Board Meeting Minutes

July 23, 2025, 5:30-6:30 PM

Laureate Academy Charter School Board of Directors

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday July 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM

The matters listed are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair to be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may, in fact, be discussed. Other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. All agenda items are informational unless otherwise denoted, though all committee reports require a vote for acceptance. Unless otherwise stated, the meeting will be held on the campus of the school (2115 Oakmere Drive Harvey, LA 70058)

Directors Present

Bria Joshua, Caitlyn Scales, Dr. Jahquille Ross, Jordan Whittenburg, Monique Handy

Directors Absent

Janel Green, Toyane Faulkner

Ex Officio Members Present

Claire Heckerman-Whitehead

Non Voting Members Present

Claire Heckerman-Whitehead

Guests Present

Jonathan Tebeleff (remote), Parker Cossaboom (remote)

I. Opening Items

A. Record Attendance

B. Call the Meeting to Order

Jordan Whittenburg called a meeting of the board of directors of Laureate Academy Charter School Board of Directors to order on Wednesday Jul 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM.

C. Approve the Minutes from June Meeting

Jordan Whittenburg made a motion to approve the minutes from June Board Meeting on 06-17-25.

Monique Handy seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D. Prove What's Possible

II. Finance

A. Review of month prior financials

Jonathan from 4th Sector reviewed the June financial report that is attached to the agenda.
Food Service is anticipated to be different next school year because it will be handled directly by Laureate rather than Jefferson Parish. Although an added expense, Food Service is expected to bring revenue.
- Food Service provider has been decided and will be renewed on a contractual basis-- SLA.
Financials continue to be strong YTD.

III. Academics

A. Follow-ups re Consent Agenda Review and Vote

Academic Committee
- Monthly meetings-- Wednesdays at 4:30p.
- Next meeting: August 20, 2025.
Finance Committee
- Discussion of new co-chair.
- There is a need for board representation at finance meetings.
- Monthly or quarterly meetings are TBD.
- Next meeting: September 2025.
Governance Committee
- Monthly or quarterly meetings are TBD.
- Next meeting: September 2025.

B. Leap Data

See Head of School powerpoint presentation.

C. Hiring Updates

See Head of School powerpoint presentation.

D. Head of School Update

Collective Review of Student Handbook

Policy regarding stipend for retention of high performers (based on over ten percent increase in DIBELS & LEAP test scores).
- When teachers qualify more than once, should the stipend be tiered? Yes. Suggested $2,000.
- Will the stipend be paid as a bonus or added to paycheck? TBD with finance based on which pay method is more favorable to teachers.

Hiring and HR

Still need second teacher, paraprofessionals, and speech therapist.
- National shortage of speech therapist is forcing consideration of virtual therapy.

Upcoming Events

See calendar.

Celebration of Growth & Goals

Ideas for celebrating (i.e. t-shirts, yard signs, mastery party, etc.)

Dr. Jahquille Ross made a motion to amend the agenda to include a vote to conditionally approve the 2025-26 Laureate Academy student handbook.

Jordan Whittenburg seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Dr. Jahquille Ross made a motion to conditionally approve the 2025-26 Laureate Academy student handbook with the condition that the Board of Directors review handbook prior to publishing.

Jordan Whittenburg seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Governance

A. 10 Year Celebration

Gala

Budget reviewed.
Sponsorship to be confirmed.

V. 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 6:41 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jordan Whittenburg

Prove What's Possible!