Élan Academy Charter School
Minutes
Elan Academy Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday August 30, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Location
6501 Berkley Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131
6501 Berkeley Drive
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.
Directors Present
D. Barnes, D. Patin, G. Briggs, J. Thibodeaux, S. Rademaker
Directors Absent
E. Marrero-Savoie
Guests Present
Dr. Rulonda Green, Kevin Cox, Melanie Clark, Raven Cox
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Meeting called to order at 5:39 p.m.
C.
Call the Meeting to Order
D.
Approval of Today’s Meeting Agenda - Darren Patin (Voting)
E.
Update agenda under new business to include Consideration and vote to open LAMP account; consideration and vote to authorize HOS to negotiate transportation contract
II. Head of School Report
A.
Head of School Report – Dr. Melanie Askew Clark (Voting)
III. Governance
A.
Governance Committee Report - Darren Patin (Voting)
Facilities status - repairs needed at new site, being handled.
Vendor status - transportation and food vendors presented unknown issues that will require new RFP and selection of replacement vendors
Board, committee and calendar of meetings - dates have been identified and added to Board on Track calendar
Recruitment efforts - outreach made to several prospects, including Dr. Rulonda Green who will be considered at August board meeting; obtained list of potential candidates from LAPC; discussed reaching out to AEDC to reach out to neighborhood associations to request solicitation opportunities.
Parent representative - one parent is interested and is going to speak to last year's rep to confirm interest to be part of board.
IV. Academic
A.
Academic Committee Report –
Did not meet in August but moving forward with September meeting to discuss data and curriculum development.
V. Finance
A.
Finance Committee Report – Roger Watkins (Voting)
Introduced Kevin and Raven from4th Sector
Appreciative of opportunity and fit.
Still working with EdTec to get past year's information to prepare financial report by September meeting.
Received audit engagement letters.
Discussed opening a state-run LAMP account for investment purposes. Good vehicle utilized by many charter schools.
VI. Development
A.
Development Committee Report –
Met to discuss fundraising opportunities.
Online popcorn fundraisers
Pursuing Chick Fil-a, Raising Canes and Krispy Kreme for dinner night opportunities, along with sponsorship opportunities.
Parent organization discussed putting on a Springfest - April 20 is the date.
VII. Additional Business
A.
Old Business
B.
New Business - Darren Patin
Discussion of Dr. Green's consideration of board membership.
Discussion of opening of LAMP account
Discussion of Transportation vendor proposal and authorization of HOS to negotiate with proposed vendor
Enrollment at 416, moving to 420.
New logo and mascot - Gladiator!
LEAP scores discussed. Expectation is increase in the coming year regarding scores based on intervention models and consistency in curriculum.
School performance scores yet to be released.
Discussed partnerships with tutoring programs, instructional partners, Metairie Country Day, NOLA Code, Pahara Fellowship, NSNO Fellowship,
Discussed operational challenges - Transportation vendor not in compliance and Food vendor going out of business at end of October
Discussed installation of basketball court, cafeteria and building signage,
Pre-K and Kindergarten building to be completed by Sept. 6
Discussed repair items - freezer, toilet, A/C, sprinkler system which are being repaired. Reached out to OPSB to reimburse
Luau event on 9/6
Volleyball team is beginning their season.