Board Meeting Minutes
School Board Meeting Schedule 25-26 School Year
Approved
6pm, Annex (115 Hively Ave.)
July 28, 2025- Previous Academic Year Test results, Complete School leader Evaluation, Install New Board Officers, Hiring Approvals, Updates to Employee and Student Handbooks
September 22, 2025- Establish Board Goals, Q1 Financial Presentation
November 17, 2025- Review Q1 Goals and Progress, Audit Presentation
January 26, 2026- Review Test results, Review 2nd Quarter Goal Progress, 2nd Quarter Financial Presentation
March 23, 2026 - Review By-laws and policies for possible changes, Calendar Approval
May 18, 2026 - 3rd Quarter Financial Presentation, Review Preliminary Budget for next school year, Slate Officers
June Virtual Meeting - Budget approval for 2026-2027 school year, Intro School Leader Evaluation
11/17/2025 Board Meeting Minutes
Premier Arts Academy School Board Meeting Minutes
Date: November 17th, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Premier Arts Academy Annex, Room 105
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the School Board President at 6:00 PM.
II. Roll Call & Introduction of Guests
The Secretary conducted a roll call and confirmed the presence of a quorum. Board members in attendance:
Brandon Gerlach-Present
Beatrice Phillips-Present
Matthew Notron-Present
Arivs Davis -Present
Elizabeth Bond-Present
Erik Shultz-Present
Lauren Matthews-Present
Other Guest
Ashley Molyneaux - Head of the School
Kurt Weimer - Director of Operations
Stephanie Moseley - Represented the Booster Club
Tim Myers
Amanda Glasscock
III. Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the previous School Board meeting were presented for review.
Arvis Dawson- Motion: To approve the minutes as submitted., Matthew Norton 2nd
Action: Motion carried unanimously.
Head of School Report – Presented by Ashley Molyneaux
Mrs. Molyneaux provided updates on key school initiatives:
V. Stakeholder Reports
Parent Booster Club:
VI. Old Business
VII. New Business
VIII. Action Items & Upcoming Dates
IX. Open Forum for Public Comment
No public comments were made.
X. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the School Board President at 7:30 PM.
1/26/2026 Board Meeting Minutes
School Board Meeting
Date: Jan 26, 2026
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location: Premier Arts Academy Annex Room 105
Date: Jan 26, 2026
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location: Premier Arts Academy Annex Room 105
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
Board Chair Brandon Gerlach called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM.
1. Call to Order
Board Chair Brandon Gerlach called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM.
2. Roll Call / Quorum
Board Members Present:
Brandon Gerlach (Chair)
Board Members Present:
Brandon Gerlach (Chair)
Matt Norton
Erik Shultz
Beatrice “B” Phillips
Arvis Dawson
Lauren Matthews (arrived late)
Staff Present:
Ashley Molyneaux (Head of School)
Kurt Weimer (Operations)
Elizabeth Osowski (Office Manager / Director of HR)
A quorum was confirmed.
3. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
The Board reviewed minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: Approve prior meeting minutes
Moved: Erik Shultz
Second: Arvis Dawson
Vote: Motion carried (approved)
4. Staff Report — HR/Payroll/Benefits (Elizabeth Osowski)
Elizabeth provided an update on implementation of the new payroll/HRIS system (Rippling):
Implementation status approximately 85–90% complete.
Elizabeth provided an update on implementation of the new payroll/HRIS system (Rippling):
Implementation status approximately 85–90% complete.
One new hire was successfully onboarded through the system.
Staff trainings were deployed through the system (including compliance trainings).
The first payroll run was “bumpy” due to timing and late benefits/deduction uploads; issues were corrected within 24 hours, and the team expects the next run to be smoother.
Discussion highlights:
Future use of Rippling for additional compliance trainings (e.g., FERPA, human trafficking, test security).
Future use of Rippling for additional compliance trainings (e.g., FERPA, human trafficking, test security).
Potential future policy addition regarding consequences for overdue trainings.
5. Head of School Report (Ashley Molyneaux)
Ashley presented highlights including enrollment, staffing, fundraising, grants, finances, and upcoming accountability milestones.
Enrollment & Student Counts
Open enrollment for next school year is active.
Transfers for the current semester accepted through end of the week; after February 1, transfers will not be accepted due to funding/count-date impacts.
Current open spots: 8 (due to a family of four moving and expulsions).
The school has received 39 intent-to-enroll forms for the upcoming school year, ahead of typical pace.
