Elgin Math & Science Academy
Minutes
Board of Directors
Date and Time
Tuesday February 22, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Location
Virtual Meeting
Directors Present
B. Lane (remote), D. Haight (remote), G. Swick (remote), K. Kelly (remote), K. Shaw (remote), M. Gibb (remote), S. Bennett (remote)
Directors Absent
A. Gray
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Willer (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
J. Willer (remote)
Guests Present
D. Alexander (remote), Kimberly Grigsby (remote), S. Said (remote), Samantha Ismond (remote), T. Haralambopoulos (remote), Trihsa Morgan (remote), Trish.Strong@quatrrobss.com (remote), ddejong@eabsolutions.net (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Public Comment
D.
Approve Minutes from January 25, 2022 Board Meeting
II. Financial Report
A.
Financial Statements
B.
Staff Compensation Task Force Report
J. Willer led the discussion
Jacquelyn attended a meeting with HR to discuss our insurance and other benefits.
Partnership with Judson going well
III. Principal's Report
A.
Principal's Report
J. Willer led the discussion
Free and Reduced Lunch Numbers: 47%
Seats Filled: 363, 1 seat open in Kindergarten
Staffing update:
We welcomed the following new staff members to our crew this month
● Elizabeth Miller in Music as Rodger Miller has moved to cover a maternity leave in 6th grade. Still looking for one additional TA in 5th Grade
2/17-2/18 - parent-teacher conferences
Filling out 5 essentials ongoing
Mask Optional Guidance and the TRO - a survey went out to staff & parents today
Special Education Cooperative
Vision and Hearing Screenings are coming up on March 15th and 16th
IV. EMSA Parent Teacher Crew Report
A.
EMSA PTC Update
S. Bennett & B. Lane led the discussion
All school meeting was well attended
Need more parents to get involved
The yearbook was taken over by a parent- YAY!!
Directory came out taken over by parent- YAY!
V. Operations and Construction Report
A.
Construction Update
D. Alexander led the discussion
All construction has been completed, with the final item to receive City approval being the step flashing at the Administration Building.
EMSA will submit its payment request to IFF for closeout of the loan and closeout of the construction escrow, once Wheeler Kearns Architects provides the certified approval (expected early the week of the 21st).
B.
COO Operations Report
D. Alexander led the discussion
A Director of Development has been hired & will start 3/25
A Director of Technology has been hired
Worked with Jacquelyn for a re-bid of School Food Service for School Year 2022-23
C.
Finance & Operations Committee Report
VI. Master Planning Report
A.
Master Planning Update
K. Kelly led the discussion
Space needs for the upcoming year- 3/17 it was purposed keeping the 5th graders in the gym building and having 6 & 7 rotate on a bell schedule
B.
Elementary (fka Neil) Building Interior Modifications
C.
Environmental Work Group
G. Swick led the discussion
Proposed Vision:
To promote plans and implement environmental stewardship and education activities of EMSA, in conjunction with admin and staff.
Proposed Mission:
To preserve restore, and protect EMSA's rare and singular campus environment through education & research restoration and advocacy.
G Swick noted that "stewardship" includes the concepts/actions of protection, restoration, and advocacy.
Goals suggested:
• Visioning campus as environmental curriculum
• Partnering w school admin leadership on ELed programs
• Safety
• Build relationships w Forest Preserve, Max McGraw
• Appreciation & Reflection (and goal-setting)
Ravine workday was 2/20 at 2:20
VII. Academic Excellence
A.
Report
B.Lane led the discussion
Middle School planning ongoing
- curriculum
- space planning
- bell schedule
B.
New Staffing Updates
J. Willer led the discussion
Staffing recommendations ongoing
VIII. Governance
A.
Strategic Planning Session
K. Kelly & G. Swick led the discussion
Strategic planning session occurred 2/22
Committees are tasked with addressing pillars & goals
B.
Charter Renewal Process Check-In
J. Willer & D. Alexander led the discussion
C.
Board and Committee Member Recruitment
Nothing to report
D.
Illinois Association of School Boards Update, if any
IX. Outreach: Families and Community
A.
Update on Outreach Activities
K. Shaw led the discussion
213 applications in currently
Open-house tomorrow
Planning for Spring/Summer recruitment
X. Development Committee
A.
Report of Development Committee
D. Haight & D.Alexander
Development Director has been hired
T.Strong led the discussion