Élan Academy Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday October 27, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Location
Via Zoom Meeting Conference as per State of Louisiana Proclamation Number 2020-30
Phone Discussion (646) 558-8656;
Meeting ID: 825 6221 7713;
Password: NONE
Phone Discussion (646) 558-8656;
Meeting ID: 825 6221 7713;
Password: NONE
709 Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70114; (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.
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.
Directors Present
A. Olatunji (remote), D. Barnes (remote), D. Hoover (remote), D. Patin (remote), J. Stewart (remote), R. Watkins (remote), S. Brown (remote), T. Lewis (remote)
Directors Absent
A. Shabankareh
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
D. Patin called a meeting of the board of directors of Élan Academy Charter School to order on Wednesday Oct 27, 2021 at 6:07 PM.
C.
Approval of Today’s Meeting Agenda - Darren Patin (Voting)
A. Olatunji made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 09-29-21.
R. Watkins seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Head of School Report
A.
Head of School Report – Melanie Askew (Voting)
D. Hoover made a motion to Approve Head of School Report.
S. Brown seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Governance
A.
Governance Committee Report - Darren Patin (Voting)
Discussed Dr. Radamaker
Strategic planning session focused on board and committees
Discussion:
- cafeteria vendors are doing well
- some issues with janitorial and transportation centered around staffing
- some janitorial staff members are not reporting to work
- some days there are no bus monitors
- considering providing staff with stipend to serve as bus monitors
Audit report was solid with no issues identified
Board training attendance
- Steven missed, but is scheduled to attend
- Tiffany will also attend
Facilities/ Buildings
- Rain Tree- was skeptical to budget and ability to finance. Presumption was based on ambiguities from available financial information provided from Edtech
- Get with Edtech to get clarification for monthly/annual budget for capital improvement
- Charter School Capital- will have a follow up phone call to discuss financing opportunities
Strategic Planning meetings
- Jonathan has taken a lead on community partnerships
T. Lewis made a motion to Approve Governance Report.
J. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Academic
A.
Academic Committee Report – Anane Olatunji (Voting)
Did not have a quorum at last meeting.
V. Finance
A.
Finance Committee Report – Roger Watkins (Voting)
Revenues:
- September revenues totaled $390,713
- MFP payment of $245K (gross)
- $141K in uncategorized revenue
Expenses:
- September expenses totaled $229K
- Salaries and benefits totaled $157K
- -$20 in uncategorized expenses
Cash and Balance Sheet:
- September ending cash balance totaled $1.37M
- Credit card liability of $738 and payroll liability of $1,732
Elan ended September with $1.37M; projecting to end FY22 with $2.1M
Additional Information:
- Working on getting a process in place for recognizing/recording grant income
- Discussed the feasibility of taking on additional debt for capital improvements.
A. Olatunji made a motion to Approve Finance Report.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Development
A.
Development Committee Report – Ashley Shabankareh (Voting)
Unable to meet this month.
presented recommendations:
presented recommendations:
1. Annual Event projected to be held for late March
Parents Night Out or Gala
Committee meeting scheduled for next Tuesday at 6pm.
2. Increase board giving to 15k to cover any possible gaps (give or get). Current giving is $250/ board member. Last year the board raised 10K.
End of year giving increases for non- profits.
A. Olatunji made a motion to Approve Development Committee report.
S. Brown seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VII. Additional Business
A.
Old Business
B.
New Business - Darren Patin
Consideration of Dr. Radaker for Board membership.
Dr. Radaker introduced himself to the board and gave some background insight.
Dr. Radaker introduced himself to the board and gave some background insight.
R. Watkins made a motion to Approve Dr. Rademaker to the Board.
A. Olatunji seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Board Terms
Discussed board term limits.
- Darren Patin – June 30, 2023
- Roger Watkins – June 30, 2023
- Daphine Barnes – June 30, 2023
- Steven Brown – June 30, 2023
- Anane Olatunji – June 30, 2023
- Tiffany Lewis – June 30, 2024
- Ashley Shabankareh – June 30, 2022
- David Hoover – June 30, 2022
- Jonathan Stewart – June 30, 2022
S. Brown made a motion to Approve the terms and confirm as dated.
R. Watkins seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Chairman's Remarks
B.
Adjourn Meeting
J. Stewart made a motion to Adjourn the meeting.
R. Watkins seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
D. Barnes
One App opens November 1st