Open houses scheduled: this Thursday and February 19.
Enrollment timeline: applications close March 1; lottery held March 3.
If a new building is secured, the school may add a third kindergarten class in future growth planning.
Special Education Update / Staffing Need
Special education caseload has increased due to additional testing; increase includes more students with autism.
Additional support is needed to meet required service minutes; two Special Education Instructional Assistants were hired pending board approval.
Board Q&A:
Discussion on whether state reimbursement covers actual costs (speech and language services cited as under-reimbursed compared to staffing costs).
Action — Approval of Two Special Education Instructional Assistants
Motion: Approve both new hires for Special Education Instructional Assistants
Moved: Beatrice “B” Phillips
Second: Erik Shultz
Vote: Motion carried
Fundraising
Planned spring fundraiser/auction was paused due to potential building move and the desire to avoid multiple asks in short succession.
Ashley shared that Jason Lippert committed $25,000 (check pending), covering the expected revenue of the paused spring fundraiser.
Grant / Partnership Opportunity — The Mind Trust
Ashley described a fellowship/grant opportunity through The Mind Trust (Indianapolis-based), positioned to support expansion-related needs (e.g., legal costs for agreements, planning support). Amount/benefit is currently “to be determined” based on approved uses.
Action — Approval to Submit/Proceed with Mind Trust Grant
Motion: Approve Ashley submitting the Mind Trust grant application
Moved: Arvis Dawson
Second: Erik Shultz
Vote: Motion carried
Financials
Financial package was distributed. The Board was directed to a one-page summary (cash flow timing, revenue/expense timing, continued need for grants/fundraising).
Financial package was distributed. The Board was directed to a one-page summary (cash flow timing, revenue/expense timing, continued need for grants/fundraising).
March meeting will include more detailed financial presentation (with Ball State present).
Academic / Accountability
March meeting will include mid-year academic growth update (testing still underway; early indications are promising).
6. Operations Report (Kurt Weimer)
Safety/security grant reimbursement to be submitted by end of month.
Snow removal expenses are over budget due to weather conditions.
7. Old Business — Requisitions Over $5,000
Ashley noted items requiring board approval, including:
Professional services invoice for financial/audit prep, cash flow analysis, forecasting (noted as a strong value compared to alternatives).
A $5,000 contribution toward building repairs/improvements performed by Lifeline (after negotiation; future surprises addressed in lease terms).
Action — Approval of Items Over $5,000
Motion: Approve the highlighted requisitions over $5,000
Moved/Seconded: (not clearly captured in transcript excerpt)
Vote: Motion carried (no opposition noted)
(Recommendation: confirm the mover/seconder names for this item when finalizing minutes.)
8. Board Goals Review
The Board discussed board goals and next steps:
Auction fundraiser goal — tabled for now (fundraising likely later depending on building needs).
Community forum / parent listening opportunity — interest in hosting at a Booster Club meeting and/or at Boling Vision Center café setting.
B volunteered to be a point person and coordinate with Booster Club leadership (Stephanie Kroll mentioned).
Establish 5 new community partnerships — Board members to bring partnership ideas to the March agenda.
Governance/training — expectation that Ball State may request board training evidence; Ashley will explore a short board development training.
9. Weather Closures — Synchronous vs. Asynchronous E-Learning
Ashley and Kurt reviewed state requirements and school plan:
No asynchronous e-learning days remain for the year.
Synchronous model may be used as needed; synchronous days are not capped in the same way.
Requirements discussed included the “50/50” rule: roughly 50% of students online for 50% of required time.
Elementary target includes ~90 minutes of live instruction; middle school uses an abbreviated schedule (~30 minutes per core class).
A staff “test run” occurred to identify tech issues and improve readiness.
Kindergarten iPads were made available for pickup and will be sent home in future weather risk periods.
10. Ball State Mid-Charter Visit (March 23)
Ball State will be onsite March 23 beginning at 8:00 AM, staying through the board meeting.
Focus groups will include board members.
March meeting will include: auditors’ update, financial presentation, and academic presentation.
11. Calendar Approvals
A. Amended 2025–2026 School Calendar
Changes were made due to weather/e-learning constraints and were already communicated to families.
Motion: Approve amended 2025–2026 school calendar
Moved: Arvis Dawson
Second: Erik Shultz
Vote: Motion carried
B. Proposed 2026–2027 School Calendar (First Draft)
Highlights: modeled after current year, full Thanksgiving week off, added a “Cabin Fever Day” in March, built-in emergency makeup day, report card timing shown, and reminder that first day back from winter break is a teacher workday.
