Atlanta Smart Academy

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday September 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Directors Present

A. Bruce, I. Lee, V. Williams, W. Newman-Johnson

Directors Absent

A. Kennedy, B. Williams, S. Scott

Guests Present

P. Meadows

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

V. Williams called a meeting of the board of directors of Atlanta Smart Academy to order on Monday Sep 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

I. Lee made a motion to approve the minutes from ASA Board Meeting on 06-16-25.
A. Bruce seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
W. Newman-Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 08-18-25.
I. Lee seconded the motion.

Iva Lee amended the agenda to include approving the board meeting minutes for June and August board meeting minutes

 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Academic Oversight and Governance Committee

A.

Committee Updates

The Academic and Oversight and Governance Committee met on Tues., Sept. 2 due to the Labor Day holiday.

 

The committee focused on new board member interest, new board member selection, new board member onboarding.  Key upcoming dates:

 

  • New board member interest meeting 9/27 1-3pm (virtual)
  • Committee working on presentation deck and will provide to team to review
  • New onboarding training - Bishop will review and provided feedback for enhancements
  • New board member interviews will be conducted the first two weeks in October
  • New board member voting at October Board Meeting

 

B.

Governance Updates

SCSC Annual Governance Training Schedule

 

  • November Governance Training: November 5, 2025 8:00 am (Macon GA)
  • February Governance Training: February 10, 2026 8:00am (Atlanta GA)

Training is mandatory.

 

SCSC FY26 Montitoring Webinar is scheduled for September 15, 2025 1:30pm-3:30pm 

 

SCSC School Visit scheduled for September 24, 2025 1:00pm-3:00pm

III. Finance, Facility, Development, and Strategic Partnership Committee

A.

Finance Committee Updates

Budget Hearing Meeting #1 - Finance Committee Meeting

Budget Hearing Meeting #2 - Board Meeting

The public notification has been submitted to the legal organ (Fulton County Neighbor)

 

Audit

Needed some additional documents (meeting minutes)

 

Grants and Zeffy link as preferred platform

 

Grants and fundraising discussion

 

 

 

 

B.

Budget Review

Critical Financial Metrics

 

  • Days Cash on Hand, Rolling 12 month average Actual 20 vs. Benchmark 60
  • Salaries & Benefits as % of of Total Revenue - 12 month rolling average: Actual 57% vs. Benchmark 58-62%
  • Salaries & Benefits as % of Total Revenue Budgeted: Actual 58% vs. 58-62% benhmark 
  • Debt Service Ratio Coverage Ratio: Not applicable
  • Net Income: Actual 34,910.07 vs. $28,871.15 (Budget)
  • Undocumented Transactions Actual 32 vs. <10 Benchmark

 

Balance Sheet -

  • Accounts Receivable awaiting some federal funding

 

Profit& Loss

  • Total Supplies a little under budget

 

IV. Executive Director Support and Eval

A.

Highlights

  • 6 Staff members had to be cut due to enrollment
  • Still have additional amendments needed to reduce deficit
  • Helping staff understand how enrollment impacts 

 

B.

Highlights

Family Engagement

 

  • 90 Themes House Party - community partner brought ice cream and connected with parents
  • Executive Director featured on Podcast - Black PR Wire - Back to School Tips

C.

Academic Updates

iReady - Assessment and Intervention Platform

Reading - 5th 6th 7th and 8th - we have a higher-grade proficiency baseline in 6th and 8th grade

5th grade we have a higher starting proficiency

 

Math - 5th grade

6th grade 19% higher that baseline

8th grade is a lower baseline and determining where they are struggling - taking a look at PD

 

Action Plan 

Daily Intervention Period - iReady benchmark and focusing on reading proficiency

Small Group tutors

 

D.

Enrollment

  • 5th grade - 12
  • 6th grade - 46
  • 7th grade - 46
  • 8th grade - 62
  • 166 Total
  • 2 pending applications
  • 25% deficit

E.

Fundraising and Grants

Received Kaboom Grant

  • $20,000 Georgia Playspace refresh fund grant Atlanta Falcons

Be the Change Campaign 

  • Review at next board meeting

Donor Engagement

  • Personal Thank You
  • Donor luncheon in October
  • Donor red carpet reception in February with music production
  • Add donor to Mailchimp listserve

Upcoming Events

  • Curriculum Night - September 24
  • Chorus Production - October 23 at 6pm
  • Fall Festival November 1 12-3pm

V. 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 6:39 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
W. Newman-Johnson