Brian Anderson presented via phone

CSS remains in a positive financial position in regards to spending and actual vs. budget.

B. Tran asked if the collective bargaining funds were included, C. Stipes and B. Anderson stated that they will be included in the next months report.

J. Renbarger asked about the substitute costs. C. Stipes stated that the substitute company we use upped their rates 66% over what we anticipated.

J. Renbarger asked if there was a need for funds to help support families, especially with the cold weather. AJ Barcome stated that the current social workers have done an outstanding job in seeking resources and we have lots of warm clothing available for students and families.

Employee Retention Credit (ERC) benefits are being explored by C. Stipes, JR Renbarger and B. Anderson.

C. Stipes presented:

Donovan (audit company) and B. Anderson helped direct us to Greg from Allign Group in seeking our ERC. C. Stipes has met with them twice.

Three Qualifications to Qualify for the ERC:

1. Mandates and Orders from the Government
2. Complied with mandates
3. Greater than nominal impact (greater than 10%)

We were only be charged if we go through the process, qualify, AND receive a credit from the IRS. Align Group backs their research--if we are audited in the next three years, they will assist in the audit to protect our interests.

JR Renbarger is going to explore if we are obligated to take the funds if Align Group finds that we qualify.

C. Stipes stated that CSS has a fiduciary responsibility to explore the options of receiving the credit. 

JR Renbarger asked if other innovation schools have qualified. B. Anderson stated that some schools have and others have not. 

N. Torres asked if there would be restrictions on the credits. B. Anderson stated that this is money we have already spent so this would be a tax credit and therefore does not have stipulations on spending.  

Deadline is in April.

C. Stipes presented

These funds must be used by June 30, 2024 in order to be reimbursed.

Salary:

• Staff Impact would be a per semester amount that a staff member has been employed in the last four years since 2020-2021 school year.
• Tutoring Impact would be a $30 hourly amount paid to teachers that elect to stay after school and tutor students that are in need. CSS will establish a system of accountability with monitoring and metrics.

Property:

Student and staff technology would be purchased for school use

Administration will review the Staff Impact Stipends for review if there is more available for tutoring.

C. Stipes presented

See document for details

AJ Barcome Presented:

Reading:

We are 40th Percentile for growth in reading. R. Moore and AJ Barcome want to see that number increase. From 2022-2023 to the 2023-2024 scores are all above the national normal for all grades except first and third.  Overall, we are seeing growth in large numbers in our co-horts in NWEA testing.

Math:

We are in the 71st Percentile in math for growth.

From 2022-2023 to 2023-2024 all grades except first and second are above the national norm. We have seen significant growth since the 2018-2019 school years. 

Priorities:

• Mastery of Data Driven Instruction
• Building Connections across all facets of our work

Action Steps:

• Intervention Block Restructure
• I-Ready Pilot*
  • Second semester I-Ready is being piloted in grades 2-5
• Engagement w/ Science of Reading in connection with IDOE and a partnership with Marian University
• Scope and Sequence Prioritization of Math and Reading
• Cold Spring Staff Learning Walks
  • Allowing staff time to see other staff members teaching

B. Tran asked about the cost of the software. AJ Barcome stated that there are two tiers that we can use.