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Academy of Collaborative Education

Minutes

Special Board Meeting - Virtual

Budget Discussion and Prospective Board Member Consideration

Date and Time

Wednesday June 17, 2026 at 3:30 PM

Location

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85114287278?pwd=e1cEPf8dXRU5njacNAc8R0wcVwEz0o.1


Meeting ID: 851 1428 7278
Passcode: 916947

Pursuant to Louisiana Open Meetings Law - La. R.S. 42:19, notice is hereby given to the members of the Board of Directors of Academy of Collaborative Education and to the general public that the Board will hold a regular, special, or re-scheduled meeting, open to the public as specified below. To ensure compliance with the Open Meeting Law, recipients of this message should not forward it to other Board members, and Board members should not reply to this message.

Directors Present

Anna Grimmett (remote), Curtis Eberts (remote), Davy Mize (remote), Holly Allen (remote), Kara Maggiore (remote), Richard Cannon (remote), Seth Hall (remote)

Directors Absent

Latner McDonald

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Davy Mize

Ex Officio Members Present

Joellen Freeman (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

Joellen Freeman (remote)

Guests Present

jmartin@ed-ops.com (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

Davy Mize arrived.

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Kara Maggiore called a meeting of the board of directors of Academy of Collaborative Education to order on Wednesday Jun 17, 2026 at 3:32 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Holly Allen made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 04-15-26.
Anna Grimmett seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. New Business

A.

Presentation and Discussion of Proposed FY2027 Budget

Budget Disussion as led by Joe Martin with EdOps:

 

Present preliminary budget FY 2027 for consideration and vote at next meeting (document included in packet):

  • FY26 challenging year, ending year in deficit but holding on to workable cash balance
  • FY27 budget ends with small deficit
  • Worked to right size staff and shifted reliance on CFP funding to Medicaid
  • Shooting for 160 students, strong waitlist
  • Preliminary budget includes MFP funding but does not account for a potential reduction due to Governor's proposal to increase teacher pay 
  • FY27 is ACE's last year to receive CSP funds
  • FY27 includes fundraising dollars
  • Expenses: 
    • Staffing adjusted to where enrollment moving
    • Hired curriculum coordinator and special education director while continuing to look for Principal that fits ACE's model
    • May need to reduce professional development and administrative costs
    • New campus resulting in necessary costs together with increase insurance
    • Transportation costs remain high but continuing to work with Monroe City Schools for alternative arrangements
    • Discussion to potentially reduce insurance costs through offering different plans
  • Consider pursuing increase in LOC
  • Possible forgiveness of 200K loan of Kara's Board

B.

Discussion of Proposed Executive Director Spending Limit Increase

Joellen's spending limit is currently 15K. 

 

Consider increasing to 25K so that she can move quickly on curriculum, air vac, and similar issues.

 

 

C.

Presentation of Proposed Annual Board Meeting + Retreat Agenda

Working to streamline meeting/agenda for board retreat. 

Will have working meals. 

Will break out into committees and discuss focus in year ahead.

Will include online ethics training so bring computers.

Will have officer votes.

 

 

III. Action Items

A.

Approval of Executive Director Spending Increase

Holly Allen made a motion to Motion to approve executive director spending increase up to 25K.
Curtis Eberts seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Approval of Annual Board Meeting + Retreat Agenda

Anna Grimmett made a motion to approve agenda of annual board meeting and retreat agenda.
Davy Mize seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Other Business

A.

Reminder: Annual Board Meeting + Retreat

June 27, 2026 Board Retreat

Anna Grimmet made motion to amend current meeting Agenda to include a vote on additional proposed board members, Hannah Wyn and Matthew Fowlkes.

 

Approved.

 

Discussion about each.

 

Anna Grimmet made motion to approve nomination of both to board for 3-year period.

Holly Allen seconded motion. 

No opposition.

 

 

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Seth Hall made a motion to Adjourn.
The board VOTED 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 4:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Holly Allen

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance at a public meeting of Academy of Collaborative Education, please contact Joellen Freeman at jcfreeman@aceforasd.orgdescribing the assistance that is necessary.