Atlanta Smart Academy

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday December 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Directors Present

A. Bruce (remote), A. Kennedy, E. Ross (remote), L. Cofield (remote), M. Moss (remote), S. Scott (remote), V. Williams (remote), W. Brasher (remote), W. Newman-Johnson (remote)

Directors Absent

B. Williams, I. Lee

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 Dec 15, 2025 at 5:41 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

W. Newman-Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 11-17-25.
L. Cofield seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Academic Oversight and Governance Committee

A.

Required Governance Training Reminder

Board members were reminded of the mandatory SCSC governance training in February.

B.

Annual Governance Review

New board members are encouraged to choose a committee by the next scheduled Board meeting.

The last Academic Oversight and Governance Committee meeting discussed the need for a report dashboard and whether there is a need to revise the bylaws.

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

A.

Update

Grant applications, engaging major donors, and creative funding remain the school's top priorities. ASA did not receive the requested rent relief from the building landlord/property manager. 

 

The Executive Director requested $1,000 from the Board to support the annual Teacher Appreciation event on 12/19/2025. Board members contributed $850 as of 12/12/2025.

 

Former Board Member, Rosalyn Price, will sponsor a scholarship with an initial contribution of $10,000. The funds will be earmarked to support ASA alumni in pursuing college education and qualified ASA teachers who would like to advance their education. The Board discussed the type of account in which the scholarship fund will be held. Board Member, W. Brasher, will provide info on Georgia's OWN Credit Union high-yield savings products.

 

W. Newman-Johnson made a motion to Approve the $3,000 payment increase on the existing commercial/liability policy.
W. Brasher seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Other Business

A.

Annual Student Showcase and Donor Appreciation

The Board determined hosting a donor reception was not feasible or prudent for the annual showcase due to budget constraints - in lieu of a reception, the Board will contribute gift bags/appreciation gifts.

 

A subcommittee with Board members A. Bruce and A. Kennedy will be formed to manage the donor gifts, with the final selection to be agreed upon by all Board members. 

B.

Website Compliance Update

New board members were submitted to the SCSC, and bios were sent to Executive Director Meadows to update the website. 

V. Executive Director Report

A.

Engagement Update

ASA hosted engagement activities for November Family Engagement Month, including the Restore More Parent Workshop and a Family Appreciation Luncheon.

 

Students participated in a Homecoming + Pep Rally off-site, where they were encouraged to show their school spirit and take part in fun activities and games. Each grade level voted for a Homecoming king and queen to conclude the week of celebrations.

 

Upcoming events include: ASA's Academy Choir and Boys' Chorus presentation titled Rewind: Flashback to Iconic 80's and 90's music and MLK Day 5K run. 

B.

Academic Update

ASA achieved the following performance metrics vs the State Public School System at the Elementary School level.

 

Content Mastery:  54.6, up 21.9 points since last reporting cycle; State achieved 68

Progress: 90.6, up 31.8 points since last reporting cycle; State achieved 86

Closing Gaps: 100.0; State achieved 75

Readiness: 87.5, up 17.1 points since last reporting cycle; State achieved 84

 

 

ASA achieved the following performance metrics vs the State Public School System at the Middle School level.

 

Content Mastery:  45.9, down 2 points since last reporting cycle; State achieved 65

Progress: 89.7, down 10.3 points since last reporting cycle; State achieved 83

Closing Gaps: 42.9; State achieved 86

Readiness: 76.8, up 2 points since last reporting cycle; State achieved 83

 

The next i-Ready benchmarks will take place in December with results reported in January.

C.

Governance Update

ASA has successfully reached the 5-year mark and applied for charter renewal. The Charter Performance Framework (CPF) has reported the following outstanding performance for the 2024-2025 school term.

 

Academic Performance: Meets

Financial Performance: 90/85

Operational Performance: 90

 

D.

Financial Update

Director Meadows discussed lease negotiations as ASA seeks to expand the facilities to serve K-4 in addition to the existing grades 5-8.  The property manager provided resources on other tenant leases. Funding options discussed included bridge loans and expansion lending options.

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 6:40 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
V. Williams