The Anchor School
Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday October 28, 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, C. Johnson (remote), J. Burton (remote), J. Jordan, K. James (remote), K. Sargeant (remote), M. McCauley (remote), M. McCauley (remote), M. Zeigler (remote), S. Kollu, S. Stewart (remote), T. Winston (remote)
Directors Absent
T. Butts
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
A. Pressey, J. Jordan, K. James, S. Kollu
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Pinto Taylor (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
S. Stewart called a meeting of the board of directors of The Anchor School to order on Wednesday Oct 28, 2026 at 7:04 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
S. Stewart made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on 09-23-26.
T. Winston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Executive Director Report
A.
ED Report - Presentation
S. Kollu arrived.
A. Pressey arrived.
J. Jordan arrived.
- J. Pinto Taylor detailed report updates on the overall progress of the school
- J. Pinto Taylor provided operational updates (compliance, facilities, enrollment, attendance and PTO details)
- J. Pinto Taylor detailed academic updates (details about completed and upcoming assessments)
- Andrea Martin provided middle school updates (details on operations, academics, support needs, success stories)
- Marcia Wingfield provided high school updates (details on operation, academics, support needed, success stories)
- School-wide donation requested for Azul's Marketplace (scholar dollar store): snacks (chips, sour patch kids, candy (nut-free school)); fidget toys; squishes; slime; pocket-sized toiletries (chapstick, hand lotion, feminine pouches); pom-pom or glittery pens.
- Kamilyah Hardaway provided personalized learning updates about what the scholars are doing to advance their learning
K. James arrived.
B.
Benefits Review - Heritage Pensions & Investment Asset Management
- Katie Oliver presented wealth management and investment options for teachers.
- M. McCauley inquired about teachers leaving still benefitting from this program.
- Katie Oliver: Teachers who leave TAS can leave their money there as long.
III. Academic Committee
A.
Academic Data Review
- M. McCauley introduced as new board/committee member
- K. Sargeant share updates on the academic dashboard.
B.
Annual Assessment Calendar
- K. Sargeant shared update on OCT assessment being underway; all text books have been purchased.
C.
Enrollment Updates
- K. Sargeant shared enrollment applications are open
- J. Pinot Taylor meeting with SCSC in NOV to advance student experience
D.
SCSC Monitoring & Compliance
- K. Sargeant shared monitoring updates are on-track
E.
Pre-Conference LKES
- K. Sargeant provided updates on portal issues: issues still pending resolution
F.
TAS Strategic Plan
- K. Sargeant shared RFP has closed: 11 proposals received.
- J. Pinto Taylor is now reviewing the submitted proposals and invites 1-3 board members to participate in interviews for proposed teams.
- Volunteers: J. Jordan, S. Kollu, J. Burton, K. Sargeant, M. McCauley
Action Items
- J. Burton requested to add this to Governance agenda for further discussion as the board will be involved in the pitching of the 5-year strategic plan
G.
TAS Teacher Pathway
- K. Sargeant provided update on the financial committee approval on support for this. Anticipate shareout to staff at the October teacher town hall
H.
Item for Information: Unified Literacy Plan
- K. Sargeant explained this requirement is due Jan 1st.
- J. Pinto Taylor detailed plans for submission given the timeline. Board to anticipate approving this plan before due date.
IV. Community Engagement and PTO Updates (Ad-hoc)
A.
PTO Updates
- Crystal Quetel (Village Council President) provided update on upcoming events:
- Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 30 (setup at 2pm, activity at 3-5pm)
- Friendsgiving in November - recruiting middle and high school family to participate in the Village Council
- December dedicate to supporting families with resources
- Operations team planning a holiday paint and mocktail event in an external recruitment event on Dec. 12 at 10am (for adult village members)
V. Finance Committee
A.
Financial Audit Approval
T. Winston made a motion to approve the audit report as written with the understanding that th single audit portion will be included later.
A. Pressey seconded the motion.
- T. Winston shared TAS had a clean audit / no findings. The single audit has not yet been finalized due to the pending release of new guidelines and regulations.
B.
Financial Update
- T. Winston showcased dashboard with forecast and budget updates; state and federal grant summary; internal key metrics dashboard; and more
- Board is encouraged to help TAS raise $27,000
C.
Georgia PEACH Education Tax Credit Program
- J. Pinto Taylor presented on state program where individuals/couples/corporations/LLCs can give to an education program and receive a tax credit up to a certain amount. This presentation deck is available for the socializing for community activation.
- J. Pinto Taylor recommends a personal touch (1:1) for outreach methods.
Action Items
- J. Pinto Taylor to send email with presentation slides and sample language as tools for the board to encourage people to give.
D.
Facility Maintenance Recommendation
- J. Pinto Taylor provided update on scope of facility work for next school year (to be completed in the spring and summer).
VI. Governance Committee
A.
Charter Contract Review
- J. Burton shared the purpose of the contract (signed between the board and the state) and the timeline for review.
B.
SCSC Monitoring Portal Opens/Updates for SY26-27
- J. Pinto Taylor shared documents submitted in October with no issues/findings.
C.
Adopt Board Training Calendar
- J. Burton reminds the board of importance of staying in compliance with training.
- New Members' December and February training to be scheduled
- Tenured Members to attend January training
- Board is encouraged to attend one school event:
- Sunday, Nov 1st at 10a-3p for working on the school (indoor and outdoor activations)
- Nov 18th family feast (lots of food ordered) with villagers (student and parents)
VII. 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 8:57 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
S. Stewart