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Friendly Academy

Minutes

September Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday September 29, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Notice is hereby given that Friendly Academy Board of Directors will hold a virtual board meeting on
Tuesday, September 29th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Meeting zoom link -  https://zoom.us/j/99189801031?pwd=eoHGUbbx2NNcjG9Ah4RRCmslru2bR5.1

Directors Present

D. Neil (remote), M. Jones (remote), M. Jones (remote), R. Hughes (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

R. Hughes

Ex Officio Members Present

J. Holley (remote)

Guests Present

Amy Brown (remote), M. Warrington (remote), Y. Williams (remote), katie.silberstein@joulegrowth.com (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

M. Jones called a meeting of the board of directors of Friendly Academy to order on Tuesday Sep 29, 2026 at 5:35 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Mission Statement

Board Chair Bishop Michael F. Jones, Sr. read the organization's mission. 

 

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

D.

Public Comment

The floor was opened for public comment. No public comments were submitted. 

Board Chair Bishop Michael F. Jones, Sr. named that he is an active board member for the Opportunity Trust and the Friends of Friendly Foundation. 

II. Consent Agenda

A.

Vote to Approve August 2026 Financials

B.

Vote to Approve August 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

D. Neil made a motion to approve the minutes from Friendly Academy Board Meeting on 08-25-26.
M. Jones seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Vote to Approve Addition of Interim ED and DOO to School Bank Account

D. Neil made a motion to Approve adding Interim ED, Jazminique Holley and Director of Operations, Madison Warrington, to the school's bank account.
M. Jones seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Vote to Approve Fiscal Policy Updates

M. Jones made a motion to Approve the proposed updates to the fiscal policy as shared during the board meeting and referenced in the board packet. Policy updates include: wage and hour requirement updates, changing procurement thresholds for competitive purchasing, including a procurement threshold for the Director of Operations to approve purchases, and the approval of a Spend & Expense account for the school.
D. Neil seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Vote to Approve School Budget Updates

D. Neil made a motion to Approve the proposed budget update to account for the purchase of transportation for students who have transportation mandates, either McKinney-Vento or special education. This approval was for $112,000 to cover one bus with a matron.
M. Jones seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

III. Reports

A.

Interim Executive Director Report

Interim Executive Director Jazminique Holley provided an update for the board. The update included: 

  • details on adjustments to the schedule to provide professional development and intervention time for teachers
  • An overview of staffing changes and a high level staffing plan approach
  • Data review for enrollment and attendance
  • Data review of the beginning of year iReady testing data across all grades 
  • Discussion of some key culture events that Ms. Holley has implemented including Friday Knight Lights
R. Hughes arrived at 6:15 PM.

B.

Finance Committee

Katie Silberstein of Joule Growth Partners provided an update for the board on the August 2026 financials. 

 

Headlines included: 

Friendly Academy financials are as expected at this point in the year. State revenue is lagging as expected, but will true up in October based on CY enrollment (July-Sept payments are based on PY). Assuming enrollment stays at/ahead of budget and expenses within the board-approved total, Friendly is projected to end the year with ~60 days cash. 

IV. Board Business

A.

Board Recruitment Plan Overview

Board support consultant, Yvonne Williams, discussed the timeline for board recruitment and the action steps in an overview for the board. A prospective board member profile was shared as well for review and feedback. There was also a discussion about audiences to recruit from. 

B.

Compliance Action Review from ReportWell

Board support consultant, Yvonne Williams, shared an overview of outstanding compliance items from a report pulled from ReportWell. 

V. 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 6:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
M. Jones