Nuasin Next Generation Charter School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday May 26, 2022 at 6:30 PM

Location

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

Trustees Absent

A. Khanyile, C. Barnes-Watson

Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened

A. Bothner

Ex Officio Members Present

M. Russell (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

M. Russell (remote)

Guests Present

E. Mew (remote), Isis Umana Walters, K. Davidson, K. Perez, M. Alston, R. Keogh (remote), Steven Walters

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

A. Khatiwada called a meeting of the board of trustees of Nuasin Next Generation Charter School to order on Thursday May 26, 2022 at 6:50 PM.

C.

Review the Agenda

Reviewed the agenda.

D.

Nuasin Mission/3 Pillar Reflection

II. School Update

A.

Executive Director Update

Nuasin Next Generation Charter has been renewed for 5 years. 

 

M. Russell started his updates with a K-12 scholar and staff attendance update.

 

  • K-8 scholars: 90% present for the month of April
  • 9-12 scholars: 84% present for the month of April
  • Staff-92% presence overall 

College Readiness Updates: 

  • 100% of our 12th graders have to go to at least six colleges 
  • 42 scholars have been accepted into at least one two-four year universities
  • 100% of our scholars have visited at least two colleges this year. 
  • Class 2023 has already taken the SAT and will have another chance to take it in the fall 

EOY Events:

  • Graduation for 12th grade on June 22, 2022
  • K and 8th-grade Graduation will take place on June 24, 2022

B.

K-12 Principal Update

K. Davidson shared that the regent for NYS visited the school last month. The authorizer and two other members walked the building with staff members. 

 

Upcoming Dates:

 

  • EOY IA's 
  • State regents for 8th grade 
  • 8th-grade capstone 

Ending the school year strong K-8:

  • Research and writing on very specific topics to bring out their own thinking. I.E. 5th grade is working on learning more about the Dominican Republic and Haiti's relationship
  • Field trips- K-8th grade classes will be attending fields trips in the month of June
  • Key Transitions Points are a huge topic. Taking advantage of setting all grades to transition to their next grade. 
  • Summer Shine 2022- Will begin on July 11, 2022-August 11th, 2022. Rising 1st-9th grade. Targeting 20-22 scholars per grade

August PD-

Leveling up on the culture of rigor, classroom and school culture, leverage high staff return rate, and practical work time. 

 

9-12 Updates from A. Brown:

  • Regents Preparation for the month of June has been extensive 
  • SAT Prep (Summer Program)-Targeting Juniors mostly but open for everyone
  • Fall Planning 
A. Bothner arrived at 7:22 PM.

C.

Operations Update

K. Perez shared the enrollment updates for the month of April. No new enrollments for the month of April. 2 withdrawals from K-12. 

 

M. Alston shared monthly updates: 

 

  • In regards to the update for our talent acquisition. We have ten open teacher positions. This for the next school year. We have five leader openings. We have moved one teacher to leader of culture position. And our 8th-grade math teacher has moved to the high school as a tech teacher. In regards to the K-8, we have two ICT openings. 
  • Marketing- Continuing to search for talent 
  • Expansion- Still searching for the right building. 
  • Covid Update- 2 staff members and 3 scholars tested positive this week.

III. Finance Committee Updates

A.

General Updates

S. Pressley shared the budget for 2022-2023 will be approved tonight. All balances and numbers have been presented and reviewed. 

B.

April Financials

E. Mew shared the monthly updates for April. 

 

  • The total cash on hand is more than the DOE 
  • Enrollment Billing- 665 total scholars K-12
  • Finances are really strong. 
S. Pressley made a motion to Approve April's Financials.
T. Bryan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
A. Khanyile
Absent
A. Khatiwada
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
M. Dorrie
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye

C.

Budget '23 Approval

E. Mew has provided a 5-year outlook on top of the 2022-2023 projections for the budget. 

S. Pressley made a motion to 2022-2023 Budget.
K. Brisseau seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Pressley
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye
A. Khatiwada
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
T. Bryan
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
A. Khanyile
Absent
K. Brisseau
Aye
M. Dorrie
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye
S. Huda
Aye

D.

Tech Transition

M. Alston would like to propose the board to approve the transition of tech companies. She presented the challenges that the school has faced with the current tech company. M. Alston would like the board to consider these challenges. 

S. Pressley made a motion to take Melissa's recommendation to use EDIT for our technology services.
T. Bryan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Boulet
Aye
A. Khatiwada
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
A. Khanyile
Absent
A. Bothner
Aye
M. Dorrie
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
K. Shabazz
Aye

IV. Education Committee Updates

A.

Education Committee Report

E. Chen will let the board know when the IA data has been posted. E. Chen would like members to attend the next ed committee to approve minutes. 

V. External Relations Committee Update

A.

Fundraising Initiatives

No updates.

VI. Nominating Committee Update

A.

Board Renewal Preview

June is the month for renewing the board members that are up for reelection for 2022-2023 and new committee recommendations. 

VII. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

There are no members of the public present. 

VIII. Board Governance

A.

Approve April 2022 Board Meeting Minutes

J. Boulet made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 04-28-22.
E. Chen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
A. Khatiwada
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
M. Dorrie
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
A. Khanyile
Absent
S. Pressley
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye

B.

Trustee Goal Setting Reflection

K. Brisseau has shared what she has been working on during the month. 

C.

Nuasin School Calendar FY23 Approval

J. Boulet made a motion to Approve FY23 School Calendar.
K. Brisseau seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Pressley
Aye
A. Khanyile
Absent
A. Bothner
Aye
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
K. Shabazz
Aye
A. Khatiwada
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
M. Dorrie
Absent

D.

Nuasin Board Meeting Calendar FY23 Approval

A. Bothner made a motion to Approve the Board Meeting Calendar FY23.
S. Pressley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Bryan
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
A. Khatiwada
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
A. Khanyile
Absent
M. Dorrie
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent

E.

Board Succession Plan

A. Bothner to build out a board succession plan with Pasek. The board will approve by the July meeting. The purpose of this plan is to recruit, retain and manage board members. 

F.

Board Review of School Policies

A review of all school policies for SY 23 will be presented to the board for approval next month.

G.

Board Cadence Calendar

M. Alston shared the cadence calendar for the board meeting by sections that pertain to each board member and school staff member. 

 

  • Recording major events 
  • Updates from committees and what is being worked on. 
J. Boulet made a motion to approve Cadence calendar.
E. Chen seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Dorrie
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye
A. Khanyile
Absent
T. Bryan
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
C. Barnes-Watson
Absent
A. Khatiwada
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
S. Huda
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 9:12 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Bothner