Menlo Park Academy Governing Board
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday July 16, 2020 at 6:00 PM
Location
Virtual Meeting:
OUR MISSION: Menlo Park Academy is a public school that nurtures gifted children through an exemplary program and rewarding experiences which develop the whole child.
Directors Present
Dante Giancola (remote), Fraser Hamilton Sr (remote), Melissa Picone (remote), Richard Hronek (remote), Susan Dornan (remote), Suzanne McFarland (remote), Teri Harrison (remote), Tiffany Randle (remote)
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Barbee Thomas (remote), Deb Kubat, Jeff Jaroscak (remote), Jennifer Ingraham (remote), Melissa McCarthy (remote), Nicole Shedden, Rachel Tangen, Rebecca Moore, Sarah O'Bryan (remote), Seamus O'Hara (remote), Veronica King
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Teri Harrison called a meeting of the board of directors of Menlo Park Academy Governing Board to order on Thursday Jul 16, 2020 at 6:01 PM.
II. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
III. Meeting Minutes
A.
Minutes-6/18/20 Regular Board Meeting
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 06-18-20.
Richard Hronek seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Meeting Minutes-6/24/2020 Special Meeting
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Meeting on 06-24-20.
Richard Hronek seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Minutes-7/1/20 Working Session
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to approve the minutes from Working Session on 07-01-20.
Richard Hronek seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Minutes-7/3/20 Special Meeting
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Meeting on 07-03-20.
Richard Hronek seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Sponsor Update
A.
Sponsor Update
Dr. Jaroscak referred the board to the July 2020 sponsor update and indicated that the date for submission of board approved remote learning plans (should the school wish to submit one) has been changed to August 21, 2020.
He referred the board to ODE’s Reset and Restart Guide and noted that he found the guide to be thorough and quite helpful in planning for re-opening.
He reported that formal sponsor assurances (site visit and complete review of records and documents) will not be conducted this year. He advised the board that there will, however, be some sort of submission to Epicenter. He said that he will work with Melissa to make sure that all submissions are completed.
He reminded the board that the Annual Statewide Meeting will be held remotely on August 5, 2020. A link for registration has gone out and, in addition, Dr. Jaroscak has sent reminders to board members. The keynote speaker will be Weston Kieschnick, a noted teacher and author. Given the likelihood that school will begin this year in some sort of remote form, the message is a timely one. Space is limited. He reminded the board that attendance by one representative of the school is mandatory.
He referred the board to ODE’s Reset and Restart Guide and noted that he found the guide to be thorough and quite helpful in planning for re-opening.
He reported that formal sponsor assurances (site visit and complete review of records and documents) will not be conducted this year. He advised the board that there will, however, be some sort of submission to Epicenter. He said that he will work with Melissa to make sure that all submissions are completed.
He reminded the board that the Annual Statewide Meeting will be held remotely on August 5, 2020. A link for registration has gone out and, in addition, Dr. Jaroscak has sent reminders to board members. The keynote speaker will be Weston Kieschnick, a noted teacher and author. Given the likelihood that school will begin this year in some sort of remote form, the message is a timely one. Space is limited. He reminded the board that attendance by one representative of the school is mandatory.
V. Treasurer Report
A.
Monthly Report
Dave Massa was not in attendance to give a report.
B.
Financial Statements
The June financial statements were uploaded.
C.
HR Services
Discussion revolved around the possibility of adding an HR addendum to the contract with Massa Financial services.
VI. School Director Report
A.
School Director Report
Seamus O'Hara was welcomed to Menlo Park Academy.
B.
Communications and Enrollment
Jenn Ingraham spoke on the 20/21 enrollment numbers.
C.
Systems Report
The teacher's laptops were upgraded to include webcams and microphones.
D.
IT Services Agreement
Richard Hronek made a motion to Authorize Barbee Thomas to execute the agreement with MobileTek as presented.
Dante Giancola seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Assessment Renewal
Suzanne McFarland made a motion to Authorize Seamus O'Hara to execute the agreement with NWEA as presented.
Richard Hronek seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
Referral Program
The board discussed the referral incentive program.
G.
New Device Lease
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to authorize Barbee Thomas to execute the lease agreement with TEQlease as presented.
Richard Hronek seconded the motion.
The agreement is to lease touch screen chromebooks for the Primary shool.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
H.
Marketing Agreements
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to authorize Jennifer Ingraham to execute the agreement with LAMAR as presented.
Dante Giancola seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to authorize Jennifer Ingraham to execute the agreement with Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine as presented.
Susan Dornan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VII. Board Business
A.
CQC & PD Update
Suzanne McFarland spoke on CQC (Consistent Quality in Craft) and gifted endorsement classes.
B.
New Hires
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to hire Nicole Becher as the Director of Social-Emotional Services for an annual salary up to $50,000.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Facility
Susan Dornan made a motion to authorize Fraser Hamilton to execute the repair for the basement for a total cost of up to $50,000.
Richard Hronek seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VIII. COVID-19 Task Force
A.
Task Force Update
Susan Dornan and Seamus O'Hara spoke on the Covid Family Survey results and plans for the fall including social distancing, sanitation and hygiene, monitoring student/staff health and enhanced learning,
B.
20-21 School Calendar Update
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to approve the 20-21 calendar with the first 5 days as a staggerd start and not counted as learning time.
Dante Giancola seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
MobileTek PD Quote
Richard Hronek made a motion to authorize Barbee Thomas to execute the agreement with Mobiletek for the Pathways for District/Schools professional development for up to 50 staff members as presented.
Suzanne McFarland seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IX. Executive Session
A.
Executive Session
Teri Harrison made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss pending litigation.
Fraser Hamilton Sr seconded the motion.
Invited in Jeff Jaroscak, Sarah O'Bryan, Seamus O'Hara
Entered in at 8:40 pm.
Exited out of Executive Session at 8:51 pm.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Entered in at 8:40 pm.
Exited out of Executive Session at 8:51 pm.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Teri Harrison |
Aye
|
| Fraser Hamilton Sr |
Aye
|
| Tiffany Randle |
Aye
|
| Melissa Picone |
Aye
|
| Richard Hronek |
Aye
|
| Suzanne McFarland |
Aye
|
| Dante Giancola |
Aye
|
| Susan Dornan |
Aye
|
X. Employment Action
A.
Employment Action
Fraser Hamilton Sr made a motion to authorize Teri Harrison to sign agreement with Amelia Howard to settle employment action.
Richard Hronek seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
XI. 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 8:52 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Dornan