Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC Board of Directors Executive Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Friday April 24, 2026 at 9:30 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
(Tajma) LaShea Davis (remote), Bill Bennett, Cameron Chandler, Greg Thompson
Committee Members Absent
Rodney Thompson
Guests Present
Amy Hansen, Trevor Ivey
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Invocation
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
Greg Thompson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E.
Reading of Mission and Vision Statements
Bill Bennett read the mission statement, and Greg Thompson read the vision statement.
F.
Consent Agenda Approval of Meeting Agenda and Previous Meeting Minutes
II. Executive Committee Topics for Discussion
A.
Executive Director's Report
The committee opened by noting both academy directors were unable to attend as they led memorial acknowledgements for scholars on their campuses.
The Executive Directors Academy Best Practicers group is nearing completion of the federal needs assessment and stakeholder engagement process, which will guide the allocation of federal funds (Title I–IV and IDEA). Input from roughly 75 parents has already been collected, with final recommendations to be presented at the May board meeting and incorporated into the FY27 budget.
School culture and development indicators remain strong, including a 96.5% average daily attendance rate and a 97% persistence rate, with minimal attrition largely due to relocation. Parent engagement continues to exceed expectations, with over 80% of families on track to meet volunteer hour requirements following the successful completion of monthly PEACE sessions.
Academically, preliminary grades 2–5 data shows 64% proficiency in reading and 62% in math under more rigorous benchmarks. Science remains an area of focus following prior SC READY results, with curriculum review and targeted boot camp supports underway. Leadership expressed cautious optimism while emphasizing the importance of continued focus through testing.
Key student experience initiatives continue to advance, including near completion of the Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Roadmaps, expanded career pathway exposure for fifth-grade scholars, and successful execution of the Amazing Shake competition, engaging approximately 300 scholars and community partners.
On the development front, the school received the first $250,000 installment of the YASS grant award, with an additional installment expected in September of the same amount. A $1.75 million congressional grant has advanced to the full proposal stage. The school is also launching the LEADS Program to deepen community engagement and build advocacy through immersive leadership experiences.
Financially, the organization remains stable and is projected to end the fiscal year with an approximate $300,000 surplus. Cash on hand is currently at 25 days, with expected improvement pending multiple reimbursements. The FY27 budget is on track for second reading in May.
Additional discussions included exploring a potential middle school leadership role, continued staffing progress toward full hiring, and the formation of a task force to study inclusion classroom models and class sizes.
III. Executive Session
A.
Motion to Enter Into Executive Session 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.
IV. New Business: Requests for Future Agenda Topics/Committee Recommendations
A.
Directors were reminded to submit agenda requests to Dr. Ivey.
Next Steps Identified:
- Advance FY27 budget to second reading and final approval by June 30
- Evaluate funding and structure for potential middle school leadership role
- Complete hiring and support end-of-year priorities
Greg Thompson gave an invocation.