Academy of Collaborative Education
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday November 20, 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, Latner McDonald, Richard Cannon
Directors Absent
Kara Maggorie
Ex Officio Members Present
Karen Roberson
Non Voting Members Present
Karen Roberson
Guests Present
Charmaine (remote), Chelsea Hatok (remote), Chloe Marcus (remote), Dawn Stanfield, Diamond Melton, Jasmine Frazier (remote), Kelsea Hebert (remote), Madison Bachhofer
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance/Establish Quorum
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Amy Marcus |
Aye
|
| Kara Maggorie |
Absent
|
| Joellen Freeman |
Abstain
|
| Holly Allen |
Abstain
|
| Richard Cannon |
Aye
|
| Latner McDonald |
Aye
|
| Carmen Parks |
Aye
|
II. Governance
A.
Open Meeting Law (Sunshine Law)
B.
Nominate and vote Rob Turner onto the board
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Amy Marcus |
Aye
|
| Latner McDonald |
Aye
|
| Holly Allen |
Aye
|
| Richard Cannon |
Aye
|
| Kara Maggorie |
Absent
|
| Carmen Parks |
Aye
|
C.
Set Schedule for Committee Meetings
Holly Allen to connect with Kara Maggorie to discuss meeting schedule.
D.
Amendment of By-Laws Regarding Term Limits
Discussion led by Richard Cannon. Currently working with Melissa Grand to amend ACE bylaws re: term limits of ACE Board members. Expected amendment to provide for 3-year terms with no limit on the number of terms.
E.
Creation of a Legacy Seat on the Board
Discussion led by Richard Cannon. Currently working with Melissa Grand to amend ACE bylaws re: creation of ACE Board Legacy Seat to be filled by descendent of Richard and Maddie Cannon.
F.
Progress update on submission of the amendment to include middle school
Discussion led by Joellen Freeman per below.
G.
Approval for Joellen and Amy to act on behalf of the board, in communication with LDOE and contractually with BESE, relative to the submission request to BESE of the Material Amendment to add 6-8th grades
Discussion led by Joellen Freeman. Questions from parent re: building capacity. ACE campus and student population not even close to maximum capacity. Addition of middle school grades will not exceed capacity. Need to amend charter to add middle school 6-8 grades. Plan is to incorporate 6th grade in 2025, 7th grade in 2026 and 8th in 2027. Considering any needed construction/remodeling of current space.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Latner McDonald |
Aye
|
| Carmen Parks |
Aye
|
| Holly Allen |
Aye
|
| Richard Cannon |
Aye
|
| Kara Maggorie |
Absent
|
H.
Approve change of Open Enrollment date from Feb. 1, 2025 to Dec. 1, 2024
Discussion led by Joellen Freeman. Purpose of Open Enrollment date change is to provide more time to complete student admission review.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Latner McDonald |
Aye
|
| Richard Cannon |
Aye
|
| Kara Maggorie |
Absent
|
| Amy Marcus |
Aye
|
| Carmen Parks |
Aye
|
| Holly Allen |
Aye
|
| Joellen Freeman |
Abstain
|
III. Academic Excellence
A.
Staff Attendance and Satisfaction
Discussion led by Joellen Freeman. Staff survey sent to all staff requesting comments and experience with ACE. Sought suggestions to improve/change. Received great suggestions that have already been implemented, such as car pick up, hall monitors, continuing education, etc.
Discussion of different efforts/measures to support staff, highlight good work and encourage teamwork. Working to compile "substitute teacher list" to provide relief to staff.
B.
SFACS VISIT
Principal Karen Roberson: Discussed SFACS visit. Attendees were Karen Roberson, Richard Cannon, and Joellen Freeman. Excited to incorporate things learned. SFACS has strong focus on teaching staff, parents, etc. SFACS selects a single, functional skill each year and provides intensive education to staff/parents/students on the skill. Discussed SFAC's "substitute list" and development of same.
IV. Fundraising
A.
River Rat Paddle Challenge update
Discussion was led by Dr Dawn Stanfield. Next year is scheduled for September 20, 2025.
B.
Dr. Stanfields's special guest will present a check to ACE.
V. Finance
A.
CSP Grant progress
Discussion led by Joellen Freeman. We continue to work with Mike Dunn. Working to submit budget to LDOE and anticipate drawing down from Grant in 2025.
VI. Staff and Students Report
A.
Health of ACE
Discussion led by Principal Roberson. Staff Count - Fully staffed except 1 line tech. Discussion with parent of age requirements to fill.
Student Count - 93 total after Thanksgiving break.
Playground looks good and kids love. Space hinders our ability to include swings.
VII. Other Business
A.
Distinguished Visitors
Discussion led by Richard Cannon. Site visit by Dr. Cade Brumley, Dr. Nathan Morris, Mike Echols and Representative Schlagel. All seemed impressed with our school and what we are doing.
Lesley Durham has since visited. Sympathetic to ACE's needs and
Richard Cannon and Joellen Freeman to meet at capital to meet with LDH leaders tomorrow.
Rhonda Butler, current chair of Rural Dev. Committee
B.
Creation of Advisory Board
Discussion led by Richard Cannon. Discussed creation of Advisory Board with Dr. Moody. ACE Board needs to put together a clear definition of what we are looking for and a list of potential persons on Board. Continue discussions and considerations.
Question posed re: communication about critical meetings with Parents so they can submit questions, if any. Will consider options and best ways.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Carmen Parks |
Aye
|
| Kara Maggorie |
Absent
|
| Amy Marcus |
Aye
|
| Latner McDonald |
Aye
|
| Holly Allen |
Aye
|
| Richard Cannon |
Aye
|
Discussion led by Holly Allen re: Overview of Louisiana Open Meeting Law.