June 30, 2025
Board of Directors Annual Meeting Minutes
Present: Alexis Smith, Brian Kelahan, Carly Osborne, Jeff Carter, Ky Andersson, Liz Cox, Peter Ludwig, Sarah Field, Terri Snell.
Staff: Amanda Byam, Ana Rosa, Deborah Greig, Genevive Walker, Joel Tolman, Rebecca Holcombe.
Public: Margaret Randle
Welcome
The annual meeting was called to order at 5:36 PM.
Public Comment: N/A
Announcement of Officers
- Alexis Smith was elected as Chair.
- Ky Andersson was elected as Secretary.
- Jeff was elected as Treasurer.
- Motion to vote on the slate of officers was moved by Brian Kelahan and seconded by Jeff.
- All in favor. None opposed.
Nomination of New Board Members
- New board members approved: Lauren Caplan, Jameson Davis, Kathi Torres, Yexandra Diaz, Shaquira Brockington as Parent Representative, and Kymani Chapman as additional Student Representative.
- Motion to approve new board members was moved by Lizanne Cox and seconded by Ky Andersson.
- All in favor. None opposed.
Renewal of Board Member Terms
- Renewed terms for Liz Cox, Brian Kelahan, Sarah Field as Teacher Representative, and Clouds as Student Representative.
- Motion to approve renewed terms was moved by Peter Ludwig and seconded by Jeff.
Recognizing End of Board Member Terms & Resignations
- Peter and Terri’s terms have ended, but Peter will remain as a committee member.
- Alicia Crutchfield resigned from the board effective a couple of weeks ago.
- Shelly Hicks resigned from the board earlier this year.
- Michelle Sepulveda is continuing on the board but not as the New Haven Board of Ed Rep.
Adjourn
Motion to adjourn the annual meeting was moved by Sarah and seconded by Brian. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 5:44 PM.
June 30, 2025
Board of Directors Business Meeting Minutes
Present: Alexis Smith, Brian Kelahan, Carly Osborne, Jeff Carter, Ky Andersson, Liz Cox, Peter Ludwig, Sarah Field, Terri Snell.
Staff: Amanda Byam, Ana Rosa, Deborah Greig, Genevive Walker, Joel Tolman, Rachel Sharnick, Rebecca Holcombe.
Public: Margaret Randle
Welcome
The business meeting was called to order at 5:44 PM.
Public Comment: N/A
Business Requiring Approval
- Minutes of the May 19th Board Meeting
- Motion to approve the May 19th minutes was moved by Liz and seconded by Jeff. All in favor. None opposed.
- Revise the authorized signers of the ED-099 Agreement for Child Nutrition Programs and the CSDE. It is proposed that Elena Augusewicz should be removed and Ana Rosa added as Signer #1. Monique Frasier will remain as Signer #2. Signature #3 must be a BOD member: Alexis Smith. This form will allow them to prepare the Monthly Child Nutrition Claims and perform other CSDE requirements for Common Ground High School.
- Authorized Signatures Change Form
- Motion to approve the authorized signers was moved by Briand and seconded by Ky. All in favor. None opposed.
- 2025-2026 School Calendar
- Motion to approve the calendar was moved by Jeff and seconded by Brian. All in favor. None opposed.
Motion for Certified Resolution: N/A
Invoices Needing Approval
- PowerSchool Hosting and Student Information System for Time period 8/1/2025-7/31/2026 in the amount of $5,304.86.
- Zangari Cohn Cuthbertson Duhl & Grello P.C. $6,842.00 – this will be split 50/50 between NHEP and CGHS.
- LaRosa Contracting, Greenhouse work budgeted. – $10,400 Budgeted / Grant Funded.
- CREC Invoice – Capitol Region Education Council $9,474.99 – Budgeted and part of the 21C grant program.
Motion to approve the above invoices were moved by Jeff and seconded by Brian. All in favor. None opposed.
Executive Director Report
Union negotiations
- Union negotiations are ongoing with the next meeting scheduled for July 8.
- First meeting was on June 2, followed by another on June 17.
Open positions
- Director of Development and Communications position is open with strong candidates in the queue.
- Staff Accountant position is open with ongoing interviews.
Audit planning
- Audit planning has started with PF Connor and internal team members.
- Initial meeting included Genevive Walker, Lynn, and Margaret from YPTC.
Strategic planning
- Strategic planning sessions are being organized with Timothy Throckmorton.
- Several meetings leading up to a 6-hour in-person day are planned.
Summer camp
- Summer camp has started successfully with 60 staff and 300 kids daily.
- Staff are also working weekends for birthday parties and open farm day.
Farm activities
- Farm share and farm stand have started.
- Reduced mobile market is still happening.
- Team is getting ready for the youth program to start.
Committee Reports
Minutes of all Committee Meetings will be posted on the Board of Directors Webpage by the end of each month.
Finance Committee (Jeff)
The finance committee met on June 4th and June 11th.
The meeting agenda and minutes from the Finance Committee can be found HERE.
- Review of the monthly financial report:
- May Finance Report can be found HERE.
- Presentation of the proposed budget:
Governance Committee Report (Alexis)
The governance committee met on June 10th.
Minutes from the Governance Committee Meetings can be found HERE.
Development Committee Report (Brian + Committee)
The Development Committee met on June 11, 2025.
Minutes from the Development Committee Meetings can be found HERE.
Development Committee resolution for Board Approval:
Proposed Motion: Whereas Audrey Nefores, Development and Communications Director for Common Ground and New Haven Ecology Project, has, over the course of her 5 year tenure, led, managed and delivered significant increases in both Individual Giving and overall Development Revenue; and whereas, this was done through periods of both external and internal turmoil, therefore, the Board recognizes, celebrates and thanks Audrey Nefores for her commitment and service to the organization and wishes her well in her new adventure.
School Committee Report (Liz)
The School Committee met on June 18th.
Minutes from the School Committee Meetings can be found HERE.
New Business
Executive Session
Adjourn
Next Meeting: Monday, August 25th on Microsoft Teams.
Public Comment:
In order to comply with Connecticut Open Meeting laws, any member of the public wishing to participate in the meeting must sign up on the Public Participation Sign-up Document. Sign-ups for Public Participation will open at 5 pm on the last business day before the meeting (Friday, August 22nd) and will close at 5:00 pm on the day of the meeting (Monday, August 25th) Public Participation is limited to 2 minutes per person up to 30 total minutes. Anyone wishing to make a statement to the board can also submit testimony in writing to Alexis.Smith@nhep.com by 5:00 pm on the day of the meeting. All submitted documents will be included in the publicly shared meeting minutes.
Leave A Comment