Purdue Polytechnic High School

PPHS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

J.Smith asked the Board to entertain the motion to approve the CEO position effective July 1, 2023.  D.Cook motioned to approve K.Warren as CEO of Purdue Polytechnic High School effective July 1, 2023. S.Hageman seconded the motion. 

DECISION: The Boarded voted unanimously to approve the motion.

Roll Call:

K.Kobe              Aye

M.Quintana     Aye

J.Smith              Aye

G.Bertoline      Aye

D.Cook               Aye

R.Wynkoop      Aye

S.Hageman     Aye

Discussion: The board recommended that approval includes the understanding that K.Warren and S.Bess will tighten their individual goals. 

Action Items: K.Warren and S.Bess will present their updated goals at the May 3 board meeting. In addition, K.Warren will deliver a vision statement that embodies the culture for the organization along with an updated org chart to best fit the vision and goals. The board will address salaries at the next executive committee meeting.

S.Bess presented a plan to consult with other schools to expand the PPHS model and provide an additional source of funding for the high school network. PPHS leadership is currently in discussion about expanding the learning model with Eastern Randolph Schools and the Girls IN STEM. S.Bess added that roughly $2 million dollars have been raised to develop and execute the business expansion plan. 

Discussion: S.Bess asked the Board to consider approving a feasibility study that would begin with engaging legal and financial counsel to determine the appropriate structure. Findings and recommendations would be presented to the board for approval at the June meeting. 

If approved, S.Bess and his team would finalize pricing and services and submit a completed business model and plan to the board for approval in October 2023. If approved, the established consulting firm will select a partner or partners and manage the development of a tech platform to enable the expansion of the full PPHS model. The model will be piloted internally in January 2024 and then licensed to external partners in January 2025.

The board raised questions about the governance, funding, organizational impact, and marketability of the proposed consulting firm. In addition, the board discussed protecting the intellectual property of the PPHS model and branding in regard to Purdue University.

J.Smith asked for a motion to begin the feasibility study for the business plan to bring to the Board for approval in June and October 2023. K.Kobe made a motion and S.Hageman seconded the motion with the rest that the Board receives clarification and approval from Purdue University to use the brand.

DECISION: The Board voted unanimously to approve the motion. 

Roll Call:

K.Kobe              Aye

M.Quintana     Aye

J.Smith              Aye

G.Bertoline      Aye

D.Cook               Aye

R.Wynkoop      Aye

S.Hageman     Aye

Action Items:  K.Warren will meet with the Finance Committee to discuss leadership salaries.