LIsa welcomed everyone to the meeting and shared that the meeting was being recorded.

The minutes were sent prior to this meeting. Colleen made a motion to approve the minutes from the September board meeting.   Cristy seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Elaine shared the financials and shared the spreadsheet which detailed that per pupil for gen ed is down by 48 but sped enrollment is up and therefore increased revenue. Expenses a $7.45 million, $7.49 was expected as there is a lower number of staff, higher insurance cost, lower anticipated spending due to lower student population, internet is higher, increase in human fund due to lower staff count and less people using the fund.

$2,415, 366 is cash on hand right now.  Each month they will look at ways to reduce expenses.

Loss can be absorbed due to the cash on hand but it will be looked at in detail each month.

Lisa added that the school is continuing its recruitment efforts. She stated that there has been a significant decrease in student enrollment in Brooklyn, specifically District 18.  

Lisa shared that there were significant increases in NYS exams in ELA and Math.

She shared that there were increases across all grades and also when comparing cohort to cohort both in ELA and Math.

Compared to District 18

ELA - 1% over district

Math - 6% over district

Compared to NYS - This data has not yet been released.

Lisa reviewed the iReady data to state exam results. Those students who were on grade level or almost on grade level were very close to state exam results.  It seems that iReady is aligned to state exam results.  Lisa also explained how in Grade 5 students will be taking the exam on line and that the fact that iReady is on line is helpful.

Jenny explained how the data shows that iReady striped green solidly on grade level, all of the students got 3 or 4.

Lisa and Jenny shared beginning of year scores and explained how this data can be used for small group instruction and iReady supports those lessons.

iReady usage will now be part of report cards and Jenny will be doing monthly workshops for parents.

Lisa stated that there is a math coach, there will be after school math tutoring and the teachers will be using this data to strive to continued growth in both ELA and Math.

Colleen asked for any patterns in what areas students are doing better/not as well.  Jenny explained that that will be the next step.  Lisa stated that the item analysis will be done when the state releases more question information.  Once the school receives the item analysis, trends will be looked at. They will be looking at the difference between multiple choice vs. extended response, language of the questions among others.

Beth spoke about the comments from the Academic Excellence Committee.  

Lisa stated that she believes that the PD will only be as good as the coaching/DTL follow up.

Cristy spoke about how teacher growth will be important and establishing systems to insure that the Professional Development is part of the expectations for this year and beyond.

Progress monitoring will be helpful.  Lisa stated that she will be monitoring the coaching. Colleen spoke about the technical aspects and the content and how does that content continue, how do you do this when the staff developer leaves.

Lisa said she would be having conversations with the DTL's and that it would be appropriate for the Academic Committee to also have the conversations with them.

Colleen spoke about the next part of the board retreat.  She spoke about how the Principal Evaluation survey was sent to board and DTL's and how Lisa did a self-evaluation.

Colleen also explained that a board self evaluation was also just sent for the board to do before the retreat.

Colleen led the board in Part II of board retreat.

The board agreed that more time is needed to digest the information presented before goals can be formed.

Lisa mentioned other board professional development opportunities for the board to attend from Board on Track.

She showed how to use board on track and stated that ones that are  available: Assessing your board, CEO evaluation.