Muskegon Covenant Academy

125 Catherine Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442

(231) 720-3100

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Board Meeting

MUSKEGON COVENANT ACADEMY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Date:March 1, 2017

Time:12:00 P.M.

Location:125 Catherine Ave, Muskegon MI 49442

MEETING TYPE:XRegularSpecialXProposedApproved

  1. Call to Order – Asaline Scott called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM
  1. Roll Call

Chris McGuigan, PresidentXPresentAbsent

Jim Fisher, TreasurerXPresentAbsent

Donna Secor Pennington, SecretaryXPresentAbsent

Asaline Scott, Vice PresidentXPresentAbsent

Dave Sipka, MemberPresentXAbsent

Other Attendees:

Gretchen LaHaie, CAO of CAF and Board Secretary

Sam Joseph, Founder and Chairman of CAF

Jon Felske, CEO of CAF

Commissioner Charles Nash

Tom Cartright, Operations Manager for Muskegon Family Court

Sean De Four, Samaritas

Bill Barker, GVSU

Kathy Moore, Health Department-arrived at 12:11

Dan Matthews, GVSU-arrived at 12:11

Gretchen LaHaie, CAO of CAF and Board Secretary

Sam Joseph, Founder and Chairman of CAF

  1. Public Comment on Agenda

None

C.Approval of Agenda

Motion:Mr. Fishermotioned to approve the Agenda with a few changes.

Support: Ms. Secor-Penningtonseconded the motion

Ayes:4 Nays: 0

D.Approval/Acceptance of Standard Business

i.Regular Board Meeting Minutes – December 13, 2016

Motion: Mr. Fishermotioned to approve the meeting minutes
Support:Ms. McGuiganseconded the motion
Ayes:4 Nays: 0

ii.School Progress Update (Sam Joseph/Jim VanBergen/Mia Clark)

Enrollment has increased from 227 in October to 242 in February. 3 October FTEs were denied during the audit process. MCA is appealing this decision to the MDE. Since we are now funding using the 90/10 blend, the loss of these 3 FTE is being offset by the spring count increase.

Overall the school is doing very well. We have the necessary staff in place and are happy with how we are progressing.

iii.Community Presentation

Kathy Moore of the Muskegon Health Department arrived at 12:11. Ms. Moore, Commissioner Nash and Mr. Cartright presented to the board information regarding Chef Jeff Henderson. They would like to bring Chef Henderson to Muskegon to speak to youth and would like to delivery his mentoring and 12 week culinary arts certificate training program for ServSafe Certification for students. They have raised 2/3rdof the funding needed, asking if MCA would be interested in being a community partner on this project and funding the other 1/3rd ($5000). Also looking for training sites.

The MCA Board appreciated the presentation and acknowledged that this would be a great opportunity for students. The board and staff provided feedback and additional ideas on community partners.

iv.GVSU Update (Dan Matthews)

Dan thanked MCA leadership team for leading the discussions on alternative accountability.

Mr. Joseph added that we want to be evaluated, but evaluated fairly. Once finalized

v.Financial Update (Sam Joseph/Gretchen LaHaie)

Ms. LaHaie shared the quarterly financial reports and correspondence from the MAISD that the MCA Corrective Action plan to address the Fall 2016 Financial Audit Finding was accepted.

a)Approval of the transfer of Covenant Hall funds from the MCA Fund account to the Covenant Academies Foundation

Motion: Mr. Fisher motioned to approve
Support: Ms. Secor-Pennington seconded the motion
Ayes: 4 Nays: 0
E.Correspondence

Letter to the Board from Deanna Brant, Support Staff.

The MCA Board appreciates Ms. Brant’s compassion for our students and believes she truly represents the ‘parent-first’ staff we seek to work in our schools.

F.Old Business

None

G.New Business
  1. Approval of the 2017-2018 Application and Enrollment Resolution

Motion: Mr. Fisher motioned to approve

Support: Ms. Secor-Pennington seconded the motion

Ayes: 4 Nays: 0

  1. Approval Jon Felske, CEO of Covenant Academies Foundation, as an authorized user and signed on the Muskegon Covenant Academy bank account at Community Shores Bank

Motion: Ms. Secor-Pennington motioned to approve

Support: Ms. McGuigan seconded the motion

Ayes: 4 Nays: 0

  1. Nomination of Dave Sipka to a 3 year board term beginning 2017-2018.

Motion: Mr. Fisher motioned to approve

Support: Ms. Secor-Pennington seconded the motion

Ayes: 4 Nays: 0

H.Discussion
  1. Covenant Hall Update – Independence Bank will loan to start construction with no interest, contractors can start anytime.
  2. Graduation: Tentatively set for Tuesday, June 20, 2017 @ 6:00 PM
  3. Chef Henderson Presentation: The MCA Board would like to speak with MCA staff and students regarding this idea.
I.Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

None

J.Reminder of Next Board Meeting

Tuesday, April 18th, 2017 at 12:00 PM at MCA

K.Adjournment

Motion: Mr. Fisher motioned to adjourn the meeting

Support: Ms. Scott seconded the motion

Ayes: 4 Nays: 0

The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 P.M.

MINUTES CERTIFICATION

Proposed minutes respectfully submitted,

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Board Secretary/Recording SecretaryDate

Approved by the Muskegon Covenant AcademyBoard of Directors on April 18, 2017.

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Board SecretaryDate

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A copy of the meeting minutes is available for public inspection at 125 Catherine Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442, within 8 business days for proposed minutes and within 5 business days of approval for approved minutes.

The Academy shall comply with subtitle A of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336, 62 USC 12101 et seq or any successor law. Should you require specific accommodation(s) please contact Ms. LaHaie (616-528-2383) prior to the meeting.