Edison School of the Arts
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday September 15, 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
E. Disney-Britton (remote), G. Wallis (remote), K. Feeney-Caito (remote), T. Overdorf (remote)
Directors Absent
B. Fonseca, K. Dixon, T. Givens
Ex Officio Members Present
N. Tuttle (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
N. Tuttle (remote)
Guests Present
A. Berns (remote), C. Jones (remote), P. Guthrie (remote), Shareyna Chang, IPS Director of School Quality (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 Sep 15, 2020 at 5:30 PM.
C.
Record Attendance and Guests
D.
Adoption of the Agenda
E. Disney-Britton made a motion to approve.
K. Feeney-Caito 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.
July Minutes
G. Wallis made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 07-21-20.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IV. Board Chair Report
A.
What's Ahead
E. Disney- Britton, Board Chair, presented the Board Chair report. He commended the leadership team and staff on making e-learning accommodations for students due to COVID-19 Coronavirus. N. Tuttle, Executive Director, will provide an update from the Indianapolis Public Schools district in regard to future in-person student instruction. The board chair has been in discussion with Aleesia Johnson, IPS Superintendent ,regarding the the building reopening and in person student instruction. The school board will be voting this evening on the district reopening plan. The board committee chairs have been nominated and will presented to vote this evening. These committees will play an important role in the building reopening and strategic planning.
V. Advancement Committee Report
A.
Approval of Relations Policies
K. Feeney-Caito made a motion to adopt the relations policies.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VI. Academic Committee Report
A.
Approval of Program Policies
G. Wallis made a motion to adopt the program policies.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Approval of Grading Expectations Policy
G. Wallis made a motion to adopt the grading expectation policy.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
C.
Approval of Inclusive Learning Environment Policy
G. Wallis made a motion to adopt the inclusive learning environment policy.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VII. Facilities and Safety Committee Report
A.
Approval of Operations Policies
G. Wallis made a motion to adopt the operations policies.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Approval of Emergency Management Crisis Response Plan
G. Wallis made a motion to approve the emergency management crisis response plan.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VIII. Governance Committee Report
A.
Approval of Governance Handbook
T. Overdorf made a motion to approve the governance handbook.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Approval of Employee Handbook
T. Overdorf made a motion to approve the employee handbook.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
C.
Approval of Family Handbook
G. Wallis made a motion to have the advancement committee adjust the family handbook and propose to the board for a vote during the November 17th board meeting.
T. Overdorf seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D.
Approval of Inclusive Facility Restroom Policy
T. Overdorf made a motion to adopt the inclusive facility restroom policy.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
E.
Approval of Bylaws
T. Overdorf made a motion to adopt the bylaws.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
F.
2020-2021 Committee Chair Appointment
E. Disney-Britton made a motion to accept the committee chair appointments.
T. Overdorf seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IX. Finance Committee
A.
End of Year 19-20 Financials
G. Wallis made a motion to approve the June 2020 financials.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
G. Wallis, Treasurer, presented the 2019-2020 end of year financials. He stated that the June year-end financials include the accrual adjustments that were made to account for Edison's fixed assets, depreciation, and accrued salaries.
B.
July/August Financials
G. Wallis made a motion to approve the July/August financials.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
G. Wallis, Treasurer, presented the July and August financials. Edison began the school year in a strong financial position. There were large purchases due to COVID-19 related expenses and curriculum. The initial investment in curriculum will even out as the school year progresses. The board approved $40,000 stipends for additional eLearning staff professional development training. Edison’s overall cash position is strong with no major variations from the budget through the end of August.
C.
Approval of Finance Policies
G. Wallis made a motion to adopt the finance policies.
T. Overdorf seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
X. Executive Director Report
A.
Executive Director Report
N. Tuttle, CEO, Executive Director, presented the Executive Director report about the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Edison began virtual student instruction on August 17th. Teachers and staff have been working diligently to provide families with computer refresh technology and rigorous eLearning instruction to families.
- The student enrollment is projected to be slightly under enrollment, but the Director of Advancement and Engagement is making progress.
- There have been some curriculum challenges with eLearning software that will be returned for reimbursement.
- Teachers are doing a great job adjusting to virtual platforms.
- The leadership team has been in collaboration with IPS and planning to begin in person classroom instruction in October 2020.
- E. Disney-Britton, Board Chair, stated that the school will be in guidance with IPS and the Marion County Public Health Department on school reopening plans.
XI. Closing Items
A.
New Business
G. Wallis, Treasurer, suggested having a third-party firm review the policies. He suggested contracting a lawyer that has charter school, state entity and private board expertise. T. Stuart Overdorf, Secretary, recommended getting a quote from firms for the finance committee to review. E. Disney-Britton, Board Chair, agreed to reviewing quotes from a firm to review the policies.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
E. Disney-Britton