Marion Newton gave an invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Elementary Academy Eagle Ambassadors.

With Chairman Greg Thompson attending remotely, Vice Chairwoman Cameron Chandler chaired the meeting.  

Shafara Douglas read the mission statement.

Tajma (LaShea) Davis read the vision statement.

There was none.

Dr. Ivey provided an overview of the Lottery Procedures.

LSC has received the required minimum number of lottery applications for its 2026-2027 classes (kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, and sixth grade). Pursuant to the SC Charter Schools Act of 1996 (59-40-10), a public lottery is required in order to determine the selected students for all grade levels. For next year, we will be filling all 150 new seats in the Kindergarten class.

The meeting was live-streamed via the school's official YouTube page. To be considered in the initial lottery, applications must have been received on or before 11:59 pm November 30 via Lotterease, the electronic platform being utilized to collect enrollment applications and to facilitate the actual lottery event. Please note that applications received between November 30 and the time in which the lottery is conducted are also included in this pool of applications. 

Dr. Ivey  welcomed South Carolina Public Charter School District Superintendent Chris Neeley to administer the lottery.  

Dr. Ivey shared that the online platform Lotterease randomly selected 150 new seats for the Kindergarten class. The number of seats is in accordance with the board-approved enrollment. As the lottery was conducted, all applicant students were listed as either "selected" or "waitlisted" via their applicant ID on the Lotterease website. The results of the lottery are considered unofficial until school officials independently complete verification. 

Dr. Ivey reviewed the next steps:
 

1. Selected vs. Waitlisted 
2. Accepting & Declining Enrollment Offer
3. Verification Process 
4. Enrollease & Submitting Enrollment Information 
5. Lottery for Additional Seats

Dr. Ivey's monthly report included;
STEAM Charter is currently performing at 87% on track, with 38 of 46 indicators meeting or exceeding expectations across all domains. Teaching & Learning remains a major strength, with 100% of indicators on track, including full completion of curriculum modules, check-ins, leader huddles, interventions, progress monitoring, MTSS, and all academic cycles.

Talent is 75% on track, highlighted by fully staffed 25–26 vacancies, strong culture metrics (90% Great Place to Work and 90% feedback participation), full HR compliance, and strong coaching and observation cycles. Areas needing attention include further developing AED/Finance/HR capacity and improving GET completion above 78%.

Family & Community Engagement is 85% on track, with enrollment targets met, high satisfaction (90%), strong attendance (95%), and robust engagement programs. Off-track items include completing required family engagement hours and the Pupils in Poverty report, which may impact funding.

Communications & External Affairs is 80% on track, with $1.5M raised, strong grant submissions, solid board management, and active leadership initiatives; the primary gap is year-to-date external funding at $467K. 

Administration is 57% on track, with the FY26 budget, reimbursements, financial goals, facilities operations, JA expansion, and food service initiatives on track, while breakfast participation, LINQ implementation, and IDEA submission delays remain areas to improve. All Additional Considerations are 100% on track, supported by strengthened scholar culture, increased PD, expanded family engagement, full special education compliance, and strong participation in programs such as Dads on Duty, Pro Dads, and PTO.

December priorities include stabilizing facilities, launching 26–27 hiring, preparing for SPARK and Cognia, defining success measures, and reinforcing EA interventions. Key challenges include expansion-campus facility needs, leader and staff sustainability, and overall leadership capacity.

Board input is specifically requested on facilities, succession planning, and the Best Practices Task Force (uniforms, grading, Code of Conduct, and calendar), along with continued board presence in schools, support of leadership expectations, engagement with the ED Academic Task Force, reinforcement of the 6th Grade Roadmap, and Focus Five support to anchor the spring rally cry.

Cameron Chandler reported that the executive committee received committee updates as well as the monthly Academy update from Ms. Harris who noted the progress toward goals, wins, challenges and building leadership capacity in others.

Cameron Chandler reported that the Governance Committee completed its final review of the proposed amendment to the LSC Bylaws regarding community representation on board committees. This amendment, first introduced at the October Board meeting, requires community representatives to meet the same minimum qualifications as board members. Page 9, Section 8.01

The South Carolina Public Charter School District has deemed this a nonmaterial change. Therefore, once approved by LSC, it will not require PCSD approval but will be presented as an informational item at their Board of Trustees meeting.

Cameron Chandler made a motion to approve the amended bylaws as presented. Tajma (LaShea) Davis seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Rodney Thompson reported that the finance committee reviewed several key items related to fiscal health and ongoing financial planning.  He was pleased to share LSC is in good financial standing and with the transition to a new three-year line of credit, 1057 Broad Street will expand to eighth grade in the coming years.

1. Monthly Financial Report and new Dashboard, which included (Attached):

• FY26 year-to-date revenue vs. expenditures
• Balance and cash position
• Individual and corporate donations
• Analysis of food services cash flow

3. Update on FY26 Federal Reimbursements
4. Update on Current Line of Credit - First Citizens Bank
5. Facilities Supervisor 30-60-90 Day Plan 

6. Tile Project - Expansion Program
 

Dr. Thompson reported that several classrooms at the Primary Academy have been identified as needing flooring repairs. The Finance Committee recommends installing tile in six of the fourteen identified classrooms over the Christmas holiday, with the remaining rooms to be scheduled at a later date. The Finance Committee further recommends allocating $91,000 from the Capital Expansion Program to support this project as an allowable capital improvement.

Dr. Thompson made a motion that the board approve the flooring repair project at the Primary Academy, including the installation of tile in six of the fourteen identified classrooms over the Christmas holiday, and authorize the allocation of $91,000 from the Capital Expansion program to fund this work as an allowable capital improvement. Marion Newton seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 

Jenny Knopf reported that the Academic Committee received presentations on Refining our Approach to Science Instruction, Current State of the Achievement Gap at LSC; Updates to Pursuit of Cognia. 

The committee reviewed three items for board consideration, and Dr. Ivey shared survey results including parent input and support regarding these requests for action. 

1. Uniform Philosophy Acceptance
2. 2026-2027 School Calendar Proposed Amendments  
3. 2027-2028 Proposed School Calendar 

Jenny Knopf made a motion that the board approve the academic consent agenda consisting of acceptance of the Uniform Philosophy and approval of the 2026-2027 School Calendar Proposed Amendments  and the 2027-2028 Proposed School Calendar. Shafara Douglas seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 

Tajma (LaShea) Davis reported that the Development Committee received the monthly Family and Engagement update and reviewed grants and fund raising initiatives to date totaling nearly $500k. Dr. Ivey is incorporating LIFT (Leaders in Industry Forward Thinking) with PATH by personally visiting each of our PATH partners. PATH Pitch Day was a huge success, and a PATH Appreciation Luncheon and Next Steps Session is scheduled for December 11. 

Marion Newton made a motion that the board enter into executive session for the purposes of discussions of Negotiations Incident to Proposed Property Contractual Agreements, Proposed Contractual Agreements, and/or Personnel Matters. Kimberly Rauschenbach seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

*Upon consensus, the board returned to open session.

There was none.

Marion Newton made a motion that the board approve the monthly personnel report. Kimberly Rauschenbach seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Directors were reminded to provide suggested items for future presentations to Dr. Ivey.