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Lowcountry Montessori School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday September 23, 2021 at 5:30 PM

The mission of Lowcountry Montessori School is to provide an authentic Montessori education building a foundation for lifelong learning.

Directors Present

A. Thompson, G. Alexander, J. Dameworth, J. Ephland, J. Poole, L. Young, S. Boggs, T. Vande Burgt

Directors Absent

K. Recchia

Guests Present

A. Horn, M. Watkins

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

G. Alexander called a meeting of the board of directors of Lowcountry Montessori School to order on Thursday Sep 23, 2021 at 5:40 PM.

C.

Reading of the Mission Statement

Mission Statement read by G. Alexander

D.

Approval of Agenda

T. Vande Burgt made a motion to Approve Minutes.
J. Dameworth seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Statement of Compliance with FOIA

II. Consent Agenda

A.

Approve minutes from 08/26/21 regular board meeting.

T. Vande Burgt made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Board Meeting on 08-05-21.
J. Dameworth seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
J. Dameworth made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Board Meeting on 08-20-21.
A. Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
J. Ephland made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 08-26-21.
T. Vande Burgt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. Public Comment

A.

Public comment period, limited to 3 minutes per person.

Diane Vande Burgt - Senior Fees too high

IV. Director's Report

A.

September Update

  • 369 students enrolled
  • Sat – Octoberfest
    • Selling tickets for MacBook Pro
      • Goes towards Senior trip / etc
      • $7 out of $10 goes to the student
    • Selling tickets for Stand up board
  • Yard Sale
  • Recognized for Equity and Inclusivity
    • Moving forward with that initiative
  • Book – Coaching for Equity        
    • Theme – Every child every day 
      • Transportation
      • Being accessible
  • Q&A
    • Tom – Amy to send graduation list
    • Janie – diversity of hiring
      • Board should reflect the diversity of the students
      • Middle of pandemic
        • Decrease in test scores because just back in person
        • What can the schools do?
          • New implementation
          • Parents call to check where students are
          • May not look good right now but with transparent classrooms – gives parents a tool
          • Nov 2021 – rollout for elementary
    • Greg
      • Will be able to answer Ms Vanderburgt’s question – how many Hispanics = 20

V. Committee Reports

A.

Governance

No Meeting

B.

Facilities

  • 2 contracts
    • Repair main doors
    • Lights – 2 parts
      • Next month & December
  • Martha
    • Confirmation from Taylor - $45k to offset HVAC
    • $115k total funds
    • $11787 spent to date

C.

Academic Excellence

No Meeting

D.

Fundraising

  • Spreadsheet prepared to track all items for the silent auction

E.

Finance Report

See Attached Report

VI. New Business

A.

School Spending

  • School spending $15k without board approval
    • Amy – operating under $5k rule
  • Tom – life insurance / health insurance
    • Concerned about exceptions
  • Amend procurement policy next month / vote
    • Amanda – requested to do some research first

B.

Hiring Process

  • Martha – ADA Requirement
    • Hiring Process – Tom
    • Need to establish a personnel committee
    • When someone is hired / need to bring before the board for approval
      • 3.2H – approve contracts
      • Review teacher contract

C.

Questionnaire

  • Questionnaire
    • Amy
    • Amanda sent suggestions about mask mandates / Parent survey
    • **Need to add her questions to the minutes 
    • Greg – add one or two additional questions using survey monkey
      • Add that the survey is coming from the board
    • J Poole: Statistics
      • 7 quarantine
      • O Staff
      • No Positive

 

  • Questionnaire
    • Amy
    • Amanda sent suggestions about mask mandates / Parent survey
    • **Need to add her questions to the minutes 
    • Greg – add one or two additional questions using survey monkey
      • Add that the survey is coming from the board
    • J Poole: Statistics
      • 7 quarantine
      • O Staff
      • No Positive

 

VII. Executive Session

A.

Executive Session

T. Vande Burgt made a motion to Go into Executive Session.
A. Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
L. Young made a motion to Out of Executive Session.
A. Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

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 7:42 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Young