Amani Public Charter School
Minutes
Amani Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday August 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Location
Hybrid
Join Zoom Meeting
https://amanicharter-org.zoom.us/j/81412445169
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
C.
Approve Minutes
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.
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 noted that the minutes from the Board's meeting would be distributed at a later date.