Download minutes PDF Minutes Approved

New Heights Charter School Board of Trustees

Minutes

Emergency Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday January 9, 2024 at 5:00 PM

Location

1105 W Chestnut

Brockton, MA 02301

 

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Zoom

New Heights Board of Trustees

Starting Time: 5:00pm

Location: 1105 W Chestnut Street 

Brockton, MA 02301

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ZOOM Meeting:

Description:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8981912806?pwd=WHJ2dE1sTHNYVlVmNUsvTkxEaW1JZz09


 

Trustees Present

D. Sauvignon (remote), G. Phillips (remote), G. Swaby (remote), J. Charnel (remote), J. Radzevich, M. Sullivan (remote), S. Bernard, S. Jackson (remote), V. Marturano (remote), W. Lyttle (remote)

Trustees Absent

G. Bengen, N. Christ

Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened

G. Swaby, S. Bernard, S. Jackson

Ex Officio Members Present

O. Walker

Non Voting Members Present

O. Walker

Guests Present

J. Geier, J. Vega, K. Kendrick, M. Fernandes, R. Lewis (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

M. Sullivan called a meeting of the board of trustees of New Heights Charter School Board of Trustees to order on Tuesday Jan 9, 2024 at 5:01 PM.

B.

Approved Board Members List

C.

Roll Call

D.

Reading and Approval of Minutes

V. Marturano made a motion to approve the minutes from November Board Meeting on 11-28-23.
D. Sauvignon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Governance Committee

A.

Updating Bylaws

  • Jess explained the proposed changes made to the bylaws
    • Removal of any mention of Executive Committee
    • Changed the length of the terms due to a change in standards, total length of terms will be 15 total instead of 9 years
    • State has changed the indemnification requirements, boilerplate language that was provided by the state and must be included
  • In 4.3 does it say board members can only serve as an officer for 2 years?
    • In this section, only talking about the length of Executive Officers position. Term is 2 years and officer can then step down or hold position for another 2 years
  • Is there a section that speaks to cause to remove Board member? 
    • There is, related to failure to attend meetings or actions unbecoming
  • Indemnification mentions Executive Officers, is this different than board members? 
    • One of the ways the State addresses Board Members, related as a whole
  • What if a board member comes on to replace a board member? Do they get 15 years still?
    • The new board member coming in would receive a new 1, 2, or 3 years if under board capacity. If the board is at capacity and a member leaves, the new board member would finish the exiting board members term up to the 15 years
  • Do members have to do a CORI? 
    • No, but do complete series of documents and ethics training
    • Are there any situations where a CORI should have been done by Board Member?
      • In most situations it only happens when adults are dealing with children directly. Will be checking with the MCPSA to see what the checking process entails and can always do this at a later date if the board wants
    • If interested in pursuing could be good to get additional information and bring as an agenda item in the future
G. Swaby arrived at 5:04 PM.
S. Bernard arrived at 5:04 PM.
S. Jackson arrived at 5:06 PM.
V. Marturano made a motion to approve amended bylaws as presented.
G. Swaby seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Radzevich
Aye
N. Christ
Absent
S. Bernard
Aye
W. Lyttle
Aye
G. Swaby
Aye
M. Sullivan
Aye
G. Bengen
Absent
S. Jackson
Aye
J. Charnel
Aye
G. Phillips
Aye
D. Sauvignon
Aye
V. Marturano
Aye
  • Governance Committee will meet before the January Board meeting to evaluate the terms and bring any nominations needed pending the approval of the bylaws by the State. Invitation extended to any board member interested in joining this conversation 

III. Good of the Order

A.

Announcements

  • Hoping to have the board approve the Staff Handbook at the next meeting so please review that from the previous agenda. 
  • Will meet with board members who are interested in the coming week to ensure the proper financials are prepared to meet the information the board is looking for.
  • New member orientation is on January 17 from 9-11am to introduce new members to the school
  • Principal search is going well, have three great candidates. Will upload resumes in Board on Track 

IV. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

G. Phillips made a motion to adjourn.
J. Charnel 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 5:36 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
M. Sullivan
Documents used during the meeting
  • NHCSB Bylaws_DESE comments (1).docx
  • amendment-request-commissioner_Bylaws.docx
  • NHCSB Bylaws_DESE comments removed.docx