Soaring Heights Charter School
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Minutes of July 20, 2020
Call to Order:
President Lisa McConagly called the meeting to order at 6:46 p.m. and read the following statement: I submit that in compliance with Chapter 231 of the Laws of 1975, a notice for this meeting has been sent to the Jersey Journal and the Newark Star Ledger.
Roll Call:
Present Absent
JoAnn D’Auria Jaswinder Dhah
Mary Golden
Lisa McConagly
Jane Mercante
Natasha Persaud
Irene Roberts
Motions:
1. Approval of Board Secretary’s Minutes
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Minutes for June 15, 2020.
Moved: N. Persaud Second: J. D’Auria
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
2. Approval of Secretary’s and Board Treasurer’s Reports
Be it resolved by the Board of Trustees that the Board acknowledges receipt of certification from the Board Secretary that no line item account has encumbrances and expenditures which in total exceed the line item appropriation in violation of N.J.A.C.:6A:23-2.11(a). Further the Board of Trustees, after review of the Board Secretary’s and Treasurer’s monthly financial reports, certifies that no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C.:6A:23.2.11(b), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the Board of Trustees’ financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. Therefore, it is recommended that the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports for the month ending
June 30, 2020, showing a cash balance of $423,571.34 general account and $219,185.00 payroll account, be approved.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
3. Approval of Salaries for 2020-2021 School Year
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the attached salaries for the 2020-2021 school year.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: N. Persaud
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
4. Approval of First Reading of Mask Policy
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the first reading of the Mask Policy:
All staff, students and visitors will be required to wear a school appropriate mask entering and leaving the school building, as well as in the school office, gymnasium, classrooms, bathrooms and hallways. The school will provide each student with one reusable mask. If it is not medically possible to wear a mask, a doctor’s note will be required. If a student refuses to wear a mask, he/she will be limited to remote learning.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: J. D’Auria
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
5. Approval of First Reading of Symptoms of COVID-19 Policy
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the first reading of Symptoms of COVID-19 Policy:
Any staff or student presenting symptoms of COVID-19 such as having a fever of 100 degrees or higher, vomiting, persistent coughing, difficulty breathing and/or diarrhea should not come to school. If any of the above symptoms occur during the school day, he/she will be sent home. He/She cannot return to school until fever free without the aid of medication for 48 hours. A doctor’s note will be required if absent for three or more days.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
6. Approval of First Reading of Coronavirus Travel Quarantine Policy
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the first reading of the Coronavirus Travel Quarantine Policy:
Any staff or student who is returning from a state or country having a Coronavirus (COVID-19) positivity rate of 10% or higher and/or has visited a state on the travel quarantine list, he/she must be quarantined for 14 days before returning to school. Remote learning will be required for the duration of the 14 day quarantine.
Moved: N. Persaud Second: J. D’Auria
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
7. Approval of First Reading of Remote Learning Requirements Policy
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the first reading of the Remote Learning Requirements Policy:
When students are completing their remote learning on Zoom or a similar platform, the video must be on and unmuted the entire time unless indicated by the teacher.
Moved: J. D’Auria Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
8. Approval of First Reading of Water Bottle Policy
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the first reading of the Water Bottle Policy:
Soaring Heights Charter School will permit and encourage students to bring water bottles to school.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: N. Persaud
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
9. Approval of First Reading of Staff Member or Student Contracts Coronavirus (COVID-19) Policy
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the first reading of the Staff Member or Student Contracts Coronavirus (COVID-19) Policy:
Upon confirming that a staff member or a student has tested positive for the Coronavirus the school building will be closed for 14 days and everyone will be placed on remote learning for the duration of that time. The school will immediately notify the local board of health and follow the CDC guidelines. The entire school community will be notified through a One Call Now of such closure. After 24 hours, the building will be disinfected and will continue to be cleaned everyday thereafter.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: L. McConagly
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
10. Approval of Soaring Heights Charter School’s Reopening School Plan
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Soaring Heights Charter School’s Reopening School Plan.
Moved: N. Persaud Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
11. Approval of Soaring Heights Charter School Annual Report for 2019-2020 School Year
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Soaring Heights Charter School Annual Report for 2019-2020.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
12. Approval of Resignation of Art/Computer Teacher
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees accepts the resignation of George Stevenson, Art/Computer Teacher, effective July 28, 2020.
Moved: J. D’Auria Second: N. Persaud
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
13. Approval of Rescindment of Emergent Hiring of Teacher Assistant
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees rescinds the emergent hiring of Gissel Martinez, Teacher Assistant, effective immediately.
Moved: J. D’Auria Second: N. Persaud
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
14. Approval of Rescindment of Emergent Hiring of Office Manager
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees rescinds the emergent hiring of Kathy Depoalo, Office Manager, effective immediately.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: L. McConagly
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call.
15. Approval of Re-Adopting the Establishment of Grievance Committee
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees readopts the establishment of the grievance committee. The Grievance Committee consists of two members from the Board of Trustees, two teachers selected by the teachers of Soaring Heights Charter School, two parents and the school’s Director.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: I. Roberts
Adjournment
There being no further business for the Board of Trustees, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: J. D’Auria
Motion carried by a unanimous roll call
Submitted by:
Jane M. Mercante
Jane M. Mercante, Secretary