Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
AGENDA FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING
Date and Time
Friday April 9, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Location
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 (LSC) works to provide all students equal access to a world-class K-12 education in an academically rigorous & student-centered learning environment, creating graduates to be thoughtful & engaged citizens prepared to take on the leadership challenges of the 21st century.
Vision: In partnership with our families & the community, Liberty STEAM Charter (LSC) will provide interdisciplinary, real-world, 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.
Mission: Liberty STEAM Charter (LSC) works to provide all students equal access to a world-class K-12 education in an academically rigorous & student-centered learning environment, creating graduates to be thoughtful & engaged citizens prepared to take on the leadership challenges of the 21st century.
Vision: In partnership with our families & the community, Liberty STEAM Charter (LSC) will provide interdisciplinary, real-world, 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
Greg Thompson (remote), Khalil Graham (remote), Kimberly Rauschenbach (remote)
Committee Members Absent
Ben Griffith, Jr., Dexter WJ Davis
Guests Present
Trevor Ivey
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Greg Thompson called a meeting of the Executive Committee Committee of Liberty STEAM Charter to order on Friday Apr 9, 2021 at 11:00 AM.
C.
Invocation
An invocation was provided by Mr. Thompson.
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
Kimberly Rauschenbach led the committee in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
E.
Reading of the Mission Statement
Mrs. Rauschenbach read aloud the mission statement.
F.
Reading of the Vision Statement
Mr. Thompson read aloud the vision statement.
G.
Approve Agenda
Kimberly Rauschenbach made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
Greg Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
H.
Approve Previous Meeting Minutes
Kimberly Rauschenbach made a motion to approve the minutes from FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE on 03-05-21.
Greg Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Executive Committee
A.
Review of 90 Day Action Plan
Dr. Graham provided a general update to the committee on overall progress in year zero with respect to the following areas:
- Teaching and Learning (on track)
- Operations (on track)
- Community Engagement (on track)
- Fundraising (not on track)
- Strategic Planning (on track)
Each committee member was provided a copy of the executive director's one-page monthly update regarding detailed progress to goals that will be also shared at the upcoming full board meeting.
B.
Review of Progress to Goals
During this time, the board engaged in a discussion around the following recruitment priority areas below regarding strategy and tactics:
- Teacher recruitment (21/21 teachers and 3/3 support staff hired to date)
- Operations recruitment (just launched job postings)
- Scholar recruitment (100% fully enrolled with 192/192 and 250/384 applications)
- Donor recruitment ($393,500K committed)
- Strategy for Campus Site #2 (two options being pursued)
A discussion was also facilitated regarding next steps with the development plan as well as the first draft of the year one budget.
C.
Review of Relevant Reports & Documents
Dr. Graham shared an updated draft version of the year zero budget and provided several one-pagers outlining varying views on the budget as it relates to LSC's unique educational model. . A second reading of the budget will occur at next month's full board meeting with a final vote being requested at the June full board meeting.
The committee also received a presentation from USC Aiken and Clemson requesting to partner with LSC in the establishment of a local Call Me MiSTER cohort. The proposal to establish the Call Me MiSTER cohort includes funding to cover living stipends for three program participants (total of $15,000) in addition to an advisor stipend ($5,000) for a total annual cost of $20,000. One of the program requirements is that students participate in a "live and learn" community. Since USC Sumter does not have any residential facilities, the funds that Liberty provides would cover the costs associated with housing the program participants for one year. In exchange for the funding, each participant would agree to one year of service post-graduation at the charter school in addition to assisting with the school's ASPIRE (after-school program). There were concerns from committee members about the start-up cost and the fact that it would require funding on a recurring basis.
No action is being recommended to the full board by the executive committee at this time.
III. Other Business
A.
Agenda Items from Committee Members
During this time, Dr. Graham shared with the committee that senior staff members would be undergoing their 2x2 feedback conferences in the next few weeks.
IV. Executive Session
A.
Discussion of Contractual and Personnel Matters, and Receipt of Legal Advice Including Related to a Pending, Threatening, or Potential Claim
Kimberly Rauschenbach made a motion to enter into executive session for the purposes of a discussion of contractual and personnel matters, and receipt of legal advice including related to a pending, threatening, or potential claim.
Greg Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Action Related to Executive Session
A.
Action from Executive Session
Kimberly Rauschenbach made a motion to return from executive session at 11:52 am.
Greg Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There was no action taken from executive session.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Next Steps
With regards to next steps, Dr. Graham shared with the committee that a finalized version of the scholar & family handbook would soon be shared with the committee for any feedback as well as the next draft of the budget.
B.
Good of the Order
No member of the committee commented.
C.
Adjourn Meeting
Kimberly Rauschenbach made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Greg Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Khalil Graham