The Emerge School for Autism

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday January 15, 2020 at 12:00 PM

Location

7784 Innovation Park Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70820

Directors Present

C. Blaize, E. Jones-Morgan, J. Jones, J. Perrault, M. Miller, R. Pettit

Directors Absent

A. Meyer, D. Whittle, S. Broome, S. Waguespack

Guests Present

L. Bozard, Staci Landry

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

J. Perrault called a meeting of the board of directors of The Emerge School for Autism to order on Wednesday Jan 15, 2020 at 12:02 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

R. Pettit made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 11-20-19.
E. Jones-Morgan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Finance

A.

Budget Update

December 2019 financials delivered by Staci Landry with 4th Sector, no significant changes from the prior forecast.

Robert Pettit asked for additional clarification regarding the financial risk assessment metrics.  Staci advised that the model was using 7.5% fund balance, however clarified that Emerge was within the appropriate percentage for charter schools in their second year.  Also advised the EBR's metrics were aligned with the state guidelines. 

III. Overall School Update

A.

Update on School

Per Leigh Bozard, provided an update regarding the public records request from James Finney.  He reviewed documents which were located at the attorneys office and decided not to receive any copies.  However, He later requested a copy of the lease between Emerge and EBR for Polk Elementary.  The lease was extended due to the delay in construction of the new facility.

The open enrollment window has closed. There were more than 100 applicants. Lottery will take place on Friday.

IV. Planning Ahead

A.

Building Update

Per JP Perrault, the construction project is still on schedule.  The project may incur some additional expenses associated with ground work needed to add in water drainage.

B.

Growth Campaign Update

V. Other Business

A.

Title Change

Per JP Perrault, suggested a change in title for Leigh Bozard from Principal to Executive Director to better align with other charter schools. 
C. Blaize made a motion to to formally change Leigh Bozard's title from Principal to Executive Director.
R. Pettit seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

R. Pettit made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
C. Blaize seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:39 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Jones