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.

There have been no FOIA requests made since the April Board Meeting, as of May 22, 2023.  

Update on EMSA's $300,000 DCEO grant to be given at the Board Meeting.  

TRS (Teachers Retirement System) requires schools such as EMSA to offer staff a 457 retirement plan.  

This is in addition to the 403b retirement plan we offer all employees, and in addition to the TRS retirement benefit for qualifying employees.

A Board Resolution must be passed to enable EMSA's Admin to enter into this Agreement.  A draft Resolution is attached, as well as the program Agreement TRS has created which contains information about the program.

Exterior and interior construction has picked up pace in May - the project is On Schedule to open by August 20th for students.

The construction budget is being managed and we are also on budget.  

Questions for Master Planning Committee:

1.  Back Patio

Please welcome EMSA's new Director of Technology, Marco Trujillo.  Marco's first day will be May 22, 2023.  Marco comes to EMSA with years of experience as a Director of Technology in schools.

ISBE has informally communicated that their recent Audit of EMSA spending of federal funds in FY21 and FY22 showed no findings or corrective action steps (even of a minor nature) are necessary.  We expect formal notification of this, later this week.  

Food program news:  ISBE's CACFP Audit was successful - no meaningful findings at all.  Watch this space for updates on EMSA's food program for next year, in June.

VOTES:

1. Bylaws 

2. Individual Board Member Job Description

3. Committee Job Descriptions

FYI: 

1. Board Nominations

2. Board Calendar

3. Compliance Pieces

Search committee for Executive Director 

If no Executive Session, adjourn meeting.

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,***