Alma del Mar
Minutes
Board of Trustees
Date and Time
Friday January 29, 2021 at 9:30 AM
Trustees Present
A. Cortez (remote), B. Cunningham (remote), C. Arnold (remote), C. Bator (remote), G. Fortes (remote), J. Baptist (remote), L. Hicks (remote), M. Kay (remote), M. Rosario (remote), V. Brown
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
B. Kurie (remote), Marc Wancer (remote), New Bedford Cable Network (remote), W. Gardner (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
J. Baptist called a meeting of the board of trustees of Alma del Mar to order on Friday Jan 29, 2021 at 9:30 AM.
C.
Alma’s Mission Statement
C. Hicks read Alma del Mar's Mission Statement
D.
Board & Committee Goals 2020-2021
J. Baptist asked that the Board & Committee Goals be attached to the board agenda each month for continuous reference.
E.
Board Calendar of Monthly Activities
F.
Approve Minutes
L. Hicks made a motion to approve the minutes from SPECIAL: Board Meeting on 12-17-20.
C. Arnold seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| B. Cunningham |
Aye
|
| L. Hicks |
Aye
|
| G. Fortes |
Aye
|
| M. Rosario |
Aye
|
| C. Bator |
Aye
|
| C. Arnold |
Aye
|
| J. Baptist |
Aye
|
| V. Brown |
Absent
|
| M. Kay |
Aye
|
| A. Cortez |
Aye
|
G.
Approve Minutes
L. Hicks made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Trustees on 11-20-20.
G. Fortes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Arnold |
Aye
|
| B. Cunningham |
Aye
|
| J. Baptist |
Aye
|
| L. Hicks |
Aye
|
| V. Brown |
Absent
|
| A. Cortez |
Aye
|
| M. Rosario |
Aye
|
| C. Bator |
Aye
|
| G. Fortes |
Aye
|
| M. Kay |
Aye
|
II. Executive Director Report
A.
Executive Director Report
Board reviewed Executive Director report
B.
Data Dashboard
C. Hicks and C. Arnold noted concern about chronic absenteeism during remote learning, asked to discuss further during Academic Excellence section of meeting.
C.
Reopening Update
W. Gardner shared full presentation detailing plans for reopening with scholars in grades K-2 on February 1. He explained why the team is focused on getting Alma's youngest scholars back into the building first and a sense of urgency around reading proficiency from learning loss experienced last spring/summer.
C. Arnold asked about PPE availability and whether staff could be provided masks to allow for double masking. B. Cunningham noted that the school has purchased a large amount of PPE for staff and in-person scholars, as well as air filters, hand washing stations, hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass shields and more.
J. Baptist asked that Alma's FHF Coordinator be ready to support eligible Alma family members with navigating the process to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
C. Hicks asked when grades 3-8 may return for in-person learning. W. Gardner said that no plans have been announced as the team is very focused on a successful return for grades K-2 and a strong remote program for all teachers and scholars.
C. Arnold asked about PPE availability and whether staff could be provided masks to allow for double masking. B. Cunningham noted that the school has purchased a large amount of PPE for staff and in-person scholars, as well as air filters, hand washing stations, hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass shields and more.
J. Baptist asked that Alma's FHF Coordinator be ready to support eligible Alma family members with navigating the process to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
C. Hicks asked when grades 3-8 may return for in-person learning. W. Gardner said that no plans have been announced as the team is very focused on a successful return for grades K-2 and a strong remote program for all teachers and scholars.
III. Academic Excellence
A.
Academic Update
M. Kay shared a report from the Academic Excellence committee. She noted that scholar attendance in remote learning fluctuated over the holidays but is increasing again. She also reported on the staff's efforts to analyze interim data based on different population sub groups. She noted that Alma staff are doing a remarkable job of providing scholar interventions and supports.
DESE has announced that the MCAS will be taken in the Spring of 2021, more details to come.
DESE has announced that the MCAS will be taken in the Spring of 2021, more details to come.
IV. Development
A.
Development Strategy Update
B. Kurie shared that the FY fundraising goal of $1million has been achieved. There is a discrepancy between DevComm and FinComm reporting due to mail delays (B. Kurie records as donations come in, C. Fisher records after checks have been deposited).
B. Kurie thanked the Board for their efforts of sharing Alma's story and successes to date. This spring will be spent creating additional opportunities and providing more resources to continue to strengthen relationships with current donors and bring new supporters into Alma's circle.
B. Kurie thanked the Board for their efforts of sharing Alma's story and successes to date. This spring will be spent creating additional opportunities and providing more resources to continue to strengthen relationships with current donors and bring new supporters into Alma's circle.
V. Finance
A.
Revised 2020-21 Budget
L. Hicks made a motion to approve the revised 2020-21 budget.
C. Arnold seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Hicks |
Aye
|
| G. Fortes |
Absent
|
| V. Brown |
Absent
|
| M. Kay |
Aye
|
| C. Arnold |
Aye
|
| A. Cortez |
Aye
|
| B. Cunningham |
Aye
|
| J. Baptist |
Aye
|
| M. Rosario |
Aye
|
| C. Bator |
Aye
|
B.
FY21 Q2 Financials
C.
FY22 Budget Process
VI. Governance
A.
Updated Trustee Expectations
G. Fortes presented the board with updated trustee expectations as set by the Governance Committee. She asked that the trustees review the new expectations.
B.
Board Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings
G. Fortes asked trustees to keep an eye on their email for a new "Doodle Poll" to help staff in setting dates and times for DEI training for the Board. The goal is to complete three DEI trainings by June 2021.
VII. New Site Development
A.
Update on Construction of the Frederick Douglass Campus
W. Gardner shared a report on the new campus construction. Details of a beam signing opportunity to come!
B.
Pursuing a Lease on Additional Temporary Space for Fall 2021
VIII. Other Business
A.
Update on Staff Diversity
Item delayed to February 2021 board meeting
IX. 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 11:00 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
B. Kurie
Documents used during the meeting
- Board and Committee Calendar and Suggested Monthly Activities_Updated June 2020 (1).pdf
- Board and Committee Calendar and Suggested Monthly Activities_Updated June 2020 (1).pdf
- E.D. Report 1-29-20.pdf
- 2020-2021 Alma Dashboard_updated 1:19:2020.pdf
- Reopening Highlights_Board 1_29_2021 (1).pdf
- Academic Update_January 2021.pdf
- 1.22.2021 DevComm Report to BoT.pdf
- CombinedRevisedCOMPARISONBudget.pdf
- 4. COVID P&L 12.31.2020.pdf
- 2. Combined P&L 12.31.2020.pdf
- 1. Combined SNP 12.31.2020.pdf
- FY22 COVID Alma Org Budgeting Process.docx
- Trustee Expectations (1).pdf
- Board Update on Douglass Construction- Month of January.pdf