Libertas Academy Charter School
Minutes
LACS Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday February 25, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Location
Libertas Academy Charter School, 146 Chestnut St, Springfield MA 01103 1st Floor Conference Room OR Dial-in Number : (712) 775-7031 Access Code: 959-546-056
Trustees Present
A. Surrette, D. Barrows, H. Zavala, J. Lauren, J. Lopez-Figueroa, K. Diamond Kayiatos, L. Davis, M. Walachy
Trustees Absent
T. Curtis
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
J. Lopez-Figueroa, M. Walachy
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
L. Davis called a meeting of the board of trustees of Libertas Academy Charter School to order on Tuesday Feb 25, 2020 at 5:07 PM.
C.
Board Chair Welcome
Welcome to Board of Trustees after February break .
D.
Public Comment
II. Management Report
A.
School update and highlights
Modesto Montero provides update as to the schools strategic plan. Discussion as to the decision to pause the expansion to 9th grade. There are 8 conditions the school expects to meet by 10/1/20, 1st three by June 2020.
Condition 1 - Self Sufficient middle school - Ms. Cruz has officially been promoted to Head of School.
Condition 2 - recruit and retain top talent.
Condition 3 - Consistently strong attendance.
By Fall 2020:
Condition 4 -Design and execute a rigorous, college prep Curriculum - by August 1 Math, reading and writing should be implementation ready.
Condition 5 - Data drives all decisions.
Condition 6 - Consistently strong MCAS performance
Condition 7 - strong homework habits
Condition 8- finalize and execute our long-term facilities plan.
MM discusses the organizational chart necessary for next year in order to properly open a High Performing High School and the staff numbers for the school year. Continued work along with BES consultant - Sue, towards the implementation of strategic plan and building up the High School component.
BOT to vote on the new Organizational Chart - vote tabled until budget discussions can be finalized ensuring that the school can afford the expansion.
Condition 1 - Self Sufficient middle school - Ms. Cruz has officially been promoted to Head of School.
Condition 2 - recruit and retain top talent.
Condition 3 - Consistently strong attendance.
By Fall 2020:
Condition 4 -Design and execute a rigorous, college prep Curriculum - by August 1 Math, reading and writing should be implementation ready.
Condition 5 - Data drives all decisions.
Condition 6 - Consistently strong MCAS performance
Condition 7 - strong homework habits
Condition 8- finalize and execute our long-term facilities plan.
MM discusses the organizational chart necessary for next year in order to properly open a High Performing High School and the staff numbers for the school year. Continued work along with BES consultant - Sue, towards the implementation of strategic plan and building up the High School component.
BOT to vote on the new Organizational Chart - vote tabled until budget discussions can be finalized ensuring that the school can afford the expansion.
M. Walachy arrived.
J. Lopez-Figueroa arrived.
III. Academic Achievement Committee
A.
AAC February Update
Josh Lauren provides update on the AAC. Discussions as to talent recruitment and student progress with attendance and MCAS.
IV. Development Committee
A.
Development Committee Feb Update
Dana Barrows provides update as to the development. Discusses a creation of a newsletter discussing the school to get solicitation started. DC meeting next week.
V. Finance
A.
February Updates
Tony Surrette provides update on FC. Update received today as to the audit from 6/30/19 - still not finalized but is on its way to be finalized as well as tax return. Discussion as to the last months financials.
A. Surrette made a motion to approve the financials.
D. Barrows seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Governance
A.
Governance Committee Feb Report
Lauren Davis discusses Board on Track and an assessment for the BOT to complete. Discussion as to Board and Committe recruitment. LD will be emailing the BOT with a link to the assessment and with tour dates for BOT to visit the school.
VII. Other Business
A.
June Retreat
Board retreat tentatively scheduled for June 12th 8-3:30pm
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Next meeting
B.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:16 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
H. Zavala