Pharos Academy Charter School
Minutes
BLCS March 2018 Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday March 15, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Location
Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
Trustees Present
D. Kaplan, E. DeGonzalez, E. Kinsey, F. Merine, J. Lopez-Molina, N. Jones, R. Granado, S. Sutherland, V. Caba
Trustees Absent
B. Thompson
Guests Present
A. Duggins, C. Ginty, M. Dorsey, M. Rousseau (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
J. Lopez-Molina called a meeting of the board of trustees of Pharos Academy Charter School to order on Thursday Mar 15, 2018 at 6:49 PM.
BLCPA Exhibition- Presentation
II. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
Presentation
Parents and Scholars commented on the current status of her current employment
Parents and Scholars commented on the current status of her current employment
III. Board Governance
A.
Board Governance
Javier comments on results of his meeting with MetLCS Board Director
LHA Executive Director responsibilites discused and methods of evaluating the person in this position
Board Recruitment Strategy- We have 10 Board Members but Javier would like to have 11 Board Members.
Goal is to Bring down the length of Board Meeting
Recommend new board members to be a part of committees
School Visit Results
David and Javier recent visit. David suuggests each member should try to visit at east once a year and visit in pairs.
Davids LA visit was positive, students were engaged
Javier's CPA visit , expresed concerns regarding classroom temperature, usage of electronic devices and structure of College Prep classes and the lack of structure during this class time.
LA Chess Class observation was interesting and amazing.
CPA visit to Art and Social Studies classes students engaged .
Javier suggests that CPA Club classes have faculty and teacher engagement. These clubs should not be exclusive and set apart.
Committee Updates:
Academic: Dscussed ELA data results and usage of various strategies to prepare for testing and long term strategies to the curriculum. Recap last meeting conversations regarding designs to imrpove school attendance, grades and curriculum structure.
Principals to create 10 strategies, goals and key design elements and present them to the Board. Board will elect 5 of them , which would then be prepared for presentation and usage by June 2018, for the new school year.
Committee Activities include :
Evaluate class/school schedule . "Without a clear plan of improvement we will not see results"
Answer the question- What are we doing to eliminate the number of failing CPA scholars ? Principal to develop mentorship and other programs into the advisory group/class rooms
School Culture Committee:
Vilma Caba and Evelyn De Gonzalez presented:
Surveys to be presented to the Teachers by the end of March
Student Survey results will be ready and presented to the Board at the April 2018 Board Meeting
CPA Deans presented an alternative for scholars in in-school suspension. Implementing book reading during in-school suspension instead of just sitting around. CPA Deans - "Think Tank" project discussed.
Lower Academy Saturday Program and Recycling Program implemented.
Safety procedures, drills and programs discussed . LA Safety backpacks to also be included in CPA classrooms
Methods of communications to increase parent participation in events and Board meetings not only when they are angry or upset.
IMPORTANT AREAS OF CONCERN FOR PARENTS (Presented by Parent Visitor)
Confirmation of a change
Parents being aware of staff separation
Timing of separation and replacement of staff members
Board to break at 9:49PM
Board entered into executive session at 9:53PM
Jerry Ballard invited into executive session at 10:10PM
Jerry Ballard left executive session at 11:10PM
Executive Session ended at 11:33PM
Board Meeting recommenced at 11:34PM
LHA Executive Director responsibilites discused and methods of evaluating the person in this position
Board Recruitment Strategy- We have 10 Board Members but Javier would like to have 11 Board Members.
Goal is to Bring down the length of Board Meeting
Recommend new board members to be a part of committees
School Visit Results
David and Javier recent visit. David suuggests each member should try to visit at east once a year and visit in pairs.
Davids LA visit was positive, students were engaged
Javier's CPA visit , expresed concerns regarding classroom temperature, usage of electronic devices and structure of College Prep classes and the lack of structure during this class time.
LA Chess Class observation was interesting and amazing.
CPA visit to Art and Social Studies classes students engaged .
Javier suggests that CPA Club classes have faculty and teacher engagement. These clubs should not be exclusive and set apart.
