International Academy of Flint

Minutes

Special Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 4:30 PM

Directors Present

D. Thompson, F. Booker, J. Houck (remote), J. Kelley (remote), J. Sopczynski, Y. Speights-Beaugard

Directors Absent

M. Childress

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Y. Speights-Beaugard

Guests Present

B. Gesaman, Beth Kotlark, Bijan Darakshandeh, C. Pinkelman, Dan Smith (remote), G. Meihn (remote), Heaven Standish, Jamie Dammann, Jose Afonso (remote), Kiara Morris (remote), Kyle Ferguson, Rashard Wagner, Steven Barber (remote), T. Cormier

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

D. Thompson called a meeting of the board of directors of International Academy of Flint to order on Tuesday Jun 8, 2021 at 4:30 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

J. Houck attending remote due to medical condition from Grand Blanc, Genesee County, MI.
J. Kelly attending remote due to medical condition from Flint, Gensesee County, MI.
 

C.

Conflict of Interest

No conflict of interest presented

D.

Approval of Agenda

F. Booker made a motion to approve the agenda.
J. Sopczynski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Y. Speights-Beaugard
Absent
D. Thompson
Aye
J. Houck
Aye
M. Childress
Absent
J. Sopczynski
Aye
F. Booker
Aye
J. Kelley
Aye

II. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

No public comment

III. Consent Agenda

A.

Approval of May 17, 2021 Meeting Minutes

F. Booker made a motion to approve the minutes from Remote Board Meeting on 05-17-21.
J. Sopczynski seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Kelley
Aye
J. Houck
Aye
D. Thompson
Aye
J. Sopczynski
Aye
Y. Speights-Beaugard
Absent
F. Booker
Aye
M. Childress
Absent

IV. New Business

A.

Review of Report by Schoolworks

The Schoolworks summary report has been received by the board.  
J. Sopczynski made a motion to go into closed session at 4:43 to review a memorandum of law prepared by Gregory M. Meihn, pursuant to MCL 15.268(h).
F. Booker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Houck
Aye
D. Thompson
Aye
Y. Speights-Beaugard
Absent
J. Kelley
Aye
J. Sopczynski
Aye
M. Childress
Absent
F. Booker
Aye
Y. Speights-Beaugard arrived.
F. Booker made a motion to go into open session at 5:11.
Y. Speights-Beaugard seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Thompson
Aye
J. Kelley
Aye
J. Houck
Aye
Y. Speights-Beaugard
Aye
F. Booker
Aye
J. Sopczynski
Aye
M. Childress
Absent

B.

Review of Mission Statement, Curriculum, Program, and Processes for purposes of 2021-2022 School Year

D. Thompson opened a discussion in regards to the current mission statement and cirriculum.

C.

Motion regarding Mission Statement, Curriculum, Program and Processes for 2021-2022 School Year

J. Sopczynski made a motion to propose the following cirriculum changes to SABIS/Flint Education Management: 1) Student performance / progress outcomes should be determined from a variety of methods such as portfolio, student work, formative and informative assessments. 2) Curriculum should be project based, community based, homework., etc. and align with the whole child concept. 3) Increase diversity and reflect the student body with a wide range of diverse literature. 4) Addressing the needs of the whole child, as required by Michigan Department of Education. 5) Daily circles and ample time to build relationships. 6) Incorporating student voice into consideration surrounding outcomes. 7) Understanding of all stakeholders that the goal is learning and developing lifelong learners and not pure knowledge. 8) Provide robust counseling for the student and mentoring. 9) Emphasis on Wellness:  implementation of daily. mindfulness, physical, social and emotional activities. 10) Smaller class sizes.  11) Provide training to teachers on curriculum as well as teaching methods and intervention.
F. Booker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Y. Speights-Beaugard
Aye
J. Kelley
Aye
M. Childress
Absent
J. Sopczynski
Aye
D. Thompson
Aye
J. Houck
Aye
F. Booker
Aye

V. Other Business

A.

Announcement of Next Meeting

D. Thompson announced the next meeting to be held on June 14, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

VI. Extended Public Comment

A.

Public comment on items not limited to agenda items

Several teachers, staff, and students spoke again about the failure of the SABIS program.

Jose Afonso, SABIS/FEM spoke about FEM’s willingness to engage with the Board.  

 

VII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

J. Sopczynski made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
F. Booker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Sopczynski
Aye
J. Houck
Aye
M. Childress
Absent
Y. Speights-Beaugard
Aye
F. Booker
Aye
J. Kelley
Aye
D. Thompson
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Y. Speights-Beaugard