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Liberty STEAM Charter

Minutes

LSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD MEETING

NOTIFICATION OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONTHLY MEETING

Date and Time

Monday June 24, 2024 at 5:30 PM

Location

100 N. Main Street 

Sumter, SC 29154

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.

Directors Present

(Tajma) LaShea Davis, Cameron Chandler, Elayne Brunson, Greg Thompson, Heather Bass, Kimberly Rauschenbach, Marion Newton, Rodney Thompson

Directors Absent

Jenny Knopf

Ex Officio Members Present

Trevor Ivey

Non Voting Members Present

Trevor Ivey

Guests Present

Gifford Shaw, Tiffany Rhodes

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Greg Thompson called a meeting of the board of directors of Liberty STEAM Charter to order on Monday Jun 24, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

B.

Invocation

Rev. Newton provided an invocation.

C.

Pledge of Allegiance

Mrs. Davis led the board members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

D.

Chairman's Opening Remarks

Mr. Thompson thanked the board members for being present and for another successful school year. He shared his recent meetings and conversations with Charter School Growth Fund. He feels extremely positive about the conversations and their recent visit. 

II. Reading of the Mission & Vision Statement

A.

LSC Mission Statement

Ms. Bass read aloud the LSC Mission Statement. 

B.

LSC Vision Statement

Ms. Davis read aloud the LSC Vision Statement. 

III. Approval of Consent Agenda

A.

Today's Meeting Agenda

Kimberly Rauschenbach made a motion to approve the agenda as presented for the board meeting.
Cameron Chandler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Approve Minutes from Previous Meeting (March 25, 2024)

Kimberly Rauschenbach made a motion to approve the minutes from LSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD MEETING on 05-20-24.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.

Dr. Rodney Thompson made a motion to amend the minutes from the May 20th, 2024 meeting. He made a motion to approve the 3rd and final reading of the budget. This motion was passed unanimously.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Executive Director's Report

A.

Updates from the Executive Director

Dr. Ivey provided his Year End Update regarding the org goals for the 23-24 SY. 15/17 of the goals were fully met with a breakdown of next steps in place for the 24-25 SY and practices in place to meet those goals next school year.

V. Public Participation

A.

Public Participation

There was no one signed up to participate during this meeting.

VI. Presentations

A.

New York Times Article

During this time, Dr. Ivey presented Mr. Thompson with The New York Times article that featured LSC from earlier this year. Mr. Thompson was grateful for the gift. 

VII. Board Committee Updates

A.

Executive & Governance Committee

During this time, Ms. Chandler went through all of the manuals and handbooks that were up for vote and the board members voted on them one by one. 

 

There was also a discussion regarding school safety and security measures for the 2024-25 SY that resulted in a vote reflected below. Finally, Dr. Thompson wrapped up executive updates with a facilities update. The site for the Junior Academy and any further growth is still under negotiation.  

Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve Annual Updates to Board Policy Manuals to include Operational Policies, Human Resources Policies, Governance Policies, Financial Operation Policies, and Financial Guidelines.
Kimberly Rauschenbach seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve the 2024-25 Organizational Goals & Network Rally Cry.
Marion Newton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Marion Newton made a motion to Approve the 2024-25 Board Meeting Calendar.
Elayne Brunson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Marion Newton made a motion to Approve the purchase and installation of weapons detector system.
Cameron Chandler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve the Annual Updates to Board Director Oath of Office & Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy.
Marion Newton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Finance Committee

  • Mr. Shaw gave an update on the May financials and the 24-25 budget. 
  • Dr. Thompson shared some praises regarding the current financial state and the hard work that the BCF and MDFD have done this year to put policies and procedures in place.
  • The Board Members discussed the current insurance policies and Mr. Thompsons desire for an Umbrella Policy. Mr. Shaw will continue to work on the policies and be sure to follow the board vote below. 
  • The board members also engaged in a discussion regarding the Federal Programs Budget for the 24-25 SY and the allocations for the funds. There was a vote noted below. 
Rodney Thompson made a motion to Approve the 2024-25 Facilities Insurance Policy and give Dr. Ivey full authority to approve an Umbrella Policy in the amount of 5 Million.
Cameron Chandler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Rodney Thompson made a motion to Approve the 2024-25 Federal Programs Needs Assessment & Budget Allocations.
Elayne Brunson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Academic Excellence Committee

During this time, Ms. Chandler went through all of the manuals and handbooks that were up for vote and the board members voted on them one by one. 

Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve the Grading Policy Manual.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve the Cell Phone Policy.
Kimberly Rauschenbach seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve Policy Updates to the Following Policies- 2024-25 Scholar Uniform Policy, Scholar Enrollment Policy, and the Scholar Attendance Policy.
Heather Bass seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve Annual Updates to the Following Handbooks- Employee Handbook, Scholar & Family Handbook, PA Eagle Guide, and the EA Eagle Guide.
(Tajma) LaShea Davis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Development Committee

Ms. Bass gave an update regarding the two major development opportunities right now.

  • Boeing Grant is worth $50,000 and if awarded will be used towards leadership development.
  • Charter School Growth Fund is worth 1 Million Dollars. LSC is going through a 6-month application process that consists of zoom calls with a variety of stakeholders regarding enrollment & recruitment, growth & marketing, culture, and academics. We anticipate an answer in December.
  • Ms. Brunson has also brought forth a number of different grant opportunities here in Sumter that the Development Committee is following up on and doing their due diligence to fulfill the requirements. 

VIII. Executive Session

A.

Purposes of Discussion of Personnel Matters

Cameron Chandler made a motion to Enter into Executive Session for the Purposes of Discussion of Personnel Matters at 6:31.
Marion Newton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Purposes of Discussion of Negotiations Incident to Proposed Contractual Arrangements

Cameron Chandler made a motion to Enter into Executive Session for the Purposes of Discussion of Negotiations Incident to Proposed Contractual Arrangements at 6:31.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IX. Action Items

A.

Return from Executive Session

Cameron Chandler made a motion to Return from Executive Session at 6:55.
Heather Bass seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Item (s) Related to Discussion of Personnel Matters

Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve the Organizational Chart for the 2024-25 SY.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Cameron Chandler made a motion to Approve the Monthly Personnel Report.
Kimberly Rauschenbach seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Cameron Chandler made a motion to Give Full Authority to Dr. Ivey to Finalize Purchasing Details as well as Installation for a Walk In Cooler at the Primary Academy not to Exceed $80,000.
Rodney Thompson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

X. Closing Items

A.

Chairman's Closing Remarks

Dr. Ivey reminded the board members of the coming Summer Retreat and thanked them for their time and hard work this month with all of the policies!

B.

Good of the Order

None at this time. 

C.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tiffany Rhodes