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Liberty STEAM Charter

Minutes

LSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACADEMIC COMMITTEE

NOTIFICATION OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING

Date and Time

Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM

Location

LSC Administrative Offices
117 North Main Street
Sumter, SC 29150

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, Heather Bass, Jenny Knopf, Trevor Ivey

Committee Members Absent

None

Guests Present

Tiffany Rhodes (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

C.

Invocation

Ms. Chandler provided an invocation.

D.

Reading of the Mission Statement

Ms. Chandler read aloud the Mission Statement.

E.

Reading of the Vision Statement

Dr. Ivey read aloud the Vision Statement.

F.

Pledge of Allegiance

Ms. Knopf recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

G.

Approve Today's Meeting Agenda

Jenny Knopf made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
Heather Bass 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 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACADEMIC COMMITTEE on 11-29-23.
Heather Bass seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Academic Excellence

A.

Review of Old Business

  • Dr. Ivey gave a brief overview of old business items.

B.

Review of New Business

  • Dr. Ivey shared the current ADA and enrollment updates with the committee members. 
  • The committee discussed the current enrollment numbers with no current vacancies. They also discussed persistence.
    • The EA has a current yearly ADA of 94%
    • The PA has a current yearly ADA of 95%
  •  The Academic Committee received an update regarding the calendar for the 24-25 school year. Ms. Knopf and Ms. Chandler participated in the Calendar Committee along with teachers to come up with three different options. The Calendar Committee also sent out those three options to numerous stakeholders in the organization. The data from that survey was shared among the committee members. 
  • Dr. Ivey gave an update on the hiring that has taken place for the 24-25 SY.
  • Dr. Ivey updated the Academic Committee on the parent volunteer hours that have been completed. 
    • 23% of the PA families have completed their 10 hours.
    • 58 % of the EA families have completed their 10 hours. 
  • Dr. Ivey shared the results from the Staff and Family engagement satisfaction survey.
  • The committee reviewed the winter MAP scores-They look forward to further conversation with school leaders regarding this data but at first glance, they are pleased with the numbers.

III. Other Business

A.

Updates from Other Board Members

  • Ms. Bass shared the details of the STEAM Workforce Development day that she and other members of the planning committee have been working closely with our staff members to plan. The date has been set and meetings will continue to happen to be sure it gets off the ground

IV. Executive Session

A.

Discussion of Contractual and Personnel Matters

Cameron Chandler made a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of Discussion of Contractual and Personnel Matters.
Heather Bass seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Purposes of Discussion for Negotiations Incident to Proposed Contractual Arrangements,

Cameron Chandler made a motion to discuss Negotiations Incident to Proposed Contractual Arrangements during Executive Session.
Jenny Knopf seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Action Related to Executive Session

A.

Action from Executive Session

  • The committee reviewed Dr. Ivey’s recommendation for a School Psychologist and Prevention Specialist for the 24-25 SY but the committee deferred a decision to the February 7th Board Retreat.
  • The Academic Committee completed the first reading of the salary study for the 24-25 SY. This study was compiled from all surrounding school districts. This is an ongoing study that will likely see changes after conversations with stakeholders and other committee members. The Academy Directors were tasked to take the draft to their team leaders for discussion.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Next Steps

  • The Academic Committee approved Calendar #1 with the recommendation to change November 5th to a half day to reflect Election Day. The full board will vote on this at the board meeting.
  •  The Academic Committee also made the recommendation that all non-certified teachers and certified teachers who teach out of their content area must meet the average growth and proficiency targets of all certified teachers at their campus by end-of-year MAP testing to receive a work agreement in the same position for the 24-25 school year.

B.

Good of the Order

  • Dr. Ivey reminded the board members of the Board Meeting on 1/22.

C.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 4:07 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tiffany Rhodes