Libertas Academy Charter School
Minutes
Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday November 28, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Location
Libertas Academy Charter School
146 Chestnut Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Trustees Present
A. Seymour (remote), H. Zavala, J. Gunther, K. Diamond Kayiatos, K. Stewart (remote), L. Davis, N. Barker, S. Lapolice (remote), S. Williams (remote), T. Curtis (remote)
Trustees Absent
P. Kkayego
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
D.
Approve Minutes
E.
Public Comment
II. Management Report
A.
Management Report
B.
Investing LACS Funds
Executive Session
HM motion
JG second
passed unanimously
Entered Executive Session
Exited executive session
HM motion
LD second
III. Committee Reports
A.
Academic Achievement Committee
Did not meet in October
B.
Finance Committee
Positive financial outlook- similar to where we have been and expecting updates to projections in next few months
C.
Development Committee
Great open house a few weeks ago with visitors getting connected with LACS
Solicitation mailer
Jennison match through December 31st
Grant applications outstanding
Giving Tuesday email
David Guertin finishes in December- has been wonderful, big help
Postponing hard-hat tour
Mike Ronin walking through site with MM to check on progress; builders assure that we are on track
D.
Governance Committee
Three trustees ending their 6 year term in 2024.
Seeking three new trustees- two on track to observe next board meeting, one has declined due to time constraints
Carlos Resto- Head of HR for Multicultural Services
Ann Chanterlain- COO of Sisters of Providence Ministry, former Dean at Baypath
E.
ED Evaluation Committee
No updates this meeting- LD plans to stay on through the 23-24 school year
IV. Closing Items
A.
Next meeting
Next meeting December 19th, 2023 at 5:30 PM
B.
Adjourn Meeting
- SY23-24 November- BOT Management Report.pptx
- FY23-24 October Financials.xlsx
Highlights from MM:
New Hires in October- challenging time, but 4 out of 5 have been placed.
Employee of the month celebration to boost morale during dark late fall/winter
Trunk or Treat- big success for Recrutiment
New applications for 24-25 are ahead of pace; 135 applications- very good kickoff to recruitment season
Field trip to colleges- Williams and Westfield St
Dual Enrollment- 3 students enrolled this fall with good success; 16 students applied for free classes at local colleges (STCC and HCC). College counselors involved throughout process. MM and team are working through logistics for greater numbers in the spring.
GPA in UA- 50%+ above 3.0, 72% above 2.5,
LA goals- ON track 3 of 6 (Compliance, Referrals, Out of School Suspensions) OFF track on 3/6 (Advising rating, Chronic Absenteeism, In School Suspensions) MM working actively with team on off track goals.
UA goals- ON track for 3.0 GPA, Approaching goal- (2.0 GPA, 2.5 GPA, Compliance rating) OFF track 3/6 (IEP GPA, Advising rating, Chronic absentee)
Upcoming events- 12/9 Staff Holiday Party 7 PM, 12/20 Drumline at school 5 PM, Club Showcase 12/21 9 AM
Strategic Goals- Theme breakdown- MM continues to measure and review with team, looking ahead to school year '26-27.
Seeking approval for Investments and MassDevelopment Tech loan
Suggesting January Board meeting and dinner on 1/23