Elgin Math & Science Academy

Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday October 30, 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, J. Delgado, K. Kelly, M. Toth, P. Stagen, S. Bennett

Directors Absent

H. Sennholtz

Guests Present

D. Alexander, D. DeJong (remote), Isabel Mota (remote), K. Martinez, Lisa Bravo (remote), Yesica Rufino

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

S. Bennett called a meeting of the board of directors of Elgin Math & Science Academy to order on Wednesday Oct 30, 2024 at 4:01 PM.

II. Board Meeting

A.

Public Comment

B.

Approve Minutes from the August 21 Board Meeting

A. Gandhi made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on 08-21-24.
P. Stagen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Approve Committee Minutes

III. Special Presentation: Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS)

A.

What is a Charter School? How do we advocate for our Charter School?

Yesica Rufino presented INCS and who they are to the board

IV. Executive Director's Report

A.

Executive Director's Report

K.Martinez presented the Executive Directors Report

 

We met our enrollment target!

Strategic planning is underway! The committee is made up of Board members, parents, and staff.

Fundraising - 

  • Annual appeal letters went out via mail. 
  • We will have a campaign leading up to Giving Tuesday on December 3rd. 
  • Sponsorships - We are launching a sponsorship campaign. 

Upcoming Dates & Events 

  • Vaccine Clinic with Jewel Osco, Friday, November 1st, 2-5 pm 
  • Tuesday Tour, November 19th, 8:30-9:30 am 
  • EMSA Multicultural Fair, Wednesday, November 20th, 5:30-7:30 pm 
  • Open House, Tuesday, December 3rd, 6-7 pm

V. Financial Report

A.

Finance & Operations Committee Report

The Board is asked to approve a Resolution for an equipment loan from IFF.  The loan's purpose is to reimburse EMSA for food equipment purchases in FY24 and FY25, and for certain construction in summer 2024, such as our new pedestrian pathways.

B. Lane made a motion to to approve a Resolution for an equipment loan from IFF.
A. Scimeca seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Financial Statements

D. DeJong presented the September Financial Report and audit.  DeJong took responsibility for a significant mistake in the bond payment schedule, by inadvertently omitting 4 months of prepayment.  Additionally, Alexander admitted his mistake in not budgeting correctly for additional monies needed for one student need to go to another school for SPED.

 

C.

Bank Account Authorization

The Board was asked to approve a Resolution to allow the Executive Director and current Board Treasurer to be authorized signers on EMSA's three checking and savings accounts and remove a former board member from the accounts.

M. Toth made a motion to to allow the Executive Director and current Board Treasurer to be authorized signers on EMSA's three checking and savings accounts and remove a former board member from the accounts.
B. Lane seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VI. General Operations Report

A.

Operations Report

VII. EMSA Committee and Parent-Teacher Crew Reports

A.

EMSA PTC Update

B.

Executive Committee

C.

Development Report

D.

Master Planning Committee

E.

Governance

F.

Academic Excellence

VIII. Executive Session

A.

Vote to Enter Closed Executive Session

K. Kelly made a motion to enter into an executive session to discuss specific items outlined in the agenda.
B. Lane seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Executive Session

C.

Motion to Exit Closed Executive Session

B. Lane made a motion to exit executive session.
K. Kelly seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IX. Closing Items

A.

Public Comment

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
D. Haight