Laureate Academy Charter School Board of Directors

Minutes

August Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday August 13, 2024 at 5:30 PM

Location

Laureate Academy Charter School 

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 due to COVID-19 precautions, the meeting will be held on the campus of the school (2115 Oakmere Drive Harvey, LA 70058)

Directors Present

Caitlyn Scales, Dr. Jahquille Ross, Janel Green, Jordan Whittenburg, Toyane Faulkner

Directors Absent

Monique Handy

Ex Officio Members Present

Claire Heckerman-Whitehead

Non Voting Members Present

Claire Heckerman-Whitehead

Guests Present

Jessica Martin

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 Tuesday Aug 13, 2024 at 5:28 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Jordan Whittenburg made a motion to approve the minutes from July 23rd, 2024 July Board Meeting on 07-23-24.
Toyane Faulkner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Finance

A.

Finance Update

June financials look good. Next steps to check enrollment to the waitlist to report on on-going enrollment needs if applicable. 

III. Academic Excellence

A.

Academic Data Review

  • Report from all data showed increase in Math and decline in other areas. Our rank is still 8/25 (#5 in ELA and #7 in Math). 
  • Still outperforming area schools, but not "high performing" which is good - but not where we want to be. Plans are in place to work toward continued increase in student achievement for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 

B.

Start of School Updates

  • Culture in the classrooms feels more cohesive and exciting than last year
  • Claire has been in rooms to build confidence and fidelity in culture with all teachers
  • Vacancies for staffing are almost filled! 
  • Up for renewal this year - we will need to be focused on this as a board to support the process
  • Board member visits to school - let's get these scheduled! 
  • Upcoming visit opportunities for support: 9/6 Grandparent's Day (time TBD), 9/27 Monthly Celebration PBIS, 9/27 Open House (after school starting at 4:30pm) - Claire to get event dates from 
  • Testing calendar to be shared with board for both engagement/pump-up opportunities and for scheduling of data sharing with the board
  • April window for 10 Year Gala - separate meeting and ad hoc committee support may be helpful (Monique will make calls for comps for venue options)

IV. Governance

A.

Vote to appoint new board Treasurer

Caitlyn Scales made a motion to vote Janel Green to be Board Treasurer for Laureate Academy Charter School.
Jordan Whittenburg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Discussion of new board member needs

  • Jahquille is doing outreach
  • Toyane is doing outreach
  • An updated board member one-pager will be available to be shared with folks for follow-up

C.

Board of Ethics requirement review

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 6:28 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jordan Whittenburg
Documents used during the meeting
None