MCCPS Board of Trustees
Minutes
Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday October 26, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Trustees Present
Artie Sullivan (remote), James Rogers (remote), Jessica Gelb (remote), Jessica Xiarhos (remote), NDack Toure (remote), Nick Santoro (remote), Paul Baker (remote), Peter Cheney (remote), Peter Cohen (remote), Richard Doron (remote), Rodolphe Herve (remote), William Rockwell (remote)
Trustees Absent
Ian Hunt
Guests Present
Andrea Barlow (remote), Carol McEnaney (remote), Elizabeth Burns (remote), Jeff Barry (remote), Lauren Donadio (remote), Tim Wadlow (remote), elizabeth Burns (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 Oct 26, 2021 at 7:00 PM.
C.
Accept Remote Participation
Jessica Gelb made a motion to Approve remote participation.
Jessica Xiarhos seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| William Rockwell |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Jessica Gelb |
Aye
|
| Nick Santoro |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Absent
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Absent
|
D.
Approve Minutes
Peter Cheney made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Board Meeting on 09-28-21.
Rodolphe Herve seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Absent
|
| Ian Hunt |
Absent
|
| Nick Santoro |
Aye
|
| Jessica Gelb |
Aye
|
| William Rockwell |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
II. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
None!
III. HOS Report
A.
Monthly Report
Peter shared his HoS report. Please see agenda attachment for details.
James Rogers joined the meeting at 7:28pm.
Rick Doran questioned the ongoing behavior of students... a lot of it from 4th graders.
Jessica Gelb suggested an outside presenter to come to the school to speak with parents/students.
IV. Other Business
A.
Discussion and Vote on Annual Audit of SY 20-21
Treasurer, Rudi Herve presented the auditors report to the Board.
$152,000 in the black at the end of the year.
Richard Doron made a motion to accept the Auditors report as presented.
Rodolphe Herve seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Ian Hunt |
Absent
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Jessica Gelb |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Aye
|
| William Rockwell |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Nick Santoro |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
Artie Sullivan made a motion to set aside $100K to the rainy day fund.
Paul Baker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Jessica Gelb |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Absent
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Nick Santoro |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| William Rockwell |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Aye
|
B.
Discussion and Vote to Enter Negotiations with Head of School for Contract Renewal
Dr. Cohen presented to the Board and outlined his, and the schools accomplishments, over the last 2 years.
Restructuring of leadership.
Special Education revamp and improvements/ systems were not working and were out of compliance. Trust has been rebuilt.
Councilling, learning specialists, teams has been rebuilt.
Building upgrades interior and exterior.
Communication/social media/website/rebranding.
Enrollment and marketing reboot.
Crisis leadership during covid.
Vision for the future..Soar....
Academic excellence.
Visual & performing arts.
Building upgrade and deferred maintenance.
Gradual expansion into warehouse/ science labs/maker space.
The groundwork has been put in place, time to build upon it.
Jessica Gelb, Paul B spoke to Peter's accomplishments.
Peter Cheney made a motion to Enter into negotiations with Dr. Peter Cohen for a new contract.
Rodolphe Herve seconded the motion.
Nick, James, Peter and Jessica X left the room for the vote.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Absent
|
| Jessica Gelb |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| William Rockwell |
Aye
|
Richard Doron made a motion to Appoint negotiating team to parlay with Dr. Cohen.
Peter Cheney seconded the motion.
Artie, Paul, Rudi and Peter Cheney will form the negotiating team to work with Dr. Cohen on a new 3 year contract.
Peter, James, Jess Xiarhos and Nick re-joined the meeting at 8:38pm.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Jessica Gelb |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Absent
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| William Rockwell |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
C.
Discussion and Approval of Criteria for Excellence
James Rogers made a motion to approve the criteria for academic excellence.
Nick Santoro seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Nick Santoro |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| William Rockwell |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Jessica Gelb |
Aye
|
D.
Discussion to Establish Strategic Planning Committee
Dr. Cohen... need to put the committee back together to put in place data collection ahead of 2023 expiration of the current Strategic Plan.
E.
Establish a Covid/Pandemic Response Task Force
V. Committee Updates
A.
Governance Committee
Paul presented ideas for yearly board member review as well as renewal.
Board agreed that Governance committee should do so and report back to Board with suggestions at December or January meetings.
B.
Finance Committee
Rudi presented a very clear and concise presentation of the finance committees work and rightly applauded Jeff Barry for all of his continued hard work.
C.
Personnel Committee
James shared that the committee focused on the presentation of an older Katie Sullivan faculty survey as a mid cycle feedback/review. Too many "didn't know" answers in the past..need to eliminate the majority of those answers. Will provide a great guide for Peter.
D.
Academic Excellence
See above as to vote on Academic Excellence.
E.
Development & Communications
Did not meet but Peter's update touched on the main topics.
F.
Strategic Plan Committee
Time fast approaching to kick start the new 5 year Strategic Plan.
G.
Facilities Task Force
Will Rockwell gave an update on Task Force work.Moving along nicely.
Storage container GONE and the back lot is "almost" empty!
MCCPS parents Karen Zieff and John Romano have joined the committee..great news.
Awaiting proposals for roof replacement.
Landscape architect suggested by Peter Cheney is going to help out.
Gradual approach to development.
VI. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
None!
VII. Board Member Comments and Resolutions
A.
Board Member Comments and Resolutions
Halloween Dance is moved indoors for Friday evening due to the weather.
James...question? New members of Board as Chairs of committees...any mentoring in place to help out? Secession plan?
Jess Gelb suggested another staff appreciation event to be financed by the board. 100% agreement on the suggestion.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Recap Action Items
B.
Meeting Evaluation
Happy Thanksgiving:)
Good and long meeting.
Artie absent for 30th November meeting. Rick Doran, Vice Chair, will chair the meeting in Artie's absence.
C.
Adjourn Meeting
Artie Sullivan made a motion to Adjourn the meeting.
Nick Santoro seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Artie Sullivan |
Aye
|
| William Rockwell |
Aye
|
| Jessica Xiarhos |
Aye
|
| Peter Cheney |
Aye
|
| Jessica Gelb |
Aye
|
| James Rogers |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Absent
|
| NDack Toure |
Aye
|
| Paul Baker |
Aye
|
| Peter Cohen |
Aye
|
| Rodolphe Herve |
Aye
|
| Richard Doron |
Aye
|
| Nick Santoro |
Aye
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:38 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Paul Baker
Documents used during the meeting
- HOS Report to Board of Trustees 10_26_21.pdf
- Finance Committee Presentation - 20-21.pdf
- Draft- Audit Report Marblehead.pdf
- Head of School - past,present,future.pdf
- FINAL - MCCPS Criteria for Excellence -6.pdf
- FinCom_notes_Sept_2021.pdf
- Sept-2021.pdf