Libertas Academy Charter School
Minutes
LACS Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday April 28, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Location
MEETING TO BE HELD VIA ZOOM:
Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5069946767?pwd=QXEvbzlHb0tYZWE4VHl6MCtrVFlGUT09
Meeting ID: 506 994 6767
Password: 12345
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5069946767?pwd=QXEvbzlHb0tYZWE4VHl6MCtrVFlGUT09
Meeting ID: 506 994 6767
Password: 12345
Trustees Present
A. Surrette, D. Barrows (remote), H. Zavala (remote), J. Lauren (remote), J. Lopez-Figueroa (remote), K. Diamond Kayiatos (remote), L. Davis (remote), M. Walachy (remote)
Trustees Absent
T. Curtis
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
A. Surrette
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Hernandez (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
J. Hernandez (remote)
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 Apr 28, 2020 at 5:08 PM.
C.
Board Chair Welcome & Trustee Check In
LD welcomed the group. Trustees took time to give updates on their lives.
D.
Approve Minutes of 03-17-2020
M. Walachy made a motion to approve the minutes from LACS Board of Trustees Meeting on 03-17-20.
J. Lauren seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
E.
Public Comment
No one present from public.
II. Management Report
A.
School update and highlights
Modesto updated the team on remote learning over the past month. The team is fully implementing remote planning. Greatest focus : student engagement data. MM and his team are tracking the # of students completing assignments. 30+/- students have not logged in to complete assignments. MM conveyed that his team is reaching out to these families individually to assess what is keeping these students from engaging in the work. Need engagement up to minimize academent slide . MW - Are the students who are not engaged due to internet? Only 3 students have internet issues and they are assisting these families. MM - Overall we are in a good place given circumstances with remote learning. Conveyed he feels strong about improving these engagement numbers going forward.
MM updated trustees on student recruitment - the second biggest focus currently. Recruitment has shifted b/c the team can't go out into the community . Thus, hosting virtual enrollments & virtual tours in an effort to continue highlighting the school. MM stated LACS is currently on track with recruitment for next year but would like to drive these numbers up.
MM- budget for next year has also been a large focus. Start to plan for future with a degree of flexibility due to the implications of COVID .
Kari - do teachers feel supported? MM - regular check ins with each staff member/teacher in an effort to assist those struggling to balance work/home life. MM - Teacher appreciation week is next week and working to do something for staff/teachers.
MM updated trustees on student recruitment - the second biggest focus currently. Recruitment has shifted b/c the team can't go out into the community . Thus, hosting virtual enrollments & virtual tours in an effort to continue highlighting the school. MM stated LACS is currently on track with recruitment for next year but would like to drive these numbers up.
MM- budget for next year has also been a large focus. Start to plan for future with a degree of flexibility due to the implications of COVID .
Kari - do teachers feel supported? MM - regular check ins with each staff member/teacher in an effort to assist those struggling to balance work/home life. MM - Teacher appreciation week is next week and working to do something for staff/teachers.
A. Surrette arrived.
III. Academic Achievement Committee
A.
AAC March Update
AAC did not meet this past month.
IV. Development
A.
Development Committee April Update
DB - update the group on our April meeting. Keeping fundraising goals of 200k by end of June. Ended solicitation for now but plans to discuss with the DC at May meeting. Good news -Davis Foundation gave 100K grant. We need a final push to hit our 200k .
V. Finance
A.
March Financials
Tony and Juan walked the team through the March Financials. Tony - we are in a good place and projecting well financially for end of this school year as well.
L. Davis made a motion to approve March Financials.
D. Barrows seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
L. Davis |
Aye
|
H. Zavala |
Aye
|
A. Surrette |
Aye
|
K. Diamond Kayiatos |
Aye
|
J. Lauren |
Aye
|
T. Curtis |
Absent
|
M. Walachy |
Aye
|
D. Barrows |
Aye
|
J. Lopez-Figueroa |
Aye
|
B.
Audit
Tony- comfortable with results. Audit is officially done from June 30 2018 year end. It was on extension.
M. Walachy made a motion to approve the audit.
D. Barrows seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
A. Surrette |
Aye
|
T. Curtis |
Absent
|
D. Barrows |
Aye
|
L. Davis |
Aye
|
K. Diamond Kayiatos |
Aye
|
J. Lauren |
Aye
|
J. Lopez-Figueroa |
Aye
|
H. Zavala |
Aye
|
M. Walachy |
Aye
|
C.
FY21 Budget Draft
MM highlighted that the FY21 budget being presented is just a draft . We will vote on final draft at our June retreat.
Juan walked the team through the thinking behind the current draft of FY21 budget:
He stressed that COVID is impacting state budgets. Rates per student projected in Jan were at: 14,500 --final per student rate will likely go down. Planning for 1% decrease for tuition rates.
Juan walked the team through our reduction in costs ( instruments that were a one time purchase, no Anet next year).. MW - do we really want to get rid of Anet? MM - Sue Walsh helping create a program for assessment for next year vs. Anet. MM to bring this issue to the academic committee for further review and discussion .
DB - what does this budget assume for fundraising dollars ? MM - 200k . DB: do we need to have different versions of a budget forecasting lower tuition rates so we are prepared?
MM and Juan to research recession cuts and draft a couple budgets for review based on different scenarios. Will discuss further and present at the May meeting. MM to also reach out to Tim N. and other charter leaders to see their projection plans.
Juan walked the team through the thinking behind the current draft of FY21 budget:
He stressed that COVID is impacting state budgets. Rates per student projected in Jan were at: 14,500 --final per student rate will likely go down. Planning for 1% decrease for tuition rates.
Juan walked the team through our reduction in costs ( instruments that were a one time purchase, no Anet next year).. MW - do we really want to get rid of Anet? MM - Sue Walsh helping create a program for assessment for next year vs. Anet. MM to bring this issue to the academic committee for further review and discussion .
DB - what does this budget assume for fundraising dollars ? MM - 200k . DB: do we need to have different versions of a budget forecasting lower tuition rates so we are prepared?
MM and Juan to research recession cuts and draft a couple budgets for review based on different scenarios. Will discuss further and present at the May meeting. MM to also reach out to Tim N. and other charter leaders to see their projection plans.
VI. Governance
A.
Governance Committee April Update
LD highlighted that the GC did not meet this past month. Recruitment remains a major goal going into next year. Will reframe our goals and next steps given current climate at May meeting .
VII. 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 6:37 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
L. Davis