Menlo Park Academy Governing Board
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday March 2, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Location
Menlo Park Academy
2149 W. 53rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44102
The regular meeting of MPA’s governing board will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2023 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
Geoffrey Belanger, Shruti Aring, Susan Dornan, Teri Harrison, Tiffany Randle, Twana Rogers
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Allison Lentz, Betty Svoboda (remote), Deborah Zeffren, Doug Thompson (remote), Erica Stevenson (remote), Jeff Sugalski, Jennifer Ingraham, Jessica Wilcox, Joe Loyd (remote), Julia Stephens, Kaitlyn Old, Michelle Hudak (remote), Phyllis Robinson, Sarah O'Bryan (remote), Tiarra Smith
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Certification of Notice of Meeting
II. Public Participation
A.
Public Comments
No public comments
III. Meeting Minutes
A.
Meeting Minutes 1/28/23 Strategic Planning Session
B.
Meeting Minutes - 1/19/23 Regular Meeting
C.
Meeting Minutes 1/5/2023 Working Session
IV. Sponsor's Report
A.
Sponsor's Report
Allison Lentz gave the Sponsor Update.
The Ohio Attorney General’s FY23 School Safety Grant, or SSG grant for $2,500.00 or $5.50 per student, whichever amount is greater.
She will be visiting Menlo in March to review the 11.6
Board Goal - 75% attendance - Currently making progress
V. Treasurer's Report
A.
Treasurer's Report
Sarah O'Bryan discussed that we are trending well and the actual numbers are better than the predicted. She stated that staff is our biggest cost and that the Facilities budget needs to be used for only critical items.
B.
January Financials
VI. Education Report
A.
Program Report
Jessica Wilcox presented her report.
All students are still flexibly grouped based on Fall NWEA MAP data.
We have ordered a teacher guide and a student workbook for our Spanish 2 students.
Intersession Week is almost ready to go. Enrichment cluster topics have been shared with families and they have been signing their students up for the cluster of their choosing.
OST Testing: Week of April 3 -ELA
Week of April 10 - Math
Week of April 17 - 5th and 8th Science Only
Teacher evaluations have begun. Phyllis and Jessica are working on them.
PD Calendar Presented
B.
Principal's Report
Phyllis Robinson presented her report.
New Hires - discussed below during vote
PBIS Program for March: Respect
Fireside Chat topics - chromebook reissue, coffee with counselors and testing dates are some to name a few
Think Tank Topics - Teacher communication laking, teacher shortage, makerspace not being utilized?
Upcoming Field Trips discussed
Threat Assessment Team is formed and is meeting-in compliance
VII. Operations Report
A.
Monthly Report
Deborah Zeffren gave her report.
All Chromebooks and chargers are now accounted for. MobileTech has a functional and accurate list of chromebook and chargers that they are tasked with maintaining.
During the NSLP audit, it was brought the Director of Operations attention that The Daily was out of compliance on several items. DO met with Magnolia CEO to discuss steps to rectify the situation
Director of Operations is working on securing quotes for biometric entry to school. DO is also securing quote for bullet proof glass for front office
There are multiple policy updates. They are listed and attached under the board resolution section of the board book
B.
Monthly Enrollment Verification Report
VIII. Enrollment & Advancement Report
A.
Monthly Report
Jennifer Ingraham presented the Enrollment and Advancement report.
A summer reading program for students is being planned.
Reviewing literature on benefits of volunteering and parent involvement in their child's school to present to community.
Grants team and Fundraising Team meetings started meeting weekly.
Annual Appeal Update
Goal: 90% participation by families
Goal: $25,000
Total to Date: $9,877
IX. Board Committee Reports
A.
Advancement
Twana Rogers gave her report.
She has been dropping off flyers everywhere to try to get enrollment up. If anyone has any ideas where else to reach out to, let her know.
Please tell everyone donate to the Annual Fund
There is space in advance committee for anyone wants to join for bigger fundraisers. They are wanting to have a formal meeting
Twana asked if we do anything to recognize recurring donors - Jennifer let her know that Jerry sends something out to them.
Volunteering (nationally) has slowed down and people are interested.
Let’s Talk has improved and people are happy with the responses. Congrats leadership team
B.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Add additional Holidays as seen on the calendar update
C.
Finance & Audit
Nothing to report
D.
Health & Safety
Susan Dornan presented her report.
Task force - rolling for next year
Put our request for membership to the parents and only a couple responded
- Advice: Tried to get a safety app for this year but could not contact: Parents research, recommendations to the board
- Any input on what task for can work on?
- Met in February: COVID Outbreak. Notified board of health
- Strep Throat currently and families are aware
- Action plan
Team dive into safety plan
Getting narcan over the summer for Fall. Staff and people will need trained. PSI is trained and will have it locked up.
E.
Program Excellence
Changes - title updates because of org chart, responsibilities: one long list previous, she broke up into sections to read and understand what the charter is about
X. Resolutions for Consideration- Academic & Compliance
A.
Staff Club Stipends
Jacob Kulas $167
Frank O'Grady $167
Nicole D'Amico $167
Car Reitz $167
Staci Young $167
Kendra Santos $167
Doug Thompson $133
Patty Bena $100
Jennifer Schneikart $100
B.
Admin Staff PD
C.
Drama Club Cabaret
Reviewed files attached and everything looks good.
XI. Resolutions for Consideration- Finance
A.
FY2022 Audit
XII. Resolutions for Consideration- Operations
A.
Ripcho Contract Renewal
B.
GIG Grant - Landscape Architect
C.
Policy Updates
XIII. Resolutions for Consideration- Talent
A.
New Hires
B.
Resignations
C.
Leave of Absence- Holliday
XIV. Resolutions for Consideration-Marketing, Enrollment, & Development
A.
Enrollhand Agreement
B.
Testing Stipends
XV. New Business
A.
2023-24 School Calendar - DRAFT
Added New Dates:
Sept 25, Nov 13, March 25, April 10
Lost - Columbus Day
Think of: Closing for the Solar Eclipse
B.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp -
9 teachers interested
Tiffany Randle is looking into Summer Camp Programs
Looking to have an academic and athletic focus with half days
XVI. Executive Session
A.
Executive Session
No executive session
Confirmed that proper notice of the meeting occurred.