Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Minutes
Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday March 25, 2019 at 6:30 PM
Location
Scholars Academy
Directors Present
A. Gozycki, J. Wagler, M. Dixon, M. Mittal, M. Ramasamy, M. Scruggs, R. Watson, S. Korrapati, S. Liner, S. Scott
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
A. Pieper
Non Voting Members Present
A. Pieper
Guests Present
S. Tam, T. Hemming
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 Mar 25, 2019 at 6:30 PM.
R. Watson reminded everyone that the board is audio recording each meeting.
C.
Read Mission Statement
R. Watson read the mission statement.
D.
Approval of Prior Minutes
M. Scruggs made a motion to approve minutes from the Monthly Board Meeting on 02-25-19 Monthly Board Meeting on 02-25-19.
J. Wagler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Adoption of the Agenda
J. Wagler mentioned that a member of the Expansion Committee will be joining the board in closed session for expansion discussion
M. Scruggs made a motion to approve the agenda.
J. Wagler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Community Comments (First Opportunity) - subject to guidelines
A.
Community Comments - guidelines
No comments in room or on phone in the first or second rounds of community comments.
III. Director's Report
A.
General Items
A. Pieper presented the Director's Report:
Student Enrollment and Performance:
Student Enrollment and Performance:
- Admissions Data for 2019-2020
- A. Pieper shared data with the board from last 3 years
- Group test participants doubled this year
- Can't be sure of the exact cause, but we did do more open houses, more people came out to hear about it and heard about the group test
- Hoping that outreach from Diversity also helped move the needle
- Families can submit both the group test and a private IQ test, but there isn't usually overlap, maybe a handful do both (in this case, the IQ test is referenced)
- Almost all new student enrollment paperwork has been received
- Group test participants doubled this year
- A. Pieper shared data with the board from last 3 years
- iReady Spring testing scheduled for May
- EOC, EOGs schedule set - need to fall within the last 10 days of school
- This year will feature computer based assessments for 5th-8th, these offer immediate results
- Continuing with paper/pencil for 3rd/4th
- Intent to Return forms for current students - week of April 8th
- Intent to Return for Staff due 4/1
- Recruitment/interviewing for positions in progress
- sent 2 staff members to App State for recruitment last Friday
- UNCC Field Studies - student teaching
- via. Dr. Gilson at UNCC, 10 hours of observation for two student teachers to watch and learn in the classroom)
- Gifted Certification update:
- 5 staff members have passed the Praxis, newly certified
- Total for staff (teachers plus admin): 20 of 32 staff members are certified
- 7 more potentially certified this year
- Remaining 5 aiming for 2020 completion
- Budget planning in process for next year in Finance committee
- Modular classroom proposals for discussion in closed session, time sensitive
- Gifted Conference update
- 32 people registered, 50 people total including staff attendees
- Field Days moved to end of May
- 5/30 for 5th-8th graders, 5/31 for K-4th t
- New Scholars Day will be split into two days: May 3rd for new 1st-8th families, K only on May 7th (am/pm)
IV. Finance Committee
A.
Refi Discussion
M. Mittal gave Finance updates:
- Finance Committee is currently working on next year's budget
- Will be ready to begin reviewing priorities with the board in in April, and will discuss further in May for additional changes
- June discussion will mainly be for true ups as most of the budget is set at that time
- Tax returns can be shared next month
- Will be ready to begin reviewing priorities with the board in in April, and will discuss further in May for additional changes
V. Governance Committee
A.
Updates
S. Liner presented Governance updates:
- Board Recruitment ran in last two newsletters, no applications yet
- M. Mittal shared that usually the applications come in during the month of May
- R. Watson asked board to help spread the word as well to those they feel would be a good fit
VI. Expansion Committee
A.
Expansion Updates
S. Korrapati gave Expansion update:
- Given challenges with current grounds/buildings, committee is looking at alternatives and considering moving locations
- Board will discuss further in closed session
- Planning to schedule a meeting with the full expansion committee soon, community meeting/update to follow after that
B.
Foundation Update
M. Ramasamy presented Foundation updates:
- Tax ID has been created
- Committee is working on by-laws and 501c3 application
- Goal is to wrap up the application and consult with a non-profit lawyer to review before submitting
VII. Closed Session (if necessary)
A.
Closed Session
A staff member and a committee member were invited into closed session for expansion discussion.
J. Wagler made a motion to convene in Closed Session pursuant to "Permitted Purposes" under N.C.G.S. §143-318.11: (e) To discuss contract negotiations.
J. Wagler made a motion to convene in Closed Session pursuant to "Permitted Purposes" under N.C.G.S. §143-318.11: (e) To discuss contract negotiations.
M. Dixon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.VIII. Closing Items
A.
Vote on any items from Closed Sessions
No vote necessary.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
M. Scruggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M. Dixon 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 9:19 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
A. Gozycki