The Anchor School
Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
Monthly BOD Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday November 29, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Location
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7641521775?pwd=U05NSDBWN3FEQmQ1RFdSWElQbDBVQT09
Meeting ID: 764 152 1775
Passcode: TAS
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Meeting ID: 764 152 1775
Passcode: 275996
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcLvj6xFrf
Directors Present
D. Gregory (remote), D. Grissom (remote), E. Desprez Isbell (remote), J. Anfield-El (remote), J. Burton (remote), J. Whittington (remote), L. Stephens (remote), N. LeBlanc (remote), V. Thompson (remote)
Directors Absent
T. Ramsey
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Pinto Taylor (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
J. Pinto Taylor (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
D. Gregory called a meeting of the board of directors of The Anchor School to order on Wednesday Nov 29, 2023 at 7:05 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
N. LeBlanc made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on 10-25-23.
E. Desprez Isbell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Public Comment
II. School Opening Updates
A.
Enrollment Updates
- 80 students currently enrolled
- Considering reopening enrollment to keep enrollment between 80-100
B.
Enrollment Policy Update
- Our school policy allows us to set a weighted enrollment policy
- Emily proposes that TAS not have a weighted enrollment for the 2024–2025 school year; continue to evaluate year after year
- Public comment: M. Wingfield supports open enrollment policy
C.
Enrollment Weighted Lottery Vote
E. Desprez Isbell made a motion to not have a weighted enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year.
D. Gregory seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Finance
A.
CFO Financial Reports
- Form 990 has been filed for the school, includes names of board members from reporting year
- Forecast is steady overall
- Cash still expected to be critically low beginning in April 2024
- Resolved landlord billing issue - should see credits applied in January 2024
B.
Overall Fundraising
- TAS raised approx. $5,100 from individual contributions in November (exceeding expectations)
- In the process of applying for $75,000 grant
- Also in process of applying to a competitive $1 million CSP grant
C.
Board Contribution
- Board has agreed to collectively contribute to $25,000 for fiscal year
- Dr. Gregory has asked the board how it plans to reach the $25,000 goal
- Giving Tuesday has started - encourage networks to contribute
- Donors receive a batch response from TAS for any cash donation
- Nicole would like to discuss personal contribution goals for board members at the January board retreat. Also shared ideas for structured fundraising events that can take place in the spring.
D.
Compensation Plans
- Dr. Pinto-Taylor has proposed an updated compensation plan that includes salary ranges based on years of experience and education levels
- The goal is to offer fair and competitive pay to TAS staff
- Dekalb County and Atlanta Public Schools were used as reference points
J. Anfield-El made a motion to approve updated compensation plan.
D. Gregory seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
CEO Contract
D. Gregory made a motion to compensate the Head of School with a performance bonus.
J. Anfield-El seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
CFO Update
- CFO is resigning
- Dr. Pinto-Taylor is recommending Peter Laub for CFO based on experience, education and credentials
D. Gregory made a motion to approve Peter Laub as new CFO of TAS.
J. Whittington seconded the motion.
- Dr. Pinto-Taylor will confirm with Board when this goes into effect
IV. Governance
A.
Board Retreat Planning
- January dates are confirmed for the retreat - agenda will be confirmed soon
- Board members should send Jasmine and Dr. Gregory and agenda items that you're interested in discussing or facilitating
B.
Compliance Review
- SCSC compliance training is happening in April 2024 - Board members are encouraged to attend
- This will only be 12 out of the required 15 hours. Must complete the rest online.
- Complete online training as soon as possible
- You can complete training with approved vendors, but must submit documentation
- VERY important to complete training on time
C.
Board Terms
- Deferring vote on board terms - Can discuss this further at the January retreat
D.
Public Comment
V. Facility Updates
A.
Recommendation from Facility Working Group
- Facilities working group recommended the design-build partnership of Winter Construction and Cooper Carry Architects for Phase 2 of facilities work
V. Thompson made a motion to approve the recommendation of Winter Construction and Cooper Carry Architects for Phase 2 of facilities work.
N. LeBlanc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Academic Updates
A.
SY 2024-2025 Academic Calendar
- Dr. Pinto-Taylor has prepared a recommendation for a slightly revised academic calendar for 2024-2025 school year - follows Dekalb County School's calendar more closely
J. Anfield-El made a motion to revise the 2024-2025 academic calendar.
V. Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VII. Community Engagement
A.
Community Events & Activities.
- Successful co-design team meeting today
- Community of Practice events going well
- Fall Student Presentations of Learning happening on December 20th
- Looking for volunteers! Any time from 12 – 8p.m.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Summary of Commitments
- Finance team is working on obtaining a line of credit, and is continuing to track cash flow
- Dr. Pinto-Taylor's compensation adjustment will happen in January - details need to be confirmed
- Board retreat planned for January 28th from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. -> Send ideas to Jasmine/Dr. Gregory
- Next board meeting will happen in person in January
- Volunteers needed for community/student event happening on December 20 at TAS
- Review any of your previous commitments on BoardOnTrack
B.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
N. LeBlanc