Beatrice Mayes Institute
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday November 16, 2022 at 6:30 PM
Location
Beatrice Mayes Institute
Directors Present
A. Berry, Ed.D., B. Gilbert, G. Thomas, J. Greenberg, J. Keeton, M. Taylor, R. Caine
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
C. Mayes
Non Voting Members Present
C. Mayes
Guests Present
Paul King, S. Shahid, T. Watts
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Determine Quorum Present
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Reading of the Minutes
II. Superintendent Update
A.
Organizational Update
III. Academics
A.
Academic Excellence Committee
Dr. Berry provided updates on the following, regarding the Academic Excellence Committee:
-Staff beginning benchmarks in December
-Need for Teacher Assistants; One new TA just started
-New process in onboarding new staff
-Data reviews with Teachers
-PD plan developing for each staff
-Group of retired Texans Football players and want to establish a flag football team at BMI
-4 Smart goals ready for approval by the board.
Mr. Caine motioned to approve the Academic Excellence Committee update. Mr. Keeton seconded the motion. All approved.
-Next Academic Excellence Committee meeting will be held on December 8, 2022 at 5pm.
-A brief discussion ensued amongst the Board regarding partnerships with local high schools, local colleges, community colleges, the City of Houston and the surrounding cities whereby graduating students could learn a trade / enter trade schools.
-A brief discussion ensued amongst the Board regarding setting up charter school tours for Ms. Mayes and Ms. Johnson.
IV. Finance
A.
Finance Committee
Ms. Taylor and Mr. King led a discussion on BMI investments and managing those investments.
Mr. King and Mr. Watts provided an update on the BMI Audit. The following topics were addressed:
-Wonderland side and BMI side
-Issues on balance sheet on Wonderland side
-Liabilities have to do with reconciling payroll for IRS and worker's comp
-Separating each entity must be done
-Field work begins after Thanksgiving and will may be completed virtually.
-Board expectations for the auditor
-Audit due January 28, 2023.
There will be a Special Board Meeting to discuss the Audit on January 4, 2022 @ 6:30pm at Beatrice Mayes Institute.
V. Miscellaneous Items
A.
Plan to Expand - New Building
-The Board requested a growth plan for the new school from Mr. Mayes for review.
-The Board agreed that BMI should purchase Purple Software by next board meeting.
-BMI Board members need to be added to the BMI website, with pictures.
Mr. Mayes provided updates on the following:
-Science Fair: BMI winners received cash prizes. Mr. Mayes met a new donor named Tamara Johnson, who has pledged to give money to BMI.
-Fundraising: Duncan Foundation will pay out their three-year donation early; Three new donors have pledged to give money as a result of the BMI School tours; Herzstein Foundation donated $100,000.
-Facility construction updates: Traffic Impact Analysis and discussions over width of sidewalks is currently holding up parts of construction. Construction that is not affected is moving forward.
-Governance Report will be emailed to the Board tomorrow.
-Enrollment: Current enrollment is 501.
-Financial grade: BMI's appeal was denied and the grade of "F" was upheld. Gifts and "Thank Yous" will be delivered to all the people that lobbied on BMI's behalf.
-100 Black Men Conference on Saturday, November 21, 2022: Mr. Mayes will be one of the speakers.
-EFF Tour and presentation on November 2, 2022: BMI Cheer and Pep Squads performed. Students participated in fundraising and a Fire-Side Chat. Mr. Mayes was on the panel.