Elgin Math & Science Academy

Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday December 18, 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, P. Stagen, S. Bennett

Directors Absent

H. Sennholtz, K. Kelly, M. Toth

Guests Present

K. Coventry, K. Martinez, Karen Conzelman

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 Dec 18, 2024 at 4:12 PM.

II. Board Meeting

A.

Public Comment

D. Haight reviewed the Public Comment.

B.

Approve Minutes from the October 30 Board Meeting

P. Stagen made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on 10-30-24.
A. Gandhi seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

III. Administrative Reports

A.

Executive Director's Report

K. Martinez provided her Executive Director's Report. A few important highlights:

  • MAP data will be reviewed in January.
  • Enrollment Update
  • Fundraising
  • Winter Break
  • Open House for Enrollment

B.

Approval of School Year 2025-26 Calendar

D. Haight made a motion to approve the School Year 2025-2026 Calendar.
A. Scimeca seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Resolution to authorize our Executive Director to negotiate and execute contracts with consultants through June 30, 2025.

B. Lane made a motion to approve a resolution to authorize our Executive Director to negotiate and execute contracts with consultants through June 30, 2025.
A. Scimeca seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Operations Report

IV. Financial Report

A.

Finance Committee Report

P. Stagan provided the Finance Committee Report / Financial Statements

 

B.

Approval of FY24 Audited Financial Statements

B. Lane made a motion to approve of FY24 Audited Financial Statements.
A. Scimeca seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Financial Statements

D. DeJong provided an update on the Financials as of November 30th.

  • Grants
  • Balance Sheet
  • Dashboard ISBE Performance 

D.

Bank Account Authorization

V. Strategic Planning

A.

Strategic Planning Presentation of Working Group's Draft

K. Martinez presented the Strategic Planning Presentation Working Draft.

  • 3 Goal Areas: Student Performance, Financial Performance, and Governance and Leadership Performance
    • Objectives, Strategies & Measures, and Monitoring Benchmarks
    • Objective around Learning Expeditions (Science Focus)
  • In January, the next Board Meeting will have a feedback protocol about the Strategic Planning Presentation.
  • By the end of School Year to have an Approved Strategic Plan.

VI. EMSA Committee and Parent-Teacher Crew Reports

A.

EMSA PTC Update

J. Delgado presented her EPTC update. 

  • Events
  • Fundraising 
  • Upcoming Events

B.

Executive Committee

S. Bennett discussed increasing Board meetings: monthly meetings. This would start in January and it will be on the 4th Wednesday of the month. 

C.

Development Report

D.

Master Planning Committee

E.

Governance

A. Gandhi provided an update for Governance.

F.

Academic Excellence

K. Martinez provided an update:

  • Piloting learning expeditions to start in Spring.

VII. Executive Session

A.

Vote to Enter Closed Executive Session

D. Haight made a motion to enter executive session.
A. Gandhi seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Executive Session

C.

Motion to Exit Closed Executive Session

B. Lane made a motion to exit executive session.
A. Gandhi seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VIII. 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 6:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
S. Bennett