Nuasin Next Generation Charter School
Minutes
Monthly Nuasin Board Meeting
Date and Time
Saturday February 11, 2023 at 11:20 AM
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, A. Khanyile, C. Barnes-Watson, J. Boulet, J. Scott, K. Brisseau, K. Shabazz, M. Dorrie, S. Huda, S. Pressley
Trustees Absent
E. Chen, T. Bryan
Guests Present
A. Brown, G. Borja, M. Alston
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Review the Agenda
II. Mission and Pillars Board Reflection
A.
Pillar of Community
AK states the concept of "I am because we are". Resonates with him because this provides services to the individuals we work with. Household barriers can create issues for children to attend schools, and communities need to provide support to help families and children. Communities need to work together as a unit to ensure each person is well.
III. School Update
A.
Executive Director Update
AB says no update, expansion, and community are on track.
B.
K-12 Update
Principal AB, discusses the regents that took place, and most students passed. The ones that didn't have an IEP and he spoke about supporting them better
SP asked about SAT Prep?
Principal AB said that the instruction level needs to be stepped up.
SP asked about college acceptance?
Principal AB mentioned University of Albany, Arizona State University, and University of Texas, a lot of out-of-state acceptance.
KS asked What are they not doing about SAT prep that he would like them to do?
Principal AB mentioned he wanted the program to be more prepared with having the material on site, they are not as prepared as he liked. The instruction also did not seem well prepared, i.e., the instructor discussed slope, and did not connect the lesson to class or illustration. Principal AB would like more SAT questions in the prep and regents questions. Lessons need to be structured better.
KS asked when they meet?
Principal AB mentioned they meet every day for 40 minutes including Monday.
Principal AB reported they are looking for 90% pass rates in regents, they are at 85 in total. Fall below in both measures, which is why he has created focused small groups. Scholars that took ELA scored 75 and above in regents.
KS asked about cost for SAT prep?
Principal AB said it was 22K for 107 scholars. He is looking into a full-time resource.
C.
K-12 Operations Update
MA reported on staff and scholar attendance, trending lower in HS.
Care squad provided Hello Fresh meals to teachers and staff.
MA reports we are in term negotiation phase for building, on schedule for 24-25. The new building is 2 stories and is going to be built up to 4 stories.
IV. Finance Committee Updates
A.
General Updates
SP has no update now, numbers will be reported in February.
B.
Committee Strategic Report
SP reports they are moving along, Nov-Dec they decided they would focus on fundraising and funding strategies. Annual event and obligation for the board as we think of expansion for next year. planning ahead and more to come. A timeline will be provided.
AB asked about the timeline.
SP reported that fundraising training will help us create one.
JB asked about Ellen's fundraising?
SP reported that we are looking to raise 15 million, and Ellen wanted to have an annual event.
JB asked about what we will be doing with the funds from Ellen's wedding?
SP reported that it is only for expansion.
JB mentioned that she was happy to see a thank you email.
SP reported 11K came as fundraising at Ellen's wedding. The budget amendment will come in March, no update from last month.
V. Education Committee Updates
A.
Committee Strategic Report
no update at this time.
VI. External Relations Committee Update
A.
Committee Strategic Report
no report to update
VII. Nominating Committee Update
A.
Committee Strategic Report
CB called a call to action, everyone needs to committee strategic goals. The board would like to support a parent on the board. The board matrix needs to be reviewed. Recruitment needs to be kept in mind. 8 board members are up for renewals. Lifecycle of a board member 3 phases, recruitment, growth, and retention. AB discusses approving the succession plan.
VIII. Board Governance
A.
Approve January 2023 Board Meeting Minutes
All members present support the motion.
B.
Trustee Goal Setting Reflection
KS reading education came to be and shifts its gone through, emphasizing strategies on how to code words. How we were trained to teach reading, is outdated. Research suggests that there are different ways can teach children and "Soul a story" pod cast discusses these different research and methodologies. Mentioned that strong readers will always decode and if they are unable to then they will read ahead. Some schools instruct children to look at the picture to decode the story, but this is ineffective. Encourages the board to listen to pod cast series.
C.
Committee Strategic Report
JB is requesting that everyone sign the individual pledge, and keep a copy. This should keep everyone accountable for their roles.
AB discussed wanting to know more about the integration of data.
IX. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
No public comments.
X. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
lets use time to advance substantive work. look to work together in a consistant schedule.
AB says Committee plans and goals need to remain on track to meet Q4.