MCCPS Board of Trustees
Minutes
Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday March 2, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Location
Topic: Board Meeting
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 389 839 4128
Passcode: MCCPS
Passcode: MCCPS
Trustees Present
Artie Sullivan (remote), Ian Hunt, James Rogers (remote), Karl Smith (remote), NDack Toure (remote), Paul Baker (remote), Peter Cheney (remote), Peter Cohen (remote), Rebecca Whidden (remote), Richard Doron (remote), Rodolphe Herve (remote)
Trustees Absent
Jessica Xiarhos
Guests Present
Andrea Barlow (remote), Carol McEnaney (remote), Chris Bruell (remote), Elizabeth Burns (remote), Jessica Gelb (remote), Will Rockwell (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Artie Sullivan called a meeting of the board of trustees of MCCPS Board of Trustees to order on Tuesday Mar 2, 2021 at 7:04 PM.
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 Board of Trustees on March 2, 2021.
C.
Accept Remote Participation
Rebecca Whidden made a motion to Accept the Governor's order.
Paul Baker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
D.
Approve Minutes
NDack Toure made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Board Meeting on 01-26-21.
Ian Hunt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
II. New Board Member
A.
Presentation/Interview/Vote on Perspective Board Member - Jessica Gelb
Karl introduced Jessica to the Board and explained that the Governance Committee met with her and voted unanimously to present her to the Board for their consideration as a prospective Board member to fill a 3 year term.
The Board posed several questions to Jessica about her interests in the school and what motivates her.
Karl Smith made a motion to A motion to move that the Board appoint Jessica Gelb as a member of the MCCPS Board of Trustees to fill a term
commencing immediately upon approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and expiring
three (3) years from the date of DESE approval.
Paul Baker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
B.
Vote on Perspective Board Member - Part 2
Karl Smith made a motion to Motion to move that the Board invite the newly appointed Trustee, Jessica Gelb, to all Board Meetings and activities while her approval is pending with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Jessica Gelb will be entitled to participate as provisional Trustee and will be able to participate in all activities and
discussions, except voting, until the formal approval from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,
and will not be counted when determining a quorum.
Paul Baker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
III. Reappointment of Board Member - Arthur F Sullivan, III
A.
Discussion and Vote on Reappointment to the Board - Arthur F Sullivan, III
Paul Baker made a motion to To reappointment of Arthur F Sullivan, III to a 3-year term.
Ian Hunt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Abstain
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
For this section of the meeting, Paul Baker became the acting Chair.
Peter explained that in the future Governance will be adopting a process to more formally present candidates for term renewal.
Some questions were posed to Artie about his thoughts on the future and what he would like to accomplish.
Recent events were highlighted - such as new HOS, charter renewal, pandemic and new by-laws
Financial stability of the school was discussed.
Recently talked to our representatives
IV. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
Artie took back the reigns and inquired if anyone had public comments. There were none.
V. Presentations
A.
Student Presentations
Not this month - will return soon - hopefully next month.
VI. Review of Previous Meeting Action Items
A.
Review of Previous Meeting Action Items
Looking for additional potential board members meeting any of the desired criteria.
VII. Board Annual Items
A.
Upcoming Meeting Agenda Items
Artie explained that this meeting represents the February meeting - March will still happen at the end of this month (March).
He explained what upcoming items would be.
B.
Board Goals for SY 2020-2021
Still tracking and pushing for results.
VIII. HOS Report
A.
Monthly Report
Peter presented his monthly report providing highlights and commentary on his bulleted items.
IX. Other Business
A.
Adopt Board Restricted Fund - Second Reading
Rudi walked through the wording for the resolution to establish a Board Restricted Fund.
Richard Doron made a motion to Adopt the policy to create a board restricted financial fund.
Paul Baker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Abstain
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
Richard Doron made a motion to Direct the Financial Manager to transfer $5,000 to open the board restricted fund as an initial deposit.
Ian Hunt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Abstain
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
X. Committee Updates
A.
Governance Committee
Karl mentioned that there will be a procedure to re-present a
Renewal for an officer for a two year term.
Membership renewal and re-appointment of chairs.
Those kinds of procedures.
Jim Guadett - interested in facilities.
B.
Finance Committee
Rudi showed the group the results of the 7 months completed during this school year.
Enrollment figures used by DESE will need to be adjusted, however the results as anticipated with a small surplus based on the current results.
Preparing a budget for next year - conservatively budgeting enrollment of 215.
C.
Personnel Committee
Back next month do present the HOS review process. Setting schedule for BOT head of school survey for faculty, staff and the board. Also the ValEd survey.
D.
Academic Excellence
Peter noted the meeting schedule, and explained that the committee is working with the teachers to ensure the criteria are being followed. James noted that the recommendations are being incorporated into the exhibition preparation.
E.
Development & Communications
F.
Strategic Plan Committee
No updates at this time.
G.
Facilities Task Force
Becca noted that the clean-out effort in the warehouse has been continuing.
Research items are being pursued by members of the task force.
Roof is also being considered and the task force is examining different options and recommendations.
H.
Charter Renewal -
Artie Sullivan made a motion to De-activate the Charter Renewal Committee until further consideration.
Karl Smith seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
XI. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
Will Rockwell - student break-down. Curious as to availability to any information / paperwork to consider retention / attrition trends.
XII. Board Member Comments and Resolutions
A.
Board Member Comments and Resolutions
Artie thanked all of the guests and welcomed Jessica to the Board.
Navigator award - Board level award that is presented to someone who goes above and beyond.
Ian - post past winners? Plaques in the front room - but possibly on web page.
Graduation planned for outside in the back lot.
XIII. Closing Items
A.
Recap Action Items
Take Ian's idea and list award winners on the web-site and create a page for each
Auction / celebration pending in May - look for anyone to help out.
Nominees for the Navigator awards.
$5,000 in the account - talk with Jeff.
B.
Meeting Evaluation
Everyone seemed ok.
C.
Adjourn Meeting
Rebecca Whidden made a motion to Adjourn the meeting.
Paul Baker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Absent
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Rebecca Whidden |
Aye
|
| Karl Smith |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:08 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karl Smith
Documents used during the meeting
- Gelb, Jessica.docx
- HOS Report to Board of Trustees 3_2_21.pdf
- Board Restricted Fund.docx
- Financial Statements, Jan-21.pdf
- January_FinCom_notes.pdf