Nuasin Next Generation Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday September 23, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Location
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Meeting ID: 931 3294 6482
https://metlcs.zoom.us/j/93132946482?pwd=OWc4Z2FXY2ZIbTQrQ3ROck1NUlBoZz09
Meeting ID: 931 3294 6482
Passcode: 082536
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,93132946482# US (New York)
+13017158592,,93132946482# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 931 3294 6482
Mission
At Nuasin Next Generation, we believe in the unlimited talent and intellectual potential of our scholars and our community. We cultivate this talent and intellectual potential through a progressive education that focuses on deep exploration, thoughtful questioning, relentless curiosity and critical thinking. Nuasin Next Generation Charter School implements a progressive K-12 educational program and an unyielding commitment to cultivating our scholars’ innate intellectual talents to empower our graduates to achieve excellence in their postsecondary paths and make positive impacts on the broader community. Every single one of our scholars have the potential to be great and change the world, at Nuasin Next Generation we prepare our scholars for that opportunity.
3 Pillars
The Mission of Nuasin Next Generation stands firmly on the foundation of our three pillars: Rigor, Self-Advocacy, and Community. These three pillars are the guiding principles for our school and culture. Please find a deeper explanation of our pillars below.
Rigor:
We use the word “rigor” not in the stringent or inflexible sense, but in the sense of an unyielding need to challenge and push our students because we understand and believe in the potential, talent, and ability of our scholars and community. We challenge our scholars to build their confidence and help them realize what they can achieve.
Self-Advocacy:
Our scholars are empowered to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities. As our scholars come to understand that their voices are valued and needed, they learn to advocate for themselves. Our scholars are seen and valued; they understand that not only do they have the right to express their opinions, views, and perspectives, but it is their obligation to do so.
Community:
Our scholars will embrace community and understand that as a member of a community you have certain
inalienable rights, the right to be seen, the right to be heard, the right to be protected and the right to be loved and
cherished. Our students will also learn of their obligations. As a member of a community you have the obligation to
respect, listen, support and only want and assume the best in all others. Every member of our community must understand that they are active participants in the Nuasin community and the community goes as we go.
At Nuasin Next Generation, we believe in the unlimited talent and intellectual potential of our scholars and our community. We cultivate this talent and intellectual potential through a progressive education that focuses on deep exploration, thoughtful questioning, relentless curiosity and critical thinking. Nuasin Next Generation Charter School implements a progressive K-12 educational program and an unyielding commitment to cultivating our scholars’ innate intellectual talents to empower our graduates to achieve excellence in their postsecondary paths and make positive impacts on the broader community. Every single one of our scholars have the potential to be great and change the world, at Nuasin Next Generation we prepare our scholars for that opportunity.
3 Pillars
The Mission of Nuasin Next Generation stands firmly on the foundation of our three pillars: Rigor, Self-Advocacy, and Community. These three pillars are the guiding principles for our school and culture. Please find a deeper explanation of our pillars below.
Rigor:
We use the word “rigor” not in the stringent or inflexible sense, but in the sense of an unyielding need to challenge and push our students because we understand and believe in the potential, talent, and ability of our scholars and community. We challenge our scholars to build their confidence and help them realize what they can achieve.
Self-Advocacy:
Our scholars are empowered to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities. As our scholars come to understand that their voices are valued and needed, they learn to advocate for themselves. Our scholars are seen and valued; they understand that not only do they have the right to express their opinions, views, and perspectives, but it is their obligation to do so.
Community:
Our scholars will embrace community and understand that as a member of a community you have certain
inalienable rights, the right to be seen, the right to be heard, the right to be protected and the right to be loved and
cherished. Our students will also learn of their obligations. As a member of a community you have the obligation to
respect, listen, support and only want and assume the best in all others. Every member of our community must understand that they are active participants in the Nuasin community and the community goes as we go.
