Vertus High School Board Meeting Minutes: July 27, 2021.pdf

Victoria Van Voorhis, Bryan Hickman, David Carr, Calvin Gantt, Frederick Johnson, Mike Mandina
- Excused: Timothy Brown, Evan Gallina, Carol Garrett
- Staff: Julie Locey
- Advisors: Amy Brisson (DeJoy, Knauf & Blood, LLP)
- Public: None

Meeting Proceeding:

The meeting began at 4:07 p.m. with Victoria Van Voorhis presiding as Chairperson and Bryan Hickman serving as Secretary. All directors were present and able to communicate effectively.

Resolutions:

1. Approved minutes from the June Vertus Board meeting (moved by Mr. Mandina, seconded by Rev. Johnson, passed unanimously at 4:11 p.m.).
2. Approved proposed meeting dates for the year, with April 26th set instead of April 12th (moved by Mr. Hickman, seconded by Mr. Gantt, passed unanimously at 4:17 p.m.). Meeting dates will be posted on the Vertus website.

Principal Report:

Julie Locey provided an update on school activities, highlighting:

- Summer session with approximately 120 students, two-thirds attending in person and the rest remotely (no hybrid option).
- Planned fall instruction: five days a week in-person, based on successful academic and social outcomes.
- Brisk enrollment progress for the fall, with 58 applicants fully enrolled or near completion, plus an additional 19 accepted but not yet started paperwork. Projected need for 50 more applications to meet goals.
- Normal course completions and credits earned considering June's shorter duration.

Finance Committee Report (Amy Brisson on behalf of Timothy Brown):

- Fiscal year ended with a surplus estimated at $179,000 (3.5% of revenues), in line with NYSED expectations.
- Cash balance sufficient to cover operations until November RCSD payment compensates for lower July and September payments not accounting for new enrollees.
- On-site audit scheduled between August 23rd and September 2nd.

Accountability Report:

- Reviewing math and reading intervention programs based on research and science to better support students behind in these subjects.
- Creating a new Attendance Officer role and forming a working group to enhance student engagement through more interesting offerings and incentives.

Other Committees:

- Governance: Vetting process ongoing for two prospective board members.
- Finance, Fundraising, and Community Engagement committees to report at the August meeting.

Public Comment:

None.

Adjournment:

The meeting concluded at 5:17 p.m. after questions were answered and general discussion.