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Menlo Park Academy Governing Board

Minutes

Board Meeting

Regular Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday August 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Location

Menlo Park Academy

2149 West 53rd St.

Cleveland, OH 44102

The regular meeting of MPA’s governing board will be held on August 21, 2025 at Menlo Park Academy, 2149 W. 53rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44102. Meeting dates and times are posted in several places in building as well as online. We will endeavor to enable virtual attendance, when possible, at this meeting link – https://meet.google.com/bqx-niry-mqu. 

Directors Present

Jeffrey Sugalski, Sam Sherwood, Teri Harrison (remote), Tiffany Randle, Twana Rogers

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

Amber Tripphahn (remote), Deborah Zeffren, Doug Thompson (remote), Jessica Esway, Karen Sacco (remote), Kelly Baughman (remote), L. Mikaella Smith (remote), Latha Ess (remote), Liana Wiembels (remote), Michelle Hudak (remote), Natasha Didytch (remote), Rebecca Clark (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Tiffany Randle called a meeting of the board of directors of Menlo Park Academy Governing Board to order on Thursday Aug 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM.

C.

Public Comments

No public comments

II. Sponsor Report

A.

Sponsor Report

J. Esway discussed the current state policy surrounding cell phones in schools. More information is to come surrounding this policy. 

III. Financial Report

A.

July Financials

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to approve July financial statements.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.

no discussion or questions

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Education Report

A.

Education Report

348 students currently enrolled. School year planned events calendared on school calendar and on parent square. SEL series with Dr. Rimm is scheduled. 

V. Admissions Report

A.

Admissions Report

Fall testing dates are scheduled and planned. Admissions efforts are on going. 

VI. Operations Report

A.

Operations Report

MAT fee invoices have all been delivered to families. MAT fee funds continue to be collected. Due date is September 15th 2025

VII. Board Committees

A.

Audit & Finance

Meetings have been changed to the end of the month moving forward. Future meetings to be scheduled. 

B.

Development

Last meeting was Friday August 15th. Future meetings to be set. Nothing more to update. 

C.

Enrollment Task Force

Future meetings to be planned. No further updates. 

D.

Program Excellence

No current updates 

VIII. New Board Membership

A.

Board Membership Q&A

E. Blevins will meet for Q &A at the September 4th meeting. 

IX. Resolutions for Consideration: HR

A.

New Hires

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to hire Jessica Hotz as a teacher for and annual salary of 38,500, with an effective date of 08/18/2025.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Sam Sherwood made a motion to hire Serach Goldish as a substitute intervention specialist for 20.00 per hour.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Sam Sherwood made a motion to Authorize J. Esway to execute agreement with Serach Goldish for 20 dollars per hour adjusted up to 40.00 per hour once intervention license is approved. Up to 7 hours per week.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Contract

X. Resolutions for Consideration: Academic

A.

Overnight Trips

Sam Sherwood made a motion to Authorize J. Esway to execute agreements with Nowak for student overnight trips to Lake Erie islands, Chicago and Columbus.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Data Analysis Proposal

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to Authorize J. Esway to execute an analysis proposal as presented.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Proposal

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to Authorize J. Esway to execute agreement with Art of Education as presented.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Consulting Agreement

Sam Sherwood made a motion to Authorize J. Esway to execute agreement with Beth Turk for Special Education Services at a rate of 50.00 per hour.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

XI. Resolutions for Consideration: Operations

A.

Sales Based Fundraiser

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to Authorize D. Zeffren to execute agreement with Stoller for fundraising campaign.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Strip and Wax Floor

Twana Rogers made a motion to Authorize D. Zeffren to execute agreement with Coverall for striping and waxing of the floors.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Coverall

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to Authorize D. Zeffren to execute agreement with Coverall for cleaning services as presented for July and August.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.

Budget of 117, 397 was discussed for the cleaning contract. 

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to Authorize D. Zeffren to execute agreement with Coverall for current and future cleaning services, not to exceed 130,000 annually.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

EMIS Designation

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to designate Kimberly Pulley as the EMIS representative for MPA for FY 26.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Teri Harrison
Aye
Sam Sherwood
Aye
Tiffany Randle
Aye
Twana Rogers
Aye
Jeffrey Sugalski
Aye

E.

Insurance Claim

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to authorize D. Zeffren to sign necessary documents to move forward with flood content replacement.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

F.

Seizure Designation

Sam Sherwood made a motion to approve Elaine Beeghly as the school's seizure representative FY 26.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

G.

Risk Management Solution

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to approve the accident insurance through Philadelphia as presented.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

H.

School Fees and Fines Procedure

Sam Sherwood made a motion to approve a one- time deposit refund for registered students who did not start in FY 26 and withdrew due to bussing cancellation.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XII. Resolutions for Consideration: Admissions

A.

Schoolmint - Legacy

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to allow J. Esway to execute the agreement with schoolmint as presented.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Testing Stipends

Twana Rogers made a motion to approve 100.00 Testing stipends for August testing for Megan Dolar, Michelle Hudak and Karen Sacco.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XIII. Resolutions for Consideration: Board

A.

Board Officer Elections

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to elect for FY 26 Tiffany Randle as chair, Teri Harrison as vice chair, Twana Rogers as secretary and Jeff Sugalski as Treasurer.
Teri Harrison seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Board Committee Leadership

Twana Rogers made a motion to B.
Sam Sherwood seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XIV. 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 8:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tiffany Randle

MISSION STATEMENT: Menlo Park Academy is a public school that develops the potential of gifted children through an exemplary program of rewarding experiences that nurtures the whole child.