Trustees Present
A. Bothner (remote), A. Khanyile (remote), A. Khatiwada (remote), C. Barnes-Watson (remote), J. Boulet (remote), K. Brisseau (remote), K. Shabazz (remote), M. Dorrie (remote), S. Huda (remote), S. Pressley (remote), T. Bryan (remote)
Trustees Absent
E. Chen
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
C. Barnes-Watson, S. Huda, S. Pressley
Ex Officio Members Present
M. Russell (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
M. Russell (remote)
Guests Present
E. Mew (remote), K. Davidson (remote), K. Perez (remote), L. Hart (remote), M. Alston (remote), R. Keogh (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
A. Bothner called a meeting of the board of trustees of Nuasin Next Generation Charter School to order on Thursday Sep 23, 2021 at 6:40 PM.
C.
Review the Agenda
A. Bothner reviewed the agenda for tonight's meeting.
D.
Nuasin Mission/3 Pillar Reflection
S. Huda arrived at 6:48 PM.
A. Bothner shared his reflection on our new school pillars and how it resonates to him.
S. Pressley arrived at 6:52 PM.
II. School Update
A.
Executive Director Update
M. Russell updates on the upcoming events.
Data Updates:
- Renewal updates: In November, dates for the renewal visits are on November 15-November 18, 2021. M. Russell would like to have informal runs with the staff and the board members to begin preparing for the renewal.
- Evaluation Updates:
- Why is it Important? Development, Culture, Forward Looking, It's About the Mission.
- What We Have? A clear process on how to proceed when a critical leadership position is vacant. Ensures that a coverage plan is in place in the event of a vacancy.
- What We Want? A plan that specifically outlines a roadmap to being a culture and outlook that creates a space for talent and etc.
- How Do We Get There? Create strong evaluation structures. Be transparent and clear with communication regarding the talent development and growth. Also adding trainings and development.
- The rollout plan: September is the preview, October is the outline and February is the rollout plan.
- We have 4 openings for hires in STEM sections for the Highschool.
Data Updates:
- i-Ready Data: Compared to last year we have seen a 1 point decrease in Math. In ELA, there was a 2% pass rate.
C. Barnes-Watson arrived at 7:05 PM.
B.
K-8 Principal Update
K. Davidson gave his monthly update.
Highlights:
Highlights:
- First two covid cases- Getting our strong footing with staffing and switching to remote learning quickly.
- F&Ps-Teachers are doing reading assessments to get a reading level for all of our scholars. K-8th grade triangulate with the i-Ready exams and reading along with our baseline assessments that are within our number stories approach and close reading.
- State Testing- The data from the state test will be used as resources for our scholars to analyze and test where they are.
C.
9-12 School Update
M. Russell updated on Highschool updates.
- Classroom Management and Culture: Working on getting the 9-12 Scholars ready to be in the classrooms and following their schedules.
- Leadership Team-has been really focused on looking at the Highschool from a scholar standpoint and teacher standpoint.
- Staff- We are fully staffed in the Highschool and pushing teachers to get to the expectations of the school.
- Algebra- all 8th graders will be taking Algebra moving forward.
- Two AP courses that are being taught at the school by Dr. James.
D.
Operations Update
M. Alston gave updates on the Operations Dashboard for the month.
Academic Updates:
Academic Updates:
- Swivl Technology- All teachers will be receiving swivls so we are prepared in case of remote instruction
- Planners for Scholars have been given out to scholars for the year.
- Compliance Reports- Many reports were due on October 1, 2021 and we have submitted.
- Resources- M. Alston has been working on many resources especially around Covid-19.
- Staff Hiring- Has increased and vacancies are being filled.
- Covid-19 Response- working rigiouriously and daily on protocol updates and staying up to date.
III. Finance Committee Updates
A.
General Updates
B.
July and August Financials
E. Mew shared the financial updates for the month.
- Audit- Based on the additional federal funding that we received over the course of last year, mostly related to the COVID funding that we received. They are focusing in on the Title 1 grant. It calls for us to provide additional paperwork, detail of postings that we've made over the course of the year for the Title 1 funding.
- Net assets are very strong, very good. The metrics they see that the current ratio 3.1 debt to asset ratio .25. These are all very healthy, but they fluctuate from month to month based on the allocation of the per pupil funding. All other ratios look good.
