Liberty STEAM Charter

Minutes

LSC Board of Directors Academic Excellence Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday August 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM

Location

LSC Network Office

108 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.

Committee Members Present

(Tajma) LaShea Davis, Cameron Chandler (remote), Jenny Knopf, Shafara Douglas

Committee Members Absent

None

Guests Present

Amy Hansen, Emily Hatfield, LaQuanya Chambers, Michelle McDonald, Nicky Pack, Rashyra Smiling, Trevor Ivey

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Jenny Knopf called a meeting of the Academic Excellence Committee of Liberty STEAM Charter to order on Thursday Aug 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM.

C.

Invocation

Cameron Chandler gave an invocation.

D.

Pledge of Allegiance

Shafara Douglas led the Pledge of Allegiance.

E.

Reading of the Vision and Mission Statements

LaShea Davis read the vision and mission statements.

F.

Approval of Consent Agenda

(Tajma) LaShea Davis made a motion to approve the minutes from LSC Board of Directors Academic Committee Meeting on 06-18-25.
Cameron Chandler seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Academic Excellence

A.

Topics for Discussion

The Academic Excellence Committee met to review beginning of year performance data, FY26 academic goals, and leadership development efforts. 


Committee Liaison Report

  • LaQuanya Chambers presented on Family and Community Engagement initiatives noting updated progress towards Volunteer Hours and Average Daily Attendance goals. Shared POSSIP satisfaction and upcoming Family Engagement events. 

School Leaders Presentations

  • BOY MAP Assessment: Deans of Curriculum Emily Hatfield and Rashyra Smiling shared baseline data for Beginning-of-Year MAP assessments. Results provide a strong foundation for monitoring academic growth and readiness for grade-level instruction.
  • Inclusion Co-Teacher Model: Nicky Pack presented the implementation of the co-teaching model designed to strengthen inclusion practices and improve student outcomes.

Committee Liaison Report – Dr. Michelle McDonald

  • Cognia: Preparations for upcoming accreditation activities and continuous improvement processes were reviewed.
  • Transformational Coaching: Updates on leadership coaching efforts to build instructional capacity among school leaders and teachers.

Executive Director’s Report

  • Brief updates on school initiatives were provided for committee awareness.

III. Other Business

A.

Agenda Items from Committee Members

Future Agenda Item: Directors to bring committee advisory person recommendations for the September committee report out.

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

  • Engage teachers to report on what is working with inclusion and what can be improved or eliminated.  

VI. Closing Items

A.

Closing Statement

Jenny Knopf thanked attendees for their time and participants for their presentations.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Hansen
Documents used during the meeting
  • EA State Assessments and BOY Data Performance snapshot.pdf
  • EA MAP Data Posted to BoardOnTrack.pdf
  • PA Math MAP Data 25-26 - Google Sheets.pdf
  • PA Reading MAP Data 25-26 - Google Sheets.pdf
  • August 25-26 FACE Update .pdf
  • Grade Team Lead Duties and Responsibilities (5).pdf
  • One-Page Leading Prof Learning Community Summary (6) (1).pdf
  • Cognia Standards One-Pager (1).pdf
  • Academic Committee Mtg-Aug. (1).pdf
  • Transformational Coaching for Elementary Teachers (1).pdf
  • One-Page Leading Prof Learning Community Summary (6) (1).pdf
  • Grade Team Lead Duties and Responsibilities (5).pdf
  • 2627 Lotteries Logic Map (1).pdf
  • Liberty STEAM Pulse Check Summary All Committees.pdf
  • POSSIP Slide August 2025.jpg
  • 20250819 Bridges Prep Visit One Pager for All Committees.pdf