The committee completed the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and reading of the school’s mission, vision, and core values.

State Assessment Results and Academic Performance
Dr. Michelle McDonald presented an analysis of the school’s SC READY assessment results. Overall achievement remained stable compared with the previous year; however, student growth had declined.

Key findings included:

• Science: Fourth-grade science demonstrated notable improvement, with a decrease in the percentage of scholars in the lowest performance band and an increase in the highest performance band.
• English Language Arts: ELA remained a relative strength. Grade-level strengths included third-grade writing, research and evaluation across grades three through five, and fourth-grade reading vocabulary.
• Mathematics: Math reasoning was identified as a primary area for improvement, particularly patterns and algebra, numerical reasoning, and measurement and geometry.
• Reading: Informational text comprehension was identified as a priority in grades three and four. Fifth-grade writing was also identified as an area requiring additional instructional attention.

The committee was advised that changes to state assessment categories, particularly in mathematics, limit direct comparisons with some prior-year results. The presentation also noted that scholars in lower performance bands demonstrated growth, while some higher-performing scholars moved into the middle performance band, contributing to the overall decline in growth.

Instructional Priorities and Professional Development

The committee reviewed instructional strategies and professional development initiatives intended to improve scholar achievement and growth.

Key priorities include:

• Strengthening mathematical reasoning and informational text comprehension.
• Unpacking priority standards and identifying prerequisite skills and common misconceptions.
• Increasing explicit teacher modeling, guided practice, and checks for understanding.
• Continuing common formative assessments and using data during professional learning communities to adjust instruction.
• Maintaining successful instructional practices that contributed to improved science performance.

Professional development has included training on instructional rigor, Eureka Math Squared for kindergarten through fifth grade, and i-Ready mathematics for sixth grade. Additional curriculum coaching and classroom support are planned. Monthly collaborative planning opportunities and ongoing induction training for new teachers will continue.

Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum

Micah Vaughn presented an update on implementation of the school’s social-emotional learning curriculum. The program focuses on character development, relationships, bullying prevention, and scholars’ social-emotional competencies.

The curriculum addresses character traits including respect, empathy, cooperation, responsibility, perseverance, courage, gratitude, honesty, and creativity. Teachers are receiving implementation support, and progress is monitored through the curriculum platform.

Beginning-of-year assessments identified the following areas for continued focus:

• Kindergarten through third grade: Emotional recognition and self-control.
• Upper elementary grades: Social problem-solving and understanding others’ perspectives.
• Middle school: Social problem-solving and understanding others, with continued attention to self-control.

Individual assessment reports were provided to families, and classroom reports are available to teachers to support instruction and scholar development.

Superintendent’s Update

The committee received updates on school activities and upcoming events. The superintendent also reported that the independent auditors issued an unmodified opinion on the financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026. The Finance Committee completed its review and planned to recommend acceptance of the audit at the October regular board meeting.

The committee was also informed that Tameko Wilson, Lead STEAM Enrichment Teacher for fourth and fifth grades, was named National Project Lead the Way Launch Teacher of the Year. Formal recognition was scheduled for the October 26 board meeting.

Directors were asked to submit new business items for future agenda topics to Dr. Hafner. 

Follow-Up Items

• Continue implementing targeted instructional strategies to strengthen mathematics, informational text comprehension, and identified grade-level priority areas.
• Monitor assessment data and use common formative assessments and collaborative planning to guide instructional adjustments.
• Continue curriculum coaching, professional development, and social-emotional learning implementation.
• Confirm with the Executive Committee whether sufficient time is available for a full academic presentation at the October board meeting.