Excellence Academy School Board Meeting Minutes

Excellence Academy

Excellence Academy School Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, July 21, 2014

6:30 P.M.

Excellence Academy

811 Washington Street

Monroe, Louisiana 71201

The Excellence Academy School Board met on Monday, July 21, 2014, in the Excellence Academy Conference Room. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Board President Robert Tanzy. Before proceeding to the agenda, Pastor Wright noted changes to the agenda which were as follows:

Item #6

· classifying Joe Minor as a Para-professional, not a Para-educator and

· removing Marilyn Cox’s name from the list of employee recommendations.

Item #7

· including Bountiful Foods at a cost of $3.00 per meal

It was moved by Emma Jones and seconded by Brenda Wade that the changes be accepted.

Board President Robert Tanzy called for a roll call vote which proceeded as follows: Edward Biersmith—Aye; Emma Jones—Aye; Brenda Wade –Aye; Petrecia Babers—Aye; and Robert Tanzy--Aye. The vote carried unanimously.

The agenda proceeded as follows:

Item 1: Invocation

Pastor Roosevelt Wright rendered prayer.

Item 2: Roll Call

Board Secretary did an attendance roll call. The roll call proceeded as follows: Edward Biersmith-present; Jackie Johnson-absent; Emma Jones-present; Brian Reed-absent(arrived 6:49 P.M.); Brenda Wade-present; Petrecia Babers-present; and Robert Tanzy-present.

Item 3: Adoption of the Minutes of the June 2, 2014, Meeting

Minutes were previously emailed to all board members. It was moved by Brenda Wade and seconded by Emma Jones that the minutes from the previous meeting be accepted.

Item 4: Review of Month’s Operation

Principal Smith presented the board an overview of this month’s activities and an update on ongoing activities (Read below in its entirety).

You are always a student, never a master. You have to keep moving forward.

~Conrad Hall

Executive Summary

July 21, 2014

LIGHTS, CAMERAS, and ACTION! The Excellence Academy Performing Arts Charter School Academy Awards ceremony was a night to remember. The event was attended by over 1,000 individuals that included parents, friends, elected officials and community representatives. Students were recognized for academic achievements, character, attendance and service learning. The school departed the next day for the educational tour of Louisiana. The excursion was designed to incorporate the various core curriculums into the travel while the common core curriculum maintained the focus. With over 150 students and 35 chaperones, it was a trip to remember.

Excellence Academy is embarking upon the second year of existence with new students, new team members and new programs. The transition to the second academic school year for Excellence Academy Performing Arts Charter School has begun with active media, community and personal recruiting all over the City of Monroe. Currently, the enrollment at this time on JPAMS is 208 and our new registration count is around 50. The goal is to have over 280 students enrolled, while the maximum number for year two is 302. Our new team members are coming to us from various surrounding parishes with a wealth of expertise and knowledge.

Excellence Academy was invited by Supt. Vidrine to participate in the 2014-2015 MCS Pupil Progression Plan. Petrecia Babers accepted the request to represent the parents of Excellence Academy and communicated the changes that will be pertinent to Excellence (see attachment).

The Summer Enrichment Institute is currently in progress at Excellence. The institute was designed for students who scored Basic and below on the iLEAP/LEAP assessments and allows remediation in the deficit areas. Students are provided lunch, but not transportation and is restricted to registered students only. Attendance ranges from 15-20 students daily. We are also hosting a Drum Line Camp for registered students.

The Policy Committee has met twice this summer to review, discuss and edit the 2014-2015 Employee Handbook and Student Handbook. The committee was composed of board representatives, a teacher, a para-educator and the principal.

Upcoming scheduled events are: August 4, Team members return to Excellence, August 12-16, Team Members Professional Development Week; August 15-16, Home Visits; August 21, Students return to school. August 25, Excellence Academy Board Meeting.

Submitted by: Shandra N. Smith, Principal

Item 5: INFORMATION: MFP Funding

The board received information about the MFP funding amount per student approved by the BESE Board for 2014-2015 which has increased from $10,231 per student to $10,701 per student.

