Academy of Collaborative Education
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday September 18, 2024 at 3:30 PM
Location
Academy of Collaborative Education
505 Glenmar Avenue
Monroe, LA 71201
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
Amy Marcus, Carmen Parks, Holly Allen (remote), Joellen Freeman (remote), Latner McDonald, Richard Cannon (remote)
Directors Absent
Kara Maggorie
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
Joellen Freeman
Guests Present
Diamond Melton, Parent, Melissa Grand, Counsel, Rob Turner
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
D.
Approve Minutes
II. Academic Excellence
A.
Hiring & Enrollment
B.
Staff
Continue to interview and seek hire for one open teacher position (4th grade) and 1 open paraprofessional position.
Interviews ongoing with the holdup related to return of fingerprint information from Louisiana State Police. Anticipate that issue will soon resolve once ACE is connected to Louisiana State Police through the LAP system.
III. Facility
A.
Building
Sensory room complete and open to students.
Contractor punch list complete per Rob Turner.
IV. Finance
A.
Monthly Review, Presentation of Budget, and Vote on Budget
Discussion regarding mechanics on funding/reimbursement of ACE expenses from the CSP grant. Reiterated discussion on August 21, 2024 meeting led by Mike Dunn, Accountant, discussing the FY24-25 Operating Budget and accounting of CSP Grant. Specifically, ACE fronts the costs then seeks reimbursement. Periodic statements from Mike will show how Grant applies to financing.
B.
Grants
Will apply in October 2024 for Charter School Growth Fund grant of $250,000 to $350,000 in connection with school expansion to Grades 7 and 8. Will also seek BESE approval to add these grades.
C.
Fundraising Efforts
Maddie Cannon Master Gold Tournament on October 11, 2024 at Frenchman's Bend. Anticipate parent and board volunteers.
River Rat Paddle Challenge on October 12, 2024. ACE will be a benefactor this year (2024).
West Monroe Quota Club "shoe collection" drive. ACE will serve as a collection spot. Funds generated will go to ACE.
To be discussed at October Board Meeting in detail:
1. Go Fund Me Account set up by niece of Madde Cannon currently at $42,700.00. All funds will be donated to ACE in Maddie's memory.
2. ACE has received many donations in Maddie's memory.
3. T-shirt sales currently at 460 at appx. $19.00 each.
4. Donation match by Autism Society up to $2,000. Full discussion at later date.
V. Governance
A.
Board Recruitment
Board recruitment is a priority with 7-9 members preferred. Seeking applications, proposed applicants, etc.
B.
Board Recruitment
C.
Open Meeting Law
Amy Marcus read into record a statement re: the open meetings law.
D.
Board Calendar
Next regularly scheduled meeting falls in "Fall Break." Meeting moved to last Wednesday in October 23, 2024 at 3:30 pm.
All approved with no further comment or discussion.
Enrollment steady at 91 students.
Continuing to interview and hire PRN's, floaters, and substitutes to temporarily fill positions resulting from illness, absence, etc.
Interviews ongoing with the holdup related to return of fingerprint information from Louisiana State Police. Anticipate that issue will soon resolve once ACE is connected to Louisiana State Police through the LAP system.