Minutes: Regular Meeting

Meeting was called to order by chair, Jason Allen, at 6:07 pm.

With the amendment to add the Executive Committee report under the Governance Section

Board Secretary (Kanethia Henderson) read December 13, 2018 and January 10, 2019 minutes which contained board members attendance, agenda and all motions

Jason Allen explained a few meeting guidelines and governance rules such as silencing cell phone, questions not answered during the meetings and motions will go into deliberation and then an official motion will be voted on.

The mission and vision was read by third grade scholar, Ms. Ross.  

Staff Presentation

Director of Business Services (Susan Harris) presentation consisted of:

• Human Resource Department’s mission and its functions
• Upcoming Recruitment dates and the importance of Human Resource’s recruitment goal
• The importance of hiring certified teachers to stay in compliance with federal ESSA laws and increase Training and Experience (T&E) funding
• Discussed Certified and Classified Personnel Information CPI reported three times a year and is tied to Training and Experience (T&E) funding
• Employee morale key factors are pay, benefits and change in leadership
• The Community consist of all employees of Ivy Preparatory Academy. Community Leaders are individuals chosen to represent their grade band, (K – 2nd grades, 3rd – 5th grades, 6th – 8th grades and non-instructional staff) as ambassadors and a liaison with the Executive Team.
• Final goal is to work with Compensation Study Team which consisted of Director of Business Services, Leadership COHORT and Community Leaders to discuss and understand compensation and benefits, re-design the existing package, recommend a new plan to make salaries more competitive and attract more certified teachers

(Head of Schools Report)

Please view Head of Schools January 17, 2019 Powerpoint

Chief Financial Officer Report

Please see Chief Financial Report Powerpoint

C. Jackson, S. Bruce and K. Hardy spoke regarding to teachers' salaries. They expressed the hardship and struggle of low wages and how it impacts the school but also their families.

Board Secretary (Kanethia Henderson) discussed the following items:

• February 5-6, 2019 SCSC training for board members or potential board members
• State Charter School Commission meeting is the last Wednesday of the Month
• Each potential board member will go through orientation which will be held the first Thursday of the Month at 6:00pm
• Discussed board members attendance for board meetings
• Prospective board member:
• Terri Carter – Human Resource Background
• Desmond Jones – Real Estate Background
• Jeremy Harp – Corporate Finance Background
• Braxton Nelson – Telecommunications Background
• Nedawej Dawkins – Real Estate & Education Background
• Board seeking attorney to serve on the board
• Work sessions will focus on Board Structure, Strategic Plan and Board Policies

Board Chair (Jason Allen) discussed the following:

• Introduced the new Director of Operations (Nataya Robinson-White) and motioned to approve new Director of Operations

Board Chair (Jason Allen) reviewed Governance/Executive Committee Minutes January 10, 2019 which consists of:

• Capacity Reduction   
• Board Accountability
• Plan development - Governance Chair     
• Communication Procedures    
• Urgency in funding for operational needs i.e.

o    curriculum development

o    teacher pay scale



Recommendations to the Board:

The executive committee, HOS, CFO, Governance Specialist and School & District Turnaround Specialist have discussed work sessions for the Board to be held on Saturdays. Mr. Allen ask for the following:

A work session to be held on:         

• Strategic Planning (February) lead by Governance Specialist       
• Organizational Chart & Board Structure Review (March) lead by School & District Turnaround Specialist
• Accountability Plan & Committee Action Plan (April) lead by Governance Specialist

The executive committee will be meeting with another prospective attorney on the Board with the next week.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:06 pm