Literacy First Charter Schools

Minutes

Literacy First Charter School Board of Trustees

Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday December 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Location

To attend this meeting in person go to:

 

698 W Main Street

El Cajon, CA 92020

 

To attend this meeting remotely:

 

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Literacy First Charter Schools exists to nurture the whole child from kindergarten through high school graduation by igniting a passion for comprehensive Literacy and equipping our students to wholeheartedly participate in their community.

Trustees Present

J. Lewis, K. Evans, P. Schreiber

Trustees Absent

B. Johnson, M. Simone

Guests Present

D. Beyer, L. Amorteguy, S. Robinson

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

P. Schreiber called a meeting of the board of trustees of Literacy First Charter Schools to order on Wednesday Dec 13, 2023 at 5:42 PM.

C.

Flag Salute

D.

Approve the Minutes from the November 8, 2023 Regular Board Meeting

K. Evans made a motion to approve the minutes from November 8th 2023 Literacy First Charter School Board of Trustees on 11-08-23.
J. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Approve Current Agenda

K. Evans made a motion to Approve Agenda for December 13th 2023 Board Meeting.
J. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Public Comment on Agenda Items

None

G.

Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

none

II. Executive Director's Report

A.

School Events, Program, and Staffing Updates

Debbie Beyer, CEO, presented LFCS blankets that were given away at the staff Christmas Party along with challenge coin. 

Debbie Beyer, presented enrollment status.  Freedom staring at TK in January.   Shadow Days for LFCS 8th graders came to LCHS to visit.   SDCOE representative came for a visit at LCHS.

Debbie Beyer presented a document with our current Dashboard stats.  

Debbie Beyer shared the Christmas activities this month.  Classes have been assigned to families to help bring gifts.   

B.

Academic Report

None

III. Chief Business Officer's Report

A.

Current Financial Report

Steve Robinson, CBO, shared the school's financials as of 11.30.23

 

Medical care costs are 8.7% less per employee than last year at Nov 30 with 13 more
employees covered than last year.  LFCS employee claims are projected to be
about $89,000 which is below the $98,339 projected amount at the time of renewal.

B.

Contracts and Large Purchases Notifications

Steve Robinson, CBO, presented the following purchases:

 

Jesus Higurea: 54 trees trimmed at LCHS; $18,825 (paid in full).
Linscott Law Greenspan: plans and permits for the left turn lane at the JA per our new
CUP; $7,000 ($0.00 paid to date)

Board on Track: Software platform for Board meeting agendas and minutes: $9,995 ($0.00 paid to date)

C.

Facilities Report

LCHS Alpine: Trees trimmed, Solar working better. Plumbing issues being resolved in
first two rows of classrooms. Parking lot light bulbs replaced.


Junior Academy: Bids are being collected for the fence along Summer Place Drive.
We are in contact with the county and our traffic engineers regarding the installation of
the left hand turn lane per the new CUP. The architect for the ADA work at the
Freedom House has finalizing the drawings for the ADA improvements and the plans
are being submitted to the city for approval. Construction is planned for summer 2024.
Work on the field continues to lower sprinkler heads and level the field for soccer
season. Work to level and reseed or sod the field planned for summer 2024.


Primary Academy: Church construction done and cleaned up.


Liberty Academy: Construction on the wall between this campus and 203 N Johnson
should start within the next 30 days. The contractor is in place but the city has wanted
more information from the property owner in order to issue the permit.

D.

Legal Issues

SOS v. San Diego County Board of Supervisors: Next hearing scheduled for February
9, 2024 if a settlement is not reached. Settlement discussions continue.
 

SOS v. SDCOE: Next hearing scheduled for March 1, 2024 if a settlement is not
reached. Settlement discussions continue, including the logistics of mediation.
 

SOS: A joint settlement offer covering both SOS cases was sent to plaintiff's counsel
on 10.13.23. It expired on 10.27.23. Plaintiff's counsel has yet to provide a counter
offer.
 

Zori Case: JPA counsel filing a motion for summary judgement. Tentative trial date of
October 25, 2024. Plaintiff is asking for $150,000. $1,894.44 of documented medical bills have been submitted by the plaintiff. $2,500 settlement offer has been made by
the JPA. Plaintiff's counsel has yet to respond.

E.

2023-24 LFCS 1st Interim Report

Steve Robinson, CBO, recommended the board approve the 2023-24 LFCS 1st Interim Report

K. Evans made a motion to Approve 2023-24 LFCS 1st Interim Report.
J. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

2022-23 LFCS Audit

Steve Robinson, CBO, recommended the board approve the 2022-23 LFCS Audit

K. Evans made a motion to Approve 2022-23 LFCS Audit.
J. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

Updated LFCS Procurement Policies and Procedures

Steve Robinson, CBO, recommended the board approve the updated LFCS Procurement Policies
and Procedures. The updates are specific to credit card use as recommended from auditors as part of the 2022-23 audit.

K. Evans made a motion to Approve Updated LFCS Procurement Policies and Procedures.
J. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

H.

2023-24 E Rate

Steve Robinson, CBO, informed the board of 2023-24 E Rate Program award of
$88,510.97. This is applied to our internet service costs with CALNET which is already
discounted internet and phone services for schools and government agencies

I.

Resolution 2024-04

Steve Robinson, CBO, recommended the board approve Resolution 2024-04. Upon
recommendation of auditor, the resolution clarifies the intention behind revenue
the school provides to the two LLC's which allows to separately account for the
schools' finances and the finances of the two LLC's as also directed by our auditors.
The resolution reflects past and current practice as well as intended practice in
the future.

K. Evans made a motion to Approve Resolution 2024-04 Separately accounting finances for LFCS and the 2 LLC's.
J. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

J.

Approve the 2023-24 Schoolwide Plan for Title I funds

Steve Robinson, CBO, recommended the board approve the 2023-24 LFCS School Plan for Student
Achievement as LFCS is operating a Schoolwide Program under Title I. 
Title I funds must be used to improve the learning of all students but especially those
most at risk of not learning at grade level proficiency. A needs based analysis was
done using CAASPP scores, described in the plan, which warrant the investment
of Title I funds on the Intervention Program which helps at risk students make
progress toward grade level proficiency in reading and mathematics. The LFCS
School Site Council approved this plan on 11.30.23.

K. Evans made a motion to Approve the 2023-24 Schoolwide Plan for Title 1 funds.
J. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

K.

2023-24 S&P Credit Report and Bond Rating

Steve Robinson, CBO, presented to the board the 2023-24 LFCS Credit Report and Bond Rating
from S&P. Our bond rating remains a BBB-.

IV. Governance

A.

Governance Committee Report

Priscilla Schreiber reported there is a Board Retreat being planned for January and the Board Calendar to be looked at.   She asked Board Members to look at the resources available on Board On Track. 

B.

Finance Committee Report

None

C.

Facilities Committee Report

None

D.

Organizational Meeting

None

V. Closed Session

A.

Enter Closed Session

None

B.

Adjourn Closed Session

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

J. Lewis made a motion to Adjourn Meeting at 7:28.
K. Evans 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 7:28 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Amorteguy