Veritas Preparatory Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Friday November 18, 2016 at 8:15 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, C. Wistreich (remote), D. Fuller, D. Janes, G. Moody, J. Crowell, M. Landon, T. Gabinetti
Trustees Absent
A. Martin, L. Abbate, L. Doherty, M. Sweet, R. Sela
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
M. Landon
Trustees who left before the meeting adjourned
T. Gabinetti
Guests Present
D. Raymond, R. Romano (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
A. Mendelson called a meeting of the board of trustees of Veritas Preparatory Charter School to order on Friday Nov 18, 2016 at 8:18 AM.
C.
Approve Minutes
D. Janes made a motion to approve minutes from the Board Meeting on 10-28-16 Board Meeting on 10-28-16.
T. Gabinetti seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Board Chair Report
A.
Facility Update
A. Mendelson provided a brief update on the facility acquisition. He commented that discussions are on-going regarding building ownership and lending partners.
B.
Request Commissioner approval of debt term of repayment
D. Janes made a motion to authorize Rachel Romano, executive director to request approval from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to secure a loan with terms that go beyond our charter term to purchase the facility located at 370 Pine Street, Springfield, MA.
T. Gabinetti seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
M. Landon arrived.
A. Mendelson provided a background for the request to DESE.
III. Finance Committee Report
A.
Review October Financials
T. Gabinetti left.
A. Mendelson provided a brief update on the current financial status of the school.
B.
Present 2016-2017 Committee Goals
A. Mendelson reviewed the financial committee goals. He highlighted the goal around development and its importance as it relates to the facility purchase. D. Fuller asked about the delay in exercising the lease option to buy the facility. A. Mendelson provided information on timing but more discussion will be needed on the process in the December meeting. Discussion on the appraisal process and the calculation on the purchase price. J. Crowell asked for clarity on neighborhood development and its impact on the appraisal.
IV. Academic Committee Report
A.
Present 2016-2017 Committee Goals
A. Mendelson walked through the committee goals. R. Romano provided information on the Common Criteria and the work the committee will do to stay informed and keep the Board informed. R. Romano discussed the background of the accountability plan and its use by DESE to measure charter school performance. R. Romano commented on the goal for dissemination. D. Fuller asked about the draft renewal report we received this week. R. Romano provided a brief update and will discuss more in the December board meeting. R. Romano also mentioned the recent release of suspension data and provided background in the school's information, changes made to school culture and current performance. M. Landon asked about 2014-2015 data compared to 2015-2016. R. Romano discussed the rates highlighting higher special education suspensions and the challenges with culture and discipline. She also discussed performance of other charter schools and district school performance.
R. Romano left.
V. Governance Committee
A.
Present 2016-2017 Committee Goals
D. Fuller reviewed the goals and highlighted the goal on staff retention. C. Alves commented on the work to review current practices, marketing and recruitment strategies, interviewing process, and conducting staff surveys. A. Mendelson also discussed the board member recruitment goal. D. Fuller also commented on the importance and continuance of the goal.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
D. Fuller made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
D. Janes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously 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 9:16 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
D. Raymond