Nuasin Next Generation Charter School
Minutes
Monthly Nuasin Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday November 16, 2023 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), E. Chen (remote), J. Boulet, J. Scott (remote), K. Brisseau, M. Dorrie (remote), S. Pressley (remote), T. Bryan
Trustees Absent
A. Khanyile, K. Shabazz, S. Huda
Guests Present
A. Brown, C. Polanco, G. Borja, J. Keeney, K. Davidson, M. Alston, S. Kochar, Sarah Meding
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Review the Agenda
D.
Board Meeting Updates
MR reports no updates.
E.
Committee Priorities Update
JB and KB report no update for Governance or Nominating committee. SP reports everything is on track, for committee goal #3, there was a member of the finance committee that will be reviewing vendors. EC reports she is on track with her committee goals.
II. Mission and Pillars Board Reflection
A.
Rigor
EC discusses her visit to Nuasin particular when she met the AP scholars and scholars that are in advance classes. She focuses on their achievements and relates her pursue to achieve goals to the scholars rigor in pursuit of excellence.
III. School Update
A.
Executive Director Update
MR reports the focus on differentiation. MR believes this is a school theme that all instructional team is embracing, both planning and executing. MR also reports incorporating writing in all components and in each part of the curriculum. The last focus is Family engagement, and expresses the importance of engaging our families. MR reports on staff attendance. MR reports on scholar attendance. MR reports on expansion efforts. MR reviews the zombie charter concept and how we can pursue this opportunity. SM reflects on one month at Nuasin and how she is acclimating to the school environment. SM also discusses a new CRM for fundraising. SP leaves the meeting. SP returns to the meeting. KB asks about costs for new fundraising platforms. SM reports that both of the platforms should be less than current CRM used.
B.
K-8 Update
KD reports on Phoenix council put together by CP. KD also presents the Halloween red carpet event where scholars were able to walk to runway, over 120 scholars participated. KD reports the first IA results, a few items to focus on. All middle school grades are taking the exam electronically, and next year 3rd and 4th grade will also take them electronically. In comparison to last year more scholars are passing, we have also changed the requirements to over a 70 to pass. There is steady growth taking place. KD states that since tests are electronic, scholars are using different solving methods. MR also states that having the change from paper to electronic impacts scores. KD reports an action plan for the scholars that are struggling with performance. ELA is a work in progress and Math is performing as expected.
C.
9-12 Update
AB reports the different focus areas for HS. Writing in all components, differentiation and family engagement. KB shares SAT results, for grades 9-12. AB also reports the change in virtual testing and no longer having paper SAT tests. AB states there is a lot of work that must be done to increase test scores. AB joins the meeting. AB reports that parent participation during PTC was the highest it has ever been. This speaks to their engagement with families and everyone's commitment to building relationships.
D.
Operations Update
MA reports the enrollment for the month. MA also reports on recruitment efforts. MA reports on marketing efforts with the team. MA reviews the different types of media that we are participating in.
IV. Finance Committee Updates
A.
General Updates
SP introduces 4th sector to give financial report.
B.
October Financials
JK reviews the different finances for P/L. YTD revenue is 5.6 million. no change in per pupil funding. Revenue forecast is favorable due to higher enrollment.
JK reports on cash sensitivity analysis. 10 days of cash for each 500K of money that is raised. JK also reports on Investments Ac Maturities and breakdowns.
V. Education Committee Updates
A.
Education Update
EC reports no update.
VI. External Relations Committee Update
A.
External Relations Update
JS reports there are no updates.
VII. Governance Committee Update
A.
Approve October 2023
B.
Trustee Goal Setting Reflection
SP reports on self awareness and understanding her presence in different spaces. She is learning to give grace and also speak truths. SP encourages everyone to be open to all levels of criticism and to grow from it.
C.
Annual Review of Academics
MR reports there are no updates for this topic.
VIII. Nominating Committee Update
A.
Nominating Committee Update
KB reports there are no updates currently. KB asks if everyone has voted to have their chairs set. All of the members update their status.
JB asks about the Board members since CB is stepping down. AB responds that the by laws only speak to a maximum membership for the trustees not a minimum.
IX. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
There are no public comments.
X. Executive Session
A.
Executive Session proposed for the purposes of the proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property or proposed acquisition of securities or sale or exchange of securities, held by such a public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.
Invitation to MR and MA into executive session.
JB reads through the agenda.