There were no comments from the public at this time.

David Taylor, Board President, asked the board to review the agenda distributed prior to the meeting and asked if any changes were needed. Jane Swan, CEO, shared that Action Item "B" related to the student laptop replacement policy would be postponed to the February meeting. 

No other changes were needed. 

Mrs. Swan reviewed the current enrollment numbers for the school noting trends in
enrollment. Current enrollment stands at 6,483 students, with 25 percent of students residing in the Southeast. 

Staffing Report: Michael Garman, Director of Human Resources, reviewed current staffing levels with the Board highlighting the authorized complement of 919 and the 863 current staff members of which 83% are 10-month staff. There were seven new hires, three position changes, and two departures in the last month.

Karen Yeselavage, Director of Finance, reviewed the school’s financial statements with the Board. She reviewed the revenue and expense statements, advising on changes since the previous months’ statements. Ms. Yeselavage further reviewed with the Board the school’s balance sheet and current forecast. 

Michael Garman shared a summary of the number of staff that took advantage of the Tuition Reimbursement program and the total amount of reimbursements provided to those staff during calendar years 2022 and 2023. 

Within this program, eligible staff receive reimbursement for one hundred percent (100%) of tuition costs for up to a maximum of $5,250 per calendar year for qualified educational expenses and successful completion of eligible undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate courses in accredited colleges or universities.

Michael Garman shared a summary of the number of staff who took advantage of the Professional Enhancement program. This program incentivizes staff to obtain job-related certifications, Instructional II certifications and advanced degrees. 

Mr. Taylor asked if there were any items from the Consent Items that should be moved to Action Items for discussion or tabled. No changes were noted.

• Approval of Minutes from the December 13, 2023, Board Meeting
• Approval of Staffing Report
• Approval of Agreement with GDC IT
• Approval to Purchase Additional IPads

JD Smith. Director of Career Readiness, requested approval to amend the existing contract with Pittsburgh Drone Services. The amended language references a cost per student for the Drone Repair Course.

This item was removed from the agenda.

Michael Garman requested Board approval for proposed updates and changes to the Employee Handbook. 

With Board approval, the School will publish the Employee Handbook effective January 17, 2024.

The proposed updates and changes include:
 

• Clarified negative leave balance process at separation.
• Expanded bereavement leave guidelines to include first cousin as an eligible
  family member for one-day of bereavement leave.
• Reduced the compensatory time eligibility requirement from a minimum four (4)
  hours worked to a minimum of two (2) hours.
• Clarified inactive status guidelines for employees on Long Term Disability (LTD).
• Expanded and added clarification on the Use of Property and Equipment section.

Scott Shedd requested approval for an agreement with KnowBe4, a phishing education and awareness solution. 

Scott Shedd requested approval for an agreement with Abnormal, a phishing mitigation solution leveraging behavioral AI technology.

Rachel Graver shared a copy of the proposed student calendar for the 2024-25 school year. The calendar includes a first day of school on September 3, 2024, along with 180 days of learning.

Brandie Karpew, Board and Legislative Liaison, shared an update on recent government
affairs, specifically highlighting the recent Basic Education Funding Commission plan to rectify the issues identified by the Commonwealth Court in its historic February 2023 ruling that the state’s funding system is discriminatory and unconstitutional. 

The endorsed report recommends that the state should begin to close the school funding gap of more than $5 billion, phasing in the increased funding over seven years.
 

• In summary the report recommends: 
  • Reconfiguring the funding formula.
  • Investing in school facilities and work force.
  • Reconstitution of the Commission in 5 yrs.
  • Charter School funding Reform

Brandie Karpew shared information about the upcoming national charter school conference which will be held June 30-July 3 in Boston and invited the board members to advise if they were interested in attending.

Prior to entering Executive Session, Marcella Arline requested that a meeting of the Building Committee be scheduled in the coming weeks. All members of the committee should bring a list of necessary building criteria to the first meeting. 

The Board entered into an Executive Session at 9:53 a.m. upon a motion being made, seconded and confirmed via roll call vote of all Board members present.

The Board cited the following for entering into the Executive Session: Pursuant to 65 Pa.
C.S. §§ 708(a)
(1) – to discuss any matter involving the employment, appointment, termination of
employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of performance, promotion
or disciplining of any specific prospective public officer or employee or current public
officer or employee and 65 Pa. C.S. §§ 708(a)(5) – To review and discuss agency
business which, if conducted in public, would violate a lawful privilege or lead to the
disclosure of information or confidentiality protected by law.

Board members present were: David Taylor, Marcella Arline, Paul Donnecker, Matt Ryan, Leigh Ann Nasar, Anthony Alexander, and Gail Hawkins Bush.

Guests present at the request of the Board were: Jane Swan, Rachel Graver, LeeAnn
Ritchie, Mike Garman, Pat Hennessy and Karen Yeselavage. All others left the meeting at this time.

No action was taken during Executive Session.

There being no further discussion and upon a motion being made, seconded and
confirmed via roll call vote of all Board members present, the Board resumed open
Session at 10:10 a.m.