Springfield Prep
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday January 27, 2021 at 5:45 PM
This meeting of the Springfield Prep Charter School Board will be held via Zoom video conference on 1/27/2021 at 5:45 pm. The meeting will be held virtually due to the COVID-19-related school closure during this time. Meeting notice was posted on the school's website (www.springfieldprep.org) on 1/25/21 at 1:45 pm.
Trustees Present
A. Malone (remote), D. Morrin (remote), J. Rosewell (remote), R. Leonard (remote), S. Balogun (remote), S. Fuller (remote), T. Walker (remote)
Trustees Absent
A. Grant, K. Molina
Ex Officio Members Present
B. Spirer (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
B. Spirer (remote)
Guests Present
M. Wagner (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
R. Leonard called a meeting of the board of trustees of Springfield Prep to order on Wednesday Jan 27, 2021 at 5:47 PM.
C.
Public Comment, If Any
There was no public comment.
II. Consent Agenda
A.
Monthly Financials
B.
Approve December 9 Board Meeting Minutes
S. Fuller made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 12-09-20.
T. Walker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Vote to Approve Consent Agenda items
S. Fuller made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.
T. Walker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Q&A with Teachers
A.
Q&A with teachers about instruction in the 2020-21 school year
Three teachers, Gina Brindisi (kindergarten), Ashley Shaw (second grade), and Meaghan Graul (6th grade), joined the board meeting to share their experiences this year and answer questions from the board. They shared how hard it has been, especially in the kindergarten, and their concern over the gaps in learning they see. They also shared that students, families, teachers, and staff members have all been resourceful and collaborative. They shared that some families are clearly struggling and that some had asked them about if or when the school would be providing in-person instruction. Despite this, they shared that families have regularly communicated their gratitude to them for the work they are doing.
During the board question and answer session, the board discussed with teachers what elements of this year might be transferable to future years, whether there were ways to improve technology to reduce technology issues, and the school's plan for pacing of instruction next year.
IV. Executive Director's Report
A.
Executive Director Report
Bill gave the Executive Director report. He discussed the changes to the MCAS structure, the news that the Governor's budget includes full funding for the Student Opportunity Act in FY22, the school's hiring plans for 2021-22 school year, and the process for planning to bring more students back onsite as the spring progresses, in line with decreases in COVID transmission and DESE guidance.
B.
School Reopening Planning
Meghan and Bill shared the school's plans to bring kindergarten students back onsite after the February break. They explained that the kindergarten team has wanted this to happen and has volunteered to teach in person. School leaders have been meeting regularly with the kindergarten team to develop the plan and will be surveying kindergarten families to learn of their interest in participating.
A. Malone made a motion to authorize the school to bring kindergarten students onsite, (1) in accordance with MA DPH and DESE health guidance, (2) in collaboration with the kindergarten teaching team, and (3) in the judgment of school management.
S. Fuller seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Building Project
A.
Building Project Status Update
Bill reviewed the Building Status Memo and the two proposed change orders. The project continues to go well and is on schedule. He also shared plans for the upcoming Beam Signing and Hard Hat Tour for teachers and staff, select students, and board members.
B.
Change order and budget approvals
T. Walker made a motion to approve Change Order #3, in the amount of $26,753, for additional tenant space build-out and miscellaneous small changes, and Change Order #5, in the amount of $360,052, for build out of the former tenant space.
J. Rosewell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Governance Committee Items
A.
Board Recruitment - Connector Strategy
Bill briefly reviewed the Governance Committee's strategy around recruiting new board members.
B.
Board DEI Task Force
Bill briefly reviewed the status of the Board DEI Task Force's work and the work of the school's DEI Consultant.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Next Board Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 2/24/21 at 5:45 pm.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
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,
B. Spirer
Documents used during the meeting
None