Purdue Polytechnic High School

Opening Items

Call to Order

G.Bertoline called the meeting to order at 4:06 PM.

Record Attendance & Guests

Directors Present:

Approval of Minutes

G.Bertoline / J.Smith will request a motion to approve the April 5, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes. The Board is required to approve the minutes by recorded vote. 

Motion made by K.Kobe, second by. S.Hageman.

Spotlight

Rising Leaders

K.Warren will introduce rising leaders within the PPHS Network to the Board. These rising leaders include individuals participating in the PPHS Leadership Development Academy and the PPHS Leadership Accelerator.  

K.Warren introduced T.Seymour who provided an overview of the PPHS Leadership Academy program and PPHS Leadership Accelerator program. All program participants introduced themselves and shared what they learned from the program that was most meaningful to them. 

Presentation by ICSB

J.Betley will discuss with the Board an overview of ICSB's authorizing practices and changes implemented to make their authorizing process more flexible. 

J.Betley, Executive Director of the Indiana Charter School Board (ICSB), described ICSB's charter authorizing philosophy and practices, explaining ICSB has updated its practices to make applying for a charter easier. 

Mission Moment

K.Warren and G.Bertoline will provide general PPHS updates.

K.Warren provided general updates including:

Academic Excellence

Approve Contracts

K.Primrose will briefly review contracts for the 2023-2024 school year. Each contract requires Board approval by recorded vote. 

K.Primrose presented three curriculum contracts for Board approval. Discussion ensued. 

Edmentum

Renaissance STAR Assessments

Rosetta Stone

Finance

Financial Report

L.Phillips will present a report to the Board regarding updates since the March Board meeting, financial status, and preview the FY24 budget. 

L.Phillips presented the financial report to the Board. L.Phillips reported that all audit materials have been submitted to the auditor. All monthly financials have been reclosed. Since March, PPHS has received another $1M in federal grants. PPHS has received a number of private contributions totaling about half a million more than budgeted. PPHS has about $3M in grants left to claim for the rest of the year. Discussion ensued. 

Purchasing Approval

K.Warren will ask the Board to nominate a Board member to have access to PPHS's Divvy account to approve purchases that are more than $25,000. The Board is required to approve this item by recorded vote. 

K.Warren explained the rationale for a Board member to have access to PPHS's Divvy account. K.Warren recommended the Treasurer carry this responsibility. 

Approve Temporary Credit Card Use

K.Warren will ask the Board to approve a staff member to temporarily use a school-issue credit card for an upcoming trip. The approval is for up to $500 and for the dates of May 18 through May 25, 2023. 

The request was discussed by the Board. 

Operations

HR Update

K.Warren will provide a brief HR update. 

K.Warren reported that with the guidance of the financial consultants, PPHS has restructured the finance department. The Director of Finance position has been eliminated and a controller will be hired to oversee day-to-day financial actions. The Controller will report to the Chief of School Operations with the support of the CEO.  

Enrollment Update

S.Ward will provide a brief enrollment update. 

S.Ward presented enrollment projects for each school. Discussion ensued. 

Governance

IPS Innovation Update

K.Warren and S.Ward will provide a brief update regarding PPHS's Innovation Agreement conversations with IPS. 

S.Ward reported that PPHS is working with IPS to negotiate space, payment for the school facility space, and food services. 

South Bend Innovation Update

S.Bess will provide a brief update regarding PPHS's Innovation Agreement conversations with South Bend Community School Corporation. 

S.Bess reported that PPHS is working with a lawyer to negotiate an Innovation Agreement with South Bend Community School Corporation for PPHS South Bend to become and Innovation School. 

Development Update

Development Committee

M.Quintana will provide a brief update regarding Development Committee activities. 

K.Reier reported that a subcommittee of the Development Committee is working with a group from Purdue and the Boiler Business Exchange to plan the Boiler Business Exchange's annual dinner in which PPHS will be a benefactor. The annual dinner will be held on September 7th at the Ritz Charles in Carmel and more information will be forthcoming as plans are solidified. 

Legislative Update

S.Bess will provide a brief update regarding recent legislation that will impact PPHS. 

S.Bess reported that the legislative session resulted in a grant for charter schools that will help to make up funding gap experienced by charter schools compared to traditional district schools. A charter school facility grant was also created by legislation that will result in at least an additional $500 per student. Excess of property taxes will be shared with charter schools. Starting July 1 in specific counties, if a school corporation passes an operating referendum, it must e shared with a charter school. 

Proposed Board Calendar for SY 2023-24

K.Warren will briefly discuss proposed dates for the Board's SY 2023-24 meeting calendar. 

The proposed calendar was presented without discussion.

Public Comment

The Board shall hear public comment. The Board shall prioritize comments related to agenda items, followed by other topics. 

No public comment took place. 

Closing Items

Next Meeting

The next PPHS Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for June 14, 2023 at 4:00 PM.

Adjourn Meeting

G.Bertoline adjourned the meeting at 6:15 PM.