MCCPS Board of Trustees
Minutes
Governance Monthly Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday August 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM
Location
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86174336370?pwd=SFhPV2YyMDNIUFdnVDM1aFQ2SDVoUT09
Meeting ID: 861 7433 6370
Passcode: 6wDfTj
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86174336370?pwd=SFhPV2YyMDNIUFdnVDM1aFQ2SDVoUT09
Meeting ID: 861 7433 6370
Passcode: 6wDfTj
August Governance Meeting:
oin Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86174336370?pwd=SFhPV2YyMDNIUFdnVDM1aFQ2SDVoUT09
Meeting ID: 861 7433 6370
Passcode: 6wDfTj
oin Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86174336370?pwd=SFhPV2YyMDNIUFdnVDM1aFQ2SDVoUT09
Meeting ID: 861 7433 6370
Passcode: 6wDfTj
Committee Members Present
Christopher Riegle (remote), Cynthia Canavan (remote), Elizabeth Burns (remote), Karl Smith (remote), Kay O'Dwyer (remote), Paul Baker (remote), Peter Cohen (remote)
Committee Members Absent
Jeanne Smith
Guests Present
James Rogers, NDack Toure
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Karl Smith made a motion to Accept the Governor's emergency order.
Elizabeth Burns seconded the motion.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, Governor Baker issued an emergency Order on March 12, 2020, allowing public bodies greater flexibility in utilizing technology in the conduct of meetings under the Open Meeting Law. This committee makes a motion to accept this Executive Order for this meeting of the Governance Committee, on August 4, 2020.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Christopher Riegle |
Aye
|
| Jeanne Smith |
Absent
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Absent
|
| Kay O'Dwyer |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Cynthia Canavan |
Absent
|
| Elizabeth Burns |
Aye
|
C.
Approve Minutes
Karl Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance Monthly Meeting on 07-07-20.
Paul Baker seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Kay O'Dwyer |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Absent
|
| Elizabeth Burns |
Abstain
|
| Cynthia Canavan |
Abstain
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Jeanne Smith |
Absent
|
| Christopher Riegle |
Aye
|
D.
Approve minutes from special by-laws meeting
Kay O'Dwyer made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance Committee Meeting - By-Laws Approval on 07-16-20.
Christopher Riegle seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Cohen |
Absent
|
| Kay O'Dwyer |
Aye
|
| Cynthia Canavan |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Elizabeth Burns |
Aye
|
| Jeanne Smith |
Absent
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Christopher Riegle |
Aye
|
II. Governance Matters
A.
Board Meeting Update
B.
Board Composition
There have been no updates from the last meeting, and the focus turned to interviewing the two candidates for open seats.
C.
Membership - interviews and voting on new Board members
Both candidates' resumes were distributed to the committee members for their review.
We began with talking to Ndack Toure about her motivation for joining MCCPS' board and she explained how the school has made a significant impression on her. She felt she should become more involved and contribute to the continuation of all of the fine work that is being performed.
James Rogers was interviewed second and he also helped the committee members understand further of his interests in becoming a board member. He explained that throughout his career he has taught at very large school systems and felt his voice was not necessarily heard. With this teaching job at MCCPS, he believes he can make a positive impact and he is motivated to participate based on the relatively small size of the school.
Both candidates believe they can collaborate, continue on with their positions on sub-committees and are even willing to join more if needed.
Members of the committee fully explained the commitment both would need to make to be effective and contributing trustees.
We began with talking to Ndack Toure about her motivation for joining MCCPS' board and she explained how the school has made a significant impression on her. She felt she should become more involved and contribute to the continuation of all of the fine work that is being performed.
James Rogers was interviewed second and he also helped the committee members understand further of his interests in becoming a board member. He explained that throughout his career he has taught at very large school systems and felt his voice was not necessarily heard. With this teaching job at MCCPS, he believes he can make a positive impact and he is motivated to participate based on the relatively small size of the school.
Both candidates believe they can collaborate, continue on with their positions on sub-committees and are even willing to join more if needed.
Members of the committee fully explained the commitment both would need to make to be effective and contributing trustees.
D.
Vote for new board members
Karl Smith made a motion to propose potential BOT candidate Ndack Toure for approval at the August 25th Board meeting.
Elizabeth Burns seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Burns |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Absent
|
| Cynthia Canavan |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Kay O'Dwyer |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Jeanne Smith |
Absent
|
| Christopher Riegle |
Aye
|
Karl Smith made a motion to propose potential BOT candidate James Rogers for approval at the August 25th Board meeting.
Cynthia Canavan seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Burns |
No
|
| Kay O'Dwyer |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Absent
|
| Christopher Riegle |
Aye
|
| Jeanne Smith |
Absent
|
| Cynthia Canavan |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Absent
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
E.
Review calendar items for coming months
Dr. Cohen suggested the committee consider 'flipping' the months of October and September.
The committee would focus on training materials for the board members in September and open meeting law in October.
There were some brief discussions on the school calendar, goals, potential presentations to the board.
Kay O'Dwyer suggested that the group focus on recruitment and membership needs in January instead of March.
The committee would focus on training materials for the board members in September and open meeting law in October.
There were some brief discussions on the school calendar, goals, potential presentations to the board.
Kay O'Dwyer suggested that the group focus on recruitment and membership needs in January instead of March.
III. Other Business
A.
Planning for future meeting
Calendar discussion
B.
Board training discussion / planning
In September we hope to focus on orientation materials.
IV. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Karl Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Christopher Riegle seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Cynthia Canavan |
Absent
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Kay O'Dwyer |
Aye
|
| Elizabeth Burns |
Aye
|
| Christopher Riegle |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Absent
|
| Jeanne Smith |
Absent
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karl Smith
Documents used during the meeting
- MCCPS Trustees Composition Report-August-2020.docx
- MCCPS Governance Calendar-SY-2020-21.docx
Among the topics discussed included:
- Remote learning plan
- Approval of the annual report
- By-laws approval
- Charter re-wording to address the charter renewal condition
- Updated succession plan
- Training from BOT during retreat
- Approval of the accountability plan
General discussion ensued and several members expressed their support for Peter's plan and proposed execution steps.