Corporators present:                Angela Adams, Matthew Amaro, Katherine Andruskiewicz, Steven Bokoff, Allyn Brown, Nick Caplanson, Glenn Carberry, Betsy Conway, Thomas DiStasio, David Doyle, Keith Fontaine, Chris Gauthier, Lee-Ann Gomes, Thomas Griffin, Sandra Grillo, Bryan Hayes, Sheila Hayes, Chris Jewell, DeVol Joyner, David Kalla, Denise Lindell, Regan Miner, Maria Miranda, Angel Moran, Richard Morelli, Ted Phillips, Todd Postler, Michael Rauh, Robert Reed, Cheryl Ritacco, Leah Rubega, Aimee Siefert, Fannie Stokes, John Sweeney, Daniel Tracy, Gary Trombley, Bill Warzecha, Sarette Williams and Mark Woods

                                   

Also present:                              Corporator Candidates:  Dina Sears-Graves and Nicholas Fortson

NFA Leadership:  Head of School Brian M. Kelly, Ed.D., Director of Operations Kristin Peckrul, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Kathy McCarthy; Director of Communications Michael O’Farrell; Director of Finance and Human Resources Rich Freeman; Director of Community Affairs John Iovino; and Coordinator of Alternative Programs Win Columbano   

 

Chair DeVol Joyner called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. after welcoming all Corporators,

 

Mr. Joyner read the Motion of 1975.

 

1.      a.  Motion by Mr. Postler, seconded by Dr. Kalla, to approve the minutes of November 19, 2020, Annual Meeting of the Corporators.  Motion carried.

 

2.      a.  Corporators to elect new corporators:

 

Chair Joyner presented the following new corporator candidates:

                                            

 

 

b.  Corporators whose terms are up for renewal to serve another three years:          

                                                     

 

c.  Corporators to elect and renew Trustees of Norwich Free Academy:

                                                     

                 

Motion by Mr. Warzecha, seconded by Mr. Postler, to add new Corporators, to renew terms of existing Corporators and to elect and renew Trustees of Norwich Free Academy.    Motion carried.

 

 

3.  Corporation Reports:

 

a.   The Corporators received reports from the following:

 

Mr. Joyner thanked the Corporators, fellow Board Members and Head of School Dr. Kelly for the support shown during 2020-21.  He stated that despite the past year’s challenges, NFA continues to succeed and he appreciates everyone’s hard work, often times behind the scenes, and commitment to ensure that NFA continues to be the high school of choice.

 

At this point Mr. Joyner requested the Media to please excuse themselves for Items 2 & 3.

 

Mr. Postler reported on the activity of the Foundation during 2020-21.  The Foundation’s objective is to support an independently governed, privately endowed NFA.  He also shared two donor stories stating that because of their love of this school they are at the heart of the philanthropy of NFA.

 

Mr. Postler thanked the following:  Director of Institutional Advancement Kathy McCarthy and her team, Foundation Board of Directors and those who volunteered their services to the Foundation throughout the 2020-21 year.

 

Mr. Brown addressed the specifics of the Foundation’s endowment and investments for 2020-21.

 

Mr. Joyner welcomed the media back for the remainder of the meeting.

 

Dr. Kelly welcomed everyone and stated that he has a great appreciation for the history, traditions and mission of this fine institution.   He thanked the Corporators, the Board of Trustees and the Foundation for their partnership, generosity and most importantly, their unwavering support and commitment to NFA.  He also thanked his Administrative team saying they are smart, creative & innovative.  He also thanked them for all they have done and continue to do in support of NFA, especially during these challenging times.  He read the mission statement and then went on to brief the Corporators on the following key topics:

·       State of the School

·       Avoid Going Back to “Normal”

·       Architecture, Culture & Ecology of Learning

·       Major Initiatives

·       Branding

 

4.  Other Business

With there being no other business, Mr. Joyner recognized retiring Board of Trustees member Sarette Williams, and retiring Foundation Board members Jeff Blinderman and Matt Amaro.

 

7.  Adjournment

 

Motion by Ms. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Postler, to adjourn the meeting at 5:34 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mary E. Vega

Recorder                                                                                                                                                          Approved: