Brighter Choice Charter Schools
Minutes
Governance Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday January 14, 2021 at 8:30 AM
Committee Members Present
M. Snyder (remote), N. Maresca, T. Hanmer (remote), Z. Nelson (remote)
Committee Members Absent
N. Velilla
Guests Present
K. Ford (remote), K. Mclean (remote), L. Licygiewicz (remote), R. McLaughlin (remote), S. Jahn (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
M. Snyder called a meeting of the Governance Committee of Brighter Choice Charter Schools to order on Thursday Jan 14, 2021 at 8:30 AM.
C.
Approve Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes from Governance Committee Meeting on 12-10-20.
T. Hanmer seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Governance
A.
COVID Update
M. Snyder proposed combining the COVID update and Principal's report. Enrollment is stable at 264. The only students on the waiting list cannot be accommodated since they are applying to grades 4 and 5, which are full. Attendance is a significant problem, especially among those students studying according to the hybrid model. CPS is overwhelmed and cannot act in many cases. Parents are increasingly aware that CPS is unlikely to take any action so are not taking the threat of CPS involvement seriously. BCCS will have many retention decisions to make in the spring. At the end of February, Ms McLean will review attendance data for the winter to see if dropping the hybrid option makes a difference.
Ms McLean outlined the changes being made in the second trimester, all of which are based on the experience of the first trimester. Grades will be based primarily on those factors that scholars can control, for example, homework and class effort. Students will be allowed to take ELA assessments remotely, something that can be done securely with new software. ELA assessments will take place once a month, not once every three months as was done previously. Math modules are continuing as usual. To assess guided reading, teachers will focus on individual growth in independent reading, not the target goals that were set last year. These goals are unrealistic given the huge chunks of pandemic-induced lost instruction last spring and this academic year.
New York is requiring a written emergency plan for all schools moving forward. The plan for the boys’ school identifies three people who need to be on site. So far two scholars and one staff member have tested positive. Approximately, one-third of the staff have been vaccinated; others are actively pursuing shots as they become available.
Sixty-five percent of parents want their children to be taught in person in the second trimester, and thirty-five percent want them to be remote.
An attempt to recruit staff for MAT (a marketing and advertising team) was unsuccessful. Ms McLean will forward a proposed radio ad to the trustees for feedback.
One staff member has been placed on an improvement plan, and is showing promise. The mid-year evaluations for staff will focus on adult culture and stress.
B.
COVID Update
C.
Principal Report
D.
Principal Report
K. Ford gave an update on enrollment and attendance for the Girls' school, COVID positive scholars and vaccination plans for faculty and staff. K. Ford is creating a continuing of operations plan for the State in the case of another shut down this semester or in the future.
The school is beginning to implement 100% in-person option for scholars or 100% remote scholars.
The school has also implemented a food pantry program, supported by fundraising and Hannaford.
The school is implementing Go Guardian software to ensure scholars are on task while remote learning. Teachers can monitor screens and time on task.
K. Ford discussed advertising needs for the school and has created a radio ad.
Regarding attendance, response from CPS for chronic absenteeism is slow and difficult for the school to see improvement.
The school is beginning to implement 100% in-person option for scholars or 100% remote scholars.
The school has also implemented a food pantry program, supported by fundraising and Hannaford.
The school is implementing Go Guardian software to ensure scholars are on task while remote learning. Teachers can monitor screens and time on task.
K. Ford discussed advertising needs for the school and has created a radio ad.
Regarding attendance, response from CPS for chronic absenteeism is slow and difficult for the school to see improvement.
Kristina Ford then updated the board on the situation at the girls’ school. Enrollment stands at 280 with 1 pending on the waiting list. ELL students account for 13.5% of the population, and SWD students 3%. One staff member and two scholars tested positive for Covid over the break. Ms Ford is hoping that the school nurse will be able to administer Covid shots to the staff. The girls’ school has the same state emergency plan as the boys’ school, and it has been added to the website and the staff handbook. Fifty-nine percent of girls’ school parents prefer in-person instruction for the second trimester, and forty-one percent want remote.
The schools have funded a School Pantry Program, aided by Hannaford, to address food insecurity for some scholars and their families. Eligibility is based on teacher referrals, and there are about twenty-five families consistently using the program. Special sensitivity is being paid to the dietary needs of Muslim families.
One kindergarten teacher will go out on maternity leave mid-February. Ms Ford is close to securing a replacement. Ninety-nine girls are chronically absent.
The board discussed marketing in general.
E.
Code of Ethics edits
L. L described the needed edit to correct a typo regarding the percentage of board members who can be compensated by the school.
T. Hanmer made a motion to replace one statistic in the Code of Ethics that the authorizer requested.
N. Maresca seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:28 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
T. Hanmer