The SABIS International Charter School

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

Minutes of SABIS Board of Trustees Meeting – March 25, 2015

In Attendance: Linda Condino, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Anne Kandilis (Skype, until 7:00p.m.), Joe Miller, Tracye Whitfield, Joyce Barbieri Guests: Karen Reuter, Steve Bissonnette, Gina Martin-Ryan

Not Present: Nick Massa

I. Meeting called to order at 6:04 p.m.

II. Approval of Minutes

Giselle Rose-Burroughs moved to approve the following minutes with corrections noted by Ellen McDonald. Seconded by Linda Condino and approved by voice vote, all in favor, YES: Linda Condino, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Anne Kandilis (Skype), Joe Miller, Tracye Whitfield, Joyce Barbieri.

 Regular meeting of January 28, 2015 (corrected, Frank Canning will present info to the finance committee)  Governance/Facilities meetings of January 28 and February 24, 2015.  Education meeting of February 23, 2015 (corrected typo “and” should be “an”; and add word “range” after “60/70”).  Finance committees of February 18 and March 16, 2015 (add phrase “Guaranteed Investment Contract” after “GIC”).  Community relations meeting of 2/17/15

III. Student Life

Gina Martin-Ryan reported.  Interviewing students for student life training. 85 kids interested in positions and trip. A lot of 6th graders have applied for positions. Majority of kids from B&A Sections no C&D sections broadening scope of kids/also holding mini camp in fall and spring with students who attended in Greece.  Walk for Wishes raised over $4,440; will present check for donation. SABIS had a table at the Holyoke Mall.  Camp Jewell to be held May 1-3 for 30 students this year. Students pay $155 each and have a $100 goal through fundraising.  +6 academic department/looking at students that have made a 6-point gain from beginning of term to mid-term grades. Generated a buzz. Middle school and 9th and 10th grades bought in.  Held a shirt design contest. 9th grader won the design.  Request for tutoring/organized method for connecting students with tutor. On top of teacher tutoring/peer tutoring now falls under Student Life. Kids are leading/tutoring other kids.  Saturday Academy disciplinary/day-to-day basis/no idea how many kids will take advantage of it.  Student academic department is made up of kids/they are “driving the bus” doing all the planning, organizing, and discipline is highly visible. Children responsible for accountability and discipline in the school. Recruited the kids that know how to break the rules. Feel connected to the school. Those students engaged in school community  Growth and success in Student Life, many involved maybe over 300

IV. Governance

Anne Kandilis reported.  Three applicants’ resumes were received and will be reviewed at the April 6 committee meeting at 6:00 p.m.  Negotiating with SABIS and will require Board approval of final document. Tentative meeting set for April 20 at 6:00 p.m.  The governance committee will meet on March 30 in Executive Session for review with Atty. Nicolai to review status.

V. Director’s Report Karen Reuter reported.  Teachers were nominated by staff for the Grinspoon Teacher of Excellence awards. Staff nominated both a veteran and a newer teacher. The cost of 14 tickets @ $30 = $420. Karen Reuter will provide teachers’ names to Ellen McDonald. Linda Condino moved to approve the Board purchase/sponsor the tickets at a cost of $420 for the Grinspoon Teacher of Excellence dinner. Seconded by Joyce Barbieri and approved by voice vote, all in favor, YES: Linda Condino, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Anne Kandilis (Skype), Joe Miller, Tracye Whitfield, Joyce Barbieri.  Charter Renewal celebration by Charter School Association, and also the Department of Ed sending invite to accept the Charter. More information to follow.  Program evaluation vendor search continues/Ellen McDonald will discuss under Education Committee.  SABIS audit team visited the week of March 9 through 13 to look at systems (they choose two US schools each year). They reviewed internal data on English and math, visited classrooms and teachers, and requested other documentation. They will produce a report in a couple weeks. This work is part of the goal around school improvement. In the same week, Jeana Currasco visited and will be generating a report on how well we are using resources, and what are the areas for improvement, and she will do remote classroom observations.  Academic midterm this week and reports mailed out next week. Encouraging parents to utilize Webparent.  Budget process is in full swing. No definite number on per-pupil funding yet.  FY 2016 calendar was proposed with a school opening date of August 31, 2015.  PARCC testing has launched. Students are saying they feel the stories are more engaging than MCAS and that they like the experience on the computer. Need more info on mid- and end of year assessments. PARCC is for grades 3-8. Grade 10 will continue MCAS through 2017. The State has not formally adopted PARCC (until November). Grades 5 and 8 are also taking science MCAS. Will not have PARCC results until fall.  Last day of school is looking like June 19.  On Friday this week, Karen Reuter is attending MCPSA’s delegate assembly.  Going to State house on April 1 and April 8 with local Reps. Tosado and Gonzalez with Jose Afonso, bringing information about school, good to connect with local lawmakers.  Open house to be held on April 7 and 8, jazz band hope to play  Karen Reuter and AQCs attended Parent Connection meeting to introduce themselves and answered questions. Creating good communication opportunities.  Jazz band competed at UMass festival, selected among top three and received positive feedback. Two students were offered Jazz in July program scholarships.  Athletic hall of fame dinner, coaches and contributors, members of class of 2010 to be held on May 8 at Elmcrest/thanks to effort of Booster Club.  Graduation to be held on June 6, 4pm at Symphony Hall. Carl Bistany will be attending.  Scholarship and awards event to be held, Karen Reuter will send date information.  Tracye Whitfield reported that she brought some students to Boston for “Kick Butts Day”.