Committee Updates:
Academic: Dscussed ELA data results and usage of various strategies to prepare for testing and long term strategies to the curriculum. Recap last meeting conversations regarding designs to imrpove school attendance, grades and curriculum structure.
Principals to create 10 strategies, goals and key design elements and present them to the Board. Board will elect 5 of them , which would then be prepared for presentation and usage by June 2018, for the new school year.
Committee Activities include :
Evaluate class/school schedule . "Without a clear plan of improvement we will not see results"
Answer the question- What are we doing to eliminate the number of failing CPA scholars ? Principal to develop mentorship and other programs into the advisory group/class rooms
School Culture Committee:
Vilma Caba and Evelyn De Gonzalez presented:
Surveys to be presented to the Teachers by the end of March
Student Survey results will be ready and presented to the Board at the April 2018 Board Meeting
CPA Deans presented an alternative for scholars in in-school suspension. Implementing book reading during in-school suspension instead of just sitting around. CPA Deans - "Think Tank" project discussed.
Lower Academy Saturday Program and Recycling Program implemented.
Safety procedures, drills and programs discussed . LA Safety backpacks to also be included in CPA classrooms
Methods of communications to increase parent participation in events and Board meetings not only when they are angry or upset.
IMPORTANT AREAS OF CONCERN FOR PARENTS (Presented by Parent Visitor)
Confirmation of a change
Parents being aware of staff separation
Timing of separation and replacement of staff members
Board to break at 9:49PM
Board entered into executive session at 9:53PM
Jerry Ballard invited into executive session at 10:10PM
Jerry Ballard left executive session at 11:10PM
Executive Session ended at 11:33PM
Board Meeting recommenced at 11:34PM
IV. Principal's Report
A.
Principal's Report
Principal Duggins spoke briefly regarding:
CPA First Scholar admitted into Cornell (Ivy League School)
Work still in progress related to attendance and scholar failing grades
CPA First Scholar admitted into Cornell (Ivy League School)
Work still in progress related to attendance and scholar failing grades
V. Finance
A.
Building Financing
Rob explained extensively the refinance process of CPA building:
-Engagement letter from Orrick re bond issuance
-Engagement letter from Piper Jaffray for underwriting services
-Engagement letter from Urban Futures for financial advisory services
Rob made a motion to approve to allow him power to sign the engagement letters from borrower, financial adviser and underwriter
Nikali seconded the motion
The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion
Rob explained in details two resolutions regarding CPA building
Rob made a motion to approve the resolution of forming 1005 Intervale Avenue LLC with Eric,
Courtney and Rob as board members
Rob made a motion to approve the resolutions relating to 1005 Intervale Avenue LLC with Rob,
Eric and Courtney as authorized officers
Frantz seconded the motion
The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion
-Engagement letter from Orrick re bond issuance
-Engagement letter from Piper Jaffray for underwriting services
-Engagement letter from Urban Futures for financial advisory services
Rob made a motion to approve to allow him power to sign the engagement letters from borrower, financial adviser and underwriter
Nikali seconded the motion
The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion
Rob explained in details two resolutions regarding CPA building
Rob made a motion to approve the resolution of forming 1005 Intervale Avenue LLC with Eric,
Courtney and Rob as board members
Rob made a motion to approve the resolutions relating to 1005 Intervale Avenue LLC with Rob,
Eric and Courtney as authorized officers
Frantz seconded the motion
The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion
B.
Finance Report
Mary Beth provided financial review stating the school is very healthy financially
Rob explained how teachers are paid 12 months salary over 10 month span.
Rob explained how teachers are paid 12 months salary over 10 month span.
R. Granado made a motion to Approve the Monthly Financial Report.
E. DeGonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. School Operations
A.
Approve Minutes
J. Lopez-Molina made a motion to Approve minutes from the BLCS February 2018 Board Meeting on 02-15-18 BLCS February 2018 Board Meeting on 02-15-18.
E. Kinsey seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Meeting Ended at 12:15AM
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
M. Dorsey