in Gary to reflect new enrollment numbers. 
  • Total Asset $385,415
  • Debt is higher than what was being brought in

C.

Controllers Report

Chris Bell, new NWI Controller

III. Governance

A.

Board Members

Y. Irons-Johnson made a motion to accept the two new board members Yvette Irons-MOVED.
N. Barksdale seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
  • Dr. Kay introduced the new board members.
  • Charm Mosley-School Psychologist
  • Bri Bridges-Marketing Director/Chicago Catholic Schools

B.

Board Retreat

The Board retreat will not be held in Florida. It will be on October 5th from 10am-2pm.
Location-TBD
RSVP to Christine Ginty 

IV. Committee Reports

A.

Development Committee

Nakea Barksdale-Development Committee Chairperson
  • read report 
  • Nakea will reach out to Jessica Beasley for more information regarding staff

V. LHA Network Reports

A.

ACADEMIC AND OPERATIONS REPORTS

Jessica Beasley
  • school performance  mirror the goals that each school is working toward
  • 54% of scholars tested low in reading
  • large popular of Special Education Students
  • several new scholars to Lighthouse
  • ESL population is around 25%
  • I-Learn scores are not where we wanted them, but we out performed the area schools
  • Kimberly Bradley joined the UPPER/Primary as the new Assistant Principal
  • Kimberly Bradley will focus on Math/Reading instruction at PA/UPPER
Stephanie Miranda
  • see packet for updates regarding reach building
  • parent/scholar group to help plan school lunches
  • safety plans were updated for 2019/2020 SY

Questions:

Dr. Kay-What happen to the yellow house?
Jessica Beasley-storm damage

Charm-Are you getting a lot of request to test students?
Jessica-Yes, it's overwhelming, parents are coming in letters to request testing.

Amina – Are all the building adequately staffed?
Ms. Beasley – Yes

Amina – Are all building ADA compliant?
Miranda – Yes

Enrollment Questions:
Bri – What is the current plan to increase enrollment?
Recommendations:      
Getting out to the community more 
 Visiting churches in the community on Sunday

Jessica Beasley:
  • We hosted quite a few events at each of the campuses this summer. 
  •   We required of every building to have at least two community events per year
Bri – Suggestion of utilizing social media more; most parents are coming going to the internet and social media for more information. 
Suggestions for the board: 
  •     Let responsible students manage the school’s social site
Alyse – Staffing 
  • fully staffed in all classrooms
  • recently received one resignation due to health issues
  • We are currently running reports for licensing 
Ms. Beasley-Community Partnerships
  • partnering w/IUN and sending candidate
  • Special and general education start next week 
  • Six IU students
Dr. Kay- UPDATES
  • Board members to have evaluation responses to Dr. Kay by 9/9/19
  • provided updated on Ball State charter renewal process at EC



 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Public Comments

B.

Executive Session

At 6:47PM adjourned into Executive Session

C.

Adjourn Meeting

K. Ward McDuffie made a motion to adjourn meeting Nikia-MOVED.
Y. Irons-Johnson 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 6:58 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
K. Ward McDuffie

D.

Next Meeting

The next Board meeting will held on October 21st at Gary CPA.