Baystate Academy Charter Public School
Minutes
Baystate Academy Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday February 8, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Location
2001 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01104
Directors Present
C. CASTILLO, F. Robinson, G. AMADOR, J. Hixon (remote), L. deSousa, M. Anderson, P. Hyry-Dermith, R. Connolly (remote), R. Nieves, S. Logan
Directors Absent
P. Blain
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
P. Hyry-Dermith
Guests Present
T. Sneed
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Public comments
D.
Approve Minutes
II. Finance committee
A.
January financials
III. Academic Success
A.
Student Culture Survey
79% response rate for the student culture survey. For each question asked, "neutral" was the response selected by 30-50% of students.
B.
Discipline Data Review
We have exceeded the maximum goal for suspensions at the school but Tim Sneed reports that the data is trending down, and suspensions are decreasing. This is partially attributed to the school implementing things like a "Vaping Program" has been implemented for students caught with tobacco instead of suspending them.
C.
Rethinking Discipline Initiative
The trigger for being selected for this program is chronic absenteeism, the school is currently at 6.6%. The school's goal is to get below 5%. Dr. Robinson has joined our restorative practices in the classroom program and will be educating the staff regarding class management training for teachers as it refers to discipline in the classrooms as suspension rates is directly related to chronic absenteeism.
D.
NWEA Assessment Data Review
E.
School Operations
IV. Governance Committee Report
A.
Committee report
Tim Sneed met with a potential board, Catherine Rojas, member and will be bringing this individual to the Governance Committee meeting.
V. Finance committee report
A.
Construction project
The construction project is currently on hold due to financing.
Rebecca Connolly presented the January financials to the board. January tuition adjustment is not in these financials because of the timing of the adjustments. This will be reflected in the February financials.