Jennifer Howard, Chair, BPS Board called the BPS Board to order at 5:02 pm. Alan Kopit, Chair, School Boards called the School Board meetings to order at 5:31 pm when a quorum of the Board was met.

Jennifer Howard requested a motion to approve 08/11/21 Joint minutes. Cynthia Tancer so moved and Alan Kopit seconded and all were in favor.
Alan Kopit requested a motion to approve the Joint BPS School Board minutes of 08/11/21. Linda Zucca so moved and Yolanda Saunders-Polk seconded and all were in favor. Motion carried.

None.

A. McRae stated we are excited to report that all of our schools have reopened in-person. We have concluded our 5-weeks of summer programming, and provided 2-extra weeks of training for our new teachers and 3-weeks training for our all teachers. We are actively working on ensuring that all schools have a successful start.

 

T. Thornton discussed and distributed the latest Health and Safety Update as of September 13, 2021 summarizing the positive cases, quarantines, transmissions, and current challenges and immediate focus areas for the schools.

J. McBride provided a high level update on the State Testing results noting we do not have the approved information from the State yet. Overall, as you saw when we released the preliminary I-Ready results, we did not perform well on the state assessment, and we already knew this was not a primary focus for last year. Our scholars performed about 10-20% below on overall proficiency in Reading and about 20-30% below in Math. Only 606 scholars took the State assessment out of our total of over 3K. Once we receive the official version, it will be shared with the Board along with the final I-Ready results.

No updates.

A. Prass and T. Tyler provided the update highlighting the following:

• In the process of cleaning up our enrollment numbers – challenge is students who enroll with us but do not show up; we cannot remove them from our system until after 72 hours; hit 72 hours last Wednesday
• Completed the first Phase of removing no show scholars and will double check with teachers to verify other unconfirmed no shows– our enrollment data is 85-90% clean
• Continuing to enroll students even through school has started
• Our plan is continue to enroll new students all year. Our current tactics include a plan to contact families who have shown interest over the summer; and families who were enrolled and left;

J. Younker provided the update supplemented with a PowerPoint Presentation highlighting the following:

• Still working to close vacancies
• 102 vacancies for this SY; steady flow of resignations since July 19
• Some vacancies due to internal promotions
• Challenges in STEM/Math with substitutes hard to fill
• Working with agencies to help; we continue to seek solutions and be creative

J. Younker provided the update stating the proposal with Hendy Avenue Consulting was provided in the Board materials for review. We have started our roll-out on communications on Total Rewards with Principals, teachers and staff and focused on keeping staff connected in a personalized way.

J. Howard reminded the Board that A. Rosskamm made full disclosure last year regarding his personal relationship with Hendy Consulting. J. Younker commented that she had a relationship with this consultant before she joined Breakthrough, and this consultant has done other projects for us. J. Howard then requested a motion to approve the Resolution for Approval of Total Rewards Consulting Contract. Paul Harris so moved, and Sam Steinhouse seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

July and August 2021 Financial Reports – Doug shared the Schools and BPS highlights from July 2021 financial report included in the Board materials, and previewed the August 2021 report as part of a PowerPoint presentation. Doug then provided an update on the FY22-23 State Biennial Budget impact on FY22-26 revenue, expense and reserve projections.

Action of All School Boards – A. Kopit raised approval of the July and August 2021 Schools Financial Reports. Sam Steinhouse so moved, and Linda Zucca seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.
Action of BPS Board – J. Howard raised approval of the July and August 2021BPS Financial Reports. Andrew Lee so moved, and Brad Schlang seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

Doug stated the FY23 budgeting process will begin early this year as we are looking at preparing a one Breakthrough budgeting process for FY23 (consolidating the schools, FOB and BPS). Doug stated that the Finance Committee will also be bringing a revised budget in October to the Board that will look at the reality of where we are now for approval. Doug concluded stating we are at $4.6M forgiven on PPP loans with hopefully $1.6M more to come loans.

J. Howard requested a motion to approve the BPS Resolution to approve the recommendation by the BPS Finance Committee to enter into an agreement with Rea & Associates to perform the FY21, FY22, an FY23 BPS audits at an annual fee of $18,000. Linda Zucca so moved, and Paul Harris seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

K. San Marco provided the update highlighting the following:

• Reaching out to a number of people directly to create the Talent & HR Committee
• In the process of working with Greater Cleveland Partnership who have made some recommendations

P. Schaar

• Provided in the Board packet for review for status on items

D. Eisenberg

• Currently working on trying to build the team; will have an update at the next meeting

Action of All School Boards – A. Kopit raised approval of the Schools Board Consent Agenda. Yolanda Saunders-Polk so moved, and Linda Zucca seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

Action of All School Boards – A. Kopit raised approval of the Resolution to Approve Payment in Lieu of Door to Door Transportation. Linda Zucca so moved, and Yolanda Saunders-Polk seconded, and all were in favor. Motion carried.

M. Rado provided the update highlighting the following:

• Distributed copies of CMSD newsletters – includes events and professional development for teachers, and annual reminders
• Working to fill Anna’s position
• Scheduling Fall site visits sessions to review compliance, legal challenges, etc., will share reports in December with the Board

M. Barbessi provided the update highlighting the following:

• October site visits scheduled
• Spot checking for any inconsistencies

John Zitzner provided the update highlighting the following:

• Donor Zoom Fall conversations scheduled for on September 27th with Madainn Krall and October 27 with Alumni Success Program
• Alan Rosskamm will be the honoree at this year’s Bash; presenting sponsor will be Jo Ann Stores and scheduled for January 29 – encourage everyone to get tables now as it will be sold out

J. Howard requested the Board to please save the date for Friday, October 8 as there will be staff/board picnic and also presented Alan with a Proclamation with Recognition from Mayor Frank Jackson.

A. Kopit requested a motion to adjourn the meeting and requested the Board members of CLAE to move into Executive Session with roll call and asked Andrew McRae and John McBride to remain.
The CLAE Board came out of Executive Session at 7:03pm and A. Kopit closed the meeting.

The BPS Board went in to Executive Session at 7:04pm and came out at 7:12pm.
 

Resumption of Public Meeting
The Board of Breakthrough Public Schools reconvened at 7:12pm. J. Howard motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:12pm. All were in favor.