Academy of Collaborative Education
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday March 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Location
Academy of Collaborative Education
505 Glenmar Avenue
Monroe, LA 71201
Amy Marcus is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: ACE Board Meeting
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86737566368
Meeting ID: 867 3756 6368
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Meeting ID: 867 3756 6368
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/ksFZV05P9
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.
In accordance with La. R.S. 42:17.2, this board meeting will be held virtually. Members of the public can access it to the link referenced on the website. Anchor location for the meeting will be the school, Academy for Collaborative Education, 505 Glenmar Ave, Monroe, LA 71201.
Directors Present
Amy Marcus, Carmen Parks, Holly Allen (remote), Kara Maggiore (remote), Latner McDonald, Richard Cannon
Directors Absent
Anna Grimmett, Rob Turner
Ex Officio Members Present
Joellen Freeman, Karen Roberson, Mike Dunn (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
Joellen Freeman, Karen Roberson, Mike Dunn (remote)
Guests Present
Davy Mize, Madison Bachhofer (remote), Melissa Grand (remote), Tiamyra Howard (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
D.
Approval of March Meeting Agenda
Motion to approve the March meeting agenda as presented.
Carmen Parks motioned to approve the agenda and Latner McDonald seconded the motion.
Opportunity given for Board Comment, Public Comment and Board Comment. No comments received.
Vote taken with unanimous approval.
March Meeting agenda approved.
II. Reports
A.
Executive Director Report
Staff and Enrollment:
- Current enrollment 93 students with 88.38% attendance rate. Application process 2025-26 school year is now closed. Lottery took place where applicable with a wait list on some grades. Increased class size to 9 students for a total of 126 students. 2 existing students declined seat for the following year. Total of 9 open seats for 2025-26 school year.
- Currently: 11 teachers, short 1.
- Returning: Existing teachers all returning. Due to addition of 6th grade, 2 additional 2 teachers needed for total of 3 open positions. 9 paraprofessionals are returning. 1 therapist confirmed to return. All administrative positions and cafeteria staff to return.
- Total retention rate of 75%.
Academics:
- Dibbles assessment complete. 29 students tested with another 34 students testing under the LAR. Information learned guides academic intervention efforts and creation of IEP. goals.
- LEAP will start in April.
Field Trips:
- Looking forward to upcoming field trip to see Moccasins hockey practice. Transport provided by bus through Monroe City Schools. A field trip to Moccasins hockey game will follow. Staff and parents will be in attendance.
Other News:
- Charter authorizers audit week of April 23, 2025.
Budget:
- Mike Dunn reporting. Currently dealing with two issues: CSP grant and preparation of budget moving forward due to anticipated deficit. Have put together a working group to include relevant board members and outside advisors in planning and preparing budget moving forward.
B.
Committee Reports
Governance:
Kara Maggiore provided overview of each of the below with board members having copy prior to meeting for review and consideration. Opportunity for questions given.
- Amendment to Bylaws re: Committee Ratification
- Seconded Amended and Restated Bylaws
- Resolution on Contract Signing Authority
- Resolution for Provision of Background Checks for Board Members
Finance: No new news
Facilities: Bid(s) received for remodeling of 6th grade space which will be presented at a later date.
Academic Excellence: No additional news.
III. Action Items
A.
Ratification of formation of Board Committees
Motion to approve ratification of formation of board committees effective June 8, 2024.
Richard Cannon motioned to approve the motion and Amy Marcus seconded the motion.
Opportunity given for Board Comment, Public Comment and Board Comment. No comments received.
Vote taken with unanimous approval
Motion passed.
B.
Approval of Seconded Amended and Restated Bylaws
Motion to approve second amended and restated bylaws as presented.
Carmen Parks motioned to approved the motion and Kara Maggiore seconded the motion.
Opportunity given for Board Comment, Public Comment and Board Comment. No comments received.
Vote taken with unanimous approval
Motion passed.
C.
Resolution regarding Contract Signature Authority
Motion to approve the Resolution re: contract signature authority as presented.
Latner McDonald motioned to approve the motion and Holly Allen seconded the motion.
Opportunity given for Board Comment, Public Comment and Board Comment. No comments received.
Vote taken with unanimous approval
Motion passed.
D.
Approval of Resolution regarding Board Member Background Checks
Motion to approve resolution re: board member background checks as presented
Amy Marcus motioned to approve the motion and Richard Cannon seconded the motion.
Opportunity was given for Board Comment, Public Comment, and Board Comment. No comments received.
Vote taken with unanimous approval.
Motion Passed.
E.
Approval of Davy Mize as Board Member
Motion to approve Davy Mize as new Board Member.
Amy Marcus presented Davy Mize as potential new member to Board.
Latner McDonald motioned to approve Davy Mize and Carmen Parks seconded the motion.
Opportunity was given for Board Comment, Public Comment, and Board Comment. No comments received.
Vote taken with unanimous approval of Davy Mize to the ACE Board.
IV. Other/Old Business
A.
Upcoming: April Board Meetings
Board Meeting - April 16, 2025 (in person)
Those appearing virtually will not be able to vote.
B.
Annual Meeting/Retreat Schedulding
Survey circulated re: scheduling of Annual Meeting/Retreat Scheduling. Firm date to be set once all surveys received and reviewed.
Motion to approve the minutes of February meeting.
Amy Marcus motioned to approve the minutes and Richard Cannon seconded the motion.
Opportunity given for Board Comment, Public Comment and Board Comment. No comments received.
Vote taken with unanimous approval.
Meeting minutes approved.