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Forte Preparatory Academy

Minutes

Board Meeting

Forte Prep Full Board Monthly Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday November 20, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Location

In Person Meeting location:  333 7th Avenue (11th Floor) 

 

Join Zoom Meeting:  https://zoom.us/j/94001336885?pwd=K1AvOWN4MWM3U3VoSytQNkU5U1NDZz09

Directors Present

F. Lin, J. Schilling (remote), K. Mullen, L. Mendez, L. Rodriguez (remote), S. Song, V. Abrams (remote), W. Yip

Directors Absent

E. Winn, J. Cordero

Ex Officio Members Present

G. Browne (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

G. Browne (remote)

Guests Present

Guest: Alejandra Espinosa, Janeya Hisle (EdTec) (remote), Justin Smith (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

F. Lin called a meeting of the board of directors of Forte Preparatory Academy to order on Wednesday Nov 20, 2024 at 6:38 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Sept & Oct Board Minutes

F. Lin made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 09-18-24.
K. Mullen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
F. Lin made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 10-16-24.
K. Mullen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Welcome & Intros (2 Board prospects)

The Board welcomed & shared introductions with guest & Board prospect Alejandra Espinosa, who is a Forte Prep MiddleSchool  alumni parent.

II. Governance Committee

A.

Review & vote on Board By-laws revision

The Board discussed 2 revisions to our current By-laws.

 

1. Add an Audit Committee description, following guidance/recommendation from Forte Prep's audit team. 

2. Delete the current Board term limit (to 2 terms, each 3 years)- Article III, section 4.  The Board discussed downsides/risks;  we then confirmed that Article III, Section 8 mitigates this risk:

 

Section 8: In accordance with New York State Education Law subdivision 226(8), the Board may remove  or suspend from the office by vote of a majority of the entire Board any Trustee, Officer or employee  engaged under special contract, on examination and due proof of the truth of a written complaint by any  trustee, of misconduct, incapacity or neglect of duty; provided, that at least one week’s previous notice  of the proposed action shall have been given to the accused and to each trustee by Registered Mail.

F. Lin made a motion to Add an Audit Committee charter to the Forte Prep Board Bylaws.
L. Mendez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
F. Lin made a motion to Delete Article 3, section 4 sentence "No Trustee shall serve more than two (2) consecutive, three-year terms.".
K. Mullen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Confirm & prep for Dec retreat

The Board confirmed a Dec 11 date for both the monthly Dec full Board meeting and the Board annual retreat.

C.

New Board members (Vote)

III. 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 8:06 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
W. Yip

B.

[In Executive Session] the Board Voted to invite Alejandra Espinosa to join the Board.