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Menlo Park Academy Governing Board

Minutes

Board Working Session

Date and Time

Thursday September 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Location

Menlo Park Academy

2149 West 53rd St.

Cleveland, OH 44102

The working session of MPA’s governing board will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024 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 on our web site at www.menloparkacademy.com. 

Directors Present

Jeffrey Sugalski, Sam Sherwood, Shruti Aring, Teri Harrison, Tiffany Randle, Twana Rogers

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

Jacquelyn Lee-Ivey, Jessica Esway, Karen Sacco

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

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 Sep 5, 2024 at 6:07 PM.

II. Action Items

A.

New Hires

No new hires were presented.

B.

Resignations

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to accept the resignation of Veronica Lacy effective August 30, 2024.
Tiffany Randle seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Stipend

Shruti Aring made a motion to approve a stipend of $500 stipend for Shannon Tagliarina for clubs for 2023.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Aide Position

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to add an aide position for the 24-25 SY.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Parent Student Handbook

Shruti Aring made a motion to table the Parent Student Handbook pending review to be consistent with school policies.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.

There are some areas to amend; Other suggested changes from J. Sugalski.  Other ideas will be sent for review at next meeting.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

There were several comments regarding the handbook.  These are some of the suggestions made for consideration;

Credit Flex, Acceleration; Toys & Recreational Devices; Grades for Encore; Virtual comments permitted by the Board; Formatting and font are consistent; Cellphone/other devices (new policy); Change of address; Parent-Teacher Conferences (Basic); 2nd round Student-Led Conferences; Carline Anti-Idling statement; Update the signature page.

F.

OKR (Objectives and Key Results)

Shruti Aring made a motion to accept the order of OKR as presented.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.

It was unanimous that the highest priority from the Objectives & Key Results (OKR) survey was Enrollment.  It was recommended that the staff will review how strategies are executed at next month's meeting.  Should the deadline be extended?

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

G.

Program Guide

Shruti Aring made a motion to accept Program Guide as presented,.
Tiffany Randle seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Encore verbiage was shared with the members. Novel list was added. Can we add a supporting document to improve for the future?  Still loose ends but good enough to go forward.

 

House Names, future will look at ;  

Option 1:  Keep it as is for this school year; Have Student Council do research to come up with next House Names for next year.

Option 2: Companion Person

Option 3:  Change them all together

 

Thoughts:

House Naming reveal for next year.  Discuss each House and why. Being inclusive.

Consider the characteristics, self-esteem, perseverance, etc. that tie to Menlo specifically.  We need to address the Names to acknowledge the need for adjusting to the feeling of non-inclusivity.  Be prepared to answer community questions.

Announce that names will change for next year, to include the student, community.

Communication plan to relay the student led process to research a final idea for the future.

Transparency of need to be more inclusive publicly; Keep community abreast of steps. DEI must be intentional.

Teaching moment to review and model, recognize and correct.

Encompassing all aspects (Menlo-ize the choices.)  Action: Speak to the team.  Post something in the digest and/or social media.

H.

Third Party Provider

Tiffany Randle made a motion to approve the agreement for Speech your heart out.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.

Net payment is 30 days

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

I.

Salary Adjustment

Shruti Aring made a motion to accept Caleb Evans to increase salary to $40,000, based on his new license to teach Math K-12.
Tiffany Randle seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

III. Operations

A.

Insurance Renewal

Shruti Aring made a motion to approve Deborah Zeffren to sign insurance renewal as presented.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Property Condition Assessment

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to approve Deborah Zeffren execute agreement for company name to perform a property condition assessment.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.

Environmental Engineers perform the review.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Benefit Adjustment

Sam Sherwood made a motion to approve benefit adjustment option 1; confirm no cost change; start 15th & 30th to coincide with pay periods.
Jeffrey Sugalski seconded the motion.

Coverage starts immediately upon hire; Request to start first of the month or immediately.  Is there a cost difference?  It makes more sense to start immediately.  Needs more information. Discuss with the union.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Canopy Donation

Jeffrey Sugalski made a motion to accept the donation of 10 x10 canopy to the school.
Twana Rogers seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Executive Session

A.

Executive Session

Motion to go into executive session to discuss the performance of a public employee.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Shruti Aring
Aye
Jeffrey Sugalski
Aye
Twana Rogers
Aye
Tiffany Randle
Aye
Sam Sherwood
Aye

Working session ended at 7:19pm to go into executive session.

V. 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 8:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jacquelyn Lee-Ivey

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.