GEO Academies EBR
Minutes
GEO Academies EBR Special Meeting
Date and Time
Monday June 26, 2023 at 9:30 AM
Location
Administration Building - GEO Prep Academy Sherwood Campus
2311 N. Sherwood Forest Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70815
Directors Present
D. Dixon, D. Williams, L. Anderson, L. Fontenot, T. Wade
Directors Absent
D. Slan
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
T. Wade called a meeting of the board of directors of GEO Academies EBR to order on Monday Jun 26, 2023 at 9:31 AM.
C.
Approve Agenda
L. Fontenot made a motion to Amend the Agenda to add item C under Discussion Items for a discussion about a board attorney.
L. Anderson seconded the motion.
There was no public comment on this motion.
II. Discussion Items
A.
Board Recruitment
- The Board discussed recruitment efforts. This item shall be kept on the agenda while the board actively works to have at least 7 board members
- Atty. Grand indicated that the board has a 90-day time frame, per BESE Bulletin 126 to fill the board member vacancy.
- The board agreed to identify and interview candidates within 30 days to include campus tours. Prospective candidates must submit a vitae.
- The board agreed to provide a packet of information to potential board members that may include bylaws, charter agreement, and school tours.
B.
Board Member Terms
- Board member terms per the bylaws are for three years. It was noted that some board member terms have technically expired. Atty. Grand shared the start terms for board members she requested and received from Dana Teasley. The following expired term limites were noted:
- Daisy Slan - Start period: June 2013
- Linda Fontenot - Start period: July 2013
- Levar Anderson - Start period: July 2017
- Tamiara Wade - Start period: July 2017
- Debra Dixon - Start period: July 2019
- Dr. TL Wade requested Atty. Grand, legal counsel, to contact Dana Teasley and retrive the board terms for Brenna Lamb Benson and Dr. Sarah Barlow.
C.
Board Attorney
- The board did not vote to have Baker Donelson law firm. Atty. Grand indicates that in 2023 the former Chair, L. Johnson signed a letter of engagement.
- The board agreed to exercise due diligence to identify and have discussions with potential firms to serve as legal counsel to the board.
- The board will make efforts to have information about potential firms/attorneys within 30 days.
III. Action Items
A.
Election of Board Chair
D. Williams made a motion to Elect Dr. TL Wade as Interim Board Chair/President for a period of 90 days.
D. Dixon seconded the motion.
There was no Public Comment on the motion,
B.
Re-Election of Board Members to serve additional 3-year terms
D. Williams made a motion to Reinstate board members Slan, Fontenot, Anderson and Wade for additional three-year terms.
L. Fontenot seconded the motion.
There was no Public Comment on the motion.
IV. Executive Session
A.
Executive Session
L. Anderson made a motion to Move into Executive Session for the Board to have a discussion with Board Counsel, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(4).
D. Dixon seconded the motion.
There was no Public Comment on the motion.
During the Executive Session, the matters discussed were limited to the Board's discussion with Board Counsel pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(4). No final or binding action was taken during Executive Session.
L. Anderson made a motion to Move back into open session.
D. Williams seconded the motion.
There was no Public Comment on the motion.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- Atty. Melissa Grand is requested to provide the Service Agreement, Engagement Letter for Baker Donelson Law Firm signed by L. Johnson and other documents deemed pertinent to board members.
- Atty. Grand to provide comparative analysis of proposed Service Agreement vs. the original agreement.
- Dr. Christie Brown (invited guest of L. Fontenot) expressed interest in being considered as a prospective board member. She was advised to share her vitae and consult the website for school information as there will be a process to consider interested candidates over the next 30 days.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 10:33 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
T. Wade