Nuasin Next Generation Charter School

Minutes

MetLCS Board - Monthly Leadership Call

Date and Time

Tuesday October 20, 2020 at 8:00 AM

Location

813.967.8308 passcode 74216
Mission
We prepare our students for college through a rigorous arts-infused program.
Vision
All students will be taught by a highly effective teacher in a nurturing environment and will achieve at high levels. Each student will develop the knowledge, skills and values necessary for responsible citizenship and life-long learning. The impact of our collective efforts will fundamentally change public education.

Committee Members Present

A. Bothner, A. Khatiwada, C. Barnes-Watson, E. Chen, J. Boulet, S. Pressley

Committee Members Absent

A. Khanyile

Guests Present

A. Ames, K. Davidson, K. McGuire, M. Alston, T. Williams

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

J. Boulet called a meeting of the Governance Committee of Nuasin Next Generation Charter School to order on Tuesday Oct 20, 2020 at 8:05 AM.

C.

Approve Minutes

J. Boulet made a motion to approve the minutes from MetLCS Board - Monthly Leadership Call on 09-15-20.
E. Chen seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Ed Updates

A.

K-8 Principal Update

K. Davidson shared that he will be sharing iReady data during Ed Committee and at the Board meeting. The results are generally lower than what he'd like, but there is a lot of promise and that will be reviewed during the meeting.

The Strategic Plan will be shared at the meeting, connecting initiatives to the charter goals.

K. Davidson shared that the first reported positive COVID case within the student body. The team has been following the rules by the book, but there are teachers who are receiving different days to return from the city. Originally, the school opted to close the school for the 10-day quarantine. However, it was extended for 4th grade by two days.

K. Davidson shared that parents have not shared any negative reactions or thoughts toward the positive case. Overall, they are still happy. Staff, however, is sharing a lot of anxieties. The team has been trying to ensure teachers that the school is going above and beyond expectations in terms of safety.

J. Boulet shared that we'd expect students to be under grade level because of everything that's going on. But are there other data points that we're comparing to? Like other schools?

K. Davidson shared that the school is not sure how other schools are doing. But, what he's comparing it to his personal metrics of where he'd like the school to be.

J. Boulet asked if the staff indicated that there are some tests that should be invalidated?

K. Davidson shared that systematically, he's unsure.

E. Chen asked whether all staff has the same guidelines to proceed based on assessment outcomes? Or are they using their intuition as it pertains to their own classrooms?

K. Davidson said that all teachers have the same training and direction overall. However, in terms of customization from teachers, it's hard to say because K. Davidson hasn't attended every Zoom.

T. Williams shared that some students did test at home, but for the most part, students who were fully remote came in for testing. The results in HS still weren't good. Some students did not take the test seriously, regardless of pre-meetings talking about what the consequences were of not taking it seriously. There were also students who retested and across all grades, the results weren't good. Especially in the upper grades.

J. Boulet asked why teachers are getting different return dates from the state?

M. Alston shared that there should be a standard recommendation. However, if teachers said they were having symptoms, the state gave them a return to work date based on that.

J. Boulet asked if the school will be able to get more clarity around this?

M. Alston shared that the follow up is not over yet. The school is waiting to hear back from DOH to get a better understanding.

E. Chen shared that what the school is doing is amazing and thanked the team for keeping a close eye on the situation.

A. Bothner asked how the student is doing, whether there are other potential cases, and how the team plans to share this at the meeting.

K. Davidson shared that the student was asymptomatic and remains asymptomatic. At the board meeting, the idea was to share a 30 second snippet of what the school did and what the status is now.

A. Bothner agreed for K. Davidson to just share a snippet outlining that they followed the protocols.

S. Pressley asked if the school needs outside support to assure parents that the school is safe to enter?

M. Alston shared that deep cleaning happens every day, so there's no need for additional support.

S. Pressley asked if there's literature or anything that's needed for families.

M. Alston will partner with the Principals to see if the literature should be re-shared.

B.

9-12 Principal Update

T. Williams outlined that she would also be sharing iReady data, as well as the strategic plan, and updates that should be made to the handbook.

E. Chen requested that the entire board to review how the data dashboard is organized

III. Finance

A.

Updates

S. Pressley shared that the finance committee will review a new financial services company, audit status, PPP forgiveness, and a healthcare update.

IV. Governance

A.

Board Strategic Initiatives

J. Boulet will endeavor to get out a document to everyone as soon as possible to review, as well as Bylaws

B.

Met Support Corp

A. Bothner will share a recommendation from the council to vote on adding some executives to Met Support Corp. Typically it's some board members and an ops team member.

V. 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 8:58 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Boulet