VI. Facilities Joe Miller reported. Spoke with BL, engineer visited. Once the snow melts they will begin survey and measurements. Solar: RFP out to bid, three or four companies have expressed interest in bidding. Need to develop solid educational piece.BL will oversee the installer. Joyce Barbieri moved to allow the Facilities Committee to move forward to issue solar RFP and give authority to the committee to review and issue the RFP. Seconded by Linda Condino and approved; all in favor.

VII. Finance Committee

Advance Refunding Advance Refunding reviewed. Steve Bissonnette provided a summary and a copy of the Oppenheimer summary as discussed in Finance Committee meeting. Provided an example of how the advance refunding and costs of issuance would affect the budget/reviewed by Tracye Whitfield. Costs of issuance reviewed. Linda Condino suggested Donna Wexler of Bacon Wilson as our counsel. Title policy separately service/hourly/donated time by Linda. Linda Condino moved to go forward with Advance Refunding. Seconded by Chris Jasinski and approved by voice vote, all in favor, YES: Linda Condino, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Joe Miller, Tracye Whitfield, Joyce Barbieri. Ellen McDonald reminded Board of effect on budget process. Karen Reuter noted that the budget will be delivered to the Board for review in May.

Tracye Whitfield will set up a Finance Committee meeting for next step in advance refunding process.

VIII. Community Relations Giselle Rose-Burroughs reported. At the committee’s February meeting they discussed the strategic plan and community partnerships. Tracye Whitfield is reaching out to Leadership Pioneer Valley and Young Professional Society. Giselle Rose-Burroughs has contacted the Bing Theater who will attend the next Community Relations Committee meeting to talk about a potential partnership with the Jazz Band. Friends of SABIS continues to work on planning a gala/BOT reach out to sponsors in support of the event. Next committee meeting is April 8. Friends of SABIS should make specific list of what they need BOT to do.

IX. Education Committee

Ellen McDonald reported the committee met on February 23. The Education Committee recommends that the Director work to hire an external contractor at a cost of up to $30K to evaluate the current curriculum and provide a report to the Dept. of Education by June 30 to satisfy condition #1 of the charter renewal. Karen Reuter noted that DESE already approved the potential vendors. Tracye Whitfield moved to authorize Karen Reuter to select the appropriate evaluator(s)and enter into contract up to $30K. Seconded by Maria Malmborg and approved by voice vote, all YES: Linda Condino, Ellen McDonald, Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Maria Malmborg, Chris Jasinski, Joe Miller, Tracye Whitfield, Joyce Barbieri.

Also discussed at the Feburary 23rd meeting the Professional Development day that would be held, talked about PARCC testing, reviewed class averages for Term 1 with many students in 60- 70% range. Pending evaluation of curriculum will be beneifical in identifying what is going on. Additional internal review for what resources/tools are in place to address. Subcommittee will review this on a regular basis at future meetings.

X. Chair’s Report

 May need to hold a special Board meeting in April/date TBD to review/approve management contract.  Finance/Governance meeting on Monday to review management contract with Atty. Nicolai.  Nick Massa is offering a $500 scholarship from proceeds of a textbook he wrote. The student recipient must be enrolled in laser optic tech program at STCC to receive the award. Program pamphlet reviewed.

Tracye Whitfield moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Linda Condino and approved/all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Giselle Rose-Burroughs, Secretary SABIS Board of Trustees

List of handouts Minutes of previous meetings Advance refunding summary/steve