- We have budget enrollment of 662. That is a conservative number and we do that on purpose because we know there's going to be fluctuation, especially this year because of Covid and because of all the transient action that is taking place with the scholars. As of the second billing, we had 676 scholars, but of course K. Perez numbers are probably a little more accurate up to today.
- We forecasted activity and we forecast income or revenue to be in line with FY21 approximately the same. We see that expenses will probably be more than they were in FY21 and that was primarily due to capital expenditures. The schools investing in technology, and facilities and infrastructure, so expenses will more than likely trend upward as compared to last year. Day's cash, that's our reserves. We can see that we forecast 243 days of cash reserves. So extremely well DOE benchmark being 90, so we are well above that. The debt to asset ratio, we're well below the DOE's benchmarks and we expect that to continue throughout the remainder of this year. As mentioned earlier, we have budgeted enrollment of 662 .
S. Pressley made a motion to Approve August FInanicals.
A. Bothner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| A. Bothner |
Aye
|
| T. Bryan |
Aye
|
| J. Boulet |
Aye
|
| K. Shabazz |
Aye
|
| K. Brisseau |
Aye
|
| E. Chen |
Absent
|
| A. Khanyile |
Aye
|
| C. Barnes-Watson |
Aye
|
| M. Dorrie |
Aye
|
| A. Khatiwada |
Aye
|
| S. Pressley |
Aye
|
| S. Huda |
Aye
|
IV. Education Committee Updates
A.
Education Committee Report
No new updates for this month.
V. External Relations Committee Update
A.
Fundraising Initiatives
No new updates.
VI. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
No public comments at this time.
VII. Board Governance
A.
Approve August 2021 Board Meeting Minutes
A. Bothner made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 08-26-21.
T. Bryan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Pressley |
Aye
|
| J. Boulet |
Abstain
|
| C. Barnes-Watson |
Aye
|
| A. Bothner |
Aye
|
| A. Khanyile |
Aye
|
| E. Chen |
Absent
|
| S. Huda |
Abstain
|
| T. Bryan |
Aye
|
| K. Shabazz |
Aye
|
| K. Brisseau |
Abstain
|
| A. Khatiwada |
Aye
|
| M. Dorrie |
Aye
|
B.
Change November Board Meeting to Align with Authorizer Visit.
A. Bothner shared that...
A. Bothner made a motion to From the 15th-18th of November.
A. Khatiwada seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Bryan |
Aye
|
| E. Chen |
Absent
|
| K. Shabazz |
Aye
|
| S. Pressley |
Aye
|
| K. Brisseau |
Aye
|
| S. Huda |
Aye
|
| C. Barnes-Watson |
Aye
|
| J. Boulet |
Aye
|
| A. Khanyile |
Aye
|
| A. Khatiwada |
Aye
|
| A. Bothner |
Aye
|
| M. Dorrie |
Aye
|
C.
Personnel Handbook
M. Russell shared that with all of Susan's corrections, the handbook will be presented for a vote in October's meeting.
D.
Scholar Family Handbook
M. Russell shared that with all of Susan's corrections, the handbook will be presented for a vote in October's meeting.
E.
Board Committee Chairs
M. Russell has chairs in:
- External Relations- the committee will be meeting next week to vote on the chair.
- Facilities- has not met and changes have not been made.
- Education- E. Chen is not present to give an update.
- Nominating Committee-K. Brisseau is the chair.
VIII. Executive Session
A.
Executive Session to be Proposed to Discuss Personnel Matters.
A. Bothner made a motion to move into executive session to discuss personnel matters with M. Russell.
K. Shabazz seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| E. Chen |
Absent
|
| A. Khatiwada |
Aye
|
| A. Khanyile |
Aye
|
| S. Huda |
Aye
|
| T. Bryan |
Aye
|
| S. Pressley |
Aye
|
| J. Boulet |
Aye
|
| K. Shabazz |
Aye
|
| M. Dorrie |
Aye
|
| C. Barnes-Watson |
Aye
|
| A. Bothner |
Aye
|
| K. Brisseau |
Aye
|
IX. 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 9:37 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
J. Boulet