Great Oaks Charter School - Bridgeport

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday August 2, 2016 at 12:00 PM

Location

Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust: 570 State St. Bridgeport

Directors Present

Dexter Upshaw, Ed Farrow, Leticia Sepulveda, Pamela Fraser-Abder, Susan Briggs, Tamara Smith

Directors Absent

Amy Marshall

Guests Present

Michael Duffy, Michael McGregor, Monica Maccera Filppu, Rashaun Reid, Rick Iandoli, Shana Hurley

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Ed Farrow called a meeting of the board of directors of Great Oaks Charter School - Bridgeport to order on Tuesday Aug 2, 2016 at 12:22 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Susan Briggs made a motion to approve minutes from the Board Meeting on 06-08-16 Board Meeting on 06-08-16.
Dexter Upshaw seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Ice Breaker Activity: Share a picture that means something to you

II. Report from the Executive Director

A.

State of the School and 16-17 Priorities and Goals

As the first portion of the board retreat, Executive Director M. Filppu reviewed outcomes from the 2015-2016 school year. Great Oaks had set very ambitious goals for academic growth this school year. Although Great Oaks did not achieve all of those goals, 40% of students made two years or more of growth. Families feel positive about their experience at Great Oaks, with almost 90% responding that they would recommend our school to others. Students also responded positively that they are being prepared for college, but they shared reflections that they were not happy at school. 

In planning for 2016-2017, the Great Oaks team sought to maximize tutors; to simplify and prioritize in support of student achievement; to bridge the sixth grade experience to middle school; to emphasize student engagement skill in teacher hiring; and to learn from other GO schools with respect to culture. 

The priorities of Great Oaks Charter School - Bridgeport for 2016-2017 are: 
  • Priority 1: Great Oaks Scholars will take joy in their learning and speak with love, respect and care about their teachers, tutors and administrators. Students will value academic achievement and demonstrating growth at Great Oaks. 
  • Priority 2: Great Oaks teachers will be the leaders in their classrooms, delivering high quality content, building relationships with scholars /and creating a classroom community that fosters excellence and a love of learning. 
  • Priority 3: Great Oaks tutors will develop their leadership in this year of service by driving meaningful student learning and engaging in personal and professional growth experiences.
  • Priority 4: Great Oaks staff will feel valued and see how their daily work and the work of their colleagues has a direct impact on the scholars we serve. Our team celebrates growth, individuality and effort while working towards the mission and vision of Great Oaks Charter School. 

III. How the Great Oaks Foundation Supports the School

A.

Review and Vote on the agreement between the Great Oaks Foundation and the Board of Trustees

Great Oaks Foundation Executive Director M. Duffy shared a brief history and overview of the Great Oaks Foundation. In the lifetime of the Great Oaks - Bridgeport school, the staff at the Foundation has grown from 3 to 14 people with new staff members to support the Tutor Corps and school operations, especially around facilities and finance. 

Discussion of the 2016-2017 proposed services agreement by and between The Great Oaks Foundation and Great Oaks Charter School - Bridgeport ensued. The Board referred discussion of the Services Agreement to an ad-hoc committee that will convene Monday, August 8 at 5:00 PM. 

IV. How the Board Supports the School

A.

Board Membership and Structure

In October, the Board will revisit roles, responsibilities and committees. The governance committee will meet in September to plan this October meeting. 

B.

Proposed board meeting focus areas for 16-17

V. August Business

A.

July Finance Report

Great Oaks ended the fiscal year in a strong cash position and with a surplus for the following year. 

P. FRASER-ABDER 
S. SHAAIN
exec session at 4:53
ended at 4:54

B.

Report on status of fundraising for 16-17

C.

Update on the Building project

D.

Approve Documents for 16-17 school year

Leticia Sepulveda made a motion to not to participate in the Healthy Food Certification program.
Tamara Smith seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Susan Briggs made a motion to approve the employee handbook.
Leticia Sepulveda seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Tamara Smith made a motion to approve the 2016-2017 student handbook with the changes as outlined in the cover sheet.
Leticia Sepulveda seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Pamela Fraser-Abder made a motion to approve the 2016-2017 school calendar.
Tamara Smith seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Tamara Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Pamela Fraser-Abder seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:03 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Shana Hurley