Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Minutes
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday January 12, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Location
10 Cadence Ave Henderson, NV 89011
Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas (“CASLV”), Green Valley Library, Enterprise Library, James Gibson Library, Paseo Verde Library. Whitney Library, CASLV website at www.caslv.org, and Nevada Public Notice website at http://notice.nv.gov.
Format / Procedures / Rules: This is a notice of a public meeting held pursuant to NRS Chapter 241. Members of the public are invited to be present.
Certain items may be removed from open/public consideration if permitted or required by Nevada law. The Board may also (i) take agenda items out of order; (ii) combine two or more items for consideration; (iii) separate one item into multiple items; (iv) table an agenda item to a future meeting; and/or (v) remove an agenda item.
Reasonable efforts will be made to assist and accommodate persons with physical disabilities desiring to attend the meeting. Please contact Ms. Shepard at ashepard@coralacademylv.org at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting, if possible, so that reasonable arrangements may conveniently be made.
Please also contact Ms. Shepard if you would like a copy of the agenda and any public reference materials relating to agenda items. Those materials will also be available at the meeting location. Those materials would provide you with greater context and clarity as to the matters under discussion.
By law, no one may willfully disrupt the meeting to the extent that its orderly conduct becomes impractical.
All items are action or possible action items if denoted as such.
Directors Present
Ann Diggins, Arlene Hayman, Chan Lengsavath, Dr. Carryn Warren, Elizabeth Kazelskis, Feyzi Tandogan (remote)
Directors Absent
Brin Gibson
Guests Present
Andrea Shepard, CASLV Executive Assistant, Anthony Vu, CASLV Director of Operations, Emrullah Eraslan, CASLV Cadence Principal, Ercan Aydogdu, CASLV Executive Director, Ismail Kocabiyik, CASLV Windmill Principal, Mark Gardberg, CASLV Legal Counsel (remote), Mia Nelson, CASLV Nellis Principal, Mustafa Gunozu, CASLV CAO, Nick Sarisahin, CASLV CFO, Omer Arikan, CASLV Director of Information Services, Selim Tanyeri, CASLV Director of Curriculum and Assesment, Tiffany Bailey, CASLV Eastgate Principal
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Public Comment
II. Consent Agenda
A.
Approval of the November 15, 2022 Regular Board Meeting Minutes (For Possible Action)
B.
Approval of the December 6, 2022 Finance and Facilities Subcommittee Meeting Minutes (For Possible Action)
C.
Report of Purchases and Expenses Between $10,000 and $25,000 (Information)
III. Discussion & Possible Action Items- Contracts, Purchases, and Procurements
A.
Tamarus Campus Portables Renewals (For Possible Action)
Mr. Nick explained the lease is ending at the end of this school year. The new agreement is for 5 years and the monthly fee will be increasing $40 monthly.
B.
Nellis Campus Portables Agreement (For Possible Action)
Mr. Nick informed the board the campus administration would like to add two portables. There is a one-time fee of $19,052.18. The enrollment number will not exceed the cap number of 974, and Nellis AFB Leadership supports this.
Mr. Ercan answered various questions from the board regarding this item. Ms. Diggins asked if we can table this item and look into getting another quote.
IV. Discussion/Possible Action Items-Governance/Policies
A.
Retention and Recruitment Stipends for Full Time Teachers (For Possible Action)
Ann Diggins abstained from this item.
Mr. Nick indicated funds received from a Federal Esser grant of $4,000 for each teacher will be paid in two installments, $2,000 for the 22/23 school year and $2,000 for the 23/24 school year. Mr. Ercan explained the grant is only for full-time teachers.
Ms. Diggins recused herself.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Feyzi Tandogan |
Aye
|
| Chan Lengsavath |
Aye
|
| Ann Diggins |
Abstain
|
| Dr. Carryn Warren |
Aye
|
| Brin Gibson |
Absent
|
| Elizabeth Kazelskis |
Aye
|
| Arlene Hayman |
Aye
|
B.
Charter Amendment Request - Reduction of the Cadence Campus Enrollment Caps (For Possible Action)
Mr. Ercan explained our enrollment decreased at the CASLV Cadence campus by more than 10% therefore we are required by our Authorizer to reduce the enrollment cap for this school year. Mr. Ercan answered various questions from the board regarding this item.
C.
Charter Amendment Request - Nellis Campus Portables (For Possible Action)
This item was tabled.
V. Information/Discussion Items
A.
Financial Update (Information)
Mr. Paul Khoury with DMC Financial presented the financial update. Mr. Gibson previously asked for metrics to be added. They added ratios that were reviewed by Mr. Khoury as well as the summarized profit and loss report versus the budget. Mr. Khoury explained CASLV meets all of the standards and noted it is a break-even budget.
B.
