Atlanta Smart Academy
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday February 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Location
Meeting Password: HJ9SS0
Directors Present
A. Bruce (remote), A. Kennedy (remote), E. Ross (remote), I. Lee (remote), L. Cofield (remote), W. Brasher (remote)
Directors Absent
B. Williams, M. Moss, S. Scott, V. Williams, W. Newman-Johnson
Guests Present
P. Meadows (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
I. Lee called a meeting of the board of directors of Atlanta Smart Academy to order on Monday Feb 23, 2026 at 5:41 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
L. Cofield made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 01-26-26.
W. Brasher seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Academic Oversight and Governance Committee
A.
Required Virtual Governance Training for New Board Members
- New Board Members are reminded to complete the asynchronous virtual training by June 30th and take the feedback quiz. Completion of the feedback quiz is how participation is tracked.
- The committee is responsible for compiling a list of the policies and safety measures required by the new State legislature and should have them in effect by June 30th.
III. Finance, Facility, Development, and Strategic Partnership Committee
A.
SCSC Governance Training - Fundraising Action Items
- A. Kennedy requested that each Board Member compile a list of 10-20 locally owned businesses near ASA or ones they regularly patronize to engage about a point-of-sale round-up donation campaign. These businesses must have POS systems like Square, Shopify, Toast, and Clover.
- L. Cofield asked if ASA needs to be pre-registered in Square, Shopify, Clove, etc to receive round-up donations. Will confirm and send an email.
B.
Other
- Funding will not be adjusted as ASA was deemed to be held harmless for the student headcount reduction.
- Prestige submitted their Letter of Engagement and is waiting on clarity around federal grant management and annual training for the Board of Directors.
- Budget draft sessions are coming up, and committee members are encouraged to participate in the formulation and audit.
- A facilities sub-committee will need to be formed to assist in analyzing the needs for school expansion and to review funding sources.
IV. Other Business
A.
Annual Student Showcase and Donor Appreciation
- Confirmed who is responsible for sending VIP donor invites but need to confirm with W.Newman-Johnson on delivery of the donor gifts.
- Board Members are asked to submit the proceeds from tickets or contribute their $250 give/get requirement.
B.
APS School Closing & Consolidation Strategy
- Prioritize coming up with action items and delegating them to Board Members before budget season is in full swing.
- L. Cofield asked about targeting apartment complexes and multi-family properties near ASA to include marketing materials in their new tenant welcome packet.
- A. Kennedy to confirm if ASA is listed in Zillow data and determine what needs to be done to list the school in public education proximity data.
- W. Brasher suggested collaborating with talent agencies to promote ASA enrollment. Director Meadows to confirm with the drama teacher what sources are available.
V. Executive Director Updates
A.
Charter Contract Renewal
- Notified that the charter contract has been tentatively renewed for another 5 years to serve grades K-8. All evidence indicates ASA will continue to operate a high-quality charter school consistent with SCSC standards and state goals. The official vote takes place on 2/25, and the updated charter contract will be sent shortly thereafter.
B.
FY25-26 Monitoring Results
- The SCSC reported no findings under Finance monitoring. This is the first time achievement for ASA.
- The SCSC reported 3 findings for Operations monitoring - allegedly, the admission application requests students' previous schools, the number of Conflict of Interest forms, 7, does not match the number of Board Members, 11, and the Grievance Policy is not sufficient.
- Each finding has been appealed with supporting documentation by the due date, 2/24.
C.
Engagement
- ASA's chorus production was featured in the SCSC newsletter, and 101 people attended the event.
- Students participated in the January Read-A-Thon where they engaged in reading through different formats, such as an escape room, Soul Train line, and won prizes.
- A Day in the Life allowed 18 prospective families to tour the school during school hours, engage with faculty, and participate in a panel discussion to learn how the school will be a good fit for their children. Parents gave positive feedback, and all families submitted applications for enrollment.
- Reminder: The Children Marched end-of-year Arts production takes place on 2/28 with doors opening at 2:00 pm.
- The Science Fair is slated for March 18th, 9:00-11:00 am, and Career Day on March 25th. Speakers are needed for this event.
- Teacher/Staff Appreciation May 4th -8th. Board Members are requested to contribute $50/pp.
I. Lee made a motion to Approve the 2026 - 2027 School Calendar.
W. Brasher seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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 7:14 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
I. Lee