Lowcountry Montessori School
Minutes
Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday October 24, 2024 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. Wright, G. Alexander, J. Iszkula, J. Poole, K. Scott, L. Young
Directors Absent
D. Slazyk
Guests Present
A. Horn, Alyssa Blitch (remote), April Beall, B. Shaffer, Bain Vaughn (remote), Bruce Rhoads, Deanna Romig, Heather Kirby (remote), Ken Martin (remote), Lisa Langley (remote), Lizzy Lyles, M. Watkins (remote), Ms.Francy Johannan, Peter Verbrick, Radcliffe Ormsby (remote), Rose Beck, Rossi Rhoads, S. Fox, Valerie Romig
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Public Comments
A.
Public Comment - Statement
III. Finance
A.
Overview of Budget
See Budget FIles attached report out
B.
Audit Review
Ken Martin discussed audit review.
Amy Asked Kim Martin if there are areas for improvement in the audit. Ken Martin did not have anything to note for areas of improvement.
Attached report
IV. Director's Report
A.
Report out
Attached is Director's report
B.
Cell Phone Policy
Amy Discussed the importance of the Cellphone policy as written in the student handbook
Public schools are starting to follow this policy
V. Facilities
A.
Fence Addition
Painting item needs to be on next month’s agenda
Two gate alarm proposed. (attached)
One proposal for all gates and one for 4 primary concern gates.
400,000 roughly left over for facilities can be used for gates or any facilities needed.
The gate alarms will secures campus so that everyone must go through the front office.
Vote on the gate Alarms is deferred to after exec session So board can understand financial and ask questions.
Approved after leaving exec session
B.
Kitchen
Kitchen Range listed under "New Construction" on the Facilities report.
Moved Vote for Ranges until after exec session for discussion.
C.
Work Order Process - Update
Work order process has been slower because the process is new.
NOTE:
Parents, subs, and board members can report maintenance issues as well
VI. Governance
A.
Updates
South Carolina Charter Alliance Group to get into compliance with elections. Lari proposed we do a special election on October 30th. Then get the other board members on in spring.
VII. New Business
A.
Skip Level Meetings: Observation Days
Board members can do observations with teachers and not skip level meetings. Proposal made to do an observation of the campus day. Moved to the agenda for next month.
B.
CTE Reimbursement
6k towards equipment part of kitchen ranges will come from program. Does have to be spent and then reimbursed.
C.
Costa Rica Field Trip
The Board would like to contribute $250 per student. (vote after exec session) (fundraising budget line)
D.
Additional Curriculum
Makers space class: Amy has a vision that every two years we are building tiny homes and auctioning them off. Woodworking and Engine lifts for mechanical. Amy discussed her ultimate dream for tiny homes on front space for grounds and or artesian in residence. Admin possibly sending survey to parents to see what skillsets they have to add to the school community.
Additional curriculum Jen mentioned finance class.
This 9th grade class has to have a finance class before graduation.
E.
Fundraising Ideas
Gala
- board members required to sell 4 tickets
And then make an annual event
Touch a truck event
Tables $100 can sell items and keep all proceeds (December 7th)
Yard sales not very good profit wise.
Pickleball Tournament
On fripp possibilities
KEEP FUNDRAISING ON THE AGENDA
VIII. Old Business
A.
Board Training-Update
Dec 4th Board training
B.
STAR Program
Star/bcdad presentations happening today HS and tomorrow MIDDLE.
C.
Schedule for the Holidays
We won't have a monthly meeting in December
D.
USCB Strategic Plan
Jen, Josh, Angela, and Kristine going to USCB Planning
IX. Executive Session
A.
Vote if needed
7:52
9:02 pm
Deanna Romig Gave a 3 minute presentation on behalf of the students attending the Costa Rica Trip. (See attached report out for flyer)