Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday January 22, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Location
Scholars Board Room
Directors Present
A. Gozycki, J. Wagler, M. Mittal, M. Scruggs, R. Watson, S. Liner, S. Scott
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Cuneo
Non Voting Members Present
J. Cuneo
Guests Present
T. Miller
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
R. Watson called a meeting of the board of directors of Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy to order on Monday Jan 22, 2018 at 6:32 PM.
R. Watson reminded everyone that the meeting is being audio recorded and will be posted on the school website.
C.
Read Mission Statement
S. Scott read the mission statement.
D.
Approval of Prior Minutes
M. Scruggs made a motion to approve minutes from the November Board Meeting on 11-27-17 November Board Meeting on 11-27-17.
J. Wagler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Approval of Prior Minutes
M. Scruggs made a motion to approve minutes from the Special December Meeting on 12-18-17 Special December Meeting on 12-18-17.
J. Wagler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
M. Scruggs made a motion to approve minutes from the Special January Meeting on 1-12-18.
J. Wagler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.F.
Adoption of the Agenda
R. Watson discussed items added to the meeting agenda:
- Minutes from 1/12 special meeting were added for final approval.
- Added time to plan for next month's meeting.
- Budget amendments added to Finance section.
J. Wagler made a motion to approve agenda.
M. Scruggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Community Comments (First Opportunity) - subject to guidelines
A.
Community Comments - guidelines
There were no comments during either community comments section.
III. Director's Report
A.
General Items
J. Cuneo discussed the Director's Report:
- Mid-year iReady testing is occurring for K-6 students
- Mid-year DRA testing for K-2 also happening
- Science fair happening this week for 6th-8th grade
- J. Cuneo presented contract for STEM Revolution summer camp
- Camp wishes to rent space at SA during the last two weeks of June
- Camp can hire SA teachers, SA kids would receive priority enrollment in the camp
- There was discussion around creation of a policy on rental contracts specifically, in addition to the policies already in place
- J. Wagler made motion to give Ms. Cuneo ability to move forward with STEM Revolution Contract, M. Scruggs seconded. All voted unanimously to approve. Motion carried.
- Admissions Committee meets in early February to review applications
- Make-up day Schedule was shared in last week's newsletter
- First (3) days were predetermined, 2/19 was added
- Board to vote on 2018-2019 calendar in February
IV. Development Commitee
A.
Update on Development initiatives
J. Wagler / S. Scott gave Development Updates:
- Annual Campaign going well - only $28K off goal as of last week
- Good participation from most grades
- A website was created for submissions of photos (to be used in marketing materials)
- Parents can submit photos
- Committee is working to get a photographer to capture life at SA
V. Diversity Committee
A.
Recommendation of admission target (low SES)
M. Scruggs updated the Board on recent developments:
- 13% was the initial low-SES target from the Diversity Committee, policy sent to OCS included flexibility for the target given the school financial situation year to year
- OCS gave feedback on 1/22 (today), wants to see a specific target and timetable within the policy (range percentage or year to year, transparent)
- R. Watson suggested we start with a 1-2 year plan, amend later on
- Plan for implementation within the Admissions Policy moves to next school year given timing for OCS approval. In the meantime, we can move forward from within:
- Re-evaluate the current school population: how many qualify as low SES - start with these needs
- Look at what can we commit to support current needs (through Finance and data)
- Review what other schools are doing
- Diversity Committee will meet again to discuss ideas, Finance Committee will evaluate as well
- M. Scruggs and J. Cuneo will talk with OCS to see if we can plan for 1-2 years at a time
VI. Finance Committee
A.
Quarterly Dashboard
M. Mittal presented quarterly financial dashboard (as of 12/31/17)
- Overall the actuals are in line with budget, with around 55-60% still remaining
- Local funding is slower to come in, as we've seen in the past
- Currently have a $100K surplus
M. Mittal presented Budget Amendments for vote
- Largest amendment to note covers the increased athletic participation fee for this year
- Net change to budget surplus $1,559.04
M. Scruggs made a motion to approve the budget amendments.
J. Wagler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.B.
Loan Compliance Review
M. Mittal shared compliance report for the past fiscal year (ending 6/30/17).
- Report shows that the school financials are in good standing.
VII. Educational Excellence Committee
A.
Academic Performance Metrics
A. Gozycki presented Educational Excellence Committee update:
- Committee works alongside other committees, especially S.P.I.T.
- Goals and metrics created within this committee are directed and enforced through the school administration
- First task was to update the academic goals for the school
- Placing enough emphasis on tests helps our children prepare for life after Scholars - and to get credit for the coursework they have completed at our school
- Academic goals are just one piece of the puzzle, social and emotional goals will also be created and shared
- Committee reviewed the last (2) years of test data (EOGs/EOCs, DRA, iReady tests), shown as grouped percentages by grade (no individual test data was shared)
- Committee member T. Miller shared that the group is also speaking to other schools that similar models (publicly funded, highly gifted peer schools - such as the Hunter College Program in NYC and MESA)
- One large takeaway from the data, K-2 is truly a three year span of student development
- Updated goals are realistic, we are already there in most cases
- Administration/teachers will explain to students the importance of testing as a door opener for them
- Every test at SA is providing helpful, instructional feedback
- Donuts with Director 1/31 will cover the committee and academic goals for the community
- Administration will cover these topics in the 2/2 newsletter
- Parent Guides by subject will be created to help parents understand the learning path by grade
- Math will be ready in the spring and will be placed on the website
- R. Watson pointed out that the Board can oversee, check progress against these new goals, but the administration is directing and enforcing goals and processes
VIII. Policy Committee
A.
Bullying Policy
S. Liner gave additional updates:
- Next Policy Committee meeting is on 1/24
- Policy manual is almost complete, has been drilled down into smaller documents, easier to update and organize
- Open Meeting Policy has been drafted
M. Scruggs made a motion to adopt bullying policy as drafted.
J. Wagler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
AIG Certification / Reimbursement Policy (First Reading)
Board reviewed draft of AIG Certification/Praxis Testing and Reimbursement Policy
- Policy provides (3) paths for teachers to obtain AIG Certification depending on career background
- Committee is addressing some remaining questions
- Board discussion around timing of employee reimbursement for first required course (waiting until the end of semester vs. in good faith at the beginning)
- Policy Committee will finalize and present for approval at a future meeting.
IX. Closed Session (if necessary)
A.
Closed Session
In accordance with the NC statutes, J. Wagler motioned to move into closed session to discuss a confidential matter. M. Scruggs seconded. The board VOTED unanimously to move into closed session.
M. Scruggs motioned to move back into open session, J. Wagler seconded. The board VOTED unanimously to return to open session.
X. Closing Items
A.
Vote on any items from Closed Sessions
No vote needed.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
Discussed February meeting agenda.
J. Wagler made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M. Mittal 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 9:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
A. Gozycki