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. 

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.

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. 

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

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

All are welcome to come and visit!