Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE
NOTIFICATION OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING
Date and Time
Thursday May 6, 2021 at 3:00 PM
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
Bronwyn McElveen (remote), Khalil Graham (remote), Rodney Thompson (remote), Trevor Ivey (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Trevor Ivey called a meeting of the Academic Excellence Committee of Liberty STEAM Charter to order on Thursday May 6, 2021 at 3:00 PM.
C.
Invocation
An invocation was provided by Bronwyn McElveen.
D.
Reading of the Mission Statement
Dr. Khalil Graham read aloud the mission statement.
E.
Reading of the Vision Statement
Bronwyn McElveen read aloud the vision statement.
F.
Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge of allegiance was led by Dr. Rodney Thompson.
G.
Approve Today's Meeting Agenda
Bronwyn McElveen made a motion to approve today's meeting agenda as presented.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
H.
Approve Previous Meeting Minutes
Bronwyn McElveen made a motion to approve the minutes from LSC FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE on 04-08-21.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Academic Excellence
A.
Review of 90 Day Action Plan
Dr. Graham reviewed the committee's goals agreed to at the board retreat as outlined in the 90-day action plan.
- Complete Curriculum Study & Adopt K-1 Curriculum Choices
- Adopt Scholar Handbook & Adopt Draft Family Handbook
- Adopt Employee Handbook
- Adopt 2021-22 Academic Calendar
- Finalize Employee Work Day Agreements
- Establish partnerships to support LSC's Unique Educational model
B.
Review of Progress to Goals
Dr. Ivey reviewed the current progress to goals from the committee's 90-day action plan.
- Curriculum Study (Complete)
- The committee recommended Eureka, PLTW, Open Circle, & EL curricula be included in the FY 2021-22 budget; recommendations referred to the Finance Committee (with actual purchase costs).
- Draft Version of Scholar Handbook in Progress (Revisions have been received and the Handbook has been finalized).
- Draft Version of Family Handbook in Progress (Revisions have been received and the Handbook has been finalized).
- 2021-22 Academic Calendar (Complete with Revised Start/End Dates)
- The full board voted to approve the calendar at the February 8th meeting, but start/end dates were added as part of the SCPCSD pre-opening conditions. There will be four quarters: quarter 1 (48 days), quarter 2 (47 days), quarter 3 (46 days), and quarter 4 (45 days).
- Employee Work Day Agreement Start/End Dates (Complete)
- Onboarding of New Employees - Ongoing
- Employee Handbook
- The full board voted to approve the handbook recommended to it by the academic committee during the April meeting.
- Expand Partnerships to Support LSC's Unique Educational Model
- LSC finalized a partnership with Teach for America to support the placement of three (3) corps members for SY 2021-22.
- LSC is exploring a potential partnership to establish a Call Me MiSTER program on the campus of USC Sumter through its USC Aiken education program.
C.
Review of Relevant Documents & Reports
The academic excellence committee reviewed the following documents:
- Final revisions to the scholar & family handbook with the committee recommending the revised document be sent to the full board for approval at the next meeting.
- Title IX Policy (no revisions)
- Social Media Policy (with revisions suggested by Director McElveen)
- Free Speech Policy (no revisions)
Bronwyn McElveen made a motion to approve the revised scholar & family handbook and refer to the full board for final approval.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Bronwyn McElveen made a motion to approve the Title IX policy as is and refer to the full board for final approval.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Bronwyn McElveen made a motion to approve the revised Social Media & Free Speech policy and refer to the full board for final approval.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Other Business
A.
Agenda Items from Committee Members
A discussion was held between committee members and staff regarding the school uniform policy. Dr. Graham stated that he has heard the concerns and is following a protocol that allows for an investigation to be conducted to gather information, communicate that information, and then update the policy (if necessary) with any revisions. Specifically, Dr. Graham shared that a survey has been sent to all founding families via mass text/email/social media requesting their feedback as well as meeting one-on-one with concerned parents. Directors offered their guidance in moving forward.
No additional agenda items from committee members were brought before the committee.
No additional agenda items from committee members were brought before the committee.
IV. Executive Session
A.
Discussion of Contractual and Personnel Matters, and Receipt of Legal Advice Including Related to a Pending, Threatening, or Potential Claim
Bronwyn McElveen 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.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Action Related to Executive Session
A.
Action from Executive Session
Rodney Thompson made a motion to return from executive session at 3:51 pm.
Bronwyn McElveen seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Next Steps
Dr. Thompson agreed to represent the committee in sharing updates at the next full board meeting.
B.
Good of the Order
No member of the committee commented.
C.
Adjourn Meeting
Bronwyn McElveen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:55 pm.
Rodney 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 3:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trevor Ivey
Documents used during the meeting
- LSC Required Forms.pdf
- Scholar & Family Handbook.pdf
- Liberty Social Media Disclaimer and Comment Policy.docx
- Liberty Free Speech Policy.docx
- Liberty Title IX Policy.docx
- May 2021 HR Board Report.xlsx