Libertas Academy Charter School
Minutes
Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting
5:00-5:30 pm Trustee Tour & 5:30 pm BOT Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday September 21, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Location
- In-person tour & meeting : Libertas Academy, 146 Chestnut Street , Springfield MA OR
- Remote via Zoom : https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5069946767?pwd=QXEvbzlHb0tYZWE4VHl6MCtrVFlGUT09
- Meeting ID: 506 994 6767 , Password: 12345
Trustees Present
A. Seymour (remote), H. Zavala, K. Diamond Kayiatos, L. Davis, L. Flynn, N. Barker
Trustees Absent
A. Surrette, D. Barrows, S. Williams, T. Curtis
Ex Officio Members Present
M. Montero
Non Voting Members Present
M. Montero
I. Opening Items
A.
Board Chair Welcome
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Call the Meeting to Order
H. Zavala called a meeting of the board of trustees of Libertas Academy Charter School to order on Tuesday Sep 21, 2021 at 5:33 PM.
Tour was great!
D.
Approve Minutes - July Special Mtg
L. Davis made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Meeting on 07-21-21.
K. Diamond Kayiatos seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Curtis |
Absent
|
| D. Barrows |
Absent
|
| H. Zavala |
Aye
|
| L. Davis |
Aye
|
| A. Surrette |
Absent
|
| K. Diamond Kayiatos |
Aye
|
| A. Seymour |
Abstain
|
| S. Williams |
Absent
|
| L. Flynn |
Abstain
|
| N. Barker |
Aye
|
E.
Public Comment
II. Management Report
A.
Management Report
MM opened showing pictures of students from the past couple weeks!
MM reviewed the following:
LACS COVID policy : Balancing mission and values with keeping community safe with science and DESE guidance. Overall current stats: vaccination rates(90% staff and 30 % students (some younger than current vaccination age) ) . Tracking transmission rates in the community as well . Overall : 9 student exposures and 3 positive cases (they weren't in the building thus haven't been physically in school for the positive).
Laurie questioned if a quarantined students can Zoom in? MM answered: Not currently able to to this. Up until 4 weeks ago this wasn't an option and thus haven't had a chance to work through those details. Logistics may make it too complicated .
Facilities : All major construction was completed. Outstanding : reception and elevators. Lease negations: Draft for Board to approve.
Talent : Fully staffed currently! This is a great accomplishment.
Student Recruitment/Enrollment : Under enrolled by 23 students. Current goal : no less than 85 students per grade. Just hired a manager of student recruitment last week to help with filling the classes. Under enrolled does affect our finances. We have enough to cover these losses through grants, reserve funds etc. if we need to tap into this down the road.
Nick questioned how hopeful MM is to fill these spots and MM stated he feels confident to hit 85 students per grade (which would be 10-15 students total under enrolled which is more manageable)
Academic Data: MCAs data is out and will be presented to Board in Oct. Less than 10% of students are reading at grade level . This is the big push this year to
Attendance : Team making daily calls. 90%-95% attendance in Sept versus at slower start 75-80% at the start of the year.
MM reviewed the following:
LACS COVID policy : Balancing mission and values with keeping community safe with science and DESE guidance. Overall current stats: vaccination rates(90% staff and 30 % students (some younger than current vaccination age) ) . Tracking transmission rates in the community as well . Overall : 9 student exposures and 3 positive cases (they weren't in the building thus haven't been physically in school for the positive).
Laurie questioned if a quarantined students can Zoom in? MM answered: Not currently able to to this. Up until 4 weeks ago this wasn't an option and thus haven't had a chance to work through those details. Logistics may make it too complicated .
Facilities : All major construction was completed. Outstanding : reception and elevators. Lease negations: Draft for Board to approve.
Talent : Fully staffed currently! This is a great accomplishment.
Student Recruitment/Enrollment : Under enrolled by 23 students. Current goal : no less than 85 students per grade. Just hired a manager of student recruitment last week to help with filling the classes. Under enrolled does affect our finances. We have enough to cover these losses through grants, reserve funds etc. if we need to tap into this down the road.
Nick questioned how hopeful MM is to fill these spots and MM stated he feels confident to hit 85 students per grade (which would be 10-15 students total under enrolled which is more manageable)
Academic Data: MCAs data is out and will be presented to Board in Oct. Less than 10% of students are reading at grade level . This is the big push this year to
Attendance : Team making daily calls. 90%-95% attendance in Sept versus at slower start 75-80% at the start of the year.
III. Committee Reports
A.
Academic Achievement Committee
Nick echoed MM report on academics mentioned above especially regarding the challenges with the 85-90 percent below reading level. Reading interventions in place.
Nick further highlighted the energy felt regarding the HS kick off! A change going to high school and there has been a positive response from students.
Nick further highlighted the energy felt regarding the HS kick off! A change going to high school and there has been a positive response from students.
B.
Finance Committee
L. Flynn made a motion to July and August Financials.
N. Barker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
C.
Development Committee
D.
Governance Committee
E.
ED Evaluation Committee
L. Davis made a motion to ED FY21-21 Evaluation Tool.
A. Seymour seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
L. Flynn made a motion to Approve Salary Structure and Bonus Doc.
N. Barker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IV. Other Business
A.
Lease Approval
Moved to Executive Session
L. Davis made a motion to Approve the updated Lease.
L. Flynn seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
V. 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 6:28 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
H. Zavala
10/19 : Park in the little or back parking lot ! Meeting in person with option to ZOOM .