Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC Board of Directors Academic Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday June 16, 2026 at 12:30 PM
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), Cameron Chandler, Glenn Huggins, Jenny Knopf, Shafara Douglas (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
Amy Hansen, Lara McAlister, Michelle McDonald, Nicky Pack, Trevor Ivey
I. Opening Items
A.
Record of Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Invocation
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
Jenny Knopf led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E.
Reading of Mission and Vision Statements
Jenny Knopf read the mission and vision statements.
F.
Approve Consent Agenda (Meeting Agenda and Previous Meeting Minutes)
With no objections, the consent agenda was approved.
II. Academic Excellence Topics for Discussion
A.
Executive Director's Report
Special Populations End-of-Year Presentation: Ms. Pack presented a year-end review highlighting accomplishments, challenges, and goals for the upcoming school year. Highlights: Continued implementation of the full inclusion model with special education and general education teachers co-teaching in classrooms. Kindergarten inclusion classrooms achieved: 71% reading proficiency; 71% math proficiency; 80% of scholars meeting growth targets in both reading and math; Strong performance was noted in fourth grade math and fifth grade reading growth; Intervention programs continued to show positive growth outcomes.; Self-contained classrooms demonstrated strong benchmark growth on Unique Learning System assessments. One scholar met grade-level proficiency and will transition from a self-contained setting to a general education classroom.
Organizational Health Special Populations team survey results indicated: 94% overall satisfaction; Strong scores in teamwork, relationships, and individual purpose; Improvement in belonging and growth opportunities.
Accomplishments; National Unified Champion School recognition, Partnership with Beta Club to support inclusion initiatives, Continued success of the inclusion model, Significant growth among scholars in the Super Sprouts classroom.
Staffing Updates New hires for 2026-2027 include: a Sixth Grade Academic Interventionist, a Third Grade Inclusion Teacher, a Fourth Grade Inclusion Teacher, an Elementary Self-Contained Teacher, a Sixth Grade Inclusion Teacher, and a Special Populations Instructional Support Specialist.
Priorities for 2026-2027: Strengthen instructional rigor and alignment within inclusion classrooms; Improve accountability and compliance practices; Build staff capacity through coaching and professional development; Continue data-driven decision making and progress monitoring; Close achievement gaps for scholars receiving special education services.
Committee members discussed Comparison of inclusion classroom growth outcomes to non-inclusion classrooms; Maintaining high expectations for scholars receiving special education services; Continued use of the 60% proficiency target for inclusion classrooms; The importance of keeping inclusion goals aligned with Liberty’s philosophy of full inclusion; The role of the new instructional support specialist position in providing coaching and intervention support; Committee members expressed support for maintaining rigorous expectations while continuing to refine the inclusion model.
Executive Director’s Report
Staffing Update: Liberty is fully staffed for the 2026-2027 school year with the exception of a part-time Physical Therapist position; Recruitment efforts continue for the Physical Therapist vacancy; New Staff Academy will begin July 16, 2026.
Summer CREATE Program Dr. Ivey shared highlights from Summer CREATE. Highlights included: Approximately 150 family members attended the showcase; Scholars participated in visual arts, dance, drama, music, and performance experiences; Positive feedback was received from participants and families.; Committee members discussed opportunities to expand resources and future program offerings.
Summer PRIDE Program; Summer PRIDE enrollment reached approximately 120 scholars. Highlights included: Strong attendance and participation. Three third-grade scholars remain subject to retention requirements under Read to Succeed; Summer PRIDE continues to support academic recovery and attendance improvement efforts; Future attendance policy revisions will require participation for scholars identified with chronic absenteeism.
Policy Updates: Updates were provided regarding: Read to Succeed requirements for first grade beginning next school year; Attendance policy revisions; Academic handbook and policy manual updates.; Attendance Success Plans (ASP) for scholars with chronic absenteeism concerns.
Organizational Goals and Performance Dr. Ivey reported: Liberty ranked among the highest growth charter schools measured by Charter School Growth Fund metrics; Strong growth trends continue across multiple academic indicators; Organizational goals for 2026-2027 were reviewed and will be presented for board approval.
Athletics and Enrichment: Six athletic offerings have been established for the upcoming school year; Enrichment opportunities continue to expand under the leadership of Coach Butler.
FY27 Budget Update Key updates included:
- Projected contribution of approximately $400,000 to reserves.
- Anticipated achievement of the 60-day cash-on-hand benchmark.
- Inclusion of growth positions and federal grant funding within the proposed budget.
- A third reading of the FY27 budget will be presented.
PATH Program Update
- Liberty has secured 42 PATH Partners.
- Teachers met with assigned PATH Partners before summer break.
- PATH initiatives will continue year-round.
- Honda remains a prospective PATH Partner.
III. New Business: Requests for Future Agenda Topics/Committee Recommendations
A.
Committee members were reminded to contact Dr. Ivey with any future agenda items/topics.
Action Items
- Administration will provide a one-page summary regarding federal program allocations and Title I funding once state allocations are received.
- Policy Updates, Organizational goals, and budget items will move forward to the full Board for consideration.
Jenny Knopf gave an invocation.