The Academic and Oversight and Governance meeting was held on Monday, April 7th. 

The majority of the committee meeting discussed the nominating process.  The nominations were not sent out and will be sent out after this meeting. Sandra acknowledged an oversight in not sending out nominations and promised to do so after the call. The committee also discussed revising the process for the next year to make it timelier and more efficient. 

The voting was removed until next meeting.  Sandra to send out nominations and work with Bishop to set up a poll for board position voting next Board meeting.

Governance virtual training for new members must be completed by June.  Please ensure the additional workshops are completed for compliance.

Finance Committee meeting held Monday April 14th.  Lenora Holt has joined the committee.  She shared ideas on fundraising.

March Financials 

Ivan discussed the budget and financials for the month of March. He mentioned that the budget has been shared with everyone, and we official budget hearings in May. Ivan also noted that the school is currently reporting a loss for the year and are working on reducing expenses. 

He mentioned that they are waiting on some budgets and items to be approved so they can get the funding.  Prestige is still waiting to draw down on some title one funds and other items. Ivan also noted that they have made progress in reducing undocumented transactions. 

Rosalynne suggested adding explanatory footnotes to the budget document to help with highlighting specific areas for better tracking (e.g. key funding sources and draw down timing, etc.). Ivan agreed to this suggestion and will ask the team to add this.

Prestige reviewing allocations and projections are in alignment (e.g. Contract and Professionals) is an area to review.

Patrice explained the issue of undocumented transactions, which have decreased from 35,000 to 13,000. She clarified that these are not new expenses but rather items that the finance team doesn't recognize. The majority of the remaining balance is attributed to an Amazon purchase, which is considered supplies. 

There was also discussion regarding the school's revenue, including a shortfall in collected funds due to Esser grant reduction and the need to continue to fundraise and get additional grants.

• PIE Day - Annual celebration where students participate in math activities
• Georgia Charter School association - videographer came from school
• New School Counselor - Created National Jr. Honor Society - based on academics and character recommendations from students and staff
• Arts Production - Scenes from Sister Act - 3 shows - grant of $25K from Woodard Foundation 

Teacher and Appricaition is May 5th-8th 

Gift Cards - $800

Breakfast -$350

Lunch $410 Taco Bar

Library - Donate books

Rosalynne will donate a breakfast, and several board members will donate $200 for lunch and/or gift cards.

• Operations Fill the Bus 5/17
• Community Care Event 4/22 - partnered with Chick-fil-a to provide gift card to honor roll student or teacher appreciate week or teacher of the year, project-based learning - regarding the design and catering order and plan to deliver order - winners will get to go behind the scenes and will be provided a free meal
• Earth Day - portion of the meal will be donated to ASA

Benchmark Data 

Atlanta Smart Academy is outperforming the state.

Reading

• 5th grade had highest growth in grade level proficiency (+10%)
• 6th grade had the highest growth in one grade level below (+21%)

Math 

• 5th grade had highest growth in grade level proficiency (+32%)
• 6th grade had the highest growth in one grade level below (+23%)

Growth

• The median % growth exceeds our growth goals
• Closer to our 50% stretch growth goals
• Students who grew - grew ALOT

Milestone Testing begins next week

Cross functional monitoring - 4 findings we had to address and only looking for documents in those (4) areas.  Corrective Action Plan submitted

Lots of items needed to be submitted for the Federal funding - Title 1 grant drawdowns $125K

New Applications

highest number of applications during the summer

5th grade -22

6th grade - 28

7th grade -10

8th grade -11

Intent to Return 

Rising 6th - 19 yes

Rising 7th - 3 yes

Rising 8th - 41 yes

Making phone calls to confirm students with no response

Marketing

• Open House
• Billboards
• School Tours
• Social Media
• Canvasing bus stop areas

Career Day on 5/7

Back to School - Supplies Drive - Saturday 7/26

Applying for grants

• Sending to finance team
• Working through Budget draft

Closed in June to lower summer costs

This item was removed until next Month.  The Academics and Governance committee will send out the nominations and will conduct a poll.  Voting will take place during the May board meeting.