Veritas Preparatory Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Friday August 26, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Location
Veritas Prep Charter School 1st floor conference room or Dial-in number: 866-848-2216, Conference Code: 7783935205
Trustees Present
A. Mendelson, C. Alves (remote), D. Fuller, J. Crowell, L. Abbate, L. Doherty, M. Sweet, R. Sela, T. Gabinetti
Trustees Absent
A. Martin, C. Wistreich, D. Janes, G. Moody, R. Holmes
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
A. Mendelson, L. Doherty
Guests Present
D. Raymond, R. Romano
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
M. Sweet called a meeting of the board of trustees of Veritas Preparatory Charter School to order on Friday Aug 26, 2016 at 8:10 AM.
C.
Welcome and Introduction of New Board Members
A.Mendelson introduced Judi Crowell to the board and each board member introduced themselves.
D.
Approve Minutes
A. Mendelson made a motion to approve minutes from the Board Meeting on 07-27-16 Board Meeting on 07-27-16.
L. Abbate seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Board Chair Report
A.
Executive Director Telecommuting Plan
A. Mendelson provided a brief overview of the telecommuting plan proposed for the Executive Director.
L. Abbate made a motion to approve the telecommuting plan for the Executive Director.
L. Doherty seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
FY17 Goals
A. Mendelson announced the two month timeline for FY17 goal setting for each committee. In October, each committee chair will present their committee's goals to the Board. Committee Chairs will make a final goal presentation during the annual meeting in June.
C.
Update on the Status of the Facility Acquisition
M. Sweet provided a brief update on the facility acquisition of 370 Pine Street. In September, Mass Development will be visiting the school to meet with R. Romano and M. Sweet to discuss the facility acquisition.
III. Finance Committee Report
A.
FY16 Audit Presentation
A. Gabinetti opened the discussion with an overview of the current auditors and price of the audit. He provided a highlight of the audit with a focus on cash position and reserves. Discussion about cash reserves, status with DESE, and impacts to fundraising. R. Romano discussed revenue and expenses that significantly impacted the statement of net position. A. Gabinetti walked through the Board report. M. Sweet commented that he will send the minutes for the Friends of Veritas Preparatory Charter School meetings to R. Romano. The auditor's report stated that the Veritas Preparatory Charter School and Friends of Veritas Preparatory Charter School audit for the 2015-2016 fiscal year was unmodified and clean.
A.Gabinetti briefly reviewed the Key Financial ratios comparison document.
A.Gabinetti briefly reviewed the Key Financial ratios comparison document.
M. Sweet made a motion to approve the audit as presented with minor factual changes.
L. Doherty seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IV. Governance Committee Report
A.
Board Member Resignations
L. Abbate reported that S. Alston and R.Holmes will be resigning from the Board of Trustees. L. Abbate announced that the Governance committee will provide support on personnel issues. L. Abbate also discussed a review of the by-laws.
B.
Academic Achievement Chair
M. Sweet made a motion to appoint Rebecca Sela as Chair of the Academic Achievement Committee for a term of one year ending June 30, 2017.
L. Abbate seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
V. Executive Director Report
A.
Staffing Update
R. Romano opened the meeting with a walk through of current staffing which included staff retention and historical retention rates. She highlighted current challenges which include parking for staff and visitors. M. Sweet asked for the current enrollment number. R. Romano commented on the current number and the planned amount for the school year. Discussion about special education population attendance and expectations of those students.
L. Doherty arrived.
A. Mendelson arrived.
B.
Charter Renewal
A. Mendelson opened the discussion on the charter renewal protocol. R. Romano provided an overview of the protocol and directed board members to focus on page 16. A discussion of the board governance related to the renewal protocol will be added to the September board meeting.
VI. Other Business
A.
Other Business
A. Mendelson mentioned R. Romano's executive director performance evaluation.
L. Doherty mentioned the need for members on the finance committee.
R. Romano discussed the silent hallways.
L. Doherty mentioned the need for members on the finance committee.
R. Romano discussed the silent hallways.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
A. Mendelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
L. Abbate seconded the motion.
The board VOTED 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 9:30 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
L. Doherty