MOT Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday April 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Location
High School Campus
1275 Cedar Lane Road
Middletown, DE 19709
Directors Present
B. Pace, B. Reiling, C. Slater, D. Mower-Wade, D. Whitaker, K. Gaines, M. Ali Khan, M. Hewitt, P. Dubey, S. Doan, S. Sullivan
Directors Absent
J. DiBartolomeo, J. Taylor, K. Swab
Ex Officio Members Present
N. Southworth
Non Voting Members Present
N. Southworth
Guests Present
E. Walter, M. Weiss, R. Dallas
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
III. Governance Committee
A.
Committee Report
Ali Khan discussed having a meeting and determining that several board members need to have their terms extended.
B.
Membership term renewals
Board Members to extend their terms:
Samuel Sullivan: extend the term until 12-31-2027
Stephen Doan: extend the term until 12-31-2027
Mike Hewitt: extend the term until 12-31-2027
Kia Gaines: extend the term until 12-31-2027
IV. Staff Experience Committee
A.
Committee Report
Don discussed establishing ring of honor/wall of honor to recognize staff and board members for their contributions
There was a suggestion to have a committee to determine the appropriate requirements for the recognition.
B.
Transportation Issue Updates
Carina had a meeting with Del DOT to request having an exit onto Levels Road that would allow the K-8 buses and drivers to have a safer exit. Also discussed the idea of having school zone signs on Levels Road when the school is in session.
Ned Southworth discussed the traffic issues on Cedar Lane Road at the high school. Mitch Weiss had a meeting with Del DOT to discuss this issue, along with representatives from the AG Waters campus next door to the high school. Topics discussed during the meeting included congestion due to similar start times at the different schools, the challenges presented by a high volume of inexperienced drivers, the future plan for installing a traffic circle at the intersection of Boyds Corner Road and Cedar Lane Road, and adding a light on Cedar Lane Road at the high school entrance once the development is finished and connects to Cedar Lane Road at
School leaders will continue to work with Del DOT to research solutions to promote safety.
V. Student Experience Committee
A.
Committee Report
Bernedette discussed having a meeting to discuss what the committee will focus their attention. The committee is going to have another meeting prior to reporting out the recommendations.
VI. Capital Improvement Committee
A.
Committee Report
Stephen discuss having a meeting to discuss needs of the school. He reports that follow-up meetings to promote what the priorities in this current fiscal year.
VII. Finance & Operations Committee
A.
Committee Report
Stephen reported:
Increase in interest of $20,000 due to the interest rate increase
Water damage in the K-8 building was funded internally versus by insurance
VIII. Head of School Report
A.
Head of School Monthly Report
Ned Southworth reviewed the Head of School Monthly Report that is included in the meeting documents.
Enrollment for the high school was discussed. Expected enrollment for the rising 9th grade is approximately 6 students below approved enrollment, which allows for growth over the summer.
Upcoming 10th and 11th grade openings will be addressed during the summer. Mitch stated that the Arts Major has demonstrated increased enrollment.
Public comment was received via online submission and was read into the recording of the meeting.