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The Anchor School

Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting

Agenda posted by: November 13

Date and Time

Wednesday November 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Location

Virtual

Directors Present

A. Pressey (remote), E. Desprez Isbell (remote), J. Burton (remote), J. Whittington, N. LeBlanc (remote), S. Birch (remote), S. Kollu (remote), V. Thompson (remote)

Directors Absent

C. Humphrey, S. Torres

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

J. Whittington, S. Kollu

Ex Officio Members Present

J. Pinto Taylor (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

J. Pinto Taylor (remote)

Guests Present

B. Hines (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

E. Desprez Isbell called a meeting of the board of directors of The Anchor School to order on Wednesday Nov 20, 2024 at 7:07 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

E. Desprez Isbell made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors Meeting on 10-23-24.
N. LeBlanc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Public Comment

II. General Updates

A.

Executive Director Report

Dr. Pinto Taylor shared the Executive Director Report which included:

  • Operational Updates: fire drill schedule, facility update, monitoring update
  • Communication Updates: marketing services, collaborating with HIVE180, Upcoming Important Dates
  • Financial Updates: CSP Draw Down Status, Bank Balance End of Fiscal Year & Present
  • Academic Updates: Academic dashboard review, academic assessment calendar review, drug and alcohol use policy
  • Enrollment Updates: enrollment lottery

 

Action Items:

  1. Emily and Nicole to collaborate and ensure legal organ is informed about the enrollment lottery
  2. Vanecia to work with Shelby and Dr. Pinto Taylor on the marketing strategy and vendor selection.  Jasmine can join this taskforce after the board retreat in January.
  3. Nicole to reengage the Donovan Group CEO and cc Vanecia, Dr. PT, Shelby and Jasmine.
J. Whittington arrived at 7:12 PM.
S. Kollu arrived at 7:16 PM.

B.

Community Engagement

J. Burton made a motion to approve the formation of the TAS first parent teacher organization (PTO). The proposed title of this organization is the Anchor School Village Council.
J. Whittington seconded the motion.
  • Account and budget for the PTO would be a separate entity from the board and school.
  • Morgan also mentioned that the PTO could be listed on the school budget as well as a specific program.  Alternatively, the Anchor School could have 2 board members be on the PTO advisory council. There are pros and cons of each option.  
  • The fundraising committee will not start operating this year so we will have time to determine how to best structure the financial management aspect.  
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Board Retreat and required governance training hours:

  • The SCSC will host governance training for 1.5 days in the spring.  There will still be 2 additional asynchronous hours.
  • If we attend the TAS retreat, it is possible that 6 hours or 12 hours will accepted by the commission.

Action Item:  

  1. Morgan will provide Jasmine with a graphic to share with options for governance hours.

III. Academic Achievement

A.

Academic Dashboard Review

  • Dr. Pinto Taylor shared an overview of the academic dashboard and a link to the live spreadsheet.
  • Q2 focus academically is "feedback to fuel growth"--this includes the teacher practice of circulating around the room, noticing student work, and a focus on sustained focused during the hardest part of the lesson.

Action Item:

  1. Add percentages to the Academic Dashboard demographics categories

B.

New Schools Venture Fund Program Participants - MAP

Action Item:

  1. Dr. Pinto Taylor will email Emily when the New Venture Fund items have been completed (prior to the Nov 30 deadline).

IV. Finance

A.

Vote: Approve 990 Filing

This is now a FYI and not a vote because the 990 Filing has already been completed by the deadline for tax year ending 6/30/2024.

B.

Vote: Facilities Scope for SY25-26

S. Kollu made a motion to approve facility renovation project scope option A (5 classrooms), proposed by school leadership with a projected cost of up to $75,000.
V. Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Financial Dashboard Review

Jaamal presented the financial update report which included:

  • 2024-25 Forecast Update
    • 2024-25 Approved Budget vs. Current Forecast
    • 2024-25 Previous Forecast vs. Current Forecast
    • 2024-25 Monthly Cash Balances
  • Dashboards:
    • State and Federal Grants Summary
    • FY25 Key Metrics Dashboard
    • FY25 SCSC Dashboard
  • Looking Ahead
    • Monthly Financial Summary

 

Note: Title 1, 2, & 4 grants were drawn down after this document was created.

 

Action Item:

  1. JPT will work with KG to eliminate uncategorized revenues and expenses. 
  2. JPT will remind BH of his commitment to help KG improve these processes by the end of the year.

V. Governance

A.

Item for Information: 21Cobalt Limited Support Proposal

Board reviewed the 21 Colbalt Limited Support Proposal.  Vote will take place in January.

B.

Personnel Report

C.

Field Trip Policy/Procedure document

VI. 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 8:53 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
N. LeBlanc

The Anchor School is a village of educators, families, and community members that partners with 6th through 12th-grade students* who are developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond. Through our commitment to excellent instruction, community partnerships, and holistic student development, we cultivate anchors that build a more just and equitable future.

 

*In August 2022, the SCSC authorized TAS as a GA Charter School with approval to enroll students who will be in the 6th grade in the fall of 2023.