Edison School of the Arts
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday November 17, 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. Dixon (remote), K. Feeney-Caito (remote), T. Givens (remote), T. Overdorf (remote)
Directors Absent
None
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 (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 Nov 17, 2020 at 5:30 PM.
C.
Open Door Policy Statement
E. Disney-Britton, Board Chair, stated that this meeting was called to order in accordance with the Open Door Law. N. Tuttle, Executive Director, informed the board that at the beginning of each board meeting it will be stated that the meeting is in compliance with the Open Door Law.
D.
Record Attendance and Guests
E.
Adoption of the Agenda
T. Givens made a motion to adopt the agenda.
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.
September Minutes
K. Feeney-Caito made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 09-15-20.
T. Givens seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
October Minutes
K. Feeney-Caito made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 10-06-20.
T. Givens seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IV. Board Chair Report
A.
Adoption of Barnes and Thornburg Contract for Policy Review
E. Disney-Britton, Board Chair, stated that the board has received a proposal from Barnes and Thornburg LLP to review the board policies. G. Wallis, Treasurer, will contact Heather Willey, Barnes and Thornburg LLP, regarding the billing for their services.
E. Disney-Britton made a motion to approve the Barnes and Thornburg LLP contract for policy review.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Request for 100% of Board Giving
E. Disney-Britton, Board Chair, requested 100% board giving to Edison School of the Arts. There isn’t a required donation amount. The school would appreciate any donation that the board is able to give. P. Guthrie, Director of Advancement and Engagement, stated that cash, check or online donations are accepted. To make an online donation, board members can visit the school website and click “Donate to Edison” in the top toolbar on the homepage.
V. Covid-19 Impact Report - Closing In-Person Instruction
A.
Adoption of Staff Recommendation for In-Person Instruction
E. Disney-Britton, Board Chair, stated that since Edison is in alignment with Indianapolis Public Schools’ recommendation for 100% virtual learning due to COVID-19 then there doesn’t need to be a formal board vote.
VI. Academic Committee Report
A.
Approval of Student Policies
G. Wallis made a motion to accept the policies and policy 5511 be codified as discussed.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VII. Finance Committee
A.
September/October Financials
K. Feeney-Caito made a motion to approve the September/October financials.
T. Overdorf seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
G. Wallis, Treasurer, presented the financial statements. Edison is in good financial standing despite the unbudgeted stipends this summer for teachers’ professional development and COVID-19 related expenses. Edison will bill IPS for title grant funds in December and anticipates receiving the funding in January 2021. The finance committee is reviewing the 2020-2021 budget and forecast for 2021 due to the projected SBA adjustments for enrollment.
B.
2019-2020 Audit Draft
G. Wallis made a motion to accept the audit draft as prepared by Donovan CPAs.
T. Overdorf seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
G. Wallis, Treasurer, presented the 2019-2020 Donovan CPAs auditor report. The auditors evaluated Edison’s internal controls, financial statements and in-kind services that are received from IPS. The auditors made adjustment recommendations for financial classifications regarding IPS in-kind services such as food services and depreciation of assets such as textbooks. The auditor’s report shows that Edison is in good financial standing and compliant with accounting practices.
VIII. Facilities and Safety Committee Report
A.
Approval of Property Policies
T. Overdorf made a motion to approve the property policies.
T. Givens seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IX. Governance Committee Report
A.
2020-2021 Committee Chair Appointment
T. Overdorf made a motion to approve E. Disney-Britton appointment as Edison School of the Arts Board Chair.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Approve Family Handbook
T. Overdorf made a motion to approve the corrected 2020-2021 Parent Handbook.
T. Givens seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
C.
Approval of Certified Policies
T. Overdorf made a motion to approve the certified policies.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D.
Approval of Classified Policies
T. Overdorf made a motion to approve classified policies.
K. Feeney-Caito seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
X. Advancement Committee Report
A.
Board Proposal for Holiday Assistance
K. Feeney-Caito made a motion to approve the holiday assistance proposal.
G. Wallis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
XI. Executive Director Report
A.
Executive Director Report
N. Tuttle, Executive Director, presented the Executive Director report. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols Edison began the school year with 100% virtual learning in August. In accordance with IPS, Edison began a hybrid of in person and virtual learning in October. Students have been equipped with 1:1 technology from the computer refresh program. Families in need have received additional support from the counselor, social worker and administration team.
XII. Old Business
A.
Old Business
There wasn't any old business to discuss.
XIII. Closing Items
A.
New Business
There wasn’t any new business to discuss.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
E. Disney-Britton