Menlo Park Academy Governing Board
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday May 16, 2024 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, May 16, 2024 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, Teri Harrison, Twana Rogers
Directors Absent
Tiffany Randle
Guests Present
Allison Lentz, Deborah Zeffren, Jacquelyn Lee-Ivey, Jeffrey Sugalski, Jessica Esway, Sam Sherwood
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Minutes
A.
Approve minutes from the 4-18-2024 Regular Board Meeting
III. Sponsor Report
A.
Sponsor Update
IV. Treasurer's Report
A.
Monthly Financial Report - April
V. Education Reports
A.
Principal Report
Phyllis Robinson uploaded a report. Jessica Wilcox offered an update stating that currently, 1% of teachers have not signed and 98% have accepted,
B.
Program Report
Jessica Wilcox presented her report. She is currently evaluating new curriculums for the SY 24-25.
VI. Enrollment, Admissions, & Development
A.
Report
Jessica Wilcox presented her report. Open House scheduled in June and July. Looking for volunteers. See online report for a complete report.
VII. Operations Report
A.
Operations Report
Deborah Zeffren presented her report. Due to Operations presenting resolutions for consideration, the discussion regarding report items was held until the resolutions were presented.
VIII. Board Committees
A.
Audit & Finance
No report was presented by Tiffany Randle.
B.
Development
No report was presented by Twana Rogers.
C.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
No report was presented by Tiffany Randle.
D.
Enrollment Task Force
Joe Loyd presented his report.
E.
Health & Safety Task Force
No report was presented by Jillian Dura.
F.
Program Excellence
No report was presented by Shruti Aring.
IX. Resolutions for Consideration: Academic
A.
Field Day Tshirts
X. Resolutions for Considerations: Operations
A.
Monthly Enrollment Verification
B.
Resignations
C.
Legal Services
D.
IT Transition Proposal
E.
Asset Inventory and Removal
Jeff Sugalski recommends recycling all PC equipment. In lieu of discarding the equipment, he suggested using PC's for People. He believes they will come and pick up the equipment.
XI. Resolutions for Consideration: Finance
A.
Donations
Donor: Nicole Loudin. The donation will enhance the music department and is valued at $400.
B.
FY25 Budget Forecast
T. Rogers stated that any fundraising should be rolled into the draft. Teri H. agreed. Fall planning should start now. Loan extension ends in September, 2024. A new lender must be secured.
C.
5-Year Forecast
XII. Resolutions for Consideration: Enrollment & Advancement
A.
Testing Stipend
B.
Event Agreements
Regarding dunk tank for Field Day.
Regarding audio for Field Day.
XIII. Old Business
A.
Cleaning Services
The search for a cleaning service provider is in progress. Final decision is expected by the next meeting.
XIV. New Business
A.
2024-25 Board Deliverables Calendar Draft
Joe Loyd stated that a draft of the Board deliverables calendar was prepared. Suggestions: Board Meetings on Sundays, so all can participate; Add school events to board calendar to avoid conflicts. The first Annual Board Retreat is scheduled for July 14, 2024.
B.
Board Member Elections
Joe Loyd obtained.
Teri H. publicly thanked Tiffany Randle for ushering the new board members.
C.
SY2024-25 Organization Chart
There was a lengthy discussion regarding the organizational chart. Some comments were regarding the job titles; Principal's role, title and number of responsibilities; The need for a Dean of Students; How do you find applicants for all the positions in time; Can the Board effectively navigate the interviewing process; Director of Education number of responsibilities; Communication issue vs. roles issue; Prioritize the needs by highest to lowest.
Regarding the Instructional Coach, Allison Lentz stated that this position would manage professional development/resident education, observations, classroom management training, climate & culture and curriculum in summer school. The salary range customarily falls between the Principal and Dean. Another is to offer stipends.
The discussion will continue.
D.
15th Anniversary Tshirts
New T-Shirts for 15th Anniversary - Jessica Wilcox presented a mock up of a t-shirt design. Board suggested that the est. 2008 be removed. Also adding cool facts about MPA to the back of the shirt. Feedback on facts will be sent to Teri H. or D. Zeffren.
Teri H. expressed the need to clarify the branding specifications for the logo regarding the blue background.
XV. Public Comments - Items not on Agenda
A.
Public Comments
No public comments.
Allison Lentz from ESCLEW presented her report.
The school's spring data will be collected to determine if it meets its academic Performance Framework Goals for the 2023-24 school year. Per House Bill 33, all teachers and administrators must complete courses from the Department of Education and Workforce by June 30, 2025.
The ESCLEW Community School Office will be hosting an all day, in person Special Education Summit on September 13, 2024. There will be a site visit in May that includes reviewing data and documentation needs for the school's 11.6 goal review for the June site visit.
Per Linda Moye, there are no red flags indicated on monthly financial report. Missions are on track.