Elgin Math & Science Academy
Minutes
Board of Directors
Date and Time
Tuesday November 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM
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.
Directors Present
A. Gray (remote), B. Lane (remote), D. Haight, G. Swick, K. Kelly, K. Shaw, M. Gibb (remote), S. Bennett
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Willer (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
J. Willer (remote)
Guests Present
Amanda Tanhauser (remote), D. Alexander, Laura Sterba (remote), Lauren Beavers (remote), M. Martinez, S. Egger (remote), S. Said, T. Haralambopoulos (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
G. Swick called a meeting of the board of directors of Elgin Math & Science Academy to order on Tuesday Nov 30, 2021 at 7:02 PM.
C.
Public Comment
D.
Approve Minutes from Oct. 26 Board Meeting
B. Lane made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors on 10-26-21.
S. Bennett seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
E.
Approval of Nov. 15 Committee of the Whole Minutes
K. Kelly made a motion to approve the minutes from Committee of the Whole Meeting on 11-15-21.
K. Shaw seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Community
A.
Community Crew
How can we improve and support communications among EMSA's stakeholders: board, admin, staff, parents, students, community?
B.
Decision-Making Practices
Moving this to various committees to do.
Board will start to review the norms
- 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
A.
Financial Statements FY22
S. Egger led the discussion
B.
Audit Committee Report
Audit was completed on-time by independent auditors. 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)
A. Gray led the discussion
A. Gray made a motion to Accept EMSA Audit(s) reports as presented.
B. Lane seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IV. Principal's Report
A.
Principal's Report
J. Willer led the discussion
Free/Reduced lunch 47%
(2) 6th grade seats open
TA's being hired
New Music teacher
Needs:
Special Ed teacher
Interventionist
Asst. Principal
NWA testing starts tomorrow
Exploratory Fridays has started
5th & 6th grade parents meeting this month
Two State Representatives & INCS came to observe classes
Self Care pay to teaching staff
V. Operations and Construction Report
A.
Construction Update
D. Alexander led the discussion
Safety Improvements- speed bumps, crosswalks & signage
Chimneys
B.
Operations Report
D. Alexander led the discussion
VI. EMSA Parent Teacher Crew Report
A.
EMSA PTC Update
S. Bennett & B.lane led the discussion
Savers Fundraiser - $336
T-Shirts & Sweatshirts are coming next week
Patches for navy polos coming in soon
Boston Market Fundraising- $237
Thanksgiving Pies for the teachers
Teacher Appreciation for the holidays coming up
VII. Master Planning Report
A.
Master Planning Update
K. Kelly led the discussion
B.
Environmental Work Group
G. Swick led the discussion
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.
3. Nov 19, students hiked the campus with G Swick & K Kelly for their first Exploratory Friday to observe and discuss ecosystem needs.
December 3rd next meeting
VIII. Governance
A.
Charter Renewal Process Check-In
J. Willer & D.Alexander led the discussion
Charter Renewal
B.
Amendment to EMSA's Articles of Incorporation
J. Willer & D.Alexander led the discussion
As requested by the City of Elgin per our acquisition of the property.
K. Kelly made a motion to approve the Articles of Incorporation as presented.
B. Lane seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
C.
Illinois Association of School Boards Conference Report
K. Kelly led the discussion
D.
Board Member Recruitment
K. Kelly led the discussion
Try posting - Apply for a board member position by XX date
E.
Committee Chair Openings
G. Swick led the discussion
Need Governance Committee set-up
IX. Outreach: Families and Community
A.
Update on Outreach Activities
K. Shaw led the discussion
EMSA's first "virtual open house" was scheduled for tonight (11/30) - 6 families attended
150 K- Applications
40- 1-8th grade
Highlight 6th grade
Promote middle school
Winterlights event coming up 12/5
1/24- Next Open House
X. Development Committee
A.
Report of Development Committee
D. Haight led the discussion
Giving Tuesday was today our goal of $9500 to purchase the needed PE Equipment
Huge Thank you to Jacquelyn, Michell, Sarah, Mel, Bethea, Sue & Angie & EPTC for all of their help
January/February we have 5 + grants to apply for
XI. Academic Excellence
A.
Report
B. Lane
Laura Sterba would like to join this committee
Monday 445-5pm first meeting
XII. Principal & COO Support & Evaluation Committee
A.
Report
B. Lane led the discussion
XIII. Other Business
A.
Audience Comments and Questions
B.
Motion to Enter Executive Closed Session
S. Bennett made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel topics.
K. Shaw seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
C.
Executive Session
Discussion ensued
D.
Motion to Exit Executive Closed Session
K. Shaw made a motion to leave executive session.
G. Swick seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
XIV. 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 9:51 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
D. Haight