Élan Academy Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday April 26, 2023 at 6:00 PM
1801 L B Landry Avenue
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.
Directors Present
D. Barnes, D. Patin, G. Briggs, J. Stewart, J. Thibodeaux, R. Green, R. Watkins, S. Rademaker
Directors Absent
E. Marrero-Savoie, S. Brown
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approval of Today’s Meeting Agenda - Darren Patin (Voting)
II. Head of School Report
A.
Head of School Report – Dr. Melanie Askew Clark (Voting)
Discussed the April Head of School Support
Discussed Senate Bill proposed by Dr. Bouie
NOLA PS is working on school renewal
LDOE:
- On February 16th, Dr. Brumley, Representative Delisha Boyd,OPSB President Olin Parker, our District School Board Member Nolan Marshall, and representatives for Dr. Avis Williams team visited Élan. Dr. Brumley had the opportunity to visit a few classrooms, see our partnership with NOLA Code in action, and speak with a few of our scholars.
- The focus for the academic year remains on 3rd and 4th grade reading intervention.
NOLA-PS:
- On Thursday, March 23rd, Superintendent Dr. Williams cited Élan Academy to the Rosenwald Campus located at 6501 Berkley Dr.
Facilities & Operations:
- OPSB conducted a facility inspection and the follow-up inspection was today. Items regarding electricity use, reporting, fire safety and plumbing are in process and should be completed during the procedures.
Human Resources:
- We accepted two resignations early from a teaching assistant and our special education coordinator. Both duties have been covered by current staff members.
- We are currently hiring for the upcoming school year.
Partnerships & Resources:
- We finalized our partnership with Country Day School. Our 8th graders will work with their 12th grade class through humanities and literature exhibition days next year.
- NSNO provided a grant to support our move to the Rosenwald Campus.
- Dr. Clark spoke at the Charter School Growth Funds Leaders of Scholars Conference in partnership with The Moth.
- We have begun working with a consultant through a grant to develop clear career pathways based on the recommendations of our strategic plan from Bellwether.
30% increase in teacher retention
Band and Latin instructors are needed
Partnering with Instructional Partners for educational
Partner with Uptown Arts this summer for enrichment
Spring Fest on May 6, 2023
Graduation on May 26, 2023
III. Governance
A.
Governance Committee Report - Darren Patin (Voting)
Discussed facilities in regards to move from present location to Rosenwald
Grant funds have been awarded to defray relocation costs
Vendor status discussed (food and janitorial)
Transportation RFP sent
CPA RPA has been sent
Discussed transition to Four Sector for back office services
Discuss 2023-24 proposed budget; begins May 16, 2023
Discussed Board Succession Plan and it will be distributed this week
Discussed HoS Evaluation Report
Discussed Board recruitment efforts
IV. Academic
A.
Academic Committee Report –
Discussed increase in MAP scores from Fall to Spring
Discussed building Instructional Capacity through additional coaching and support (partnership)
Discussed instructional alignment
Discussed increased parental understanding of achievement
Discussed the preparation of rising 8th grade students as they prepare for high school selection process
V. Finance
A.
Finance Committee Report – Roger Watkins (Voting)
Discussed new vendor contract
March Financial Update
Q4 Consultation with NOPS
Budget will be discussed at May meeting
VI. Development
A.
Development Committee Report –
No meeting in April
Give NOLA Day on Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Emails and Social Media posts
VII. Additional Business
A.
Old Business
B.
New Business - Darren Patin
Teacher Appreciation Week
Spring Fest May 6, 2023
Rosenwald Parent Tour- May 13, 2023
Art Extravaganza- May 20, 2023
Approval of Today's Meeting Agenda
Addition of Teacher Appreciation Week to New Business