Coastal Montessori Charter School
Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
Date and Time
Monday April 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Location
Coastal Montessori Charter School
This is the monthly CMCS Board of Directors meeting.
Directors Present
A. Bailey, J. Dent, J. Teachey, M. Easterling, R. Dawson, R. Ferdon, R. Richardson
Directors Absent
J. Dew
Guests Present
C. Bergeron
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approval of Agenda
D.
Approve Minutes
II. Finance
A.
March Financial Report
III. Housekeeping Items
A.
PTO Report
Teacher appreciation is next week. This Saturday from 9-12, working on gently used closet organizing and litter cleanup on campus. Board members may become champions for Palmetto Giving Day, a link will be sent for us to send out to families.
B.
Director's Report
School-wide field trip to WHS to see The Little Mermaid. Chris was at a week-long Montessori training in a New York Montessori school. Candidate profiles are posted online.
IV. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
Jeremy Zamorski shared about Catalina Island. They were taught about the wildlife and snorkelling. CMCS got to see nocturnal animals on a night snorkeling outing. The scholars got to experience a life-changing trip.
V. Governance
A.
Governance Committee Report
The date for the board retreat will be determined once our new board members are sworn in.
B.
Finance Committee Report
John shared the report. At the last meeting, we looked at the 3rd draft of the 2026-27 budget. The final proposal will be up for a vote at the May meeting.
C.
Facilities Committee Report
Marshall received an update from the architect, who is asking for additional compensation. Marshall and Chris will meet to discuss this.
D.
Update on Values Statements - Process
This has been delayed due to staff coverage. This will be completed before the end of the year.
E.
Amendment to CMCS Board By-Laws
Revise the bylaw language to define “community connection” more broadly. Eligible individuals may:
- Reside in Georgetown County
- Work in Georgetown County
- Own or operate a business in Georgetown County
- Otherwise actively contribute to the Georgetown County community
We would like to make the following changes:
At least three (3) Directors shall be at-large community members who demonstrate a meaningful connection to Georgetown County. Such connection may include residing in, working in, owning or operating a business in, or otherwise actively contributing to the Georgetown County community, as determined by the Board. These Directors shall not be parents/guardians of current CMCS students.
Amanda suggested that we define what it means to "actively contribute."
John wants to strike bullet number 4.
After indepth discussion the following language will be changed to:
At least three (3) Directors shall be at-large community members who demonstrate a meaningful connection to Georgetown County. Such a connection shall include residing in or physically working in Georgetown County. These Directors shall not be parents/guardians of current CMCS students.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Next Meeting
The board will have a special called virtual meeting on April 27th at 6:00 pm to vote on the proposed budget. The next scheduled meeting will be 5/18/26.
The finances are looking really strong. Expenses are up 7%. A Question was asked why we were up from last year. Special needs costs are up this year from last year. Supplies were up $5000. Net income is down 24% from last year.