Final

Elgin Math & Science Academy

Board of Directors

Date and Time

Tuesday July 27, 2021 at 6:00 PM CDT

Location


 
At EMSA, students and teachers will reach their highest potential through active exploratory learning and social responsibility. 

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 6:00 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record Attendance and Guests   Doree Haight 1 m
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Kerry Kelly 1 m
  C. Motion to Enter Executive Closed Session Vote Kerry Kelly 1 m
  D. Executive Session Discuss Kerry Kelly 2 m
   
The EMSA Board proposes a closed session to discuss specifically items enumerated below and in accordance with the Open Meetings Act which provides:
(c) Exceptions. A public body may hold closed meetings to consider the following subjects:
        (1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting,***

 

 

  
  E. Motion to Exit Executive Closed Session Vote Kerry Kelly 1 m
  F. Public Comment   Melanie Gibb 1 m
   
Public comment: The time for public comment will take place at the end of the meeting due to the online nature of our gathering. If anyone would like to participate, we ask that you sign-in with your first and last name, subject of your comment/question and the best way for us to contact you (if you want feedback) in the comments bar provided on screen. We welcome this and consider it seriously, but we cannot respond immediately unless the President or meeting chair decides that an immediate response is needed and can be made during public comment, s/he will refer it to the appropriate person for a brief response. Due to this virtual format, individual comments and questions submitted will be read into record at the end of the meeting.

In order to allow more public input, the Board welcomes written comments or inquiries submitted before the meeting to board@emsacharter.org.
  
  G. Announcements   3 m
   
  • Open House at Gymnasium August 7, 10-3.  Board Members' attendance needed to lead tours.
  • PTC news.
  • INCS will be hosting the annual INCS Board Governance Academy on October 20, 4 pm to 8 pm. This training has been specifically designed for first year board members and will be facilitated by an experienced charter board trainer.  We will only hold this training if we have at least 40 board members sign up.  This training will provide a comprehensive orientation for new board members as well as be an opportunity for board members from different schools to meet each other. The session will be $100 per person including dinner. Please forward this info to any new board members who might be interested. They should fill out this form if interested; registration will close July 30.
  
II. Community 6:10 PM
  A. Community Crew Discuss Gary Swick 10 m
  B. Approve Minutes Approve Minutes Doree Haight 2 m
    Approve minutes for Board Meeting--Virtual on July 15, 2021  
  C. Decision-Making Practices Discuss Kerry Kelly 2 m
   
  • Review the decision-making pitfalls at the beginning of each meeting.  Consider a rotation: pick one pitfall to focus on at each meeting.
  • Decision Making Challenges and Biases:
    • Common information effect 
    • Escalation of commitment 
    • Failure to seek disconfirming information 
    • Availability bias 
    • Anchoring 
    • Decision Fatigue
  • As a board focus on asking at least 1 disconfirming question at each meeting
  
III. Financial Reports 6:24 PM
  A. Monthly Financial Statements & Report Discuss Shanan Egger and Dan Alexander 7 m
  B. Staff Salary Adjustments Vote Adam Gray 5 m
   
  • Increase base salaries by 4.0% over Fiscal Year 2021 levels, with the increases for returning 12-month staff effective July 1st and for returning 10-month staff, August 1st.  This will apply to all returning staff regardless of length of service.
  • Additional permanent salary bump of $2,000 effective August 1st, to all teachers who have been with EMSA for three complete years and have returned for Year Four.
  • Additional permanent salary of bump of $1,000 effective August 1st to all Teaching Assistants who have been with EMSA for three complete years and have returned for Year Four.
  • For TRS-eligible employees, EMSA will increase their permanent salary by an amount equal to the value of EMSA’s contribution of employee TRS contribution, and will no longer make the employee TRS contribution (EMSA will continue to make the full mandated employer TRS contribution).
  • Create a Task Force to study and make recommendations to the Board regarding all EMSA salaries.
  
  C. Life Insurance Benefit Vote Adam Gray 2 m
   
An annual expenditure of $5,952 will provide a new benefit for all EMSA employees:  $100,000 of death & dismemberment insurance.  
 
  D. Letters of Engagement Vote Kerry Kelly 2 m
   
Updated Principal and COO Letters of Engagement
 
IV. Campus Construction 6:40 PM
  A. Update FYI Dan Alexander 5 m
  B. Repairs to Neil Building Outside of Scope of Original Construction Plan Vote Dan Alexander 2 m
   
 Approve $65,000 in capital expenditure for Neil Building Roof/Fascia repairs, and Gutter Replacement:

*$15,800 for Roof Repairs
*$35,500 for Gutter Replacement
*$13,700 for Fascia/Underground water system 
 
 
  C. Dining Hall Floor Repairs Vote Dan Alexander 2 m
V. Principal's Report 6:49 PM
 
Board
 
  A. Principal's Report Vote Lezlie Fuhr 5 m
   
Required new policies

Breastfeeding accommodation policy
Feminine products in restrooms policy
Parent Organization and Booster Club Policy
Cyber Bullying Policy
 
  B. Back to School FYI Lezlie Fuhr 3 m
   
Updated Return to In-Person Learning Plan
Back to School Nights

Grade Levels               Date          Time

Kindergarten                Aug. 4th     4-6pm
2nd and 3rd Grade      Aug. 5th     4-6pm
1st and 4th Grade       Aug.  9th     4-6pm
5th and 6th Grade       Aug. 10th    4-6pm
 
VI. Governance/Board Work Session 6:57 PM
  A. K-8 Classroom Expansion Continued Discussion Discuss Dan Alexander and Melanie Gibb 15 m
   
D Alexander will report on requests from last Board discussion.  
 
VII. Other Business 7:12 PM
  A. Audience Comments and Questions FYI Melanie Gibb 1 m
   
Audience Comments and Questions will be read into record at this time.
  
VIII. Closing Items 7:13 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Kerin Kelly