The Academy

Board of Directors

Board Meeting

Monday, February 24, 2025

5:30pm

Agenda

         I.            Open Meeting

The Academy’s mission is to help all students grow into college ready, exemplary citizens by combining academic mastery with personal empowerment to drive lifelong success. We serve our full community by intentionally developing a school culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. With this in mind, the Board of Directors welcomes all members of our community to this meeting and invites each person to begin our time together in whatever way will help ground you for thoughtful and productive discussion - a few deep breaths, a prayer, a moment to organize your thoughts, or whatever meets your needs.

       II.            Consent Agenda

2. 1. Approve Agenda
   2. Approval of January 27, 2025, minutes

     III.            Public Comment

The chairperson will recognize anyone who signs the request form before the meeting time. Public comment and input shall be limited to fifteen minutes total, ten minutes per topic, and 2 minutes per speaker.  Neither Board members nor Academy staff is obligated to respond to comments or input.  The Board will provide written responses as deemed appropriate. 

     IV.            Presentation and Discussion

a.       Winter Data Presentation - Expectation: Principals and Directors will share mid-year updates on progress with their Annual Work Plans.

b.       New Curriculum Approval – Algebra I, Algebra II, & Geometry - Expectation: The Chief Academic Officer will present a proposed curriculum change for High School Math.

      V.            Reports from Directors and Committees

a.       Chief Academic Officer Report - Expectation: The CAO will update the Board on progress toward instructional and cultural strategic priorities.

b.       Executive Director Report – Expectation: The ED will update the Board on progress toward financial and operational strategic priorities.

c.       Committee Reports – Expectation: Committee Chairs will update the Board on progress with each committee.

                                                               i.      Finance – See meeting minutes.

                                                               i.      SACademic – See meeting minutes.

                                                               i.      PTO – See meeting minutes.

    VI.            Executive Session C.R.S. §24-6-402(4) – Expectation: As needed, the Board may call an executive session for one of the specific topics identified below via a 2/3 majority.

a.       Discussions regarding buying or selling property;

b.       Conferences with an attorney to receive legal advice;

c.       Matters required to be kept confidential by state or federal law (e.g., student academic records);

d.       Security arrangements or investigations;

e.       Determining contract negotiation strategies;

f.        Personnel matters;

g.       Consideration of documents protected from disclosure under the Open Records Act; or

h.       Discussion of individual students where public discussion would adversely affect the student involved.

   VII.            Executive Summary

a.       Illustrative Math – Expectation: Board members will vote to approve the proposed change for Algebra I, Algebra II, & Geometry curriculums.

 VIII.            Board Meeting Self-Scoring – Expectation: The Board will self-score their performance for the meeting according to preset criteria.

IX. Adjourn Meeting

Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, February, 24, 2025

 

Board Members Present:                                            Also Present:

Dan Klenjoski       Treasurer                                        Brent Reckman       Executive Director

Autumn Coffee    Secretary                                        Sarah Gramarossa  Chief Academic Officer

Kristen Cofrades  Board Member                               Stacy McCleskey     Exec. Admin. Manager

Kevin Sanchez      Board Member                               Suzie Galbraith       K-2 Principal       

Larissa Fransua    Board Member-online                    Katy Laun                3-5 Principal

                                                                                   Roxanne Ellsworth Middle School Principal                                                                                         Stephanie Mann      High School Principal  

Minutes of the regular board meeting of The Academy held at 11800 Lowell Blvd, Westminster, CO 80031 in Adams County on February 24, 2025.

I.         Open Meeting

 A quorum being present, Mr. Reckman called the meeting to order at 5:37 pm.

II.      Consent Agenda

a.      Mr. Sanchez moved to approve the January 27, 2025 minutes. Seconded by   Mrs. Cofrades.

Discussion:      None

Ayes:                Mr. Klenjoski, Mrs. Coffee, Ms. Fransua

Nays:               None

III.    Public Comment

There was no public comment this month.

IV.    Presentation and Discussion

a.      Winter Data Presentation – Principals and Directors presented their mid-year updates on progress with their Annual Work Plans.

b.      New Curriculum Approval – Algebra I, Algebra II, & Geometry

                                                              i.      The current curriculum (SAVVAS) has received critical feedback, because it has limited support for diverse learners, does not flow, and teachers often need to supplement the lessons.

                                                             ii.      The proposed curriculum is Illustrative Math by Imagine Learning, and it is for students in grades 9-12.

1.      It aims to align with state standards and prepare students for advanced learning.

2.      It uses problem-based learning with real world applications.

3.      It has high alignment with common core and state standards.

4.      It would reduce teacher workload, and they would not need to supplement lessons.

5.      It is a top-rated program nationally.

6.      It supports critical thinking.

7.      A three year roll out would start in 9^th grade.

V.   Reports from Directors and Committees

                   a.   Chief Academic Officer Report

                                  i.    Assessing the Principal data that was shared during this meeting.

                                 ii.   Monitoring attendance trends and updating goals.

                                 iii.  Working with Counselors to evaluate graduation trajectory.

                  b.  Executive Director Report

i.        The amended budget mid-year scorecard update was presented to Finance Committee

ii.       Facility Master Plan

        1.  The building permits were approved by the City of Westminster.

        2.  Communications are underway with staff members who will be affected by the construction project.

c.       Committee Reports

i.  Finance

1.      Slight tweaks were made to the format of the monthly finance report.

2.      Legislative update

a.      The state budget is $600,000-$1 billion behind due to rising Medicaid costs.

b.      Education is 2/3 of the state budget.

c.       The proposed state budget has 2.5% increase to PPR. To be conservative, our 25-26 budget will start out with a 2% increase.

d.      We are building in contingencies to our 25-26 budget for worse-case scenarios.

e.      The legislation will vote to approve budget in May.

3.      Positive scorecard template

a.      We reached our compensation goals by increasing pay for teachers and the December, mid-year, support staff pay increase.

b.      We will follow the same hiring and recruitment practices as in years past.

c.       Our cash on hand is well ahead of expectations.

ii.  SACademic 

1.      There was a second read of the proposed math curriculum and moved to present to the Board.

2.      Time was spent on a family and community partnership plan.

3.      Committee is beginning to develop a volunteerism plan.

4.      UIP goals for 25-26 will be presented at the next meeting.

iii.  PTO-No questions or comments.

 VI.  Executive Summary

                    a.  Vote on change to Illustrative Math curriculum – Mr. Sanchez made a motion to                          approve the Illustrative Math curriculum. Ms. Fransua seconded the motion.

Discussion:      None

Ayes:                Mr. Klenjoski, Mrs. Coffee, Mrs. Cofrades

Nays:               None

VII.  Board Meeting Self-Scoring – Today’s meeting was both efficient and met expectations,              so the score is 4.

VIII.  Adjourn Meeting – Mr. Reckman adjourned the meeting at 7:29 pm.