The Anchor School
Minutes
Academic Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday August 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Location
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ngf-bsag-prx
Or dial: (US) +1 260-468-0174 PIN: 597 098 506#
Committee Members Present
E. Desprez Isbell (remote), J. Burton (remote), N. LeBlanc (remote), S. Birch (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
J. Pinto Taylor (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
E. Desprez Isbell called a meeting of the Academic Achievement Committee of The Anchor School to order on Wednesday Aug 13, 2025 at 7:02 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
E. Desprez Isbell made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Committee Meeting on 06-11-25.
S. Birch seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Academic Achievement
A.
Academic Data Review
- Data is technically still embargoed
- 7th grade Reading and math increased year over year
- Growth is evident, more students proficient
- Compared to all of Dekalb, outperforming more than half of the middle schools.
- Outperforming county results in ELA/Reading, but not yet in math in proficient (but outperforming developing and above).
B.
Academic (Assessment) Calendar & Orientation Week
- Strongest, smoothest start yet in our 3 year history!
- Full staff that we envisioned at the middle school, tasks all have an official owner, workload is feeling more manageable for everyone. Staff morale is starting strong! New teachers are bringing a fresh, positive energy.
- Challenge: way more cars in the lot for arrival and dismissal. Week 1 we were working out kinks. Goal is a 20 minute dismissal routine.
C.
Year 2 Highlight Data
Notes are above in the Academic data section above.
III. Academic Monitoring Updates
A.
Accreditation Process
- Submitted a workbook rating ourselves on 31 different standards, submitted by Aug 4.
- Aug 6 presentation with Cognia presentation. It went really well, received great feedback.
- By end of September, hopefully we will have an update. Goal is accreditation by this fall.
IV. Academic Policy Items
A.
TAS Teacher Pathway Framework
- Teachers will give feedback on this pathway as well
- Emily's suggestions:
- Consider only requiring 2 years at TAS (not 4+ years)
- Consider adding a number of "steps" on the pay scale for a bonus/salary increase rather than a flat $10,000 increase
- Approving this in the spring of 2026 would be a good timeline
B.
Lottery Weight
- Recommendation: no weighted lottery for SY 26-27 (requirement for the CSP grant)
C.
Staff Handbook Review
- Parental support section: consider adding "on a case by case basis" or specific start and end timeframes/windows
- Suggestion to mirror the work from home policy: "These arrangements should be coordinated"--revise to "these arrangements should gain approval in advance"
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
E. Desprez Isbell