Libertas Academy Charter School
Minutes
Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday August 16, 2022 at 5:30 PM
Location
Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5069946767?pwd=QXEvbzlHb0tYZWE4VHl6MCtrVFlGUT09
Meeting ID: 506 994 6767
Password: 12345
Trustees Present
A. Seymour (remote), D. Barrows (remote), H. Zavala (remote), K. Diamond Kayiatos (remote), L. Davis (remote), N. Barker (remote), S. Williams (remote), T. Curtis (remote)
Trustees Absent
K. Stewart, L. Flynn, L. Velez, P. Kkayego, S. Lapolice
Ex Officio Members Present
M. Montero (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
M. Montero (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Board Chair Welcome
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Call the Meeting to Order
Hector welcomed everyone to the FY23 year!
D.
Approve Minutes : Board Retreat
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Diamond Kayiatos |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Absent
|
| H. Zavala |
Aye
|
| S. Lapolice |
Absent
|
| T. Curtis |
Abstain
|
| D. Barrows |
Aye
|
| L. Velez |
Absent
|
| K. Stewart |
Absent
|
| P. Kkayego |
Absent
|
| L. Davis |
Aye
|
| L. Flynn |
Absent
|
| A. Seymour |
Abstain
|
| N. Barker |
Aye
|
E.
Public Comment
II. Management Report
A.
Management Report
Modesto welcomed Trustees to our first FY23 meeting highlighting developments as the school year officially starts next week :
Bus tour!
LACS was yet again featured on Western MA News & also connected with MM about future plans regarding a new space. They are excited to come back to cover that update as the new facility progresses .
Students arrive Monday for first day!
Student enrollment - on track to be fully enrolled in 6-8, slightly under enrolled in high school which is not a surprise. MM highlighted that this can be trend with HS as more options are available at those grades. NB questioned how many students can now be enrolled in lower grades. MM answered that 6-8 can go as high as 94 students (an amendment the Board approved last year with anticipation that upper academy enrollment will be lower).
Talent - 100% staffed by first day of training - August 1st and Goal was MET. Filled 24 roles! Director of Talent has done an incredible job. Started training all roles. Next phase, is to retain our team.
Facilities - The two holdups currently : 1) detailing accountability if the timing of the completed space is delayed. 2) specs on the space (materials etc). Developers still working on this and once they finalize, LACS will vet and approve. MM hopes to have a lease for the Board to sign by September meeting. If not, this project will likely be delayed. He has made this urgent timeline clear with the developers.
III. Committee Reports
A.
Academic Achievement Committee
AAC has yet to meet but will in early Sept. Nick mentioned that he looks forward to building off of the successes from last year.
B.
Finance Committee
Patrick sent in notes regarding July financials: Starting FY23 strong with no major concerns. Ended FY22 with a positive net position.
C.
Development Committee
Kari - DC did not meet over the summer but will have their first meeting in early Sept. Kari did connect with Katie Frett who mentioned that tax receipts have been sent to all FY22 donors. Kari said it will be a big fundraising year and urged all Board members to think about how they can all contribute personally (financially, introducing people to LACS etc.)
D.
Governance Committee
Hector stated that the GC has not met but will beginning of Sept and will report out at the next meeting.
E.
ED Evaluation Committee
LD mentioned that the ED Eval Committee did not convene over summer but will gather at the start of the year to update MM goals for the FY23 year.
IV. Other Business
A.
Vote to Approve
MM reminded the team that the Accountability Plan is a requirement a the start of a new charter. It highlights goals specific to our Charter based on schools mission with objectives for each key design element. Has already been vetted through DESE.
This AP is very similar the the first AP submitted. Similarities due to the diruptive nature of COVID where many areas didn't have enough data (ie community service etc.). The only real change was the addition of the AP Exam goal now that LACS has a high school.
Hector Welcomed all Trustees to the kickoff of our FY23 year!