Rochester Academy Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Friday September 20, 2019 at 5:30 PM
Location
1757 Latta Rd
Trustees Present
D. Calder, K. Crawford, M. Guler, W. Middleton, Y. Bilgic
Trustees Absent
J. Santos
Guests Present
C. Sampson, D. Ozcan, D. Wilkinson, M. Demirtas, M. Stevens, T. Manchester, Z. Ercan
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
W. Middleton called a meeting of the board of trustees of Rochester Academy Charter School to order on Friday Sep 20, 2019 at 5:32 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
K. Crawford made a motion to approve minutes from the Board Meeting on 08-03-19 Board Meeting on 08-03-19.
M. Guler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. PR Report
A.
PR Report
Z.Ercan shared many good things going on at RACS. 3 Seniors graduated in August. A few of RACS students joined Bishop Kearney students and Rochester Prep students for a football team this year. The elementary school started out excited for a new year welcoming Second grade.
III. Academic Excellence
A.
Director's Report
We are at 646 Students.
Restorative Practices Guide will be mailed to all Parents.
High School graduation rate is 98%. 32 % were Advanced Regents, 63% Regents and 5% Local Diploma (2 students).
We are in a really good place right now with quality teachers with experience. Higher student retention rate. We work hard to get kids prepared for a college path. Working to help kids stay in college.
The Elementary is beginning the year focusing on routines. Ms. Wilkinson created an Elementary School Guidelines and Practices Package. Restorative Practices were introduced. Community Building Circles are being used this year. Enrollment is up this year.
Discussed the Tuition Reimbursement program. Motion was made to approve changes by M.Guler and seconded by K. Crawford. The board VOTED unanimously to approve the proposed tuition reimbursement agreement.
Restorative Practices Guide will be mailed to all Parents.
High School graduation rate is 98%. 32 % were Advanced Regents, 63% Regents and 5% Local Diploma (2 students).
We are in a really good place right now with quality teachers with experience. Higher student retention rate. We work hard to get kids prepared for a college path. Working to help kids stay in college.
The Elementary is beginning the year focusing on routines. Ms. Wilkinson created an Elementary School Guidelines and Practices Package. Restorative Practices were introduced. Community Building Circles are being used this year. Enrollment is up this year.
Discussed the Tuition Reimbursement program. Motion was made to approve changes by M.Guler and seconded by K. Crawford. The board VOTED unanimously to approve the proposed tuition reimbursement agreement.
Z. Ercan left.
IV. Finance, Facilities & Audit
A.
Financials
A balance sheet/cash flow was presented. A salary-benefit comparison was shown comparing RACS to Greece School District and RCSD. We are in the middle of the two districts while we have to maintain our own buildings.
Expenses were also presented. Finance Committee shared with the board the continued discussion for building a gym.
Entered into executive session 6:55 pm. Left executive session at 7:08 pm.
Expenses were also presented. Finance Committee shared with the board the continued discussion for building a gym.
Entered into executive session 6:55 pm. Left executive session at 7:08 pm.
B.
Meeting minutes
C.
GYM OPTIONS
RACS will seek will approval from the town to convert the convent into a gym. If the town does not give approval we will proceed with the plans to make needed repairs in the chapel and turn it into a gym.
D.
UNUSED PTO DAYS FOR 12 MONTH STAFF
The academic handbook was revised to state Administrators and full-time calendar year employees may buy back PTO and vacation days for $150/day.
V. Governance
A.
Board Retreat
B.
Governance meeting minutes
C.
Districtwide Safety Plan
The board recommended RACS district safety plans will be adopted if no other changes are made.
M. Guler made a motion to adopt the RACS district safety plan at the end of the public hearing and comment period by October 15, 2019.
K. Crawford seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Employee Handbook Revisions
K. Crawford made a motion to approve the Employee Handbook.
M. Guler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Code of Conduct Revisions
D. Calder made a motion to approve revisions to code of conduct.
Y. Bilgic seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
Bylaws Revision
M. Guler made a motion to approve the bylaw revisions.
K. Crawford seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Community Outreach/Development Committee Report
A.
Monthly report
Due to running over on time it was agreed to hold this item until the next meeting.
VII. Other Business
A.
2019-20 Employee Contract Decisions
M. Guler made a motion to approve new hires.
K. Crawford seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Board Meeting Evaluation
Members asked to complete evaluations.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
W. Middleton made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M. Guler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:29 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
M. Stevens