Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC Board of Directors Academic Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Monday September 21, 2026 at 3:30 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
Brenda Hafner, Cameron Chandler, Jenny Knopf, Shafara Douglas (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
Amy Hansen, Glenn Huggins (Committee Non Director), Jane Hray, L'ara McAlister, Micah Vaughn, 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
Cameron Chandler led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E.
Reading of Mission and Vision Statements
Cameron Chandler read the mission statement, and Glenn Huggins read the vision statement.
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.
Superintendent's Report
Academic and Instructional Update: Dr. Michelle McDonald provided an update on academic priorities, coaching, professional development, and instructional data.
- Common Formative Assessments (CFAs) are being administered and analyzed by grade level, with results used in PLCs to guide instruction.
- Math standards and instructional rigor are being reviewed vertically across grade levels.
- Networkwide priorities include standards alignment, rigor, data-driven PLCs, and intentional planning.
- Coaching and side-by-side classroom support continue across campuses, with instructional decisions increasingly informed by scholar data.
- Professional development continues in LETRS, Teaching with Purpose, rigor, Eureka Math, i-Ready Math, co-teaching/inclusion, and IEP compliance.
- Eureka Math consultants will provide administrator/coach training, teacher professional development, and follow-up coaching.
Special Populations Update: Nikki Pack provided an update on Special Populations services and staffing.
- Current services include approximately 143 scholars with IEPs, 44 scholars with 504 plans, and 118 scholars receiving intervention services.
- Additional services support ESOL and monitored scholars.
- Staffing includes special education teachers, interventionists, a school psychologist, scholar support specialist, speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and ESOL support.
- LSC continues to utilize an inclusion model, with ongoing professional development and coaching focused on co-teaching and inclusion.
- The team continues to strengthen compliance, related services, and an integrated MTSS approach supporting academics, attendance, behavior, and special needs.
- The committee discussed future capacity needs, including resource services, age-appropriate placement, and evaluation space.
Gifted and Talented Update: Jane Ray provided an update on Gifted and Talented and academic enrichment services.
- Approximately 80 scholars are currently identified as gifted, with 113 scholars directly served during the semester through gifted programming.
- Additional scholars participate in academic enrichment and indirect support.
- Services include self-contained, inclusion, enrichment, and honors models.
- Programming continues to expand with increased identification, teacher collaboration, family outreach, and community partnerships.
- Future considerations include staffing, space, and aligning services with scholar readiness and need.
Culture and Scholar Support Update: Micah Vaughn provided an update on culture and scholar support initiatives.
- Culture Camp, core values, and beginning-of-year culture activities have been implemented.
- Backpack Buddy continues to provide weekend meal support.
- 7 Mindsets assessments and teacher feedback are being used to identify scholar support needs.
- CharacterStrong/Purposefull People has been implemented, with current emphasis on Respect.
- Culture team coaching, classroom support, parent conference support, and campus check-ins continue.
- Scholar Support Specialists are providing additional campus-based support.
- Upcoming initiatives include mentor training, Coat Days, Positive Office Referrals, and continued CharacterStrong implementation.
Dr. Hafner shared that the FY26 A.F.O. report and final Annual Report are posted on LSC’s website. A.F.O Highlights included:
- Charter academic goals met.
- 98% certified staffing.
- 100% completion of Board governance training.
- Continued federal and IDEA compliance.
- Annual audit completed without identified concerns.
- Continued compliance with website posting and FOIA requirements.
Dr. Hafner shared the LSC Forward in Action update, which provides Directors with a snapshot of recent, current, and upcoming activities across Liberty. The information is provided for convenience and is not intended to be an exhaustive calendar. LSC is working toward a more interactive, centralized calendar to provide Directors with a broader view of activities throughout the year.
III. New Business
A.
Request for Future Agenda Topics/Committee Recommendations
Future Agenda Items: Committee members were encouraged to submit requests for future agenda items to Dr. Hafner prior to the next scheduled meeting.
Cameron Chandler gave an invocation.