Motion: Approve first draft 2026–2027 proposed school calendar
Moved: Beatrice “B” Phillips
Second: Erik Shultz
Vote: Motion carried
12. Elkhart Community Schools Consolidation / Building Transition Planning
Ashley provided an update on consolidation planning and discussions with Elkhart school board members, including exploration of an Innovation Network Agreement. Potential benefits discussed:
Faster building transfer pathway (avoiding prolonged $1-law process).
Ability to contract services (e.g., psych services, transportation for field trips) at more favorable rates.
Potential access to additional funding streams (property tax-related funds) split with the district.
Non-negotiables stated:
Elkhart School Board will not control Premier Arts Academy’s money, curriculum, or operations.
Premier Arts Academy will manage communications about the partnership.
Action — Retain Legal Counsel for Innovation Network Agreement
Ashley proposed retaining attorney Heather Harris (experienced in these agreements), estimated around $5,000 for agreement drafting/management, with hope that Mind Trust support could offset costs.
Motion: Retain Heather Harris as attorney to support Innovation Network Agreement work
Moved: Arvis Dawson
Second: Matt Norton
Vote: Motion carried
Next steps noted:
District consultant recommendations on building closures expected February 10.
Ashley will continue discussions with district leadership and aim to progress agreement work prior to public announcements.
13. Announcements / Upcoming Dates
Open houses: Thursday and February 19
All-School Musical: March 14 (two casts: 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM)
Next board meeting and Ball State visit: March 23
14. Adjournment
The meeting concluded following final announcements. (Exact adjournment time not stated in transcript.)
Summary of Motions Passed
Approve prior meeting minutes — Passed
Approve two Special Ed Instructional Assistant hires — Passed
Approve Mind Trust grant submission — Passed
Approve requisitions over $5,000 — Passed (mover/seconder to confirm)
Approve amended 2025–2026 calendar — Passed
Approve first draft 2026–2027 calendar — Passed
Retain Heather Harris as attorney — Passed
3/23/26 Board Meeting Minutes
School Board Meeting
Date: Mar 23, 2026
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Premier Arts Academy Fishbowl (2721 Prairie Street)
Agenda:
- Call to Order
The meeting will be called to order by the School Board President.
- Roll Call & Introductions of Guests
The Secretary will call the roll and note the presence of a quorum.
III. Approval of Minutes from Last Meeting
The minutes from the last school board meeting will be presented for approval
- Staff Reports:
Tim Myers, Amanda Glasscock, Joscilyn Acosta- Middle of the Year Growth, IRead Update
Ashley Molyneaux will present a report on the current status of the school, including any updates on the enrollment, staffing, fundraising, & grants.
Director of Operations Report
Kurt Weimer will present a report on the status of school operations.
CFO Report
Kelli Smith will provide a summary report of financial Q3 Financial Reports at the next board meeting. They will be emailed out on or around April 15th. Feel free to email [email protected] with any questions in advance of the May meeting.
- Stakeholder Reports
Parent Booster Club
- Old Business
- Approval of Vendor Contracts & Requisitions over $5000-see highlighted items
- Audit Presentation- CLA, Report attached here
VII. New Business
The board will discuss and take action on any new items of business:
- New Hire Approvals
- Lauren Matthews- Director of Administrative Services
- Staff vacation approvals
- Stacey Shultz April 2-3 (before Spring Break)
- Sashia Norment May 22 (Before Memorial Day)
- Holly Mecher Oct 21-28 (Fall Break is Oct 23-26) will miss the 21, 22, 27
- New Middle School Course presentation and vote for approval
- Club Pay Stipend Payscale presentation and vote for approval
- New Board Member discussion
- Update on ECS School Consolidation and possibility of a new building for PAA
- Innovation Network Agreement Draft for approval
VIII. Action Items:
Mark your calendars:
- May 18th- Next Board Meeting (3rd Monday due to Memorial Day)
- May 28th- Community Expo and Leveling Up Ceremony- 8th Grade Grad Night
- May 29th- Field Day and Last Day of School (need volunteers)
- Mark your calendars for this year’s board meetings! Calendar linked HERE
- 2025-2026 Updated School Calendar Linked Here
- 2026-2027 Approved School Calendar Linked Here
VIII. Open Forum for Public Comment
The public will be given an opportunity to speak on any topic not on the agenda
- Adjournment-The meeting will be adjourned by the School Board President.