Vision, Mission and Core Values were read by Board members.

Beverly Marshall made the following public comment:

Gifted Learning  - I understand that this year the classroom teachers are always supposed to handle the gifted curriculum.  After I initiated an email at the beginning of the year I received an email that said I should communicate with the homeroom and language teacher.  I understand that the UC  only has this resource 2 days a week - the gifted children aren't receiving any structured instruction '  there's no way I can reach all of the kids for extension.'  I really have to rely on the teachers to tell me more of what the 'students' needs are. 

Last year - kids that were identified and qualified for specialized learning received time with the coordinator.  Has this changed and why?  Additionally, in emails where Gifted was being discussed...there was a comment that Globe Academy was first and foremost a Dual Language Institute (DLI)...as if to imply students and teachers had to choose between gifted or dual language curriculum.

In early 2022 GA legislature signed HB 1178 (Parents Bill of Rights) provides protection from the infringement of my direct the upbringing and education of my minor child’s moral or religious training and the right to review all instructional material. Already this year I wrote my students' teacher and requested them not to discuss in the classroom any conversation concerning sex education/politics/social and ethic commentary without giving my husband and the opportunity to review in advance.  In this situation, I disagreed with the moral or religious messages being made and asked the teacher to adopt a policy  to refrain from personal commentary and ask GLOBE to promote parental involvement and the review of material (from different viewpoints) around sensitive topics.  It happened again today with the topic of abortion. 

Aaron Pirrotta made the following public comment:

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Aaron Pirrotta. I have a spouse who is an English TA at the lower campus and a child on the 2nd grade French track. I am speaking today about 2 major issues: 1) Safety concerns surrounding our fire alarm system at lower campus AND 2) Misleading communications sent by the administration last week

First - Safety Concerns-

-On Tuesday, August 23rd lower campus had a fire drill. The alarms sounded for less than 10 seconds and immediately stopped functioning. At this exact time smoke started to develop in the lower level of lower campus. Its entirely likely that these two events are connected. From my wife's position as a teacher in the building, the fire alarms malfunctioned - resulting in the need to call the fire department. Furthermore, it is our understanding that as of NOON today, the system has not been fixed. One day without a working alarm system is concerning, much less almost an entire week. We have asked the administration and leadership teams for updates and have been given mixed responses such as "we are working on it", "it is a priority" and it "might already be fixed." These answers just aren't good enough for us concerned parents and our children. We want to know the plan for repair, the timeline, and documentation from the fire marshal showing the fire alarm system has been restored to its proper functionality.

Second - Communications-

-Unfortunately, we have spoken at past board meetings about TRUST and the damage caused by sending misleading communications. We again need to raise this issue. We were extremely disappointed on Tuesday to receive an email from Christi saying in the title "Fire Drills a Success". The communication continued to state that the fire drills “went very well." While some details were given about the events at lower campus...the content of the email was extremely misleading. The fire drill on Tuesday showed extreme equipment FAILURES. These are issues that SHOULD be communicated to parents so that there is transparency and accountability.

We know that systems break. And honestly it is no one’s fault. That is what doing the test is for. Everyone at lower campus on Tuesday knows the alarm failed. But unfortunately, teachers and parents don’t know the plan to fix it.

Please publish a plan to fix to the same email distribution list originally used. AND I raise again, a suggestion I believe I raised to Christi previously, that the HOS should spend more time at lower campus to improve communication between LC and UC. I would expect her onsite for the next drill.

I know its only been a week since the event. But we do not feel comfortable waiting a month for the next board meeting to bring these issues to light, hence our choice to speak this evening. We will continue to advocate for the safety of the students and teachers at GLOBE and will demand truth and accountability from our leadership team.

Thank you.

The amended agenda and minutes were approved by consent without objection. 

Jesse Frasier and Mo Nadizadeh of BDR Partners provided an overview of the improvement options relative to the Master Facilities Plan. The following goals for improvement for Lower Campus are as follows: 

• Consolidate K-5 in one location
• Repair/replace HVAC in Lower Campus
• Improve carpool/parking
• Maintain outdoor education/recreation space

The following goals for improvement for Upper Campus are as follows:

• Remove 4th and 5th grades from Upper Campus
• Need for dedicated offices
• Gymnasium improvements for competition
• Utilization of acquired parcels of land
• 6th - 8th grades from four to six classes

There was no formal report this month. Stephanie reported on the following items:

• The new PTCC Leadership Team is as follows: Ana Teixeira (new Co-Chair); MJ Levine (new Secretary); and there are vacancies in the following positions: GLOBE Awareness PAC Lead and Fundraising PAC Lead
• Volunteers are need for the Auction planning crew, Spirit Night Coordinator
• PTCC Budget: in the process of being finalized and will be sent out for vote and comment in early September
• Start of the school year: staff lounges are stocked; orientation for lunch staff; spirit wear sale (online and in-person)
• Upcoming events: Ice Cream Social (9/6 for Lower Campus, 9/8 for Upper Campus); Upper Campus Book Fair 9/26 - 9/30; International Fest is back (10/2)

Priscilla Noble provided Upper Campus updates and Cutia provided Lower Campus updates.

There was no formal report this month. The amended budget was included in the agenda packet. Luis reported the following:

• Separating the net of After School Program and Nutrition, the main impacts on the budget were positive (QBEF - $365K; Grants - $450K; $210K) and negative (Instruction - $420K)

Drew reported the following as it relates to the Capital Campaign:

• Goals
  • Conduct feasibility study during Fall 2022 semester
  • Begin work January 2023
• Solicited proposals for feasibility study starting in May/June 2022. Received from Alexander Haas, Sinclair and Townes, Bridge Philanthropic Consulting
• Selecting a firm process. Anticipated start will be late September or early October

There was no formal report this month. Jabari reported the following:

• Charter renewal package has been submitted. Big thanks to all involved!
• Completed interview with DCSD on August 2nd
• Submitted requested revisions on August 19th
• Awaiting final decision from DCSD in September

Committee updates were included in the agenda packet.

Drew reported the following regarding the policy on resolving conflicts:

• DCSD has requested GLOBE recommend a process for resolving conflicts that may come up between DCSD and GLOBE
• In developing the policy, the legal counsel for GLOBE assisted. Policy includes requesting a mediator to help navigate the conflict between GLOBE and DCSD

Teri reported the following regarding the policy on fraud, waste and abuse:

• Often referred to as the 'whistleblower policy' in non-profit context. GLOBE adopting a more narrow term of 'Fraud, Waste, and Abuse'
• Focus on outlining a process for individuals to report fraud, waste, and/or abuse of public or donated funds at GLOBE

Kimberly provided the following update:

• The committee will specifically focus on preparing for AY 22-23 and executing the developmental year AY 23-24 for the new strategic plan of GLOBE to be implemented AY 2024-2029

Motion made by Drew to move to executive session to discuss personnel matters. Motion seconded by Luis. Motion approved by all present. Moved to executive session at 9:12 p.m. Motion to leave executive session made by Drew. Motion seconded by Luis. Motion approved by all present. Returned from executive session and meeting called back to order at 10:06 p.m.

The next scheduled meeting is set for September 27, 2022 at 7 p.m.