Young Scholars Charter School
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday October 24, 2023 at 3:45 PM
Location
https://phillyscholars-org.zoom.us/j/83351864515
This meeting is being held in compliance with Open Meeting requirements of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act and is open to the public. Notices were duly posted and the meeting was advertised in The Philadelphia Daily News. Formal action will be taken.
Trustees Present
A. Wang (remote), B. Harrison (remote), D. Dwirantwi (remote), E. Ashe (remote), G. Singer (remote), I. Brind (remote), J. Brown (remote), T. Rebar (remote), W. Churchill (remote), W. Weisman (remote), r. Halpern (remote)
Trustees Absent
B. Young, E. Kaplin, J. Wang, V. Schwartz
Guests Present
B. Chazin (remote), Beth Birnkrant (remote), C. Freyer (remote), Corran Branch (remote), K. Corcoran (remote), K. Tini (remote), Madeline Farnham (remote), Rachel Kristine (remote), S. Smith (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Board Discussion Topics
A.
Departmental Rotations: Reading & Language Arts Content Team
B.
Pre-Meeting Discussion Topic Review
6 responded to the survey
#1 choice was for High School Placement, so Ms. Branch is joining
C.
Dashboard
Reviewed all indicatorrs
Question raised about plan to raise the remaining fuunds in the event fundraising goal. THis will be included in the breakout room discussions later in the agenda
D.
Fundraising Update & 25th Anniversary Celebration Overview
Prsented current status
No additional comments or questions
E.
Alumni Survey and HS Admissions
Corran Branch, Academic Guidance Counselor provided an update:
- 77 of our 87 students have completed High School Applications
- 100% of students generally apply to public and charter schools
- Questions were posed and discussion was held around aspects of private school applications
- Alumni engagement goals and challenges were discussed
F.
Talent Update and Org Health Survey
Reviewed staff retention and new hires
2 current openings remain- Math teacher and paraprofessional
BOY Org health
Challenges discussed and potential remedies
Importance in having a common vision of what effective teachign looks like
G.
Facility and Land Acquisition Update
S. Smith provided a status update and next steps
- We are planning to select a firm by November 3rd
- Phase 1 of Environmental is underway
- Once we have the site plan, we can proceed with the land bank application
- W. Churchill added that having a pre-existing relationships with the firm and experience through working with Paul Robeson Charter School both are positively impacting this experience
- Ms. Kristine shared a request for any trustees with connections to career day or other opportunities to show students how reading skills can be used in the real world