Dr. Newton gave an invocation.

The EA Academy Eagle Ambassadors led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Thompson welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Mrs. Rauschenbach read the mission statement.

Mrs. Douglas read the vision statement.

Chairman Thompson opened the floor for nominations for board officers. Nominees were received as follows: 

Chairman: Greg Thompson

V. Chairman: Cammy Chandler

Secretary: LaShea Davis

Treasurer: Rodney Thompson

There being no further nominations and only one nominee for each office, nominees were elected by acclamation.

1. Ms. Chandler read aloud the Chairman's Committee Appointments:

• Academic Excellence:
  • Jenny Knopf, Chair
  • Cammy Chandler
  • Shafara Douglas
  • LaShea Davis
• Development:
  • Heather Bass, Chair
  • Marion Newton
  • Kimberly Rauschenbach
  • LaShea Davis
• Executive:
  • Greg Thompson, Chair
  • Cammy Chandler
  • LaShea Davis
  • Rodney Thompson
• Executive Director Support and Evaluation:
  • Kimberly Rauschenbach, Chair
  • Greg Thompson
  • Rodney Thompson
• Finance:
  • Rodney Thompson, Chair
  • LaShea Davis
  • Heather Bass
• Governance:
  • Cammy Chandler, Chair
  • Kimberly Rauschenbach
  • Greg Thompson

1. Staff Recognition
   1. March Primary Academy Staff of the Month 
      1. Jennica Greco, Lead Teacher
      2. Jordan Duford, Teaching Fellow 
      3. Anna Harrell, Support Staff of the Month 
   2. April Primary Academy Staff of the Month
      1. Craig Shelton, Lead Teacher
      2. Monica McCain, Teaching Fellow
      3. Deputy Brock Horton, Support Staff
   3. March Elementary Academy Staff of the Month  
      1.  Crystal Fulwood, Lead Teacher
      2. Jordan Blanding, Teaching Fellow 
      3. Genise Dow, Support Staff
   4. April Elementary Academy Staff of the Month  
      1. Heather Dubose, Lead Teacher
      2. Jordan Watson, Teaching Fellow

1. Community Recognition
   1. Florence Concrete Products
   2. EMS-Chemie North America, Inc.

1. Student Recognition:
   1. Reflections from Amazing Shake Competition: Abraham Fuller, Class of 2033

There was none.

yearOrganizational Goals - Current Report on Progress to Goals from March-April

1. College & Career Readiness
2. Operational Excellence
3. Mission Alignment
4. Culture of Excellence
5. Financial Strength
   
   Dr. Ivey noted out of 41 of this year's closeout benchmarks 36 are met or are on track to be met. For the first time in the organization's history, LSC is on track to meet three of the four benchmark organizational goals, meal participation, volunteer hour requirement, and scholar attendance. 
   
   Priorities centered around the month of May include ensuring end of the year programs are on track, and data is collected and submitted to the South Carolina Public Charter School District to be in compliance with the close out of this school year.
   
   Efforts for the 2025-2026 school year are in progress to include getting the new program LIFT launched and continued planning for the year long PATH STEAM Workforce Development Initiative, which will enhance the current STEAM Day, and additional planning for the 2025-2026 school year. In closing, he noted major challenges and shared items that need Board input to include the finalization of the FY26 Budget. 

End of Year Progress to Goals by Campus

1. Primary Academy Campus:  LeAndrea Montgomery provided an update on the 2024-2025 PA CORE Child and Whole Child Proficiency Levels. He noted next year there will be a deep dive into reading and with the assistance of the new teacherpreneur, plans are in place to improve reading proficiency. Highlights included, a proactive role to discipline, which has decreased referrals to thirty-six for the year, increased parent involvement and communication, and each scholar met the Million Word Challenge.  The current PTG snapshot reflected all goals were met, with the exception of breakfast participation. 
    
2. Elementary Academy Campus:  Sally Harris provided an update 2024-2025 EA CORE Child and Whole Child Proficiency Levels and a current PTG snapshot. She noted both third and fourth grades grew in reading, and all grades grew in math. A new assessment for fourth grade may be the cause of reduced scores in SEL fourth grade.  While there is work to do with reading, two-thirds of scholars are proficient in math. Two thirds met their growth goals in reading and math. Efforts continue to reach 100 percent in the Million Word Challenge. The current PTG snapshot reflected all goals were met, with the exception of breakfast participation. 

Dr. Ivey noted the importance to celebrate the bright spots as we continue to increase efforts to improve academic performance. 

