Elgin Math & Science Academy
Minutes
Board Meeting--Virtual
Date and Time
Thursday August 20, 2020 at 6:00 PM
Location
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)
+1 646-653-3548
PIN: 599 458 779#
Directors Present
A. Gray (remote), B. Pinon, D. Haight, G. Swick (remote), K. Kelly (remote), K. Shaw (remote), M. Gibb (remote), S. Bennett (remote)
Directors Absent
None
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
D. Haight
Ex Officio Members Present
L. Fuhr (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
L. Fuhr (remote)
Guests Present
B. Lane (remote), F. Bisconti (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
M. Gibb called a meeting of the board of directors of Elgin Math & Science Academy to order on Thursday Aug 20, 2020 at 6:02 PM.
C.
Public Comment
D.
Approve Minutes
G. Swick made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 07-16-20.
A. Gray seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| G. Swick |
Aye
|
| K. Shaw |
Aye
|
| S. Bennett |
Aye
|
| A. Gray |
Aye
|
| M. Gibb |
Aye
|
| K. Kelly |
Aye
|
| D. Haight |
Absent
|
| B. Pinon |
Aye
|
E.
FOIA Report
No Report.
F.
Community Crew
Bethea Joined Meeting (Please update in Board on Track).
"How are we meeting our community needs during pandemic?"
Community Pool – Adam
Teaching and back at work! — Bethea
Golf course — Frank
Family is all together — Kerry
Church AV team — Kimberly
Remote work social hours — Laura
Neighbors — Mel
Puppy — Sue
Working with a core group, food distribution families — Lezlie
"How are we meeting our community needs during pandemic?"
Community Pool – Adam
Teaching and back at work! — Bethea
Golf course — Frank
Family is all together — Kerry
Church AV team — Kimberly
Remote work social hours — Laura
Neighbors — Mel
Puppy — Sue
Working with a core group, food distribution families — Lezlie
D. Haight arrived.
II. Governance
A.
Board Operations 2020-21
Committee of the Whole adoption: the committee of board members would be prior to board meeting to address longer discussion items or lengthy committee reports.
G. Swick made a motion to to adopt a Committee of the Whole structure.
M. Gibb seconded the motion.
(Seconded by Bethea, need to change Bethea's title in Board on Track)
5:30PM
This committee will be used to further discuss committee matters and deepen communication with the school.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
5:30PM
This committee will be used to further discuss committee matters and deepen communication with the school.
B.
Committee of the Whole
III. Principal's Report
A.
Principal's Report
• Diversity update
• 96 MLL students (100 is Title III)
• 49% FR Lunch
• Blended learning update
This has been difficult for parents and staff. Most schools are not adopting a hybrid learning model because of challenges. IDPH sent additional guidance for quarentine and testing protocol.
There have been a variety of technology snags — second level technicians are addressing sign in issues. Clever did not work with SeeSaw. Food ordering and delivery have become more complicated and different bus routes for different days. Early arrival is now at 6:45AM. BGCE is 5 days a week at the clubhouse. SPED is using both in person and teleservice. ELL continues to screen students. Art and Music is remote only on Wednesdays for safety. Equitable community crew on Wednesdays. Community Crew is NOT to be posted on FB. We are still using NWEA testing — there is only a ten minute window from launch to test start. School pictures on two different days, remote students will come in on a make-up Wednesday. Currently using hot spots per classroom. Lower Level art barn is now occupied by our school nurse.
First week of school has been focused on safely navigating the school, learning technology, solidifying Crew, and assessing readiness levels.
Students have been doing very well about safety protocols. Kindergarteners are doing a fantastic job! Our students are very happy to be here. Remote student community will be picking up in the next week.
This is a time of firsts for EVERYONE — we ask for patience and grace for teachers and parents.
• 96 MLL students (100 is Title III)
• 49% FR Lunch
• Blended learning update
This has been difficult for parents and staff. Most schools are not adopting a hybrid learning model because of challenges. IDPH sent additional guidance for quarentine and testing protocol.
There have been a variety of technology snags — second level technicians are addressing sign in issues. Clever did not work with SeeSaw. Food ordering and delivery have become more complicated and different bus routes for different days. Early arrival is now at 6:45AM. BGCE is 5 days a week at the clubhouse. SPED is using both in person and teleservice. ELL continues to screen students. Art and Music is remote only on Wednesdays for safety. Equitable community crew on Wednesdays. Community Crew is NOT to be posted on FB. We are still using NWEA testing — there is only a ten minute window from launch to test start. School pictures on two different days, remote students will come in on a make-up Wednesday. Currently using hot spots per classroom. Lower Level art barn is now occupied by our school nurse.
First week of school has been focused on safely navigating the school, learning technology, solidifying Crew, and assessing readiness levels.
Students have been doing very well about safety protocols. Kindergarteners are doing a fantastic job! Our students are very happy to be here. Remote student community will be picking up in the next week.
This is a time of firsts for EVERYONE — we ask for patience and grace for teachers and parents.
IV. PTC Report
A.
Report of Parent Teacher Crew
• "Chalk the Walk" for the first day of school.
• Please update the teacher/staff directory on the website.
• Board participation in EPTC meetings (Board members sign up for a meeting date).
• Facebook page monitoring
• Please update the teacher/staff directory on the website.
• Board participation in EPTC meetings (Board members sign up for a meeting date).
• Facebook page monitoring
V. Finance
A.
CFO Report
Financial Report: The balance sheet shows our cash balance as negative, however, that was due to checks written in July for August distribution.
PCTC is at 7.2% increase for FY21
Finance committee recommendation: setting up a reserve fund with budget savings.
PCTC is at 7.2% increase for FY21
Finance committee recommendation: setting up a reserve fund with budget savings.
B.
Finance Committee Update and/or Recommendation for Debt Capacity and Instruments
VI. Master Plan Committee
A.
GMP #1 update
Sitework is complete.
Chris with Green Gorilla will be addressing landscaping.
Consultant Dan Alexander will be working towards insurance and environmentals.
Chris with Green Gorilla will be addressing landscaping.
Consultant Dan Alexander will be working towards insurance and environmentals.
B.
Campus Ownership Update
We are still in discussions with the city to come to an agreement.
C.
Capital Project Financing Update
We are continuing to work with IFF.
VII. Development
A.
Development Committee
The committee is continuing to work on collateral and grant writing opportunities.
B.
Grant request to Representative Anna Moeller
S. Bennett made a motion to apply for the grant through Rep. Anna Moeller based on the attached request letter or substantially similar.
A. Gray seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VIII. Academic Excellence
A.
Assessments in Progress
NWEA testing is continuing.
ELA kindergarten bench-marking is underway.
ELA kindergarten bench-marking is underway.
IX. Outreach: Families and Community
A.
HAE
B.
Committee members
Bethea Lane offered to join committee.
X. Board Goals
A.
Board on Track Success Goals
Board members need to update skills profile on Board on Track.
XI. Other Business
A.
Audience Comments and Questions
No comments.
XII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
A. Gray made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M. Gibb seconded the motion.
(Bethea seconded)
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
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,
M. Gibb