Legacy Preparatory Academy Governing Board Meeting - Minutes

Legacy Preparatory Academy Governing Board Meeting - Minutes

Held at Legacy Preparatory Academy Secondary Campus

2214 South 1250 West Woods Cross, Utah, 84087

Thursday, Nov 16, 2017, 7:16 pm

LPA Mission Statement: Legacy Preparatory Academy builds the foundation of knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for children to become independent learners for life.

Our mission is to:

• Provide a classically-based curriculum that is thorough and challenging
• Integrate fine arts to enhance learning
• Teach the value of public virtue to promote respect
• Engage parents as real partners to share in enriching student education
• Honor each child as an individual and foster their innate curiosity and desire to learn

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The Legacy Paideia

I Am a Classical Student
I am curious to learn and pursue intellectual and moral virtue

I Am a Citizen of my Community
I build the foundation for an abundant life by lifting others

I Am Governed by Nobility
I act with honor and integrity

I Am an Individual with Great Fortitude
I am resilient and courageous

I Am Temperate
I exhibit discipline and self-control

I Am Developing Practical Wisdom
I make good judgements

I Am Selfless in my Fight for Justice
I demand equity and promote civility

I AM A LEGACY LION

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2017-2018 LPA GOALS for Board and Administration:

• Promote a deliberate culture and a classical education to parents, students, teachers, administration and the board
• Clearly define how we measure the progress of our students
• Charter clarification policy

MEETING AGENDA

7:16PUBLIC PORTION OF MEETING OPENS – PUBLIC WELCOME

Carl welcomed. Heather read the mission. Jennifer read the paideia.

7:18LEGACY CHARTER REVIEW – ALISHA JOHNSON

Alisha reviewed sections 6 and 7 of the LPA Charter.

Parental involvement – 20 hours / year per parent.

Serving students with disabilities and students who are displaced from failing schools especially in our achievements groups.

Utilizing data driven practices.

7:20THE SCHOOLS WE NEED BOOK DISCUSSION – CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4 explains the reasons why we don’t have the “schools we need.”

Hirsch explains that romantic education ideals have been the most damaging to our students. Many national organizations are promoting things that are ineffective.

Many of our standards are based on untried practices. Hirsch explains that we need to look to other countries to obtain solid standards.

Individualism is the idea that we focus on their ideas and their unique focus. This practice is considered by Hirsch to be anti-intellectual. It’s the withholding of vital information from children.

The Core Knowledge sequence provides a specific path as opposed to vague standards.

Focus became on process instead of information with new ideas being tried instead of utilizing what is already proven.

7:33BUILDERS REPORT

No members of the builders presidency were present.

7:34PUBLIC COMMENT

7:35RELEASE OF OPTION TO PURCHASE DISCUSSION – Rep. Jerry Stevenson

Lots 3 and 4, Woods Cross Industrial Park Subdivision

Rep. Stevenson purchased this land for the purpose of putting in an industrial park. The North campus sets on 6 acres in the middle of a 12 acre run. The initial purchase was for those acres and an encumbrance was put on the other 6 acres.

Last year, we released a piece of a parcel (about 9ft).

There would be a building immediately South of the school, ~30,000 square ft.

Rep. Stevenson will build the structure and then sell it.

He would like to see a slight zoning change by the railroad tracks.

There would be a requirement to landscape 10% at the front.

Peak hour traffic will be different from the school hours. Generally, the kind of industry that will be in those buildings will be light industrial “business park” type.

Traffic short term can be worked with (i.e. explaining rush times and trying to have construction vehicles not coming during rush times).

This is just a clean-up process for an expired option.

Recommendation is to have a meeting with Rep. Stevenson, City of Woods Cross, and a board member or two.

8:07FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT - How well is the school doing financially?

Currently no purchases over $5,000.

Progress is being made on cleaning up the accounts and ensuring processes are in place to ensure that tasks are completed in a consistent manner.

Carol is in communication with USBE to watch deadlines and ask questions.

Working on reports for Karen, Priscilla, and Shaolin to ensure that they are receiving information that they need to control their budgets.

Operating margin includes loan proceeds so it is inflated.

Explanation for significant items was introduced including the fact that we do not qualify for Title I funds.

Enrollment is 2 students less than at the same time last year.

8:23EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Advancement -

Jillian has been talking with the foundation.

Website has been updated fixing bugs. Goal is to showcase our fine arts department.

