The Anchor School
Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday September 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Location
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/gez-iykg-ovq
Or dial: (US) +1 224-650-8667 PIN: 741 724 009#
Directors Present
A. Pressey (remote), C. Johnson (remote), J. Burton (remote), J. Jordan (remote), K. James (remote), K. Sargeant (remote), M. Zeigler (remote), S. Kollu (remote), T. Butts (remote), T. Winston (remote)
Directors Absent
M. McCauley, S. Stewart
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Pinto Taylor (remote), N. LeBlanc
Non Voting Members Present
J. Pinto Taylor (remote), N. LeBlanc
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
N. LeBlanc called a meeting of the board of directors of The Anchor School to order on Wednesday Sep 23, 2026 at 7:05 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
K. Sargeant made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on 08-26-26.
K. James seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Executive Director Report
A.
ED Report - Presentation
- Academic results continue to improve year-over-year. Reading is leading the way.
- We are building new traditions with our founding high schoolers. Homecoming week was great!
- Our school-level directors and staff deserve praise for all of our schoolwide successes!
- Curtis recommended some student drive uniform/fashion design opportunities
III. Academic Committee
A.
Academic Data Review
- 95% completion with MAP assessments
- MAP results show ELA gaps closing:
- 9th grade exceeding national norm
- 8th grade 1 point away from national norm
- MAP results for math show gaps closing and a slower rate but students growing at around the same rate as national growth
- Math interventions still in place:
- 3 different math classes for 9th grade based on level
- Math N' More tutoring program
- Math interventions still in place:
- Still awaiting GMAS ELA Test scores - move to next months meeting
- Updated Academic Dashboard review from Dr. PT
- We've now completed the MAP & Fit Georgia assessments & the STAMP assessment has started.
- Fit Georgia - is completed by each prospective grade levels
B.
Annual Assessment Calendar
C.
Enrollment Updates
- Updated enrollment numbers for the year (306 total students)
- Updated average attendance (over 95% attendance on average)
- Enrollment timeline for this year - enrollment never ends (Dr PT was meeting with Museum School families); next week we will open applications for next year and start and go through Oct-Dec with lottery in January
- We have the ability to have a weight in the lottery but at this time not considering it at this time
D.
Enrollment Partners
- In conversation with another charter school in Dekalb that has a K8 grade band - there could be a mutually beneficial partnership
- We would need to seek approval from the SCSC to activate this matriculation, enrollment partnership possibility
- Goal: Strong and reliable ecosystem of schools for families in Dekalb
E.
SCSC Monitoring
- 100% completion for the COI form for the board
F.
Pre-Conference LKES
- Meeting took place between Jaz, Shanice and Dr. PT
- We discussed all the LKEs criteria and the goals for this year
G.
TAS Strategic Plan RFP
- Seeking firms and any recs that folx migh thave
- October 16 the RFP is due
IV. Community Engagement and PTO Updates (Ad-hoc)
A.
PTO Updates
- PTO helped with hispanic heritage month and founders day and worked behind the scenes to mark Sept 18 in Dekalb county
- PTO meeting tomorrow night at 630
- All executive roles are filled except secretary
V. Finance Committee
A.
Financial Audit Update
- Connected with EdTec - recently went through an acquisition and are now called Vertex
B.
Line of Credit Update
T. Winston made a motion to To approve the line of credit repayment plan.
A. Pressey seconded the motion.
- Line of credit repayment update- we opened it last year and now we are coming up with an aggressive repayment plan since we are paying interest on it
- We want to get it down to $0 in march - 6 payments through October through March to improve near term cash vs. the current September payoff assumptions
- This was baked into our budget so it wouldnt impact that
C.
Teacher Pathway Framework
J. Burton made a motion to To approve the Teacher Pathway Framework.
M. Zeigler seconded the motion.
- Anchor Teacher Pathways - great schools need great teachers who are long standing impact on a school (this was taken to the academic committee earlier this year and now was recommended for finance committee
- Program - 3 years of teaching at TAS, certification in the state of GA, 2 years of consecutive growth, TKES rating and commitment
- Recommendation- approve this program with the stipulation that 1 new teacher per year can be added to this pool of people
D.
Compensation & Benefits Study
T. Winston made a motion to Compensation and Benefits Study Research.
K. Sargeant seconded the motion.
- Vote language- recommend that we study and consider employee compensation and benefits package with a goal of arriving at a solution in June (this fiscal year we want to conduct that study and determine actions we can take to value the work of our educators)
- This research work would live across all 3 committees
E.
Monthly Financials
- Cash remains the primary watch item with 13-20 forecast days on hand. This is our our area of concern as we are below the recommended 60 days cash on hands
- Vertex is helping us get our efficiency margin is where we will improve and bump us into the green section (80-100 points)
- SCSC score is taken at the year end (from our final audit)
VI. Governance Committee
A.
Charter Contract Review
- 5 year contract with the state to run the Anchor School and they will review our school and determine the next contract
- We might need to have some preparation sessions for each committee to feel confident ahead of the review
B.
SCSC Monitoring Portal Opens/Updates for SY26-27
- New process with the SCSC
- Updated Bylaws are needed from Jasmine
C.
Adopt Board Training Calendar
- Board refresher on Oct 5 in the school
- Board official training in January
VII. Other Business
A.
403(b) Continuation
T. Winston made a motion to 403(b) Continuation.
T. Butts seconded the motion.
Restating our commitment for the 403b plan (continuing to run a program we've historically had) to allow teachers to invest their money
Thea asked if this was optional and or if theres any costs associated; Dr. PT said it is and theres not
Ms. Caines asked about if TAS opted out of the teacher retirement system and Ms. Griffeth confirmed we didnt.
VIII. 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 8:49 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
J. Burton