James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday November 21, 2019 at 7:00 PM

This Board Meeting is open to the public. James Jordan Middle School ("School") welcomes your participation at the School's Board meetings. Participation from various locations will be possible for this meeting, this agenda shall be posted in compliance with the Brown Act at each location and the public can participate from that location. A quorum of members shall participate from inside the boundaries of our authorizing district including remote participation from the following locations which will have appropriate agenda posting and public access in compliance with the Brown Act:  800 S. Figueroa St #1000 LA 90017, 20420 Mandell Street Winnetka 91306, and 4217 Camino Real, Los Angeles, CA 90065


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The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Trustees ("Board") is to conduct the affairs of the School in public. We are pleased that you are in attendance and hope that you will visit these meetings often. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our School.

To assist you in the ease of speaking/participating in our meetings, the following guidelines are provided:
1. Agendas are available to all audience members at the meeting.
2. "Non-Agenda Item: Request to Speak" and "Agenda Item: Request to Speak" cards are available to all audience members who wish to speak under the general category of "Public Comments" or on any specific agenda item(s) (as applicable). a. Non-agenda items: any person may address the Board concerning any item not on the agenda provided that no individual presentation shall be for more than 3 minutes (or 6 minutes with translation) and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed 20 minutes (provided that the President may grant additional time if circumstances permit). Ordinarily, Board members will not respond to such presentations and no action can be taken as the Board is allowed to take action only on items on the agenda. However, the Board may give direction to staff following a presentation or calendar the issue for further discussion. Individuals may also request that a topic related to school business be placed on a future agenda and once such an item is properly agenized and publicly noticed, the Board can discuss, respond, and possibly act upon such an item. See attached Request to Speak card. b. Agenda Items: any person may address the Board concerning any item on the agenda provided that no individual presentation shall be for more than 3 minutes (6 minutes with translation) and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed 30 minutes (provided that the President may grant additional time if circumstances permit). The presentation to the Board shall be made at the time a specific item is under discussion. See attached Request to Speak card.
3. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and address and adhere to the time limits set forth herein. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes in English and 6 minutes with translation. Spanish translation will be provided by the school at every board meeting. If you need translation for another language, please contact the school 48 hours in advance to allow us to find a translator. 
4. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, the School may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require appropriate alternative modification of the agenda in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact the Principal (alvarado@jamesjordanms.com, 818-882-2496)

Trustees Present

A. Bierman, B. Smith, C. Quinteros, J. LaBarbera

Trustees Absent

None

Non Voting Members Present

M. Alvarado

Guests Present

G. Lara, Hillary Blunt, Iman Farrior, M. Marsh (remote), Nancy Mondragon, T. Risner, Tami Lowensohn, V. Albores

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

C. Quinteros called a meeting of the board of trustees of James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees to order on Thursday Nov 21, 2019 at 7:05 PM.

C.

Take public comment

D.

approve minutes

B. Smith made a motion to approve minutes from the Regular Board Meeting on 10-17-19 Regular Board Meeting on 10-17-19.
J. LaBarbera seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
J. LaBarbera
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
C. Quinteros
Aye

II. Academic Achievement

A.

Lead Teacher Report

Smith- Requested a picture of the girls volleyball team and boys football team
 

III. III. Governance

A.

Consideration of new board members

B. Smith made a motion to approve the nomination of Tamara Lowensohn, Iman Houston-Farrior, Hillary Blunt and Nancy Mondragon effective Thursday, November 21 for the James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
C. Quinteros
Aye
J. LaBarbera
Aye

B.

YMC presents Board Training

Bierman-How are the most popular types of violations being captured by the public? 
Bierman- Is one-way communication from one board member to other board members a meeting? Give to a school staff member to send out information. 
Alvarado- When should the agenda be posted when using telecommunication? Follow the Brown Act, must be posted 72 hours before the scheduled meeting. 
Quinteros- Is it okay to ask a member of the public who attends a board meeting who they are? Yes. But they have the right to attend and be anonymous. 
Bierman- What happens if the Brown Act is violated? The authorizing district can record it as a problem with a possible fine. What is the statute of limitations for a Brown Act violation? 4 months 
Smith- If we are aligned by strategic expertise by committees and the members attend a meeting with the Executive Director where that area of expertise is used, is that appropriate? Yes
Smith- Is it appropriate for Board members to evaluate themselves? It is good to occasionally evaluate. 

 

C.

Board agreement

LaBarbera- Suggested a financials training 
Quinteros- Commented on reaching out to our accountant for additional help.
Blunt- Does the school have an annual fundraiser? No. There are small fundraisers. 
Houston-Farrior- Is it one Board member per committee? Board members can be in more than 1 committee. 
Blunt- Can there be more detail on the description of each committee? 
 
B. Smith made a motion to to adopt as policy the proposed Board Member Agreement and changes reflected in the committee's financial development, facilities, and Human Resources effective Thursday, November 21.
C. Quinteros seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. LaBarbera
Aye
C. Quinteros
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
B. Smith
Aye
New Board Member Vote
Tamara Lowensohn Aye
Iman Houston-Farrior Aye 
Hillary Blunt Aye 
Nancy Mondragon Aye 
 

D.

SB740 legally mandated preferences for admission.

B. Smith made a motion to to approve the following admission preference, As described in ED code 47605 effective January 1, 2020, in order to qualify for the Charter School Grant for 2019-2020 school year the following preference shall be added. For the 2020-21 school year, Admissions Preference will be given to students who are currently enrolled in or live in the attendance area of Winnetka elementary school. This preference will not continue into the following year.
J. LaBarbera seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
J. LaBarbera
Aye
C. Quinteros
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
Tamara Lowensohn Aye
Iman Houston-Farrior Aye 
Hillary Blunt Aye 
Nancy Mondragon Aye 
 

E.

Executive Director visits

J. LaBarbera made a motion to approve the amended dates for Dr. Marsh's campus visits as follows; December 15-18......COP meeting February 3-5.....LAUSD oversight inspection March 15.......CCSA conference in Long Beach APRIL vacation days May 14,15.....COP meeting June 10,11,12.....Culmination July 6-8.....transition of leadership August 3-8.....professional development and Welcome Breakfast.
C. Quinteros seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
C. Quinteros
Aye
J. LaBarbera
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
Tamara Lowensohn Aye
Iman Houston-Farrior Aye 
Hillary Blunt Aye 
Nancy Mondragon Aye 
 

IV. Financials

A.

Audit Review

J. LaBarbera made a motion to approve the FY18/19 Audited Financial Statements.
A. Bierman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
C. Quinteros
Aye
J. LaBarbera
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
Tamara Lowensohn Aye
Iman Houston-Farrior Aye 
Hillary Blunt Aye 
Nancy Mondragon Aye 
 

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

C. Quinteros made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
B. Smith seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Smith
Aye
A. Bierman
Aye
C. Quinteros
Aye
J. LaBarbera
Aye
Tamara Lowensohn Aye
Iman Farrior Aye 
Hillary Blunt Aye 
Nancy Mondragon Aye 
 
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
G. Lara
Documents used during the meeting
  • Draft JJMS Board Member Agreement.docx
  • JJMS 2019 Draft Financial Statements (1).pdf