The Neighborhood Charter Network

Minutes

NCN March Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday March 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM

Location

Enlace Academy Media Center

The Neighborhood Charter Network is hosting a board meeting on the second Tuesday of every other month.

 

Public comment sign up: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15VVz3ERFJWi9gwMakDFqTWNnKYj80LU8j6dqfQb2V9w/edit#gid=1428411036

 

Public Comment:

  • Speakers are allowed two (2) minutes to offer comments to the board.
  • A timer will start when you begin; please briefly conclude your remarks when you hear the timer go off.
  • Comments should be directed to the board collectively, should not be abusive or disruptive, and should not address a topic that might be of a confidential nature or that would compromise the impartiality of the board.
  • While the board is happy to receive your comments, we will not respond or answer questions.

Directors Present

A. Segarra-Hansen, B. Delk (remote), B. Storey, J. Servaas, J. VanDeWalle, K. Britt

Directors Absent

C. Byczko

Guests Present

B. Anderson, D. Castellanos, Emma Kersey, Juanita Limas, K. Dulay, Leslie Salazar, Marc Sciscoe

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

J. Servaas called a meeting of the board of directors of The Neighborhood Charter Network to order on Tuesday Mar 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

K. Britt made a motion to approve the minutes from NCN January Board Meeting on 01-14-25.
J. VanDeWalle seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Delk
Aye
B. Storey
Absent
C. Byczko
Absent
A. Segarra-Hansen
Absent
J. Servaas
Aye
K. Britt
Aye
J. VanDeWalle
Aye

II. Governance

A.

Governance Update

Joan recommended Marc Sciscoe as a new board member. Marc is a retired lawyer and worked with Ice Miller for 30 years. He has a strong interest in Latin American culture. Travels to Spanish speaking countries 2-3 times a year. 

 

Juanita Limas is joining us a member of the public. She would like to be recommended as a board member in the future. 

 

The board members introduced themselves and provided their history within their time at NCN. 

 

Katie shared she would like to add one more board member. Dr. Kenith Britt has shared that he will be rolling out at the end of this school year. 

J. VanDeWalle made a motion to to approve Marc Sciscoe and Leslie Salazar as our NCN new board members.
K. Britt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Segarra-Hansen
Absent
J. VanDeWalle
Aye
C. Byczko
Absent
J. Servaas
Aye
K. Britt
Aye
B. Storey
Aye
B. Delk
Aye

III. Academic Excellence

A.

Academic Updates

Mission Moment 

 

iRead Update

  • A lot of time, intentionality, and funding has gone into reaching the iRead goals. 
  • Enlace has already met and exceeded their summer goal. 
  • There will two more opportunities to test. 
  • Staff celebrated this moment with cookies!

Legislative Update

  • There is a lot happening in this legislative session. There are some bills that could impact our school community. The board had a request for education for moving pieces. 
  • HB 1499: Education Matters
    • In summary it provides a pathway for exemption for schools with 50% or more multilingual learners until the 2027-2028 school year. 
    • HB 1499 passed out of the house with 95 "yeas" and 0 "nays." 
    • Enlace is working to include an additional WIDA exemption. 
    • Stephanie and Carlota testified with Representative Behning. 
  • HB 1002 
    • Included  a repeal of the Indiana: certificate of biliteracy/multinlingual profiency. This bill was maintained.
    • HB 1394 
      • was never heard and didn't move to the senate. 
    • HB 15331
      • The federal government could request from us to share the imigration status of our students. This was removed for schools. 
  • DEI Bill
    • SB 289: Nondiscrimination in employment and education. 
    • Enlace was founded in partnership with the community to serve the largely immigrant population in the International Marketplace. Diversity and equity are inherent in our mission, and we will speak up against any bills that create barriers to achieving our mission/vision. 
  • HB 1136 School Governance Overhaul This bill is dead
    • This would dissolve districts if 50% or more students attend non-district operated schols. 
    • Replaces elected school board with state-appointment board. 
  • HB 1501: Centralized management Pilot Programs. - This bill is dead. 
  • SB 518: School Property Tax Redistribution
    • Requires that all school corporation share property tax revenue with charter schools. 
    • Includes a providion for the appoinment of additonal board members to the board of charter schools that receive property tax revenue.
    • Sets forth procedures related to the closure of a charter school. 
    • The impact would be that if IPS has an unused public bld. The district must sell it for $1. if property tax sharing was not pass, they would no longer be bound by the $1 law meaning NCN needs to maintain a strong cash position for future facilities costs. 
  • SB 1: Property Tax Reform
    • IPS has shared their response to SB 1 and SB 518.

IV. Finance

A.

Finance updates

Finance Update

Brian reported that financials are strong and are way ahead of revenue in terms of where we budgeted. The second half of the charter innovation grant has been received. The financials were uploaded to the board deck. 

 

Given the budget legislation session, the 25-26 budget approval will be moved to May. Enlace always wants to be competitive and offer great benefits. For the 24-25 school year, our base salary for teachers was at 50k We recommend that in order to continue to be competitive, we move to raise the base salary to $52,000. Brandon is in full support of the increase for retention. 

 

Lilly Grant Update

Phase 1 50k received

Phase 2 338k 

Phase 3 Enlace will submit a concept paper review and budget submission. 

 

 

 

K. Britt made a motion to approve up to 85% of the anticipated ongoing revenue (based on enrollment of 655) towards salaries, taxes, & benefits, stipends and bonuses. allocated toward the teacher salaries for the 25-26 school year.
J. Servaas seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Storey
Aye
B. Delk
Aye
C. Byczko
Absent
J. VanDeWalle
Aye
J. Servaas
Aye
K. Britt
Aye
A. Segarra-Hansen
Aye

V. Community Outreach

A.

Outreach initiatives

Thurs, 3/13 3-5th grade musical performance

Thurs, 4/24 3-5th  International Festival. 

All are welcome to come and visit!

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 4:34 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Servaas