Marion Newton gave an invocation.

Heather Bass led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kimberly Rauschenbach read the mission statement, and Heather Bass read the vision statement.

Family and Community Engagement Update: Dr. Hafner welcomed LaQuanya Chambers to present the Family and Community Engagement Services update:

• New Chromebooks have been received, including enough for an enrichment cart. The school is also moving forward with a new IT contract and implementation of Panorama to connect attendance, MTSS, discipline, and social emotional learning data.
• Current attendance is 97.5%. All 30 Attendance Success Plans were completed, with three TIPs and four AIPs currently in place. September activities included National Attendance Month initiatives and a review of attendance expectations for JA scholars.
• Recruitment preparations are underway for the October 1 lottery opening. Planned efforts include daycare outreach, a community event at Dillon Park on October 24, parent car magnets with QR codes, and continued block walks.
• Four withdrawals have occurred since the 10th day of school, with three seats expected to be filled the following week. Two additional withdrawals are pending. Current persistence is 99%.
• PATH teachers completed site visits, and the PATH Pre-Connect was held. PATH partners will also be invited to participate in Trunk or Treat.
• Family engagement efforts included the first Peace Academy session with 180 families participating, Sunrise with Someone Special, Open House, litter pickup, the By Name Project, Dad’s on Duty, and continued partnership with the Salvation Army.

Annual Report and A.F.O. Update: Dr. Hafner informed the committee that the Annual Report and FY26 A.F.O. report are posted on the school website. The A.F.O. report provides information on academics, operations, governance, and finance. Liberty met its charter academic goals, maintained 98% certified staffing, achieved 100% Board governance training, remained in good standing with federal and IDEA compliance, completed its annual audit without identified concerns, and remained compliant with website posting and FOIA requirements. Instruction represented 60.96% of expenditures.

Dr. Hafner shared an overview of the LSC Forward in Action update, providing a snapshot of recent and upcoming activities across Liberty. The calendar is intended to keep Directors informed while recognizing that special notices and invitations will continue to be provided for events where participation is requested or meaningful.

Dr. Hafner welcomed Dr. Trevor Ivey to present the Liberty STEAM Charter Foundation and PATH Update: The committee received an update on Foundation priorities and the PATH program.

• Policy and advocacy milestones remain on track.
• Early College and Technical High School planning continues, with monthly alignment meetings underway. The committee was also informed that Liberty earned Cognia certification, becoming the 699th school to receive the certification at that time.
• Liberty was selected as one of six schools in the state for the Children’s Fund and Mind Trust fellowship. Fellowship support includes customized coaching and professional development in fundraising, finance, operations, and school leadership.
• Philanthropic giving totaled $160,000, including a $50,000 ATI Foundation award and a $100,000 Google award. Additional grant applications have been submitted and are pending.
• Grants and compliance work continues, including the $1.752 million USDE grant, which is awaiting additional state-level approval before claims can be submitted. Charter School Growth Fund milestones remain on track, including a planned November site visit and required data collection.
• PATH’s Pre-Connect was successfully completed. Feedback was largely positive, with follow-up meetings planned to address partner scheduling, K-5 deliverables, and sixth-grade alignment ahead of Education Day.
• PATH partners will continue to receive recognition through social media, marquee signage, yard signs, and upcoming video features. Workplace visits were highlighted as a valuable component of the program.
• Monthly PATH touch points are being recorded and added to the school’s YouTube channel to provide an accessible resource for partners and stakeholders.

Next Steps
Foundation priorities include developing a formal development plan, preparing for the Charter School Growth Fund site visit, completing the required data collection report, and continuing professional development in fundraising and communications. Board members were asked to remain collaborative thought partners and continue providing accountability around Foundation and PATH milestones.

No additional recommendations or reminders were presented. Committee members were encouraged to submit future agenda items to Dr. Hafner.