Amani Public Charter School

Minutes

Amani Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday August 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Location

Hybrid

 

Directors Present

G. Sardi (remote), J. Kuo (remote), L. Attis (remote), M. Smith (remote), P. Morenberg (remote), S. Edwards (remote)

Directors Absent

A. Spencer, J. Killoran, P. Smith, S. WuDunn

Ex Officio Members Present

D. Stern

Non Voting Members Present

D. Stern

Guests Present

Candace Gomez (remote), D. Marshall (remote), N. Thurman (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

J. Kuo called a meeting of the board of directors of Amani Public Charter School to order on Monday Aug 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

J. Kuo noted that the minutes from the Board's meeting would be distributed at a later date.

II. Executive Director's Report

A.

Report

D. Stern provided an update on various matters, including staffing, libraries, opening and planned furniture purchases. D. Stern also provided a brief update on enrollment, including total enrollment for the school year and waitlist for each grade.

III. Finance

A.

Report

N. Thurman provided a financial update, and reminded the Board that since June is the first month of the School's year, no financials are provided for June. N. Thurman noted that the School's forecast was now $664 thousand, approximately $200 thousand lower than previously indicated, because the School's prior projections had not accounted for accruals for summer staffing. N. Thurman indicated that the School believed the amount accrued for summer staffing would be manageable, and summarized the School's line of credit. N. Thurman noted that the School is in a deficit position vis-à-vis its annual operating plan/budget in an amount of approximately $300 thousand on a pre-depreciation basis (approximately $500 thousand post-depreciation) primarily due to the underprovision for professional services, primarily educational and financial consulting. N. Thurman noted that the School's line of credit would provide sufficient support, but that the School was in an operational deficit position for the third year in a row. The Board asked questions and discussed throughout.

IV. Educational Accountability

A.

Report

J. Ciavirella provided an update on the School's educational program and platform, including a discussion of field trips, assessments used to make student-centric decisions and strategies for keeping students engaged. J. Ciavirella also discussed the alignment between the School's culture and operations, including work by the School's culture team, Eagle Academy student orientation, "common language" and kickboard, as well as reframing of lunch, recess, transitions and uniforms. 

V. CEO Support and Evaluation

A.

Report

L. Attis provided an update on S. Edwards' behalf, noting that the Executive Director evaluation process had been completed, that the results of the evaluation had been provided to D. Stern, and that D. Stern, S. Edwards and P. Moss were planning to meet with the goal of creating a plan for the coming year.

VI. Governance

A.

Report

J. Kuo provided an update on the work of the Board's subcommittee on governance, including that the subcommittee had previously shared proposed amended bylaws, and strawman charters for each of the Board's Committees.

J. Kuo made a motion to approve the changes to the School's bylaws previously circulated to and discussed by the Board at its prior meeting.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VII. Executive Session

A.

Votes to Enter and Exit

C. Gomez reminded the Board that a motion is required to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters. 

J. Kuo made a motion to enter executive session.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
J. Kuo made a motion to leave executive session.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VIII. 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 7:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
D. Marshall