Board of TrusteesAugust 2013 Meeting

August 19, 2013

Dr. Lillian Hamer, REACS Chairperson called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the August Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees Meeting at 7:00 PM on August 19, 2013.

Chairperson Hamer requested verification from the members present of “The Notice of Meeting” sent to each of the members of the board via email. Each member noted the proper notification was received.

Pursuant to the NY State Public Meetings Law the public notice of meeting was provided in the following manner thus meeting the law’s requirement of media and public notice:

• Public Posting at REACS Office• REACS Website• Newspaper Notice

Chairman Hamer called upon Sylvia Fairclough-Leslie, Secretary of the Board of Trustees to call the roll of the board.

Members present: Dr. Lillian Hamer, Chene Williams, Marcia Anglin, Sylvia Fairclough-Leslie, Alicia Doctor [Parent Trustee], and Dr. Clavin Rice [Ex-officio].

Member absent: Ojeda Hall Phillips

It was noted that the following individuals were present for consideration as New Board Members: Lorraine Stephens, Damian Benons, and Ron Wilson.

Also present were: Dr. Lena Richardson, Principal, Tawana Muniz, Business and Operations Manager and Mike Estep, Advisor. They were given the rights of the floor to speak during the meeting by common consent.

“Yes$We$Can”######“Reaching#for#the#Stars”#Stars”#

!

The Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School (REACS)122-05 Smith Street (Corner of Baisley Blvd.) Jamaica, NY 11434 T: (718) 978-0075 F: (718)978-0110 W: reacschool.com

1. Chairperson Hamer called on the Board Secretary to present the July 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes of the Board of Trustees held on July 16, 2013. The minutes were approved by common consent.

2. Chairperson Hamer called on the Board Secretary to present the July 25, 2013 Special Called Meeting Minutes of the Board of Trustees held on July 25, 2013. The minutes were approved by common consent.

3. Chairperson Hamer offered opportunity for any questions from the public. There were no questions or comments raised.

4. Chairperson Hamer introduced Lorraine Stephens, Damian Benons, and Ron Wilson as potential members of the REACS Board of Trustees. Each had been interviewed prior to the meeting by the Chairperson Dr. Hamer and CEO Dr. Rice. Discussion followed.

4.1 Ms. Fairclough-Leslie made a motion to elect Lorraine Stephens to a one-year term ending on June 30, 2014. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. Ms. Stephens was elected unanimously pending NYDOE and NYSED approval.

4.2 Ms. Fairclough-Leslie made a motion to elect Damian Benons to a one-year term ending on June 30, 2014. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. Mr. Benons was elected unanimously pending NYDOE and NYSED approval.

4.3 Ms. Fairclough-Leslie made a motion to elect Ron Wilson to a three-year term ending on June 30, 2014. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. Mr. Benons was elected unanimously pending NYDOE and NYSED approval.

5. Chairperson Hamer called for the approval of the agenda for the meeting. Ms. Williams made a motion to approve the agenda. Ms. Fairclough-Leslie seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

6. Chairperson Hamer called on Dr. Calvin Rice, CEO to present his report. A. Dr. Rice called on Tawanna Muniz to present the Business and Operations Manager report. 1. Ms. Muniz presented the July 2013 Budget verses actual report. Attachment #1

“Yes$We$Can”######“Reaching#for#the#Stars”#Stars”#

!

The Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School (REACS)122-05 Smith Street (Corner of Baisley Blvd.) Jamaica, NY 11434 T: (718) 978-0075 F: (718)978-0110 W: reacschool.com

2. Ms. Muniz presented an update on the REACS Employee Health Plan set to begin October 1, 2013. 3. Ms. Muniz presented an update on the vendors being interviewed for the Employee Pension Program. 4. The 2013-14 REACS Personnel Handbook and the 2013-14 Fiscal Policy were reviewed. 5. Ms. Muniz’s report was received with appreciation.

6.1. Ms. Williams made the motion to accept the 2013-14 Personnel Handbook with the necessary corrections. Ms. Anglin seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

6.2 Ms. Fairclough-Leslie made the motion to accept the 2013-14 Fiscal Policy with the necessary corrections. Ms. Anglin seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

B. Dr. Rice called on Dr. Lena Richardson, Principal to present her report. 1. Dr. Richardson made the Introductions of new staff. 2. Dr. Richardson shared Charter School Network Training Annual Charter School Conference for Board Members on October 18, 2013. 3. Dr. Richardson shared the New State ELA and Math Grade 3 Spring 2013 testing data 4. Dr. Richardson shared her 2013-14 Staff Development plan 5. Dr. Richardson shared the date for Parent Orientation, August 22, 2013 at 5:00pm 6. Dr. Richardson shared the date for Curriculum Night, September 24, 2013 at 5:30pm 7. Dr. Richardson’s report was received with appreciation.

C. Dr. Rice called on Ms. Alicia Doctor, Parent Association President to present her report. 1. Ms. Doctor shared her tentative plans to increase parent involvement during the 2013-14 school year. 2. The report was received with appreciation.

D. Dr. Rice gave an update including his Role and responsibility as CEO.

“Yes$We$Can”######“Reaching#for#the#Stars”#Stars”#

!

The Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School (REACS)122-05 Smith Street (Corner of Baisley Blvd.) Jamaica, NY 11434 T: (718) 978-0075 F: (718)978-0110 W: reacschool.com

1. Dr. Rice reviewed the planning 2013-14 classroom updates. 2. Dr. Rice reviewed the temporary and new building plans.

6.3 Chairperson Hamer expressed appreciation for CEO Dr. Rice for the enormous efforts to get the remodeling of the building leased space ready for the start of the new school year. Dr. Rice’s report was received with appreciation.

7. Chairperson Hamer called on the Personnel Committee to present their report.

7.1 Ms. Anglin made a motion to accept Returning Staff Contracts Recommendations. Ms. Fairclough-Leslie seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

7.2 .Ms. Williams made a motion to accept New Employee Contract Recommendations. The motion was approved unanimously.

8. Ms. Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Fairclough-Leslie seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

Executive Session followed with a focus on REACS Board development.

Respectfully submitted:

______________________________________________Sylvia Fairclough-Leslie – Secretary

“Yes$We$Can”######“Reaching#for#the#Stars”#Stars”#

!

The Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School (REACS)122-05 Smith Street (Corner of Baisley Blvd.) Jamaica, NY 11434 T: (718) 978-0075 F: (718)978-0110 W: reacschool.com