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Liberty STEAM Charter

Minutes

LSC FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE

NOTIFICATION OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING

Date and Time

Thursday March 24, 2022 at 3:00 PM

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

Cameron Chandler (remote), Khalil Graham (remote), Rodney Thompson (remote), Trevor Ivey (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

Guests Present

Tyler Hamilton (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Rodney Thompson called a meeting of the Academic Excellence Committee of Liberty STEAM Charter to order on Thursday Mar 24, 2022 at 3:00 PM.

C.

Invocation

Cammy Chandler provided an invocation. 

D.

Reading of the Mission Statement

Dr. Trevor Ivey read aloud the mission statement. 

E.

Reading of the Vision Statement

Dr. Khalil Graham read aloud the mission statement. 

F.

Pledge of Allegiance

Cammy Chandler led the committee in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

G.

Approve Today's Meeting Agenda

Cameron Chandler made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

H.

Approve Previous Meeting Minutes

Cameron Chandler made a motion to approve the minutes from LSC FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE COMMITTEE on 02-16-22.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Academic Excellence

A.

Review of Old Business

No old business was reviewed. 

B.

Review of New Business

  • Summary of Key Points
    • Children may need grade-level instruction in order to catch up.
    • The state will compensate for SPED for next year.
    • We did lose 2 teachers in Q3. One left on their own accord and they were both in the same class. 2 teaching fellows have joined the class to support.
    • Consulted with Mary Allison Caudell to see where our next steps would be due to confidential personnel matters.
    • TI/KG check in tomorrow, 3/25/2022 to see how they can support the campus moving forward.
    • Q3 & Q4 Priorities = supporting culture walks, MAP testing data, building STEM Scholar pathways
    • Twice a month, KG will leverage PD for teacher leaders so they have the opportunity to get more practice. 
    • High engagement with parents and parent satisfaction. Little student turnover.
    • Are we a school that should expel kids? A child might not be able to come to our school now, but we need to push the leaders to do more check-ins with the child to ensure that they are doing better. KG does not see any child as a problem, we just need more training and support with our Staff.
    • We have added weekly teacher support that includes commanding students in the classroom. Doing it in the least invasive way possible. Use positive reinforcement with the children. 
    • Daily culture updates where school leadership and Network leadership where we will be given updates with the kids who are the highest priority. 
    • The ideal chain of command looks like: Teacher has an issue and should go to grade team leader, who then goes to leadership.
    • Promotion to the next grade is contingent on behavior within the classroom along with their grades. Parents need to be involved along the way as they are our partners in success.
    • We want families to understand that we are doing the right things and communicating the children's needs.
    • Looking to start a parent panel to show other parents what the expectations are.
    • Doing more planning in June so everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.
    • Q4 has laser focus on instruction and teachers do everything they can to prioritize it from the top down.

III. Other Business

A.

Agenda Items from Committee Members

Mrs. Chandler reiterated her concern about the current staffing transitions and for teacher retention. 

IV. Executive Session

A.

Discussion of Contractual and Personnel Matters

Cameron Chandler made a motion to enter into executive session at 3:42 pm for the purposes of discussion of contractual and personnel matters.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Action Related to Executive Session

A.

Action from Executive Session

Cameron Chandler made a motion to return from executive session at 3:57 pm.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

No action was taken from the executive session. 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Next Steps

KG shared that he was taking personal ownership to ensure grade team leaders get the training they need. These meetings will be monthly. 

B.

Good of the Order

No directors commented during this portion of the agenda. 

C.

Adjourn Meeting

Cameron Chandler made a motion to adjourn the meeting without any further discussion or action being taken.
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 4:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tyler Hamilton