Forte Preparatory Academy
Minutes
Forte Prep Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday December 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Location
Forte Prep 51-35 Reeder Street OR on Zoom
Directors Present
A. Rothman (remote), D. Moskowitz (remote), E. Winn (remote), F. Lin (remote), L. Friscia (remote), W. Yip (remote)
Directors Absent
L. Rodriguez
Ex Officio Members Present
G. Browne (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
G. Browne (remote)
Guests Present
Brad Blossner, Ed Tech (remote), Justin Smith (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
L. Friscia called a meeting of the board of directors of Forte Preparatory Academy to order on Wednesday Dec 15, 2021 at 7:07 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
L. Friscia made a motion to approve the minutes from Forte Prep Board Meeting on 11-17-21.
A. Rothman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Finance
A.
Review Financial Update
- Had one additional student for add'l income
- Plan to user ESSER funds as retention bonuses
- October financial updates
-Projecting 355 for remainder of year
- Projecting 10 and 48 for SPED students
- Revenue slightly higher than actuals
- Expenses actual greater than budgeted for facilities, in large part because of Key Merger security deposit $150K lost
-Addition in 51K bonus for staff retention
-SUNY fiscal dashboard; 20x ratio; strong numbers.
III. Governance
A.
Committee Update
- Discussion regarding prospective Board members
- Interest in having parent on the Board
IV. Academic Excellence
A.
Committee Update
No update
V. Development
A.
Committee Update
Ellen stepping in as fundraising chair.
Bloomberg just announced 750 Million for charters
VI. ED Update
A.
General Update
FP received draft SUNY recommendation for renewal, full 5 year renewal; overwhelmingly positive review
Only area for improvement is w/r/t teacher certification; allowed to hire 15 uncertified teachers but 4 teachers over allowable limit
1 more week of school till break; concluded trimester exams
Data is mostly what expected; ELA data comparable to previous years. Noticing some bigger writing gaps than previous years. Math scores are lagging, which is something FP is working on. Really looking forward for MAPP Testing in winter, to give sense of growth from semester.
-Leadership team tackling tutoring gaps and ways to improve.
Had trimester award ceremony for students today; first time in two years.
VII. Other Business
A.
Board Assessment Discussion
- Discussion of bright spots and room for growth from reviewing survey results
- Need to do step back in April and May each year
- Need to review job descriptions and committees; then talk to committees and talk through goals; then come together as board to review goals; should do in January - March, and then set up for retreat.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
A. Rothman