Brighter Choice Charter Schools
Minutes
Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday June 4, 2020 at 8:30 AM
Location
Remote due to covid-19 closure
Trustees Present
M. Snyder (remote), N. Maresca (remote), R. McLaughlin (remote), Z. Nelson (remote)
Trustees Absent
N. Velilla, S. Wallace, T. Hanmer
Guests Present
J. Sherman, K. Ford, L. Licygiewicz, S. Jahn, T. Stutsrim (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
M. Snyder called a meeting of the board of trustees of Brighter Choice Charter Schools to order on Thursday Jun 4, 2020 at 8:32 AM.
C.
Approve Minutes from the May 21, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting
R. McLaughlin made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Trustees Meeting on 05-21-20.
N. Maresca seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Governance
A.
Charter Renewal
K. Ford reports that a meeting is upcoming to discuss renewal benchmarks.
B.
Covid-19 Plans
J. Sherman reporting regarding BCCSB:
* SY 2020-21 Enrollment / re-enrollment continues.
* Some reasons for not re-enrolling include "wanting a co-ed school" and "wanting a school closer to home".
* Remote Instruction:
* The final printed packets are being distributed and a Summer Instruction packet is being created.
* Summer 2020 Instruction:
* Approximately 39 scholars' parents have expressed an interest in signing up for this.
* When the number of scholars is finalized, the school will know how many teachers/staff are needed.
* Chromebooks:
* The lent Chromebooks will be returned to school before Summer School begins in order to install any needed updates.
* SY 2020-21:
* Some teachers have expressed concern regarding the elimination of teaching positions. M. Snyder asked that the Principals wait until the budget is finalized before specific information is shared with staff. However, the Board of Trustees is working on a budget that preserves the current staffing levels.
* SY 2020-21 Enrollment / re-enrollment continues.
* Some reasons for not re-enrolling include "wanting a co-ed school" and "wanting a school closer to home".
* Remote Instruction:
* The final printed packets are being distributed and a Summer Instruction packet is being created.
* Summer 2020 Instruction:
* Approximately 39 scholars' parents have expressed an interest in signing up for this.
* When the number of scholars is finalized, the school will know how many teachers/staff are needed.
* Chromebooks:
* The lent Chromebooks will be returned to school before Summer School begins in order to install any needed updates.
* SY 2020-21:
* Some teachers have expressed concern regarding the elimination of teaching positions. M. Snyder asked that the Principals wait until the budget is finalized before specific information is shared with staff. However, the Board of Trustees is working on a budget that preserves the current staffing levels.
III. Finance
A.
YTD Financial Report and A/R update
Tabled.
B.
Budget for SY 2020-21
Tabled.
IV. Academic
A.
Covid-19 Remote Instruction
K. Ford reporting regarding BCCSG:
* SY 2020-21 Enrollment / re-enrollment continues.
* Remote Instruction:
* Participation rates continue to hold steady.
* The final printed packets are being distributed. Another date has been scheduled for packet pick-up and for drop-off of enrollment paperwork.
* Chromebooks:
* This new equipment has arrived.
* Staffing:
* One opening for a Special Education teacher, this is posted on Indeed.com
* Recent / Upcoming events:
* Principals are considering holding a morning solidarity march.
* SY 2020-21 Enrollment / re-enrollment continues.
* Remote Instruction:
* Participation rates continue to hold steady.
* The final printed packets are being distributed. Another date has been scheduled for packet pick-up and for drop-off of enrollment paperwork.
* Chromebooks:
* This new equipment has arrived.
* Staffing:
* One opening for a Special Education teacher, this is posted on Indeed.com
* Recent / Upcoming events:
* Principals are considering holding a morning solidarity march.
J. Sherman reporting regarding BCCSB:
* SY 2020-21 Enrollment / re-enrollment continues.
* Some reasons for not re-enrolling include "wanting a co-ed school" and "wanting a school closer to home".
* Remote Instruction:
* The final printed packets are being distributed and a Summer Instruction packet is being created.
* Chromebooks:
* The lent Chromebooks will be returned to school before Summer School begins in order to install any needed updates.
* SY 2020-21:
* Some teachers have expressed concern regarding the elimination of teaching positions. M. Snyder asked that the Principals wait until the budget is finalized before specific information is shared with staff. However, the Board of Trustees is working on a budget that preserves the current staffing levels.
* SY 2020-21 Enrollment / re-enrollment continues.
* Some reasons for not re-enrolling include "wanting a co-ed school" and "wanting a school closer to home".
* Remote Instruction:
* The final printed packets are being distributed and a Summer Instruction packet is being created.
* Chromebooks:
* The lent Chromebooks will be returned to school before Summer School begins in order to install any needed updates.
* SY 2020-21:
* Some teachers have expressed concern regarding the elimination of teaching positions. M. Snyder asked that the Principals wait until the budget is finalized before specific information is shared with staff. However, the Board of Trustees is working on a budget that preserves the current staffing levels.
B.
Summer 2020 Instruction
K. Ford reports:
* Summer 2020 Instruction:
* Sign-up has begun. Parents can do this on-line or by paper.
* When the number of scholars is finalized, the school will know how many teachers/staff are needed.
* The tentative schedule will be from 8:30 AM - 2 PM with a focus on ELA, Math, and Guided Reading.
* Summer 2020 Instruction:
* Sign-up has begun. Parents can do this on-line or by paper.
* When the number of scholars is finalized, the school will know how many teachers/staff are needed.
* The tentative schedule will be from 8:30 AM - 2 PM with a focus on ELA, Math, and Guided Reading.
J. Sherman reports:
* Summer 2020 Instruction:
* Approximately 39 scholars' parents have expressed an interest in signing up for this.
* When the number of scholars is finalized, the school will know how many teachers/staff are needed.
* Summer 2020 Instruction:
* Approximately 39 scholars' parents have expressed an interest in signing up for this.
* When the number of scholars is finalized, the school will know how many teachers/staff are needed.
C.
Recognizing Staff during pandemic closure
Tabled.
D.
BCCSB - Discipline Policy
NYSED suggested to L. Licygiewicz that the school asks legal counsel to review and approve the Discipline Policies for the school. These have been reviewed in the past by NYSED but the schools will consult an attorney. R. McLaughlin will recommend an attorney.
V. Closing Items
A.
Future Agenda Items
Next meetings:
* 6/18 at 8:30 AM - focused on SY 2020-21 Budget
* 6/30 Board of Trustees Annual Meeting
* 7/16
* 2 TBD dates in August
Items:
* YTD Financial reports
* SY 2020-21 Budget
* 403B
* Renewal
* Staff Recognition
* Summer Instruction
* Grants?
* Fall 2020 Re-opening plan(s)?
* 6/18 at 8:30 AM - focused on SY 2020-21 Budget
* 6/30 Board of Trustees Annual Meeting
* 7/16
* 2 TBD dates in August
Items:
* YTD Financial reports
* SY 2020-21 Budget
* 403B
* Renewal
* Staff Recognition
* Summer Instruction
* Grants?
* Fall 2020 Re-opening plan(s)?
B.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Z. Nelson