Atlanta Smart Academy
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday October 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Directors Present
A. Kennedy, V. Williams (remote), W. Newman-Johnson (remote)
Directors Absent
A. Bruce, B. Williams, I. Lee, S. Scott
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Academic Oversight and Governance Committee
A.
Review FY24-25 Audit Results
B.
Approve and Accept FY24-25 Audit
The FY24-25 audit was approved by the Board.
C.
Acknowledge Mandatory SCSC FY26 Governance Training
Board Members and prospective board members were provided with 2 options for the annual governance training.
III. Finance, Facility, Development, and Strategic Partnership Committee
A.
FY25-26 2nd Official Budget Hearing
o The original budget was based on 225 students. The current head count is 166, which prompted a reduction in workforce and reduced some programming. We have consolidated roles as much as possible to prevent further workforce reduction.
o Executive Director, Patrice Meadows, is working with the broker to request a 6-month rent deferral from the property owner to close the deficit.
o Board members were asked to prioritize grant applications and identify potential donors.
o A consultation on leveraging Board Members' network to fundraise is scheduled for the next meeting.
B.
Update on Grant Applications
o Board members were asked to prioritize strategic partnerships and donors.
o Board member, Wanda Newman-Johnson, is coordinating a meeting with a professional with extensive corporate fundraising experience.
IV. Public Comment
A.
No public comment
No public comment. The Board was prompted to contact the webmaster to update the website with the current contact information to make comments.
V. Executive Director Support and Eval
A.
Update from Executive Director Patrice Meadows
- Curriculum Night was a success. Parents were provided with student success management resources and exposed to what the students learn. Goal is to have 1 monthly engagement with parents
- Hosted National Arts in Education Week – professionals came in each day during the lunch hour to speak to students and perform. Students got to ask questions about what it’s like being a professional artist. Students got to take a professional African drum class and were exposed to West African history.
- Academic updates: Quarter 1 Benchmark progress tests done, results will be shared at the next November meeting
- CCRPI will be reported in the Nov Board meeting. It impacts the academic scoresheet/success for the year.
- Action Items – Enrollment plan -> billboards, events, social media, canvassing, and a campaign with GCSA marketing team
VI. Other Business
A.
New Board Member Candidate Review and Vote
The Board voted on 4 prospective new members. All were approved. New member onboarding scheduled for Nov 1st, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Atlanta SMART Academy.
Mr. Bambo Sonaike, CPA announced the FY24-25 audit was clean with no findings. Provided a high-level overview of Atlanta SMART Academy's income statement, cash balance sheet, cost basis capital asset, and accounts receivable standing.