Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC Board of Directors Governance Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Friday April 24, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Location
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.
MISSION: Liberty STEAM Charter works to provide all students with equal access to a world-class K-12 education in an academically rigorous and student-centered learning environment, creating graduates who will be thoughtful and engaged citizens prepared to take on the leadership challenges of the 21st century.
VISION: In partnership with our families and community, our vision is to provide real-world interdisciplinary, 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
Cameron Chandler, Greg Thompson, Kimberly Rauschenbach
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
Amy Hansen, Dexter Butler, Dexter Butler, Kyle Kelly, Trevor Ivey
I. Opening Items
A.
Record of Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Invocation
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
Cameron Chandler led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E.
Reading of Mission and Vision Statement
Kimberly Rauschenbach read the mission statement, and Cameron Chandler read the vision statement.
II. Consent Agenda
A.
Consent Agenda Approval of Meeting Agenda and Previous Minutes
III. Governance Committee Topics for Discussion
A.
Executive Director's Report
The committee received an update on the planned athletics program build-out, with a focus on pre-implementation with key points:
- The school will move forward with athletics, beginning early preparation ahead of seventh-grade implementation.
- Membership Strategy:
- Plan to enter as an associate member in year one (typical for schools adding grade levels annually).
- Governance Considerations:
- Define attendance parameters for participation.
- Establish relationships with regional athletic directors and governing bodies.
- Potential Conference Alignment:
- Likely placement in 1A division, with possible regions identified based on travel and logistics.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Creation of an athletics handbook
- Development of eligibility requirements and tracking systems
- Establishment of emergency action plans for all sports
- Budget Planning:
- Initial categories identified, including coaching stipends, equipment, uniforms, league fees, and facilities
- Staffing:
- Early development of a coaching pipeline to ensure readiness and continuity
While the majority of the meeting focused on laying a strong, proactive foundation for athletics, ensuring systems, staffing, and structures are in place well ahead of student participation, caution was stressed to ensure collaboration with the new finance director to build out an affordable financial plan and execution strategy.
The Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) is in progress and must be submitted by May 15, with a site audit scheduled for May 7. Stakeholder feedback continues to guide funding priorities, especially in small-group instruction and intervention staffing.
Board member attendance for upcoming graduation ceremonies will be confirmed for May 27 for fifth grade and May 28 kindergarten.
The Deputy Superintendent search is on track, with finalists identified and interviews scheduled.
A draft FY27 organizational chart is in progress expected to be presented for Board approval in June. Incoming senior hires will significantly reshape reporting structures.
The second reading of the FY27 preliminary budget is scheduled for the May 26 board meeting.
IV. New Business - Requests for Future Agenda Topics/Committee Recommendations
A.
Directors were reminded to submit future agenda items to Dr. Ivey.
Collaboration with the new finance director to build out an affordable financial plan and execution strategy regarding the athletics program.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- ALL 202604 Federal Needs Assessment (1).pdf
- ALL 2026 LSC Federal Programs Parent Feedback Survey (2).pdf
- ALL PA Staff April Pulse Check.pdf
- ALL Kinder April Pulse Check.pdf
- All 1st Grade April Pulse Check.pdf
- ALL EA Staff April Pulse Check.pdf
- All 2nd Grade April Pulse Check.pdf
- All 3rd Grade April Pulse Check.pdf
- ALL 4th Grade April Pulse Check.pdf
- ALL 5th Grade April Pulse Check.pdf
- ALL 5th Grade Scholar Survey.pdf
- All 2026 Spring Possip (1).pdf
Cameron Chandler gave an invocation.