Item 6: ACTION: Offers of employment for teachers and staff

It was moved by Petrecia Babers and seconded by Brenda Wade that the board act on the following offers of employment for the 2014-2015 school year on recommendation of Principal Smith:

i. That the following contracts which expired on June 17, 2014, not be renewed: Brenda Shelling (Special Services), Roosevelt Pine (Choir), Kristi Thomson (ELA), and Dr. Cassandra Shelling (Math).

ii. That the following offers of employment be confirmed: Principal: Shandra Smith ($75,000); Principal’s Assistant: Regina Millican ($26,500); Guidance Counselor: Joyce Landrum ($47,000); Math instructors: Sean Case ($47,000), Frederick Louis ($47,000), and Crystal Cleveland ($47,000); Science: Tracy Hill ($47,000), Katrina Harris ($47,000), and Joni Davis ($47,000); Physical Science: Osaro Kyles, Sr. ($47,000); English/Language Arts: Eboni Brown ($47,000), Beverly Webster ($47,000), and Christina Griffin ($47,000); Social Studies: LaChina Clay($47,000), Mateo Lopez ($47,000), and Robert Wright ($47,000).

Para-Educators: Alvonia Perkins ($18,000), Cassandra Davis ($18,000), LaRissa Freeman($18,000), Shelisia Kelly ($18,000), and Yolanda Daniel ($18,000).

Arts Professional Service Contractors: Joshua Boatner, Choir ($40/hour); Adrian Gipson, Talented Art ($40/hour); Cliff Woods, Visual Arts ($40/hour); and ProWorks Productions, Photographic Arts ($40/hour).

Board Member Brian Reed arrived at 6:49 P.M.

President Tanzy called for a roll call vote which proceeded as follows: Edward Biersmith—Aye; Emma Jones- Aye; Brian Reed-Abstained; Brenda Wade-Aye; Petrecia Babers-Aye; and Robert Tanzy-Aye. The vote carried unanimously.

Item 7: ACTION: Acceptance of Bids and Quotes

It was moved by Petrecia Babers and seconded by Brian Reed that the board accept bids for the following services for the 2014-2015 school year as the lowest and the best:

· Core Service ($48,000)

· Bayou Janitorial, to include janitorial and lawn ($53,500)

· MSAIB Nursing Services ($35,000)

· Bountiful Foods ($3.00 per meal)

President Tanzy called for a roll call vote which proceeded as follows: Edward Biersmith—Aye; Emma Jones- Aye; Brian Reed-Aye; Brenda Wade-Aye; Petrecia Babers-Aye; and Robert Tanzy-Aye. The vote carried unanimously.

Item 8: ACTION: Policy Committee Review

It was moved by Brian Reed and seconded by Petrecia Babers that the board consider recommendations of the policy committee for changes to the employee and student handbooks.

Item 9: INFORMATION: Audit Information

The board received information about the commencement of its first compliance audit by the Rosie Harper, LLC Accounting Firm. Although not required, the board is auditing its own operation to insure that the school is in compliance with all laws, ethics codes and provisions of its operating agreement.

Item 10: ACTION: EXECUTIVE SESSION: Principal’s Evaluation

Principal Smith exercised her right to remain in open session to receive and discuss her written evaluation after input from faculty and the executive director. The evaluation was received. It reflected an overall opinion of the staff and board that Principal Smith performed above expectations in the 2013-14. Areas of improvement were noted and will be used as bench marks for the 2014-15 performance evaluation. No action was taken.

Item 11: INFORMATION: Modular Units

The board received information regarding four modular units that will be utilized in the 2014-2015 school year to house 6th grade core subject classes.

Item 12: ACTION: Fiscal Budget Approval

The board considered recommendations from the finance committee concerning:

a. Revision of the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year Budget

It was moved by Brenda Wade and seconded by Emma Jones that the board accept the revisions made to the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year Budget.

b. Approval of the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year Budget

It was moved by Edward Biersmith that the board approve the 2014- 2015 Fiscal Year Budget. Failing to get a second, the motion failed.

It was moved by Emma Jones and seconded by Brian Reed that the board accept the budget as is with the provision of revising it after October 1 in hopes of securing a raise for Para-educators.

c. Discussion of the performance of Ed Futures, Inc. as the financial management consultant for Excellence Academy during the 2013-2014 school year, as well as retaining their services for the 2014-2015 school year.

It was moved by Brian Reed and seconded by Brenda Wade that Excellence Academy enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ed Futures, Inc. for the 2014-2015 school year provided that the company provide written assurances of services and fees by Friday, July 21, 2014.

Item 13: Adjournment

It was moved by Petrecia Babers and seconded by Brian Reed that the meeting be adjourned at 9:07 P.M.

______

Robert Tanzy, President Date

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Petrecia Babers, Secretary Date

Our role as a board is to support Principal Smith as she navigates students toward success, helping them to achieve and obliterate all obstacles.

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