Rev. Dr. Marion Newton provided an invocation.

Founding scholars Brian McWhite and Mason Miller led the Board in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Greg A. Thompson complimented the staff for their hard work and diligence in continuing to offer in-person instruction 5 days per week as we continue to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, he thanked his fellow directors for their continued support in the Liberty mission.

Dexter Davis read aloud the mission statement.

Cammy Chandler read aloud the vision statement.

Dr. Khalil Graham and Dr. Trevor Ivey joined Chairman Thompson in recognizing the following staff members of the month: Rashyra Smiling, Katy Ardis, Timothy Robinson, Kate Weschler, Harmony Gadson, Latoya-Pearson Bradley, and Tatiana Reyes.

Dr. Graham and Dr. Ivey joined Chairman Thompson in recognizing the United Way of Sumter for their partnership with LSC in providing two AmeriCorps volunteers to support reading interventions. The following individuals were recognized: Pamela Buddin, Debra Hunter, and Ruby Simpson.

During this portion of the agenda, Dr. Graham provided the Executive Director's update on current progress to goals in the following three areas:

1.  College and career readiness: we are above 90% school-wide in reading and math MAP growth targets. Currently our scholars are right at 50% personal RIT, which is where we need to be to reach that 90% by the end of the school year.
2. Operational Excellence: Scholar attendance and persistence are on track even due to Covid-19. Closing up Smart Fusion data. The new hiring season has officially begun for 22-23 staffing.
3. Mission Alignment: Mid-Year family survey is above 90%. Parent satisfaction is high according the mid-year parent satisfaction survey. The Williams-Brice-Edwards Charitable Trust have finished their second and third installment of the one million dollar pledge and the money is in our donations account. We are closing out our December books and on track for our 22-23 budget. Finalized budget in April for next school year. Q2 wrapped up. MAP testing is complete. Dr. Ivey and Dr. Graham have been doing instructional walks throughout the campus on a weekly basis. Finally, we are processing the results of the Great Place to Work pulse check survey, which 92% of our staff completed to provide feedback on adjustments made to strengthen school culture, communication and collaboration, and to make LSC a safer and more rewarding workplace.

Dr. Ivey provided the following academy highlights:

Mid-Year parent satisfaction surveys:

-85% response rate

-99% agree LSC meets/exceed expectations

-100% would recommend LSC to others

-96% agree LSC was the right choice for them

-99% satisfied with home-school relationship

-90% agree that LSC provides a better educational experience than previous experiences.

Community Culture Celebrations:

-School-wide pep rally held on Wednesday's to promote LSC core values (Growth mindset, Stand Up & Own It, Power of Team). 

-Parents of the Eagle scholars of the week attend with parent "love" letters, cheering on the kids.

Million Word Reading Challenge:

-Ready to close out the 500,000 words and will be at 1 million words by the end of the year. 86% have met the 250,000 word mark. 

-A total of 35 guest readers have come to LSC to date.

Darla Moore Visit:

-Philanthropist visited LSC to learn more about the story, mission, and vision.

Invitational Tour:

-172 people have attended LSC to date. Next targeted group is Realtors.

-Recent attendees included: Rep. Murrell Smith, Palmetto State Teachers Association Executive Director Kathy Maness, and Quixote Club leadership.

Board Appreciation Visits:

-January is School Board Appreciation month.

-Dr. Ivey thanked all Board members for attending and reminded that February 18, 2022 is the next day to read.

AmeriCorps Volunteers: 

-LSC is proud to be an AmeriCorps site with two full-time volunteers who work with scholars in need to build greater reading fluency.

Campus Branding: 

-Project complete.

Annual Wreaths across America:

-LSC sponsored 444 wreaths in the Fall. LSC raised nearly $3,000 from this service learning project. 12 families participated in the wreath-laying event in December.

Canned Food Drive:

-Donated 965 cans to a south Sumter food charity.

Additional Highlights: 

-GPTW pulse check survey complete with a 3.2 overall satisfaction rating (out of 4).

-Staff Development Days continue once a month. 

-LSC recently celebrated the 100th Day of School with fun activities.

