Marion Newton departed the meeting at 6:21 PM.

The board participated in an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the reading of the school’s mission statement, vision statement, and core values.

The board recognized scholars who earned Exceeds Expectations scores on the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY). The presentation celebrated scholar achievement across multiple grade levels and subject areas.
 

The board also recognized scholars who earned perfect scores on the mathematics portion of SC READY. Yard signs were presented to scholars in attendance to celebrate their achievement.

The board recognized Tameko Wilson, a Liberty STEAM Charter School educator, who was named the national Project Lead The Way Launch Teacher of the Year. The recognition highlighted her more than 20 years of educational experience and her work providing hands-on, project-based learning experiences that encourage curiosity, innovation, perseverance, and problem-solving.

No individuals registered to speak during public participation.

State Assessment Results
Dr. Hafner welcomed Dr. McDonald who presented a review of SC READY assessment data and opportunities to strengthen instruction.

The presentation highlighted progress in fourth-grade science, including a decrease in the percentage of scholars in the low-performance band and an increase in the high-performance band. English language arts (ELA) strengths included writing, research and evaluation of ideas, and vocabulary.

Priority areas for improvement included mathematics reasoning, informational text comprehension, and identified grade-level standards. The presentation emphasized that category-level data should be considered alongside overall achievement, student growth, subgroup outcomes, attendance, and participation.

Instructional strategies include explicit modeling, academic vocabulary development, guided practice, evidence-based explanations, frequent checks for understanding, and common formative assessments.

Professional development and support initiatives include curriculum coaching, collaborative planning, instructional rigor training, and targeted support for teachers in mathematics and other identified areas.

Social-Emotional Learning

Micah Vaughn provided an update on the school’s newly implemented PurposeFull People, also known as CharacterStrong, social-emotional learning curriculum.

Beginning-of-year assessment results identified strengths and areas for growth across grade bands. The curriculum focuses on character development, relationship building, self-awareness, self-control, social problem-solving, and understanding others.

Teachers received training before implementation. Initial lessons focused on kindness and respect, with responsibility and cooperation included in the planned instructional sequence. Lessons are designed to promote positive classroom relationships and provide opportunities for scholars to practice character skills. Families are also engaged through information provided in the school’s weekly newsletter.

Discussion emphasized the connection between social-emotional well-being and academic achievement, including the importance of supporting scholars experiencing anxiety or other challenges. The school’s counseling supports, interventions, and community partnerships were noted as resources for scholars.

Dr. Hafner reviewed progress across five priority areas:

1. Learning Framework: The framework is being refined, with grade-band guidance and classroom implementation supports under development. Professional development is scheduled for January 4, 2027.
2. Multi-Tiered System of Support: The school is working toward a coordinated system for tracking academic, attendance, and behavioral interventions. A platform has been selected, with staff training forthcoming.
3. Operational Efficiency: Financial controls, meal participation, and staff communication practices continue to be monitored and strengthened.
4. Family, Community, and Engagement: School and community events continue to support family involvement. Parent volunteer hours remain an area of focus.
5. Leadership Transition and Accountability: The Dr. Hafner reported completion of the initial leadership transition process and the transition to full operational leadership, with the former leader focusing on the foundation.

Dr. Hafner also reported that a mathematics specialist from the South Carolina Department of Education had begun working with staff on classroom observations, lesson plans, and instructional alignment.

Greg Thompson reported that the executive committee received updates from the three academy directors. Reports highlighted scholar achievement, instructional growth, reading progress, family engagement, community partnerships, and attendance. The committee emphasized the need for continued instructional improvement and data-driven decision-making.

Jenny Knopf reported that the academic committee reviewed the state assessment and social-emotional learning presentations. Priorities include strengthening mathematics reasoning and informational text comprehension, monitoring assessment results, using common formative assessments, and continuing curriculum coaching, professional development, collaborative planning, and social-emotional learning implementation.

Heather Bass reported that the development committee reviewed family and community engagement, attendance, enrollment, scholar persistence, upcoming events, and the draft fiscal year 2026 audit. Attendance was reported at 99.62%, with 182 applications received toward the recruitment goal. Parent volunteer participation and educational sessions remain areas of focus.

The committee reviewed progress toward the $2 million fundraising goal. Pledges represented 51% of the goal, while funds received represented 9%. Updates were also provided on grant administration, philanthropy, policy and advocacy, the early college and technical high school initiative, and the PATH program. Discussion emphasized aligning career exploration with regional workforce needs, economic mobility, wages, and career advancement opportunities.

Heather Green reported on the finance committee review, which included that approximately $570,000 in building-related expenses remained unreimbursed. Cash reserves were below the budgeted target, and management continues to monitor expenditures and reimbursement timing.
 

Based on updated enrollment calculations, state funding was projected to increase from the budgeted $13.1 million to approximately $13.3 million. Approximately $177,000 in philanthropic and grant funding had been received through September, with an additional $250,000 grant anticipated. Salary and benefit expenses remained on budget, while operating expenses were elevated due to supply and technology purchases.

The committee discussed construction funding, federal reimbursement timing, food-service implementation, purchasing controls, staff training, payroll and attendance procedures, and credit card compliance.

The independent audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, received an unmodified opinion, with no findings, material weaknesses, or instances of noncompliance reported. This marked the fifth consecutive year of a clean audit. Reported financial highlights included approximately $36 million in capital assets, $11.2 million in annual revenue, an unrestricted fund balance of $1.7 million, and 44 days of cash on hand at fiscal year-end. 

The committee also discussed the decrease in fund balance and the relationship between revenue growth, operating expenses, enrollment, and facility costs.

Cammy Chandler reported that the governance committee reviewed a proposed multiyear athletics project roadmap, including a potential golf program launch and phased expansion of additional sports. Discussion addressed projected costs, transportation, supervision, coaching, and opportunities for parent and board involvement.

At the conclusion of executive session, the board returned to open session.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of Liberty STEAM Charter hereby authorizes the submission of a charter school replication application to the South Carolina Public Charter School District (SCPCSD) to establish a second Liberty STEAM Charter campus in the western portion of Sumter County, at a location to be determined, with an anticipated opening in July 2030. The replicated school will implement Liberty STEAM Charter’s existing K–8 educational model, initially serving 200 scholars in kindergarten and first grade (100 per grade), with planned incremental expansion through eighth grade. This replication will expand access to Liberty’s educational model for additional families in Sumter County, with the long-term vision of both K–8 campuses feeding into one countywide Liberty STEAM Early College & Technical High School, creating a unified K–12 educational pathway for scholars across the county.

Adopted and Approved: October 26, 2026, by the Board of Directors of Liberty STEAM Charter at a duly convened meeting.