No conflicts of interest were disclosed by any board member prior to or during this meeting.

Note: Missouri law and BoardonTrack governance standards require board members to disclose any personal, financial, or organizational interest in matters before the board. If any conflict is disclosed at a future date regarding actions taken at this meeting, the record should be amended accordingly.

Board Chair Bishop Michael Jones read the Friendly Academy mission statement:

"Friendly Academy's mission is to equip students with a quality and holistic education rooted in love."

Board Chair Bishop Michael Jones opened the floor for public comment, noting that speakers are limited to 2–3 minutes and that the board would listen but not engage in dialogue.

No members of the public requested time to speak. Public comment period was closed.

Board Chair Bishop Michael Jones called for a motion to approve the July 2026 financial statements for Friendly Academy.

Motion: Denitria Neal moved to approve the July 2026 financial statements for Friendly Academy.

Second: Robert Hughes

Vote:

• Aye: Bishop Michael Jones, Robert Hughes, Denitria Neal
• Nay: None
• Abstain: None

Result: Motion carried unanimously (3–0).

A.  Budget Adjustment – Transportation Costs (Tabled)

Board Chair Bishop Michael Jones introduced the item regarding a proposed budget adjustment for transportation costs related to a proposal submitted by Madison Warrington, Director of Operations.

Background presented:

• Friendly Academy previously provided van transportation services to assist students attending the Wolls Center after-school program.
• The Wolls Center is currently closed for renovations.
• Conflicting information had been received from the school principal and the resident director as to whether transportation services were still needed.
• Madison Warrington was expected to provide further clarity on the following day (August 26, 2026).

Motion: Denitria Neal moved to table the budget adjustment for transportation costs pending receipt of additional information.

Second: Robert Hughes (affirmed verbally)

Vote:

• Aye: Bishop Michael Jones, Robert Hughes, Denitria Neal
• Nay: None
• Abstain: None

Result: Motion to table carried unanimously (3–0). Item deferred pending clarification from administration.

A.  Board Governance – Vacancies and Recruitment

Board Chair Bishop Michael Jones raised the matter of current board vacancies and outlined the strategic priority of recruiting new board members. Yvonne Williams provided a governance update, including:

• A board skills assessment will be conducted for the three current board members (Bishop Michael Jones, Robert Hughes, and Denitria Neal) to identify gaps and inform the profile of candidates to recruit.
• An interview process and interview questions will be developed and brought to the board for approval at the September 2026 meeting.
• The goal is to seat new board members between November and December 2026 through a targeted recruitment campaign led by board members.
• Yvonne Williams noted the bylaw changes under review and confirmed they do not appear to conflict with any Commission deadlines, though legal counsel will be engaged to verify.
• Pre-work and materials for the September meeting will be distributed in advance so board members may review prior to convening.

Denitria Neal inquired about compliance with the Charter Commission regarding timing. Yvonne Williams confirmed that, to the best of her current review, there are no immediate deadlines impacted, and that legal and Commission consultation would confirm.

B.  Financial Report – Finance Committee Update

Denitria Neal, on behalf of the Finance Committee, presented the following financial highlights for the period:

Public Revenue:

• Budget goal: 8% of revenue received
• Actual tracking: approximately 4%, due to a lag in the state funding formula that will be reconciled in September; the board was advised the target is on pace

Private Revenue:

• No private revenue was assumed or budgeted for fiscal year 2026–27; no variance to report

Expenditures:

• Budget goal: expenditures to remain at or below 8% of budget
• Actual tracking: approximately 5%; on pace and within goal

Days of Cash on Hand:

• Requirement from the Charter Commission: 30 days
• Ending balance for the prior fiscal year: 31 days (one day above minimum requirement)
• Commission best-practice target: 60 days

Material Variances:

• No material variances reported as of this meeting. Board was advised that prior-year variances resulted from estimated figures (curriculum costs, substitute staffing); this fiscal year's figures are based on actual counts and expenditures, resulting in greater accuracy.

No questions were raised by board members. The Finance Committee report was received.

Student Enrollment:

• Charter target: 175 students (grades K–2)
• Budget was prepared assuming 150 students enrolled
• As of the date of the meeting, Yvonne Williams confirmed an accurate count of 160 students following a roster-cleaning effort
• Outreach to prospective families is ongoing; additional enrollment is anticipated post-Labor Day