-61% of the 162 new scholars for next school year identify as a minority.

-Annual Holiday Eagle Giving Tree raised $12,500 from 43 donors. 

During this portion of the agenda, Chairman Thompson shared the following highlights from the Executive Committee: 

1. Board Elections process.
2. Strategic Planning Updates from Retreat.

During this portion of the agenda, Mrs. Rauschenbach shared the following highlights from the Finance Committee:

1. December financial update (on track).
2. CSP reimbursements are on track.
3. All Federal Programs reimbursements are on track.
4. SCPCSD monthly revenue reviewed.
5. Preliminary work to get ready for the Annual audit is underway.
6. Discussion around the need for a possible Finance Director.

During this portion of the agenda, Dr. Thompson shared the following highlights from the Academic Committee:

1. Reviewed winter MAP data.
2. Reviewed mid-year parent satisfaction survey results.
3. Reviewed intent to return survey results for staff and scholars.
4. Reviewed proposed 2022-2023 Academic calendar, which mirrors Sumter School District for holidays/breaks, shortens the school day by 30-minutes, and early release moved to Fridays. 60% of parents completed survey and 30% completed final survey and 12 calendar committee members worked on calendar. FDOS will be August 8, 2022. 

The Academic committee recommended the proposed calendar for Board approval.

During this portion of the agenda, Mr. Steve Creech shared the following highlights from the Development Committee:

1. Reviewed the possibilities of fundraising to assist in the operational side of the school.
2. Made contact with Brian Rauschenbach for local industries with foundations in Sumter and staff are now working to arrange connection points with Continental and International Paper.
3. Looked into folks who can do some grant writing and reach out to help LSC write grants for the future and pursuing that now.  

During this portion of the agenda, Dr. Graham highlighted the major takeaways from the Boards recent retreat facilitated by Simmons Lettre. He thanked the board members for their time and commitment for meeting one on one with Ms. Lettre. Dr. Graham emphasized that the big next steps will be for the board to finalize the expansion plan at the next board meeting. 

During this portion of the agenda, Dr. Ivey shared the staffs proposed board elections process. He reminded the board that pursuant to, Title 59, chapter 40 of SC state law, the first board election of a newly authorized charter school must be held during the first Spring in which children are in the building and must be facilitated by the Public Charter Alliance of South Carolina. Dr. Ivey reviewed the by-laws, which state the board will be a seven or nine member board with five elected seats and five appointed seats, all with staggered terms. The staff is proposing that the board officially adopt its structure to reflect nine members according to the outline below:

• 3 Elected Seats (Expiring 2024)
• 2 Elected Seats (Expiring 2023)
• 2 Appointed Seats (Expiring 2024)
• 2 Appointed Seats (Expiring 2023)

The candidates that are interested in seeking a seat on the board must complete the candidate filing form (February 25-March 4). Afterwards, the Executive Committee (according to the by-laws) will meet to vet all candidates and finalize the appointed seats as well as presenting a slate of candidates for the five elected seats (March 9th at 8am). The Alliance will then post selected candidate's information online. Voting will then be held over a three day period (March 22-24th). All LSC employees and families will receive one vote. Ballots will be emailed to all eligible individuals by the Alliance. The election results will be certified by the Alliance on March 25th and all new board members will be sworn in at the March 28th meeting. Dr. Ivey said that the board would officially need to adopt this timeline and procedures. 

During this portion of the agenda, Dr. Ivey stated there were no individuals signed up for public participation.

At this time, the following board members announced individually that they would be recusing themselves from Executive Session and physically stepped out of the room. The board members include: 

1. Greg Thompson
2. Steve Creech
3. Cameron Chandler
4. Dexter Davis (logged off of zoom)

No action was taken at this time.

No action was taken at this time.

Chairman Thompson thanked the board for their time and reminded them that all committees will meet in the month of February at a date and time to be determined by committee consensus. However, the next full board meeting will not be until March 28, 2022. Staff will be reaching out individually to each board member regarding any assistance needed in filing for board elections/appointment.

During this portion of the agenda, no board member commented.