Nuasin Next Generation Charter School
Minutes
Expansion Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Friday September 22, 2023 at 11:30 AM
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 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.
Committee Members Present
A. Bothner (remote), J. Scott (remote), M. Russell (remote), S. Pressley (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
M. Alston (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Expansion Committee
A.
Purpose of Expansion Committee
B.
Measuring Success
SP discusses that we need to create a strategy aligned with the cadence and expansion goals.
C.
Members
All members agree in the team members involved and agree to meeting once a month, potentially more than that if the expansion deal comes to fruition.
D.
Expectations
SP explains that we need to create a strategy for the next meeting.
AB proposes the committee should be used to nominating the chair. AB also proposes someone to take minutes moving forward. Objectives, facilitate communication between the board and school leaders with their decision making. Also minimize surprises and remaining transparent. MR responds believes the communication piece is important, as well as managing the process. Sarah Meding, our new development director will also be joining the meetings. MR believes every person in this group is critical to effective communication throughout all committees. MR also shares new expansion ideas with test fits at new building. MR also discusses the new building, explaining that it is in part a restructuring and retooling. Complications foreseen are the financials on developers behalf, the build is still an additional two years out. There is an additional school being built out across the street, this facility will be ready in August 2024. MA and Dan Pasek had a walkthrough. This building was intended to be used for a 9-12 but their bid was rejected for expansion. We have a potential to have a long term lease, but there are co-tenant concepts, an auditorium we would share, and also share the gym they are building. The positives are there would be minimal construction processes to ensure branding, timing makes this a more financially appealing option. We have the potential to move in next year, would benefit Nuasin financially. They have been building in a time period when, pricing was not inflated and so the rent would be cheaper. AB responds asks if we believe we can execute 8/2024 start and how does this align with our scholars? MR believes we can be ready for expansion for 2024, the spaces we have been pursuing will take a lot of time to build out. MR states that we have to continue to pursue both options, he is asking for certainty for the new space concept within the next 30 days. AB responds that this new space with lease option would give allow us to minimize risk with no space or potential availability. MR also states that we are looking at one future option, and not to maintain both options once we have certainty. The new site has a lot of complexity and is a riskier option. AB asks if we believe this culture aligns with our culture? MR responds he is currently examining this, he also discusses the scholar feed in that BAP can provide to Nuasin, that would help us meet expansion goals, without worrying about a waitlist. JS responds that he agrees with having a feeder school. MR also adds that BAP has strong academics and notes that he is having more conversations with their CEO. MR explains his only concern is that they are a unionized school. AB asks when do we need to provide approvals in order to move forward with new school. MR states that he believes that he would know by November. AB agrees this is an interesting and unique opportunity. SP agrees this is a good concept, and asks about how long they have been in business. MR responds he believes it is around 10 years. SP also remarks she is reminded about the school merger last year, and encourages the team to finalize a contract regarding expansion within the land. MR responds he agrees and feels that BAP did not expansion approval since they do not have a robust waitlist. SP would like to know what will be needed financially by November. JS asks if they are using the space and MR responds that it is not open. AB responds everyone can discuss with board members during board meeting.