Chicago City Wire

The Noble Network of Charter Schools Board of Directors met July 6 to review the finance report.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Monday June 6, 2016- 12:00pm

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

525 W. Monroe Street

Chicago, IL 60661

Mr. Muchin called the meeting to order pursuant to the public Notice.

The following members were in attendance:

John Butler

Cecil Curtwright

John Harris

Michael Milkie

Allan Muchin

Anne Mueller

Troy Ratliff

John Rowe

Jean Sheridan

Barbara Speer

David Weinberg

Jennifer Wilson

Agenda Item 1. Public Comment

None.

Agenda Item 2. Approval of Minutes from 3.7.16

Ms. Mueller moved to approve the previously circulated minutes from the March 7, 2016 meeting. Mr.

Ratliff seconded the motion. The motion was adopted by the unanimous vote of the board.

Agenda Item 3. Committee reports

A. Executive Report

Mr. Muchin announced that Archana Kumar would be joining the board. Ms. Kumar is the Chief Financial

Officer of Wealth Management at The Northern Trust Corporation and previously worked for both HSBC

and General Electric. Mr. Muchin moved to appoint Ms. Kumar onto Noble’s Board of Directors. Mr.

Harris seconded the motion and it was adopted by unanimous vote of the board.

Mr. Milkie introduced the board meeting dates for the 2016-2017, which include September 19, 2016,

December 5, 2016, March 6, 2017, and June 5, 2017. He also addressed the state budget crisis and

invited the Board of Directors to attend a Fight For Students Rally on Thursday, June 9, 2016.

Mr. Niksch presented the College Report and informed the board that there are over 1,800 graduates in

the Class of 2016 and 99% were accepted to college. He discussed the importance of students

matriculating to schools that will best support them as they earn their degree and as a result, this cohort

of seniors has the highest projected college graduation rate for Noble alumni to date. Mr. Niksch

answered questions from the board.

The Principal Spotlight featured Jennifer Reid from Rauner College Prep. She discussed the mission of

her campus, which is focused on strengthening our city today by empowering the college graduates of

tomorrow. Ms. Reid also discussed the impact of strong curriculum on the academic success of her

scholars, such as AP courses and a STEM Honors Program. She informed the board that she places a lot

of emphasis on strategically planning for the future and also values staff diversity.

B. External Affairs report

Ms. Brewer presented the External Affairs Report and discussed the importance of building a coalition of

Noble champions to advocate on behalf of our students. She updated the board about the state of

legislation in Springfield and informed them that Noble students have become active in the fight for

equal state education funding. Ms. Brewer also discussed the proactive fundraising and communications

work being conducted by the External Affairs team, while answering questions from the board.

C. Audit & Finance Committee report

Mr. Drago presented the Finance Report with updates about revenue and expenses as Noble

approaches the end of FY16. He informed the board that despite budget cuts this year, Noble is on track

to end the fiscal year in a good position due to conservative financial planning. Furthermore, Mr. Drago

informed the board that Noble has not received information from CPS regarding FY17 funding and is

preparing for various outcomes. Mr. Drago also answered questions from the board.

D. Facilities Committee report

Mr. Madden presented the Facilities Report and informed the board that the 2015-2016 capital plan is

nearly complete and is coming in on budget. He also shared that Noble broke ground on the Mansueto

High School campus and that students will incubate in a temporary location while the school is built.

Agenda Item 4. Other Matters

None.

Meeting was adjourned by Mr. Muchin at 1:22pm.

Recorded and submitted by

Amy Podlesak

Interim Clerk of the Board