The SABIS International Charter School s1

The SABIS International Charter School 160 Joan Street Springfield, MA 01129 Board of Trustees

Minutes of SABIS Board of Trustees Meeting – November 19, 2014

In Attendance: Linda Condino, Nick Massa, Nancy Anderson, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose- Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Tracye Whitfield, Anne Kandilis Guests: Karen Reuter, Beth Conway, Steve Bissonnette, Students Mariah Pendleton & Anissa Pouliot Not Present: Anthony Thomas, Joe Miller, Sal Calvanese, Joyce Barbieri

I. Meeting called to order at 5:35 p.m.

II. Mariah and Anissa of the Yearbook Committee presented a request for the Board to purchase an ad in the 2015 yearbook. The cost for two-page ad is $600, and the yearbook staff could take photos of board members and collect their yearbook quotations at the January meeting. Anne Kandilis moved to approve purchase of the ad in the amount of $600. Seconded by Nancy Anderson and approved by voice vote. YES: Linda Condino, Nick Massa, Nancy Anderson, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski.

III. Approval of Minutes

Linda Condino moved to approve the minutes of the August 20 and November 10 Governance Committee meetings; the minutes of the September 17 and October 7 regular meetings; and the October 21 and November 5 Community Relations Committee meetings. Seconded by Nancy Anderson and approved; all in favor.

IV. Director’s Report Karen Reuter reported.  Senator Welch visited this morning/met with Student Life and also George Saad visited.  Charter Renewal site visit held in October/positive feedback by Class Measures. The Charter School office will receive the report and evaluate the school per the CS performance criteria. Commissioner can choose to do renewal with or without conditions or it can go to the Board. Historically, the school has been renewed without conditions.  Accountability status remains at Level II, to be discussed further in Education Committee.  73 students out of the current senior class of 109 have been awarded the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship.  Charter School Showcase to be held at AIC on February 7 – the event will highlight schools in the area (Springfield and beyond). Will accept applications there, could bring jazz band, will have presentation ready.  Participating in MCPSA access in equity committee/has to do with how the school meets special education and ELL needs.  Plan to Present PARCC information to the Parent Connection at its January 5, 2015 meeting.  NJHS induction to be held on December 9 at 6:00 p.m. BOT members welcome to attend. Mayor will be attending.  BOT had previously approved NHS overnight trip to the Grand Canyon; NHS along with its advisors has made an alternate plan through Explorica to travel to Washington DC from May 16 through May 19. Ellen McDonald moved to approve the change of location for the trip. Seconded by Linda Condino and approved; all in favor.  Beth Conway reported on the updated Enrollment Policy and the changes to waiting list procedures. The school will have to let people know of changes. People currently on list can stay “grandfathered”. Forms can be completed on line but will be brought to the school for submission. Tracye Whitfield moved to approve the updated enrollment policy. Seconded by Maria Malmborg and approved; all in favor. V. Facilities Ellen McDonald reported for Joe Miller. At its October 7 meeting, the board approved to contract with a roof engineer. BL Engineering was selected- they have experience and are located in CT. A copy of the contract is saved in the Board’s Dropbox file. Once the contract is executed, then the RFP will go out, walkthroughs will be held, then bids about three weeks after that and the bid awarded the following week (about a six-week process). Goal to begin roof replacement in March. Solar project was awarded and approved also at the October 7 meeting. Linda Condino reviewed contracts and suggested that Atty. Caroline Nicolai provide further review. Linda Condino moved to authorize facilities and governance committees to work with Atty. Nicolai at a cost up to $5,000 and to accept the final version of the BL Contract, and BCC PPA and Lease for the solar, and to act on behalf of the board and represent it in negotiations and to approve final version of the contract as presented by the attorney and to further authorize the Business Manager to sign the final contracts. Seconded by Tracye Whitfield and approved by voice vote, YES: Linda Condino, Nick Massa, Nancy Anderson, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Tracye Whitfield.

VI. Finance Ellen McDonald reported. The Auditor’s Report was completed and a Finance meeting was scheduled for October 28, 2014 but had no quorum. The Audit was presented without findings. The Auditors had to submit to the State by the November 1st deadline, and Ellen McDonald signed acceptance. Tracye Whitfield moved to accept the audit as presented and as signed by the Chair on behalf of the board. Seconded by Linda Condino and approved by voice vote, YES: Linda Condino, Nick Massa, Nancy Anderson, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Tracye Whitfield.

VII. Community Relations Committee Giselle Rose Burroughs reported. The Committee met with Friends of SABIS to discuss the 2015 gala celebration. Friends of SABIS will take the lead on organizing and hosting the school’s 20th Anniversary Gala Event. Committees were identified: fundraising, event planning, entertainment, communications/marketing. Giselle Rose-Burroughs has compiled a list of banks to approach for sponsorship. She will get in touch with BOT members for contacts. FOS will be invited to January board meeting/offer feedback on how to move forward. BOT members can offer resources/input. Committee reported that Friends of SABIS will be participating in Valley Gives on December 10th to raise money for scholarships. All Trustees are encouraged to participate. The second annual SABIS alumni event will be held on December 27, 7:00 p.m. The Committee recommends allocating up to $4,000 for the event to cover the costs of food, banner, shirts for team players, possibly a small memento. The committee is passing the planning of the event to the seniors and hopes to keep it in the budget as a line item for future events. Alumni Association is also very involved. The summer event was successful and came in under budget. Anne Kandilis moved to allocate up to $4,000 for the winter event. Seconded by Chris Jasinski and approved by voice vote, YES: Linda Condino, Nick Massa, Nancy Anderson, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Tracye Whitfield. The committee will revisit the Strategic Plan for goals and to create a plan for moving forward and developing partnerships within the community. VIII. Long Range Committee Ellen McDonald requested that subcommittee Chairs provide progress report for 2014 as related to the strategic plan – submit to her by December 12, 2014

IX. Education Committee Ellen McDonald reported. The next committee meeting is to be held on December 3, 2014 to review MCAS results and to set measurable goals/expectations for the performance of the school. All BOT members are welcome to attend. The Charter Renewal meeting was held on October 8, 2014with good representation from board members. The committee will also meet on January 7, 2015, 6:00 p.m. for a presentation about the Special Ed program and improvement strategies.

X. Governance Anne Kandilis reported. The committee will review more resumes for potential board members at its next meeting. There are four board positions available. Reviewed two resumes for potential candidates and decision made to interview both at the Governance meeting December 15, 2014 at 6 pm. The committee is also posting ads for members in Point of View and Reminder.

XI. Slate of Officers Nancy Anderson moved to approve the nominated slate of officers:  Chair: Ellen McDonald  Vice Chair: Linda Condino  Treasurer: Tracye Whitfield  Secretary: Giselle Rose-Burroughs Seconded by Maria Malmborg and approved by voice vote, YES: Linda Condino, Nick Massa, Nancy Anderson, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Tracye Whitfield.

Linda Condino moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Giselle Rose-Burroughs. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Barbieri, Secretary SABIS Board of Trustees List of handouts Minutes of previous meetings Enrollment Policy