Einstein Charter School’s board of directors announced the resignation of former vice president Roland Doucette as they gathered March 6 for their monthly meeting.
Doucette submitted his letter of resignation a day after spirited debate at February’s board meeting. Board President Ramona Perkins acknowledged that his resignation was a big loss, especially in light of Doucette’s recent efforts to work with parents and the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. The board will elect a new vice president in April.
The school is operating with about $370,000 in accounts receivable, assistant business manager Doug Guidry told the board. He said the school has enough money for operating costs but that he wanted to make sure the board was aware of the sizable reimbursement that is pending, most of it for Title I and LA 4 spending.
Fielding questions from the board about next year’s budget, Guidry said the preliminary budget would be based on the school’s Feb. 1 enrollment, the date counts were taken for per capita reimbursement under the state’s Minimum Foundation Program.
Member James Pineda said he wants this budget to be reviewed by the board at April’s meeting.
The board was scheduled to go on retreat March 10 from 9 a.m. to noon on Dillard’s campus. The retreat agenda calls for a review and update of board bylaws and a discussion of their board mission, principal assessment, sub-committee roles, financial timeline, and proposed three-year strategic plan.
Principal Shawn Toranto informed the board of a comprehensive list of school needs she is submitting to the Orleans Parish School Board At the top of her list is replacement of the school’s portable rooms which she said are in deplorable condition. She said they are designated for gym classes but rarely used for that purpose since the classes can usually be held outdoors.
The board accepted the minutes of their January and February meetings.
In addition to Perkins and Pineda, members T.K. Trieu, Laurin Jacobsen, Ryan Bennett, and Margaret Nguyen were present.
The meeting began at 6 p.m. and adjourned at 7:05 p.m. After the retreat, the board’s next monthly meeting is scheduled for April 3.