Edison School of the Arts
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday July 21, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Location
Edison School of the Arts
Edison School of the Arts mission is to continue to be an educational and artful resource for all students, parents, community, and staff members by consistent and focused professional development, invitational practices by all, utilizing quarterly and annual reviews. We will continue to develop our educational and arts aesthetic by expanding our arts experiences, exposure, and partnerships
Directors Present
B. Fonseca (remote), E. Disney-Britton (remote), G. Wallis (remote), K. Dixon (remote), K. Feeney-Caito (remote), T. Overdorf (remote)
Directors Absent
T. Givens
Ex Officio Members Present
N. Tuttle (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
N. Tuttle (remote)
Guests Present
A. Berns (remote), Amy Miller, C. Jones (remote), C. Walker (remote), P. Guthrie (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Zoom Meeting Information
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
E. Disney-Britton called a meeting of the board of directors of Edison School of the Arts to order on Tuesday Jul 21, 2020 at 5:32 PM.
C.
Record Attendance and Guests
D.
Adoption of the Agenda
E. Disney-Britton made a motion to adopt the agenda.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Opening Comments
A.
Board Member Comments (2-min each)
There were not any opening board member comments.
B.
Public Comment (3-min each)
There were not any opening public comments.
III. Minutes
A.
June Minutes
G. Wallis made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 06-16-20.
K. Dixon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IV. Executive Director Report
A.
Executive Director Report
N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, presented the Executive Director report about the preparation for the upcoming school year 2020-2021. Edison is fully staffed and welcomed newly hired Assistant Principal, Crystal Walker. Edison intends to begin the school year on August 17th and making preparations for in school and e-learning options for families. Edison is continuing to work with Indianapolis Public Schools, The Mind Trust and Dr. Twyman, Racial Equity Consultant, to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion in the school's policies and practices.
V. Academic Committee
A.
2020-2021 School Start Delay Proposals
Proposal for Additional Professional Development Days for start of 20-21 School Year
N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, presented that due to modification of school calendar in response to the health pandemic, Edison is preparing for in person and eLearning start date of August 17th. Delaying the school year start date allowed for three additional professional development days for staff. During this time, staff will prepare technology for live streaming usage, role play running the master class schedule and deliver mock lessons. E. Disney-Britton, Board Chair, reiterated that rehearsal gives a great sense of assurance to the reopening. Staff will be well prepared to engage and direct the students. Edison is proposing that the board approve $40,000 expenditure for staff professional development.
2020-2021 School Year Start Date
N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, presented that Edison start date of August 17th be with 100% eLearning and begin in person instruction in guidance of the Marion County Public Health Department. G. Wallis, Treasurer, referenced Edison's autonomy as an innovation school in being in coordination with Indianapolis Public Schools and ability to choose its reopening start date. N. Tuttle clarified that this proposal also reserves the right for Edison to start school on August 17th if Indianapolis Public Schools does make adjustments to postpone the district wide school start date.
Proposal for Updated Calendar for 2020-2021
N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, presented the modified calendar A as the updated 2020-2021 school year calendar. E. Disney, Board Chair, and G. Wallis, Treasurer, referenced staying informed by monitoring local Marion County reviews of COVID-19 case data along with how surrounding townships are responding to COVID-19.
N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, presented that due to modification of school calendar in response to the health pandemic, Edison is preparing for in person and eLearning start date of August 17th. Delaying the school year start date allowed for three additional professional development days for staff. During this time, staff will prepare technology for live streaming usage, role play running the master class schedule and deliver mock lessons. E. Disney-Britton, Board Chair, reiterated that rehearsal gives a great sense of assurance to the reopening. Staff will be well prepared to engage and direct the students. Edison is proposing that the board approve $40,000 expenditure for staff professional development.
2020-2021 School Year Start Date
N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, presented that Edison start date of August 17th be with 100% eLearning and begin in person instruction in guidance of the Marion County Public Health Department. G. Wallis, Treasurer, referenced Edison's autonomy as an innovation school in being in coordination with Indianapolis Public Schools and ability to choose its reopening start date. N. Tuttle clarified that this proposal also reserves the right for Edison to start school on August 17th if Indianapolis Public Schools does make adjustments to postpone the district wide school start date.
Proposal for Updated Calendar for 2020-2021
N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, presented the modified calendar A as the updated 2020-2021 school year calendar. E. Disney, Board Chair, and G. Wallis, Treasurer, referenced staying informed by monitoring local Marion County reviews of COVID-19 case data along with how surrounding townships are responding to COVID-19.
G. Wallis made a motion to accept the updated 2020-2021 school year calendar and change its first learning day to August 17th in coordination with IPS. N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, reserves the right to offer in person or eLearning instruction in guidance with Marion County Public Health Department.
B. Fonseca seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VI. Finance Committee
A.
June 2020 Financial Statements
G. Wallis presented the June preliminary financials. The end of the fiscal year was June 30th. The accountants needed additional time to prepare the end of the year financials. The statement of activity general fund shows that there wasn’t much purchased due to in person instruction being remote from March-June. Edison is projected to have a surplus of $270,000 on a budget of $25,000 after the accountants have finalized the end of the year financials.
B.
Donovan CPAs Letter of Engagement
G. Wallis made a motion to authorize Donovan CPAs for the 2019-2021 academic and fiscal year audit.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VII. Facilities Committee
A.
Presentation of Board Book 7000-Property
T. Givens, Facilities Chair, is finalizing the board property policies.
VIII. Governance Committee Report
A.
Reappointment of Two Board Member's 3 year terms
T. Overdorf made a motion to reappoint E. Disney-Britton and K. Feeney-Caito for a 3-year term.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Presentation of policy book -0000 Bylaws
T. Stuart Overdorf, Governance Chair, has finalized the policies and will begin updating the governance handbook.
C.
Board Member Conflict of Interest Statement
Board members will annually submit conflict of interest forms to the governance committee.
IX. Board Chair Report
A.
What's Ahead
E. Disney- Britton, Board Chair, presented the Board Chair report. The Indianapolis Public School’s district has adopted a policy to prioritize racial equity. Edison School of the Arts will continue to work in partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools, The Mind Trust and Dr. Twyman to improve diversity, equity inclusion at Edison. E. Disney-Britton has been in discussion with Debbie Lister, Consultant, about racial equity as an area of focus for Edison’s strategic plan. Board members interested in joining a phone call to discuss the preparation of virtual board retreat to email E. Disney-Britton and N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director. Board members are also invited to join a committee for the school year and to email E. Disney-Britton their committee preference.
X. Closing Items
A.
New Business
B.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:54 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
E. Disney-Britton