The HR Mini Audit Report, provided to committee members, reflects that Liberty STEAM Charter School continues to be proactive, is in compliance with employment regulations, and utilizes best practices.  All findings for FY25 were addressed, and recommendations for FY26 will be considered and addressed. 

Three policies were presented as information with expectations to be ready for Board approval at the June meeting:

1. LSC Whistleblower Protection Policy: This policy establishes rights and protections of employees who report wrong doing by the school, school employee, or Board members regarding misuse of public funds.  
2. LSC Scholar Attendance Policy: This amended policy will address excessive unexcused absences in efforts to address chronic absences.  
3. LSC Scholar Enrollment Policy: This amended policy will address the ten percent military enrollment allotment.  

The finance committee update included:

1. April Financials Close Out
   1. FY25 Budget Year to Date Revenue vs. Expenditures: A review of revenue and expenditures provided a forecast that the budget will be met with careful management over the remaining months in this fiscal year. Cash available on May 13 was $750,000. Donations to date in the amount of $1.685 million will be transferred to the general fund reflecting $1.858 in donations for the year, exceeding the budget in donations. Interest payments increased by about $7,000 last month over the previous month due to contract construction payments.  Overall, April revenue was $786,853.31 with expenses of $712,632.22 reflecting an increase in revenue over expenditures of about $70,000 for the month. 
      
      Update on FY25 Federal Reimbursements: There is approximately $150,000 in federal grants  and $200,000 in grant funds from the SDE expected to be received any day that will increase revenue. 
       
   2. A projected year-to-date profit of $60,000 is forecasted for the food service budget.  
2. Update on Construction Loan/Line of Credit: The balance on April 20 was $4.1 million. The interim loan for $3 million with First Citizens was closed on May 16, which allowed the construction loan payment to be met.  The $25 million loan is in progress.  
    
3. FY26 Proposed Budget Second Reading: An update was provided regarding changes in the second reading of the Proposed FY26 Budget. A new format reflects the donations in the general fund, which will support the whole child offerings.  Recurring revenue supports the core child. It was noted that as enrollment increases and overhead decreases, the fund balance will increase to meet the cash flow requirements as outlined over a three year plan.    
   • Board Action
     • Upon motion duly made by Dr. Thompson, seconded by Mrs. Bass, the Board approved second reading of the Proposed FY26 Budget.
4. Internal Control Policies - Purchase of Security Equipment 
   • Board Action 
     • Upon motion duly made by Dr. Thompson, seconded by Mrs. Davis, the Board approved to authorize Dr. Ivey to procure two weapons detectors through grant funds not to exceed $40,000.

The Academic Excellence Committee update included:

1. 25-26 SY Talent Recruitment & Selection Update: LSC continues to attract high quality talent, and both campuses are fully staffed. 
2. Collective Leadership Phase Two Initiative: This initiative will provide teachers with additional coaching enhancing the support of teachers and improving academic performance. 
3. Special Education Co-Teacher Inclusion Model Initiative: This initiative will result in inclusion classes at each grade level providing increased support for scholars and teachers. 
4. Foreign Language Roadmap: This submersion in Spanish will provide students with Seal of Biliteracy by eighth grade. Scholars at both campuses will receive two hours of Spanish weekly. 

The Development Committee update included:

1. Updated Grant Opportunities: Building Hope Workforce Development Winner 10,000, SCDE Strategic Compensation Grant 200,000, SC Student Loan Corporation Grant $7,500, Dollar General Grant $8,000.
2. PATH (Prepare, Aspire, Train, Harness) STEAM Workforce Development Day Next Steps with Field Learning Experiences:  This will enhance STEAM Day into a year-long initiative where scholars will not only learn but will visit their executive partners.   
3. LSC Executive Director/Industry Mentorship Council: LIFT (Leadership Industry Forward Talent) is a new initiative that will provide industry mentorship to Dr. Ivey through a quarterly advisory council enhancing the support and relationship with our industry leaders.  

Upon motion duly made by Mrs. Chandler, seconded by Mrs. Rauschenbach, the Board entered into executive session for the purposes of discussion of negotiations incident to Proposed Property Contractual Agreements, Proposed Contractual Agreements, and/or Discussion of Personnel Matters, and Discussion of ED's Annual Evaluation

Upon consensus, the Board returned to open session.

Upon motion duly made by Dr. Thompson, seconded by Mrs. Rauschenbach, the Board approved the Personnel Report. 

Approved under Finance Committee Update.

Approved under Finance Committee Update.

Chairman Thompson thanked all for their attendance.

There was no discussion.