Still waiting on completion for the shed at the South Campus to post for the sponsors page (Thank you, Lowes!)

Working on cross referencing builders Facebook page to the website.

Can we make a page re: “how can you support Legacy” with links / information for every contributing company in the area.

Ensuring that all policies are uploaded and current and how they can be placed via HTML.

School beautification has had two meetings and conversations are starting. Thought process right now is focusing on little projects to gain momentum. They will be meeting the Monday after Thanksgiving.

School Outreach - partnering with Wasatch Peak for Jr. High feeding. Meetings are happening to see other schools advancement committees.

A donor to the Community Foundation of Utah provided $13,000 to LPA!

South Campus –

Veterans Day assembly hosted a 92 year old WWII Navy veteran. He emphasized importance of honoring the flag.

Consent agenda was also presented.

North Campus –

Veterans Day assembly had everyone stand and sing the National Anthem. They hosted a 71 year old Vietnam Veteran who allowed questions.

Consent agenda was also presented.

Director-

Playground plan has NOW been submitted. Minor adjustments will need to be made.

Firearms policy has been submitted to attorney. This will be addressed on a future board meeting.

Nyman has been researching how to organize and structure the policy on our website and has utilized Lakeview Academy for a good example.

Classical Education update-

Symposium and school within a school are still happening. In January the discussion will be on stoicism.

Academic travel students are meeting every other week in their prep period to review a piece of literature or information from classical writing.

Community Council-

Last meeting topics were sex education reaffirmation, Jr. High internet use, and adding a component to the maturation class.

There seems to be a general desire to get parents together to discuss the school philosophy and experiences. Jillian wants to work on a survey to see if students transition well.

8:56SECRETARY POSITION – VOTING MEMBER DISCUSSION

Somewhere along the line, the secretary position became a non-voting member. In the bylaws, the secretary needs to be a voting member.

We do thank Mary Kate Traeden for her service as secretary.

Carl nominates Jennie Jonsson as Secretary for the 2017 – 2018 school year. Alisha seconds the nomination. All approved.

8:59NEW BOARD MEMBER DISCUSSION

Board member to fill vacancy left by John Hastings for the duration of his term – through end of school year 2019. We have opened that position up and we have had one person express interest. We met with Jane Davis tonight. At this point, we feel like we need to talk to our candidate a bit longer. In the next few weeks, we’ll set up phone calls for board members to speak with Jane. Action may be taken at the next board meeting.

9:03SCHOOL MATURITY DISCUSSION

• Part I – Measuring Student Progress
• What are we measuring? What are we not?
• Three areas where we strive for excellence – 1) Academics (testing) 2) Arts (awards, anecdotes, etc.) 3) Character Education (awards, anecdotes, etc.)
• Committee to champion this
• Part II – Charter Clarification Policy – creating clarity for current and future administration and board members
• What are next steps? Who? Potential document for internal policy clarifying things like direct instruction pedagogy.
• Heather is going to start on that in January.
• Identifying the principles that the culture can hold to.

Nyman will reach out to Debby Llewellyn regarding providing board training on culture.

9:30CALENDAR – RECOMMENDATION TO ADD JANUARY 2ND AS PART OF WINTER BREAK

Discussion about how this impacts working parents.

Adam moves to add Jan 2 to winter break. Heather seconds. All approve.

9:36ACTION ITEMS & ASSIGNMENTS (10 minutes)

• Carl moves to approve the minutes from October 12th, 2017. Alisha seconds. All approve.
• Carl moves to approve the consent agenda as presented. Adam seconds. All approve.
• Next Board Meeting – December 14th at 7pm
• Current Assignments:

9:40CLOSED SESSION (IF NECESSARY) – Carl, Adam, all approved. To discuss character, professional competence, physical or mental health of an individual (employee or student), and any of the following topics, if necessary: strategy sessions to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or sale of real property; collective bargaining; or pending litigation.

10:11 ALISHA MOVES TO OPEN. CARL SECONDS. ALL APPROVE.

10:12 Alisha moves to approve the signing of the Release of Option to Purchase upon review by Adam. Heather seconds. All approve.

10:13CARL MOVES TO ADJOURN. ALISHA SECONDS. ALL APPROVE.

LPA Governing Board: Carl Woolston (President), Adam Buck (Vice President), Alisha Johnson (Treasurer), Heather Traeden (Member), Jennifer Brooks (Member), Jennie Jonsson (Secretary)

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