Nuasin Next Generation Charter School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday April 28, 2022 at 6:30 PM

Location

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Meeting ID: 997 3462 0211

Passcode: 180165

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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 scholars 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 scholars 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, A. Khatiwada (remote), E. Chen, J. Boulet, K. Brisseau, K. Shabazz (remote), M. Dorrie (remote), S. Huda, S. Pressley, T. Bryan

Trustees Absent

C. Barnes-Watson

Ex Officio Members Present

M. Russell

Non Voting Members Present

M. Russell

Guests Present

E. Mew (remote), K. Davidson, K. Perez, L. Hart (remote), M. Alston, 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 Apr 28, 2022 at 6:50 PM.

C.

Review the Agenda

D.

Nuasin Mission/3 Pillar Reflection

II. School Update

A.

Quarterly Report from the Executive Director

M. Russell presented his monthly updates.

 

Quarterly Update:

 

  • Attendance for the month of K-8:91% and 9-12: 87%
  • Staff attendance in K-12 is at 96%
  • College readiness- all 12th-grade scholars have applied to at least 6 schools and 42% of scholars have been accepted into colleges/universities. All of our scholars are on track to graduate. 
  • College trips- 10th and 11th graders have visited at least 2 colleges/universities this year. 

B.

K-8 Principal Update

K. Davidson has shared the upcoming dates for the end of the year of all grades. 

 

K-8 Updates: 

 

  • Math Mastery- 3rd grade has been working on word problems and small group work. 
  • Ending 2021-22: Kindergarten pathway to level D independence
  • The 4th and 8th grades will be taking the science exam in June. 
  • 8th grade will be taking the algebra and Living Environment regents in June. 
  • Summer Shine 2022-will be focusing on foundations and mastery. 

C.

9-12 Interim Principal Update

A. Brown shared the interim assessment date for 9-12th grades for the month of March. 

 

The last IAs were a lot harder than the first two which took place in October and January. IA's are harder than the regents due to the rigorous questions. All scholars are being pushed to have annotations and proof of work in order to receive all points in a question. 

 

Regents Mastery begins in May to develop the scholars' critical thinking and their skills to be successful not only for the regents but for life. 

 

D.

Operations Update

K. Perez updated the board on enrollment updates for the month of April. 

 

  • Current enrollment, we are not filling seats right now, but we have the CPA seats to fill for six with the goal of our operation as 52 scholars per grade, and the authorizer goal of 54 scholars per grade. This month, we have lost three scholars, one in high school and two and lower school. 
  • Waitlist applications-1,420.
  • April 6th- Lottery Day. The ops team presented to the new incoming scholar families. After the presentation, we ran the lottery and had the parents interested in knowing the results stay behind. Overall, the event was successful. 

 

M. Alston updated the board on MDO and MOTA. 

 

  • Hiring for SY 22-23
  • Working on improving the onboarding process
  • NYU Internships

III. Finance Committee Updates

A.

General Updates

B.

March Financials

S. Pressley made a motion to Approve March Financials.
E. Chen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Boulet
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
T. Bryan
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye
A. Khatiwada
Aye
A. Khanyile
Aye
M. Dorrie
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye

C.

Quarterly Investment Update

D.

Budget '23 Review

IV. Education Committee Updates

A.

Education Committee Report

No updates for the month. 

V. External Relations Committee Update

A.

Fundraising Initiatives

No updates for the month. 

VI. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

Members of the public are not present. 

VII. Board Governance

A.

Approve March 2022 Board Meeting Minutes

J. Boulet made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 03-24-22.
K. Brisseau seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
K. Brisseau
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
S. Huda
Aye
A. Khanyile
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
A. Khatiwada
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
M. Dorrie
Aye

B.

Monthly Trustee Individual Goal Setting Review

This month S. Pressley shared that she is grateful to have this position. Three things she's working on: 

 

  • How do other board members operate in other schools? Our school is a modeling school 
  • Measuring financial success for the school. Analyze our outcomes
  • Secure funds for our school. 

S. Pressley has attended webinars and will continue to expand her knowledge as a board member. 

C.

Board Flywheel

The board members have completed their flywheel as a board. They would like to approve the flywheel as a reflection of their current state of mind as a board. 

 

The flywheel will be placed around the school for everyone to see and think about. 

J. Boulet made a motion to Approve the Board's Flywheel.
K. Brisseau seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Pressley
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
M. Dorrie
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
J. Boulet
Aye
A. Khatiwada
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
A. Khanyile
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye

D.

Nuasin School Calendar FY23 Preview

Nuasin will give a two-week break for the Winter break in December. This is more than what the DOE is giving to its staff and scholars. 

E.

Nuasin Board Meeting Calendar FY23

Approval to be done next board meeting. 

VIII. 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 10:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Boulet