Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC Board of Directors Development Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday June 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Location
Liberty STEAM Charter School
117 N. Main Street
Sumter, SC 29150
This meeting is held in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. A copy of the agenda has been made available to the local media & general public.
Mission: Liberty STEAM Charter (LSC) works to provide all students equal access to a world-class K-12 education in an academically rigorous & student-centered learning environment, creating graduates to be thoughtful & engaged citizens prepared to take on the leadership challenges of the 21st century.
Vision: In partnership with our families & the community, Liberty STEAM Charter (LSC) will provide interdisciplinary, real-world, personalized, and project-based learning experiences through a STEAM-based academic program where graduates become the next generation of leaders, employers, and employees who contribute to the economic well-being of their communities and families.
Committee Members Present
(Tajma) LaShea Davis, Heather Bass, Marion Newton
Committee Members Absent
Kimberly Rauschenbach
Guests Present
Amy Hansen, Gifford Shaw, LaQuanya Chambers, Trevor Ivey
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Invocation
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Bass led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E.
Reading of the Mission Statement
Ms. Bass read the Mission Statement.
F.
Reading of the Vision Statement
Ms. Davis read the Vision Statement
G.
Approval of Consent Agenda
II. Development
A.
Topics for Discussion
The Development Committee convened to review year-end roadmap progress, development initiatives, FY26 planning, and external partnerships. Committee members heard updates from Ms. Chambers, Dr. Ivey, and Mr. Shaw, with several items advanced for board approval.
Ms. Chambers presented the LSC Roadmap Year-End Review and the Finalized Scholar Demographic Report, which included: Parent volunteer hours; Student Average Daily Attendance (ADA); Enrollment Roadmap Possip Analysis; FY26 Projected Demographics; New and ongoing commitments: Dads on Duty, CFEC Partnership, Junior Achievement (JA) Roadmap, Personalized PEACE Academy, PATH Initiative.
Dr. Ivey provided an update on current and prospective development efforts, key updates on initiative and planning efforts:
- Walton Family Foundation; SCDE Strategic Compensation Pilot – $200,000 expected any day now; Charter School Growth Fund – Next steps under way; Children’s Trust Fund of South Carolina; Connected Communities; Various SCDE Grants
- PATH Initiative – STEAM Workforce Planning
- LIFT Initiative (Leaders in Industry for Forward Talent): Two business leaders confirmed, third recommendation pending.
- Enrollment Update (FY26): LSC is fully enrolled.
- Hiring Update (FY26): LSC is fully staffed.
- AFO Accountability Rating Review (SCPCSD): LSC is 100% compliant.
- Collective Leadership Efficacy Survey Results: Both academies reported positive staff experiences.
- FY25 End-of-Year Org Goal Review
- LSC Top 10 Wins for the school year
- End-of-Year Goals Update Data Presentation
Mr. Shaw provided updates on the May financials including revenue, expenditures, and balance sheet and the FY26 Proposed Budget.
Topics Reviewed to be Presented for Board Approval June 23 include:
- FY26 Budget – Third Reading
- Insurance Policy Update: To be presented for board approval June 23
- FY26 Org Chart
- FY26 Organizational Goals, Policies, and Handbook Updates
- Title I, II, III, IV Authorization
- Proposed FY26 Board and Committee Meeting Schedule
III. Other Business
A.
New Business
There was none.
B.
Old Business
There was none.
C.
Agenda Items from Committee Members
There was none.
IV. Executive Session
A.
Purposes of Discussion of Negotiations Incident to Proposed Property Contractual Agreements, Proposed Contractual Agreements, and/or Discussion of Personnel Matters
There was no executive session.
V. Committee Action
A.
Any Action Related to Executive Session Item(s)
There was no executive session.
B.
Committee Recommendations
There were no discussion.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Next Steps
- A follow-up planning session for the PATH STEAM Workforce Development initiative will be scheduled.
- Mrs. Davis will coordinate recommendations for a Military Enrollment Preference Ad Hoc Committee.
- Ms. Chambers will:
- Incorporate additional parent demographic information to deepen insight into family needs;
- Report on scholar enrollment by county; and
- Develop a proposed revision to the 10-hour volunteer requirement for presentation at the July 24 board retreat.
Dr. Newton to follow up with Sheriff Dennis regarding the allocation for a third School Resource Officer for the Junior Academy.
Dr. Newton gave an invocation.