Liberty STEAM Charter

Minutes

LSC FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

AGENDA FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING

Date and Time

Friday June 4, 2021 at 10:00 AM

Location

LSC Administrative Offices
117 North Main Street
Sumter, SC 29150

Google Map of Meeting 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. 

Committee Members Present

Ben Griffith, Jr. (remote), Dexter WJ Davis (remote), Greg Thompson (remote), Khalil Graham (remote), Kimberly Rauschenbach (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

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 Jun 4, 2021 at 10:00 AM.

C.

Invocation

Chairman Thompson provided an invocation. 

D.

Pledge of Allegiance

Kim Rauschenbach led the committee in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

E.

Reading of the Mission Statement

Dexter Davis read aloud the mission statement. 

F.

Reading of the Vision Statement

Ben Griffith read aloud the vision statement. 

G.

Approve Agenda

Ben Griffith, Jr. made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
Dexter WJ Davis seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

H.

Approve Previous Meeting Minutes

Ben Griffith, Jr. made a motion to approve the minutes from LSC FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE on 05-07-21.
Kimberly Rauschenbach seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Executive Committee

A.

Final 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:
  1. Teaching and Learning (on track)
  2. Operations (on track except for the number of waitlist applications)
  3. Community Engagement (on track)
  4. Fundraising (on track)
  5. Strategic Planning (on track except for preliminary stages of 3 & 6 year strategic planning benchmarks)
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 received additional insight into key workstream updates from Dr. Graham to include the following:
  1. Academic developments
    1. McKinney-Vento Policy for the Admission of Homeless Students
    2. Update on the Call Me MiSTER Partnership
    3. Master Schedule 
    4. Curriculum updates
  2. Human Resources (Operations Team Staffing) 
  3. Financial Structures & Accountability (final reading of the budget) 
  4. Facilities Planning 
  5. Strategic Tasks 
    1. Attending family preview sessions
    2. Attending special functions to engage new stakeholders
    3. Collaborating with the development team to identify key grants with an aggressive pursuit of people of interest 
      1. LSC has been Added to the Charter School Growth Fund: with an initial commitment of $250,000 in year one and the potential to renew the same amount for an additional two years. 
      2. Finalist for New Schools Venture Fund Grant: Staff should learn of its status by the end of the month. 
    4. Board member updates
    5. Board development for July (July 14 - Board Step Back) 
After this update, committee members provided feedback to Dr. Graham around opportunities for growth aligned with the strategic vision.

C.

Review of Relevant Reports & Documents

After reviewing the monthly update one-pager from Dr. Graham, the committee used the time during this portion of the agenda to review the final proposed budget (analyzing budget drivers and EFA funding allotments) as well as the revised uniform policy (sharing the ICU process staff engaged in with all relevant stakeholder groups). 

III. Other Business

A.

Agenda Items from Committee Members

There were no agenda items brought forth from committee members. 

IV. Executive Session

A.

Discussion of Contractual and Personnel Matters, and Receipt of Legal Advice Including Related to a Pending, Threatening, or Potential Claim

Ben Griffith, Jr. 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 at 10:30 am.
Kimberly Rauschenbach seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Action Related to Executive Session

A.

Action from Executive Session

Dexter WJ Davis made a motion to return from executive session at 10:41 am.
Kimberly Rauschenbach seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Next Steps

With regards to next steps, Dr. Graham shared with the committee that the academic committee will be recommending approval of the McKinney-Vento policy for the admission of homeless students. As a pre-opening condition under SCPCSD, Dr. Graham shared that a formal approval of the Conflict of Interest policy and Director's Oath of Office is required during the planning year. Since the policy & oath of office was previously approved during the application process, Dr. Graham asked that the Executive Committee recommend formal approval for both at the June 10th meeting since no changes have been made. Finally, he shared that the staff is working with Mr. Loadholt to vet audit firms and will be sharing that information with the finance committee. Dr. Graham ended this part of the agenda by reminding the committee that final approval of the budget will be listed as an action item on the agenda for the full board meeting on June 14. 

B.

Good of the Order

No member of the committee commented. 

C.

Adjourn Meeting

Ben Griffith, Jr. made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Dexter WJ Davis 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 10:48 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Khalil Graham