L. Hubbard discussed COO report. 

Enrollment update:

• L. Hubbard states we have 177 applications for admission. Our highest amount of application is for 9th grade.
• The school had its first lottery last week
• Our recruitment efforts are focused on 6th and 7th grade.

Security Grant update: 

• We were awarded about $95,219 a couple of years ago through the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and a portion of that money went to cover some of the storefront project in our High School area. We have until September 2025 to spend the money. 

HR Update:

Offer letters went out to staff on Tuesday. We celebrated our Teachers and Nurse this week for appreciation week! 

J. Scalice went over CEO Report.

CEO reviewed the budget we are moving forward. Across the state CT is laying off school teacher positions. 

• Great Oaks budgeting process for 2024-2025 was not impacted by the cessation of Federal Funding connected to ESSER Funding (Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief) 
• Budgeting did take into consideration anticipated funding from certain grant allocations connected to specific positions. In the event that these grant allocations are not funded or received, budget adjustments will be made in direct relation to those grants.
• Budgeting did take into consideration an increase to the previously approved Per Student Increase, however, at only a portion of the actual revenue approved.
  • The projected per pupil is around $13,400 for this year, we budgeted at an even $13,000.

Our Goals: 

• Increase student overall academic performance
• Increase student attendance
• Increase access to Science and Social Studies at Middle School level daily
• Increase access to dual credit opportunities (college enrollment), arts access, and social and emotional learning
• Increase staff retention
• Reduce suspensions

Whole School staffing changes: 

• +1 FTE for Attendance Specialist (CN funded 80%)
• +1 FTE for Data Integration Specialist (CN funded 80%)
• +1 FTE for Social Medial Interventionist (CN Funded 80%)

Middle, High, and Whole School FTE Net = +2

Board discussed the idea of a K-1,K-2 and what that may look like each year.

This is how our budget aligns to our goals:

• Increased FTE in HS and Increased Science and Social Studies exposure are likely to increase ELA and Math performance overall through direct application outside of typical content areas
• Addition of FTE for MS Electives will increase coaching time for teachers; impacting planning and delivery of curriculum
• Additional FTE for Culture Team (MS/HS) and Social Media Interventionist will reduce incident, more direct social and emotional support, and provide more instructional time for students and teachers
• Additional FTE for Attendance Specialist will provide home visits, attendance planning and monitoring, and increase parent communication around attendance increasing time in school for students and increase academic performance
• Increased student support will increase staff retention

Board Members discussed the budget for the 2024-2025 school year. 

B. Chan went over current cash position:

Current Cash Position 

Checking: $ 1,059,252

Food Service:$ 9,317

 Reserve: $ 28,993

Total: $ 1,097,562

Credit card balance: $12,469

B. Chan discussed plan is to pay down credit card. Cash flow is being watched carefully. 

The ERC was part of the government funding from COVOD. It is a payroll tax adjustment. The dollar amount is $285,000 which will help some of the other costs the school has incurred. 

We need authorization to sign C. Sneed to sign agreement.

B. Chan discussed the 990 that needs to be signed. Board has given C. Sneed authorization to sign.

B. Chan discussed our landlord is still coming to us to pay snow removal.

L. Hubbard went over the Healthy Food Options through the Child Nutrition Program through the State of CT and walked the board through the statement. 

Bea Badgley made a motion to approve the annual Healthy Food Certification (HFC) statement as required by CSDE for the 2024 - 2025 school year.

The board voted unanimously to approve the motion made by board member Bea Bagley- Pursuant to C.G.S. Section 10-215f, Great Oaks Charter School certifies that all food items offered for sale to students in the schools under its jurisdiction, and not exempted from the Connecticut Nutrition Standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education, will comply with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards during the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. This certification shall include all food offered for sale to students separately from reimbursable meals at all times and from all sources, including but not limited to school stores, vending machines, school cafeterias, culinary programs, and any fundraising activities on school premises sponsored by the school or non-school organizations and groups.

 The board voted unanimously to approve the motion made by Bea Bagley - Great Oaks Charter School will allow the sale to students of food items that do not meet the Connecticut Nutrition Standards and beverages not listed in Section 10-221q of the Connecticut General Statutes provided that the following conditions are met: 1) the sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend; 2) the sale is at the location of the event; and 3) the food and beverage items are not sold from a vending machine or school store. An “event” is an occurrence that involves more than just a regularly scheduled practice, meeting, or extracurricular activity. For example, soccer games, school plays, and interscholastic debates are events but soccer practices, play rehearsals, and debate team meetings are not. The “regular school day” is the period from midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. “Location” means where the event is being held and must be the same place as the food and beverage sales.
 

All Board Members are invited to attend June 12th Graduation Ceremonies for our school. Further details to be sent via email by Executive Assistant, Farah Martin.