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Élan Academy Charter School

Minutes

September 2025 Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday September 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM

6501 Berkley Dr., New Orleans, LA 70131; (504) 619-9720; www.elanacademy.org 

The matters listed are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair to be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may, in fact, be discussed. Other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. All agenda items are informational unless otherwise denoted, though all committee reports require a vote for acceptance. The meeting will be held on the campus of the school. 

 

All meetings are lived streamed from: https://tinyurl.com/elanboard
 

Directors Present

C. Silas, D. Patin, G. Briggs, G. Thomas-Batiste, J. Thibodeaux, L. Knight

Directors Absent

D. Barnes

Guests Present

M. Clark

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

J. Thibodeaux called a meeting of the board of directors of Élan Academy Charter School to order on Wednesday Sep 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes from June Board Meeting

D. Patin made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 06-25-25.
G. Briggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Approve Minutes from Board Retreat

L. Knight made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Retreat on 07-26-25.
G. Briggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Approve September 2025 Agenda As Amended

C. Silas made a motion to Amend current agenda to include approval of Differentiated Compensation Stipends for FYE 2026 and Certificated and Support Staff Stipends for FYE 2026 and to add to Item C under Other Business FYE 2025.
D. Patin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. CEO Report

A.

CEO Report

Dr. Clark presented September 2025 CEO Report.

  • Received Top 3 ranking in Mastery Growth
  • Enrollment running 16 scholars under budget.
  • Discussed current enrollment concerns in the District.

B.

CEO FYE 2025/2026 Goals

Dr. Clark led a discussion on the FYE 2026 CEO goals.

III. Academic Achievement Committee

A.

Committee Report

Dr. Clark presented current academic results.

  • Area of focus for FYE 2026 will be in Math

B.

FYE 2025/2026 Goal Presentation

G. Briggs led a discussion on FYE 2026 committee goals.

IV. CEO Support And Eval

A.

FYE 2025/2026 Goal Discussion

D. Patten led a discussion on FYE 2026 committee goals.

V. Finance/Development Committee

A.

FYE 2025 Budget Amendment

J. Thibodeaux led a discussion on amending to FYE 2025 budget due to expenses exceeding more than 5% of original budget.

B.

FYE 2026 YTD Financial Review

J. Thibodeaux led a discussion on the FYE 2026 financials:

  • Annual Revenue is forecasted at $6.5M, in line with the budgeted amount. However, lower-than-expected enrollment is projected to create a negative variance of
    approximately $9K.
  • Personnel Expenses are forecasted at $3.8M, compared to a budget of $3.7M. The variance is due to the timing of finalizing offer letters during the summer. Non-Personnel Expenses are forecasted at $2.8M, consistent with the budget.
  • Net Deficit for the fiscal year is forecasted to be $74K, compared to a budgeted breakeven (surplus of
    $0).

C.

FYE 2025/2026 Committee Goals

J. Thibodeaux led a discussion on FYE 2026 committee goals.

VI. Governance

A.

Committee Report

J. Thibodeaux presented Governance Committee report.

  • Discussion of potential PTO policy changes

B.

FYE 2025/2026 Committee Goals

J. Thibodeaux led a discussion on FYE 2026 committee goals.

VII. Other Business

A.

FYE 2025/2026 Attendance Policy

D. Patin made a motion to approve FYE 2025/2026 Attendance Policy.
G. Thomas-Batiste seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

FYE 2025/2026 Pupil Progression Plan

D. Patin made a motion to approve FYE 2025/2026 Pupil Progression Plan.
C. Silas seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Differentiated Compensation Stipends Disbursement Plan

D. Patin made a motion to approve LDOE Differentiated Compensation Stipends appropriated during fiscal year 2025 to be paid out in FYE 2026.
L. Knight seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

FYE 2025 Budget Amendment

C. Silas made a motion to approve FYE 2025 budget amendment.
L. Knight seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Differentiated Compensation Stipends Disbursement Plan FYE 2025/2026

D. Patin made a motion to approve allocation for certificated and support staff stipends from funds appropriated during the fiscal year 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature.
G. Briggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

F.

Certificated and Support Staff Stipends for FYE 2025/2026

L. Knight made a motion to approve the distribution of the LDOE certificated and support staff stipends for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
G. Thomas-Batiste seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

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 6:55 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Thibodeaux

Guests are welcome to speak during each agenda item with recognition from the presiding officer. In the event to comments or debate may appear to be lengthy, the presiding officer will set a time limit the open comment period; will define the time length each person is afforded to speak; will recognize the order of the respondents, and each person will be asked to state their name, city, parish, and affiliation with the school (examples: employee, administration, parent, community guest, school board representative). This policy subject to change, as necessary.