Final

Elgin Math & Science Academy

Board of Directors

Date and Time

Tuesday November 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM CST

Location

Location: EMSA Art Barn 1600 Dundee Ave, Elgin

Online viewing: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6308835013
Meeting ID: 630 883 5013
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 7:00 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record Attendance and Guests   Doree Haight 1 m
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Gary Swick 1 m
  C. Public Comment   Gary Swick 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 comment with your first and last name, 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 by the board 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.
  
  D. Approve Minutes from Oct. 26 Board Meeting Approve Minutes Doree Haight 2 m
     
  E. Approval of Nov. 15 Committee of the Whole Minutes Approve Minutes 2 m
     
II. Community 7:07 PM
  A. Community Crew Discuss Gary Swick 10 m
   
How can we improve and support communications among EMSA's stakeholders:  board, admin, staff, parents, students, community?
  
  B. Decision-Making Practices Discuss Gary Swick 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 Report 7:19 PM
  A. Financial Statements FY22 Discuss Shanan Egger 10 m
  B. Audit Committee Report Discuss Adam Gray 5 m
   
Audit was completed on-time by independent auditors:  Tighe, Kress & Orr (financial audit), and ORBA (academic operations audit).  The audit was a 100% clean with no adverse findings.  Congratulations to EMSA and thank you to the audit committee, especially EAB Solutions which led this successful effort.

 
  
  C. Vote to Accept EMSA Audit(s) Vote Adam Gray 5 m
IV. Principal's Report 7:39 PM
  A. Principal's Report FYI Jacquelyn Willer 5 m
V. Operations and Construction Report 7:44 PM
  A. Construction Update Discuss Dan Alexander 2 m
  B. Operations Report FYI Dan Alexander 5 m
   
Highlights of COO activity in November are described in the attached Report.
  
VI. EMSA Parent Teacher Crew Report 7:51 PM
  A. EMSA PTC Update FYI Sue Bennett & Bethea Lane 5 m
VII. Master Planning Report 7:56 PM
  A. Master Planning Update Discuss Kerry Kelly 2 m
  B. Environmental Work Group FYI Gary Swick 5 m
   
Next meeting:  December 1, 8:30 a.m.

 

1. Eco education:  recess hikes continue, Exploratory Fridays started (see below); other ideas: eco-library, incentivize eco-education, "eco-corner" updates
2. S Said reported that this year's Passion Projects will be tied to EMSA's ecosystems and subject to a "best project" shark tank competition which EMSA could fund. May 4 final date.  On Nov 19, students hiked the campus with G Swick & K Kelly for their first Exploratory Friday to observe and discuss ecosystem needs. 

 

  
VIII. Governance 8:03 PM
  A. Charter Renewal Process Check-In FYI Jacquelyn Willer & Dan Alexander 2 m
  B. Amendment to EMSA's Articles of Incorporation Vote Dan Alexander 2 m
   
As requested by the City of Elgin per our acquisition of the property.
  
  C. Illinois Association of School Boards Conference Report Discuss Kerry Kelly 5 m
  D. Board Member Recruitment Discuss Kerry Kelly 2 m
  E. Committee Chair Openings Discuss Gary Swick 2 m
IX. Outreach: Families and Community 8:16 PM
 
Outreach: Families and Community
 
  A. Update on Outreach Activities FYI Kimberly Shaw 5 m
   
EMSA's first "virtual open house" was scheduled for tonight (11/30) at 6 pm.
  
X. Development Committee 8:21 PM
  A. Report of Development Committee FYI Doree Haight 5 m
   
Today is Giving Tuesday!  Hopefully EVERY board member contributes so we can demonstrate 100% participation!  Thank you to Doree, Mel, Laura, the PTC, and everyone who help with this campaign!

 

For feedback and discussion:  do we consider a grant writer until we hire a development director?
  
XI. Academic Excellence 8:26 PM
  A. Report FYI Bethea Lane 2 m
XII. Principal & COO Support & Evaluation Committee 8:28 PM
  A. Report Discuss Melanie Gibb & Adam Gray 5 m
XIII. Other Business 8:33 PM
  A. Audience Comments and Questions FYI Doree Haight 2 m
   
Audience Comments and Questions will be read into record at this time.
  
  B. Motion to Enter Executive Closed Session Vote Gary Swick 1 m
  C. Executive Session Discuss Gary Swick 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,***

 

 

  
  D. Motion to Exit Executive Closed Session Vote Gary Swick 1 m
XIV. Closing Items 8:39 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Gary Swick