Research Triangle High School

Minutes

Monthly RTHS Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday April 19, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Location

In Person at RTHS - 3106 East, NC-54, Durham, NC 27709

Directors Present

A. Tobien, C. Coia (remote), E. Cunningham, J. Corn (remote), M. Babb, S. Carty Vetere (remote), S. Rivers-Kobler (remote)

Directors Absent

D. Milne James, D. Requena, G. Rodgers, S. Hunter

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

M. Babb

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

C. Coia

Guests Present

Aimee Rhodes (remote), Angelina Soulasinh (remote), B. Mitchell, C. Elliott, C. Klein-Gloria (remote), Christina Valente, Eleanor Stevenson (remote), John Paul, Madison Carr (remote), Mark Stevenson, Rose Barnett (remote), Stacey Kaufman, Suzanne Lewis (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

E. Cunningham called a meeting of the board of directors of Research Triangle High School to order on Wednesday Apr 19, 2023 at 5:34 PM.

II. Approve Board Minutes

A.

Board Meeting Minutes

A. Tobien made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly RTHS Board Meeting on 03-15-23.
S. Rivers-Kobler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Corn
Aye
M. Babb
Absent
S. Hunter
Absent
A. Tobien
Aye
C. Coia
Aye
D. Milne James
Absent
S. Rivers-Kobler
Aye
E. Cunningham
Aye
G. Rodgers
Absent
S. Carty Vetere
Abstain
D. Requena
Absent

B.

CIPA Policy - Internet Safety Policy

B.Mitchell and C.Elliot presented on the CIPA policy - federal update of regulations drove the update to the school policy - for definition in appendix.  Information in attached documents.

S. Carty Vetere made a motion to approve amendment to the internet safety policy to comply with federal CIPA updates.
A. Tobien seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Tobien
Aye
M. Babb
Absent
S. Hunter
Absent
C. Coia
Aye
D. Requena
Absent
S. Rivers-Kobler
Aye
D. Milne James
Absent
S. Carty Vetere
Aye
J. Corn
Aye
E. Cunningham
Aye
G. Rodgers
Absent
M. Babb arrived.

C.

Finance Update and 23-24 RTHS Budget

C.Elliot presented on the budget for upcoming school year 2023-24, involved was accountant Nicole and B.Mitchell, conservative with 0% increase.   

Service coverage ratio of 1.2 met.

 

B.Mitchell presented highlights about finance, February has surplus, DEI investigation expected to come out of this years budget.

Information in attached documents.

M. Babb made a motion to approve 2023-24 budget - including the list of contracts.
J. Corn seconded the motion.

Clarification of Contracts:  Same contracting companies for upcoming year, few have minimal increases 1-2%

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Cunningham
Aye
S. Carty Vetere
Aye
J. Corn
Aye
M. Babb
Aye
D. Milne James
Absent
G. Rodgers
Absent
C. Coia
Aye
S. Hunter
Absent
A. Tobien
Aye
S. Rivers-Kobler
Aye
D. Requena
Absent
C. Coia left.

III. Public Comments

A.

Open to all stakeholders (parents, staff, other)

C. Valente - budget concerns for:

  1. need for a full time position similar to the role of dean of students
  2. teacher bonus compensation
  3. surplus definition

B.

Parent Advisory Committee

A. Rhodes - submission of concerns in writing to the Board from parent advisory committee and provided an oral summary.  

Concerns: teacher retention, student support and shift in school culture.

 

IV. Executive Director's Report

A.

Director's Update

C. Elliot presented enrollment for upcoming school year, similar acceptance rates to previous years and long wait list for freshmen.  Information in attached documents.

B.

Development Update

C. Elliot presented development updates:

  1. Carnival in the spring on 20May - same day for freshmen orientation
  2. Partnership with James Gray, local philanthropy, has already started and sketch expected by end of school year in June2023.

Information in attached documents.

C.

Academic Excellence Update

C. Elliot presented on academic 5 priorities from board retreat:

  1. Define instructional model
  2. aligment mission and vision
  3. recruit and retain high quality teachers
  4. Long term facity, e.g. gym, soccer field
  5. Effective standard operating procedures.  Safety, e.g. sheriff at dismissal

DEI audit investigation

Information in attached documents.

 

V. Executive Session - Personnel Matters

A.

Updates

A. Tobien made a motion to move to executive session for personnel matters.
S. Carty Vetere seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Rivers-Kobler
Aye
E. Cunningham
Aye
A. Tobien
Aye
D. Milne James
Absent
J. Corn
Aye
G. Rodgers
Absent
S. Carty Vetere
Aye
C. Coia
Absent
M. Babb
Aye
D. Requena
Absent
S. Hunter
Absent
E. Cunningham made a motion to exit executive session.
S. Carty Vetere seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

S. Carty Vetere made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M. Babb seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:53 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Tobien