Elgin Math & Science Academy
Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday August 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Location
Admin Building - SS Classroom
1600 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, IL 60120
Our Mission:
The Elgin Math and Science Academy is an EL Education public charter school.
We strive to support the whole child and develop socially responsible leaders who aspire to create a better world.
Directors Present
A. Gandhi, A. Scimeca, B. Lane, D. Haight, H. Sennholtz, J. Delgado, K. Kelly, M. Toth, P. Stagen, S. Bennett
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Caroline Forester, Cassie Grabowski, D. Alexander, K. Martinez, K. Taylor, Laura Delgado, Tom Mulder, Trisha Morgan
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Board Meeting
A.
Public Comment
B.
Approve Minutes from the June 26th Board Meeting
III. Executive Director's Report
A.
Executive Director's Report
IV. Financial Report
A.
Finance & Operations Committee Report
The Board was asked to approve a Resolution for an equipment loan from IFF. Discussion ensued.
The loan's purpose is to reimburse EMSA for food equipment purchases in FY24 and FY25 and for certain construction in summer 2024.
B.
Financial Statements - June 30, 2024
Douglas DeJong presented preliminary financial statements for June 30, 2024.
V. General Operations Report
A.
Operations Report
Dan Alexander presented the operations report:
- School enrollment is roughly 500 students
- All construction complete
- Teachers and staff have the furniture, technology, and materials needed
- Food Service is fully prepared
- Campus upkeep and care continues
VI. Strategic Planning
A.
EL 101
Executive Director Kathryn Martinez presented:
EL Education's Dimensions of Student Achievement
EL 101 - what is EL Education
Board Strategic Planning - plan outline
B.
Strategic Planning Process and Timeline
VII. EMSA Committee and Parent-Teacher Crew Reports
A.
EMSA PTC Update
Melanie Toth presented the EPTC update:
● Back to School Events
○ Attended New Family Orientation -The number of families who attended doubled from last year's attendance.
○ Kindergarten Jump Start - A group of EPTC parents and fellow EMSA students assisted staff with registration and drop-off for new kindergarten students.
○ Back to School Nights - All three nights EPTC hosted a table with EPTC information and invited new families to join the first meeting next month.
○ Taco Truck Fundraiser- During all three BSNs, EPTC board member Kathryn Engelsdorfer brought her taco truck as an EPTC fundraiser. Final fundraising numbers TBD.
○ Chalk the Walk - EMSA families & staff wrote encouraging notes and fun drawings for the first day of school.
○ First Day of School -EPTC board members assisted in middle school with student lockers and other needs from staff.
● Upcoming Events
○ First EPTC Meeting
■ Tues Sept. 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Open to all families, staff and board members)
○ Culver’s Scoopies Night Fundraiser
■ Tues Sept. 17, 4-8 p.m. Register to assist with food deliveries
B.
Executive Committee
Sue Bennett updated the board on the executive committee
C.
Development Report
Katie Taylor updated the board on development- grants, foundation giving, the annual fund, sponsorship packages.
D.
Master Planning Committee
Kerry Kelly updated the board on Master Planning-
Campus Grounds
E.
Governance
Akash Gandhi updated the board on Governance
F.
Academic Excellence
Bethea Lane updated the board on Academic Excellence
The Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) presented their Work Plan for the year
The Executive Director Kathryn Martinez
Introduced Tom Mulder, Assistant Principal
Updated the board on:
Summer Professional Development & Back to School Nights
● 2 days of New Staff Orientation
● 3 days of Staff Professional Development
● Back to School Nights are well attended at all grade levels
Staffing- 1 special education teacher is still needed