State Public Charter School Authority (SPCSA) Financial Framework (Information)
Mr. Nick explained that based on the financial framework CASLV is meeting the standards. He reviewed the calculations in detail with the board. Ms. Kalzelskis asked if the board has any questions and thanked Mr. Nick.
C.
Midyear Academic Progress Report for Nellis Campus (Information)
Ms. Nelson presented an update and discussed strategies to improve student growth. Ms. Nelson indicated chronic absenteeism has decreased dramatically in elementary and middle school. Test score variables were reviewed. Extensive work is being done to help students reach and surpass their goals. Mr. Ercan thanked Ms. Nelson and her team for their efforts.
D.
Quarterly Discipline Report (Information)
Mr. Vu reviewed the suspension spreadsheet in detail with the board and noted there has been a decrease from quarter one to quarter two. There was a second-quarter expulsion at Cadence which was discussed at the last board meeting. Deans are hoping for a continued downward spiral. Ms. Kazelskis asked if there is enough support for staff to make it a safe place for all students and staff but to also give the students with discipline issues the support they need.
Dr. Warren asked how we satisfy other parents without revealing information we cannot reveal. Anthony said campus leadership will notify parents as they can. Ms. Diggins asked about intervention data and Mr. Vu agrees it will be helpful to have this data. The hard part is that some strategies work and some do not. This is something we can ask to be tracked when reports are entered. Ms. Kazelskis added being transparent and having open communication with parents so their students are safe and supported is very important.
E.
Final Cadence Construction Closeout Update (Information)
Mr. Ercan explained the finance and facilities subcommittee met and after reviewing the details from CORE Construction they decided to authorize Ms. Diggins to approve this after the final negotiations. There was a $26k credit which reduced the charge to $180K. Ms. Diggins gave approval, and Mr. Gardberg was involved. Mr. Nick added we did not go over budget, despite the surprise utility fees.
F.
Executive Director’s Progress Report (Information)
Mr. Ercan discussed CASLV's accomplishments and important information regarding students and school clubs with the board.
- Mr. Ercan reviewed the new application numbers for the 2023-2024 school year since November 1st.
- The open house schedule prior to the lottery was reviewed.
- Best of Las Vegas - CASLV received GOLD in all four categories!
- Sandy Ridge HS Graduation rate is 100% for the class of 2022!
- CASLV IT Director, Mr. Hamza Cengiz and his team were awarded the 2022 Top Tech Award for Education by Vegas, Inc.!
- A-STEM/Math Olympiad Programs Coach, Mr. Ismail Marul, was awarded the Edyth May Sliffe Award for distinguished mathematics teaching in middle school and high school.
- The STATE OF NEVADA Office of Science, Innovation, and Technology awarded CASLV Centennial Hills campus with a $20,000 STEM grant.
- Cadence Robotics Teams placed in the top 10 in the World Skills event.
- We had a tremendous VEXIQ & FLL event on December 10, 2022. There was a great showing from all 7 CASLV teams in total.
- CASLV Windmill elementary and Windmill and Sandy Ridge middle school soccer teams won their respective championship games at the Valley Athletic Conference!
- Images of the Winter Concerts at the CASLV Centennial Hills campus were shared.
- CASLV Cadence Campus K-4th grade students practiced this month's character trait by making holiday greeting cards and decorations for the senior citizens of the Downtown Henderson Senior Center.
- The Toy Drive at Sandy Ridge was a success. The CMLP (College Mentorship and Leadership Program) collected a total of 85 toys for the children at the Shade Tree organization.
- The Women in STEM Club members gained great insight into nursing and how to pursue it as a career starting in high school
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine UNLV donated SECTRA tables to CASLV Sandy Ridge and Cadence campuses.
- CASLV Sandy Ridge Campus College Mentorship and Leadership Program students had a leadership retreat at Mount Charleston.
- The next CASLV board meeting was scheduled to be at the CASLV Centennial Hills campus on Saturday, March 4, 2023, but Mr. Ercan said we might reschedule for a different day in March.
VI. Closed Session-Privileged & Confidential
A.
Attorney/Client Conference
The closed session was held from 7:55 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
VII. Potential Action(s) (For Possible Action)
A.
No Potential Actions.
No potential actions.
VIII. Public Comment (Information)
A.
There was no public comment.
There was no public comment.
Ms. Diggins arrived at 6:10 p.m. and left at 8:28 p.m. The board took a break from 7:41 - 7:55 p.m.
Public comment:
Ms. Cervantes had several notes about the Cadence Campus. She commented that she has various concerns regarding the lack of communication between teachers and parents. She feels parents do not receive adequate information regarding teacher conferences, and future expansion to high school. She also expressed concerns regarding athletic support, disciplinary situations, test reporting, and pick-up procedures.
Ms. Kazelskis informed Ms. Cervantes that the board cannot take action unless there is an agenda item.