Helix Network of Educational Choices
Minutes
Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday September 30, 2021 at 8:00 AM
Certification of Meeting Conducted Pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17.1
In accordance with La. R.S. 42:17.1 this notice shall serve as certification of Helix Network of Educational Choices’ (the “School Board”) inability to otherwise operate in accordance with the Louisiana Open Meetings Law due to such a meeting being detrimental to the health, safety, and/or welfare of the public as a result of the public health emergency, as declared by the Governor of the State of Louisiana due to the threat posed to public safety by the COVID-19 outbreak on March 11, 2020, via Proclamation Number 25 JBE 2020, as amended, renewed and extended (collectively the “Public Health Emergency Proclamations”).
The School Board will provide for attendance at its essential government meeting on August 26, 2021 via video or telephone conference. It is essential that the School Board continue to operate to conduct essential business of the school. Due to the underlying health concerns of several members of the School Board, which could be negatively affected by COVID-19, the School Board will not be able to obtain a quorum of the members of the School Board and will otherwise be unable to operate due to quorum requirements. Further, the agenda of the meeting is limited to one or more of the following:
- matters that are directly related to the charter school’s response to the COVID-19 emergency and are critical to the health, safety, or welfare of the public.
- matters that if they are delayed will cause curtailment of public education services.
- matters that are critical to continuation of the business of the charter school and that are not able to be postponed to a meeting held in accordance with the other provisions of the Open Meeting law due to a legal requirement or other deadline that cannot be postponed or delayed by the charter school.
Considering the foregoing, and in accordance with La. R.S. 42:17:1 and the Public Health Emergency Proclamations, the School Board’s meeting on September 30, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. will be held via video or telephone conference and in a manner that will allow for observation and input by members of the public, as set forth below:
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 874 4015 4590
Passcode: 076263
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Meeting ID: 874 4015 4590
Passcode: 076263
Find your local number: https://helixcommunityschools-org.zoom.us/u/kdW3gfh3j8
The meeting may be assessed by live stream and virtual comment portal. Information on submission of comments and attendance at the meeting is posted on the school website: https:\\www.helixmentorshipacademy.org. All public comments will be properly identified and acknowledged during the meeting.
Certified this 28 day of September, 2021.
Signature: _________________________
Printed Name: _________________________
Title: _________________________
School: _________________________
The Mentorship STEAM Academy or its committees reserve the right to enter into Executive Session, if needed. In accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance at a public meeting of Mentorship STEAM Academy, please contact the Office Manager at 225.346.5180 or email at t.thomas@mentorshipbr.org, describing the assistance that is necessary.
Directors Present
A. Cooper (remote), C. Cornett (remote), L. Young (remote), R. Chatelain (remote), V. Sizer (remote), W. Berthelot (remote)
Directors Absent
M. Victorian
Guests Present
A. Domingue (remote), M. Dunn (remote), N. Millender (remote), P. Castille, Jr. (remote), P. McMurray (remote), R. Webb (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
A. Cooper called a meeting of the board of directors of Helix Network of Educational Choices to order on Thursday Sep 30, 2021 at 8:12 AM.
C.
Approve Agenda
W. Berthelot made a motion to approve agenda.
R. Chatelain seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D.
Approve Minutes
R. Chatelain made a motion to approve the minutes from Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy on 08-26-21.
W. Berthelot seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Finance & Operations Committee Report - Chad Cornett, Committee Chair
A.
Finance Report
- Finance Report was provided by M. Dunn
- Highlights include:
- All three schools currently have significant deficits due to reduced enrollment
- HAA - reduce deficit by over $100,000.
- Should pursue fundraising, but also monitor expenses.
- Chad Cornett observed rising expenses and recommended significant cuts.
B.
Major Renovation Projects: Plumbing, Elevators & Weight Room Construction
C.
Wrap up of SY 2021-22 Recruitment Season & Marketing Analysis
D.
Start up of 2022-23 Recruitment Season
E.
2022-23 Recruitment Plan & Calendar (Deadlines, Events, Community Engagement)
III. Academics Committee Report - Dr. Luria Young, Committee Chair
A.
Approval of Committee Charter
W. Berthelot made a motion to approve the Academic Committee Charter.
R. Chatelain seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Review of HMSA 2020-21 Academic Performance
Dr. Angela Domingue presented the Academic Report. Highlights included:
- Review of key components of SPS score and minimum requirements to earn a letter grade of "A" for middle and high schools.
- Implementing PD to help teachers meet standards and monitor student performance and achievement.
C.
Review of Curricula
D.
Covid Protocols
E.
Diagnostic Testing
IV. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:49 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
N. Millender
Motion to adjourn meeting.
L. Young made a motion to adjourn meeting.
V. Howard-Sizer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.