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Menlo Park Academy Governing Board

Minutes

Board Meeting

Regular Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday April 16, 2026 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 April 16, 2026 at 2149 W. 53rd St., 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, Tiffany Randle, Twana Rogers

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

Adoni Henderson, Allison Lentz, Brittan Berry, Caitlin Gessner, Dave Massa (remote), Deborah Zeffren (remote), Jessica Esway (remote), Kelly Baughman

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 Apr 16, 2026 at 6:01 PM.

C.

Public Comments

D.

December 2025 - Regular Meeting Minutes

Sam Sherwood made a motion to approve the minutes from December Board Meeting on 12-18-25.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

January - Regular Meeting Minutes

Sam Sherwood made a motion to approve the minutes from January Board Meeting on 01-15-26.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Sponsor Report

A.

Sponsor Report

Discussed trainings that are offered for board members to participate in. No site visit in April as it is testing month. Collaborating with special education team to continue working on policies for improvement.

III. Financial Report

A.

March Financials

Sam Sherwood made a motion to acknowledge the receipt of March Financials.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Education Report

A.

Education Report

Kelly Baughman discussed field trips and OST testing. House meetings coming to an end. Notes drama club performances, student showcase and other fun things happening in the building.

 

Still wokring on filling camps up.

V. Admissions Report

A.

Admissions Report

Jessica Esway discussed enrollment and re-enrollment numbers. About half of kids testing have qualified. Shadow days are filling up. Marketing report and communications report reviewed. 3 new students enrolled this month for next school year.

VI. Operations Report

A.

Operations Report

Deborah Zeffren highlighted the Phase 1 of the outdoor recreation space was with the city for approvals, and our artist for the water tower being in the building. Hope to be in construction for natural play this summer. Highlighted NSLP audit coming in soon to the building.

VII. Board Committees

A.

Audit & Finance

meeting April 28th to discuss March financials.  Focus for next school year budgeting should be the focus for future meetings. 

B.

Development

Tiffany Randle mentioned not much to report yet. Plugged trivia in bloom and encouraged board members to encourage people to attend. Large grant opportunities with the state, expansion and facilities focused.

C.

Enrollment Committee

Enrollment report updated. Kindergarten enrollment numbers improving and re-enrollment goal is met. Additional discussion surrounding meal program and transportation as additional enrollment initiatives. More research is being completed for transportation, and the meal program has already been implemented.  

D.

Program Excellence

Next meeting on April 28th. No new updates. 

VIII. Resolutions for Consideration: HR

A.

Job Descriptions

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to approve the job descriptions as presented for Dean of SEL, Dean of Gifted Instruction, Academic coach and Enrollment Coordinator.
Teri Harrison seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IX. New Hires

A.

New Hires

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to hire Dr. Kelly Daugherty as the dean of gifted instruction for the 26-27 school year at a rate of 65,000.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Sam Sherwood made a motion to hire Dr. Corie Rivera as the dean of social emotional learning and special education for the 26-27 school year at a rate of 72,000.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Sam Sherwood made a motion to hire Kelly Baughman as the academic coach for the 26-27 at a salary of 55,000.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

X. Resolutions for Consideration: Academic

A.

Middle School Science Proposal

Sam Sherwood made a motion to Motion to approve proposal to Expand Middle School Science Pathways for High School Credit as presented.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.

Middle school will now have more science choices: integrated science, biology, and chemistry offerings with bio and chem being offered with optional high school credit

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Winter Benefit Venue Contract

Sam Sherwood made a motion to authorize jessica esway to sign the contract with Lakewood civic auditorium as presented.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.

Winter Benefit will be on December 3

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XI. Resolutions for Consideration: Operations

A.

March 2026 Policy Updates

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to Motion table policy updates for further review.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.

Questions regarding early acceleration policy and if the school has reviewed the model AI policy for any potential updates.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Health Benefit Agreement - Open Enrollment

Sam Sherwood made a motion to authorize Deborah Zeffren to execute the agreement for broker services with Gallagher as presented.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Sam Sherwood made a motion to authorize D. Zeffern to execute the agreement with Gallagher for the Health benefit contract.
Teri Harrison seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Server Quote

Teri Harrison made a motion to Authorize D. Zeffern to execute the agreement for a server with Space Bound for an amount not to exceed $20,000.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Spring 2026 Community School Modification Updates

FYI - contract modifications with ESC specific to law changes and sponsor expectations.

XII. Old Business

A.

Old Business

FYI - Tiffany Randle uploaded a copy of TA articles. Stephanie recommended meeting to help with understanding of the articles. Teachers ratified. Board will need to vote. Presented with official copies. Board will meet Monday the 20th.

Special meeting to be scheduled to review the ratification of the Union Contract for Monday April 20th 

XIII. New Business

A.

New Business

FYI - Twana Rogers mentioned Mock Trial and what that looks like for the future.

Plan for Mock Trial volunteers next year, as an FYI. 

XIV. Executive Session

A.

Executive Session

Tiffany Randle made a motion to discuss the compensation of a public employee.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.

discuss the compensation of a public employee. Entering at 6:52pm

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Teri Harrison
Aye
Twana Rogers
Aye
Jeffrey Sugalski
Aye
Tiffany Randle
Aye
Sam Sherwood
Aye
Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to approve 6,000 performance Bonus for D. Zeffern and J. Esway.
Teri Harrison seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XV. 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 7:59 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.