Menlo Park Academy Governing Board
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday December 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Location
Menlo Park Academy
2149 W. 53rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44102
This month's regular meeting of MPA’s governing board will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Menlo Park Academy, 2149 W. 53rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44102. Virtual observation will be made available, when possible, at the following link - https://meet.google.com/bqx-niry-mqu. Meeting dates and times are posted in several places in building as well as on our website.
Directors Present
Jillian Dura, Joe Loyd, Shruti Aring, Susan Dornan, Teri Harrison, Tiffany Randle, Twana Rogers
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Allison Lentz, Allison Lentz, Deborah Zeffren, Jeffrey Sugalski, Jessica Esway, Kaitlyn Old, Phyllis Robinson
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Public Comments-Items on the Agenda
A.
Public Comments-Items on the Agenda
III. Minutes
A.
Meeting Minutes-11/30/23 Working Session
B.
Approve Minutes 11/16/23 Regular Meeting
IV. Sponsor Report
A.
Sponsor Update
Allison Lentz presented her report.
- Governor DeWine nominated a new superintendent, Stephen Bacon and it has been confirmed by the senate.
- Safe Harbor has come back into play for Cleveland schools.
- Contract modifications are up for approval.
- Compliance check passed with Deborah Zeffren on Monday.
- Deborah Zeffren is working on assigning a Vector training as all staff need to be Heimlich trained.
V. Treasurer's Report
A.
Monthly Financial Report
There were no red flags to discuss. For further questions, reach out to the treasurer. The November regular meeting attendance was 100%
VI. Education Reports
A.
Principal Report
Ms. Robinson presented the principal's report.
The month of December is “Giving” focused and we will kick off the month with a spirit week of dress and activities. We will have a variety of student opportunities for the month that will teach giving strategies and engage students in leadership practices.
B.
Program Report
Jessica Wilcox presented her report
Reading MAP Fluency Tests - Complete
3rd Grade Reading OST Results: Week of December 18, 2023
She discussed past and present Professional Development Plans
Current Enrollment - 384 Students
VII. Operations Report
A.
Operations Report
Deborah Zeffren shared the Operation's report.
- The 3rd Floor windows are being replaced in the coming weeks.
- Cleaning in the building has been an issue from the feedback we are getting. JanPro knows our expectations and now have a checklist to complete.
VIII. Board Committees
A.
Audit & Finance
Ms. Randle presented the updates on the Audit and Finance committee.
We have several areas to audit with the focus on looking at monthly financials to identify service contracts. What do they say versus what we are being invoiced for? By the next meeting we will have the structure in place.
B.
Development
Ms. Rogers presented the updates within the Development committee.
Over the weeks we met with Jeff Sugalski and Tiffany to plan a 15 year gala as a means of fundraising. We want to encourage parents to come into these meetings.
New change order submitted due to finding of a coal deposit in the building. This was nearly $800.
C.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
No update.
D.
Enrollment Task Force
Mr. Loyd presented updates on Enrollment efforts.
There's an issue with the payment link that Dave Massa is looking to correct.
Working with Lyman on marketing materials like parent interview videos and part of our advertising efforts for enrollment.
Palm Cards are ready to be printed and we are working on a school choice guild.
Open house dates have been set for January 27th and March 3rd of 2024.
E.
Health & Safety Task Force
Ms. Dornan presented updates on the Health and Safety efforts of the school.
Kids Café has been a success this week as they get ready to get this running.
Blackout shades to go into home base areas for lockdown scenarios. Deborah is working on the estimates for the screens by the end of the year.
Follow ups happening on safe schools training with school staff. Stop the bleed training is free and being implemented. Phyllis to identify school safety leaders and send the list to Susan as soon as possible.
F.
Program Excellence
Ms. Aring presented updates on the PEC.
Competition season is among us and we want to provide the opportunity for students to register. Deadlines are coming up within a week from today for the following:
- Power of the Pen
- AMC8
- Math Counts
- State Science Day
- NHD
- Mock Trial.
IX. Resolutions for Consideration: Academic
A.
Overnight Field Trips
Ms. Robinson presented trip options for the students. No vote was taken.
X. Resolutions for Considerations: Operations
A.
New Hires
N/A
B.
Resignations
C.
Monthly Enrollment Verification
D.
Fall 2023 Community School Contract Modification
E.
#787 Seizure Action Plan Designated Employee
F.
Cleveland Building Restoration
XI. Resolutions for Consideration: Enrollment & Advancement
A.
Auction Agreement
XII. Other Business
A.
Building Financing Update
Ms. Harrison presented update on new market credit.
We are in the process of getting extensions of loans but union activity and enrollment could be seen as a challenge. Once the sponsor renewal comes in we can continue engaging in conversation about mitigating risks.
XIII. Public Comments - Items not on Agenda
A.
Public Comments
None.
N/A