Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACADEMIC COMMITTEE MEETING
ACADEMIC COMMITTEE MEETING
Date and Time
Thursday February 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Location
Elementary Academy Campus
1057 Broad Street, Suite #
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.
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, Jenny Knopf, Marion Newton, Trevor Ivey
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
LeAndrea Montgomery
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Jenny Knopf called a meeting of the Academic Excellence Committee of Liberty STEAM Charter to order on Thursday Feb 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM.
C.
Invocation
D.
Reading of the Mission Statement
Mrs. Davis read aloud the mission statement.
E.
Reading of the Vision Statement
Mrs. Knopf read aloud the vision statement.
F.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Montgomery led the Pledge of Allegiance.
G.
Approve Today's Meeting Agenda
Cameron Chandler made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
Marion Newton 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 01-23-25.
Marion Newton seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Academic Excellence
A.
Review of Old Business
The following old business was reviewed by Mrs. Knopf:
- Mid-Year Org Goals Report Card
- 25-26 Hiring Updates
- Spring Semester Rally Cry Update
- Mid-Year Intervention Boot Camp Update
- GT Scholars Present STEAM Workforce Development Findings
- New Hiring Guidance
B.
Review of New Business
Summary of Key Points
- Dr. Ivey provided a presentation to the committee that included all data points collected for the mid-year to assess progress towards organizational goals. Committee members engaged in a discussion on each topic.
- February Possip Reports for Staff & family Engagement Satisfaction Results
- February Rally Cry Data for Network, Primary, & Elementary Academy Teams
- Hiring Progress for All Teams
- Board Election Updates
- Dr. Ivey provided year-end giving updates and next steps on:
- Connected Communities Grant
- Charter School Growth Fund Grant & Next Steps
- Farm to School Grants
- SCDE Safety Grant
- SCDE Strategic Compensation Pilot Program Grant
- The board committee received additional presentations from the following stakeholders:
- Abe Fuller, Gifted & Talented Scholar on STEAM Workforce Development Initiative
- Mr. Montgomery provided a presentation on second semester instructional improvement plan priorities.
- Ignacio Livent Payayno, father of a first grade scholar, presented his children’s book, “Life at Liberty.”
- The board entered into executive session at 9:15 am for the purposes of confidential matters relating to two scholars in violation of their attendance plans. Present for the meeting for Scholar A was Parent A and present for Scholar B was Grandparent A & Grandparent B. No action was taken in the executive session.
III. Other Business
A.
Updates from Other Board Members
No other updates from board members or staff was provided.
IV. Executive Session
A.
Discussion of Contractual and Personnel Matters
Cameron Chandler made a motion to enter into executive session for the purposes of Contractual and Personnel Matters (relating to two scholars violating their attendance plans) at 9:30 am.
Marion Newton seconded the motion.
The parent of scholar A and scholar A were present for hearing A. The grandparents of scholar B were present for hearing B.
B.
Purposes of Discussion for Negotiations Incident to Proposed Contractual Arrangements,
Cameron Chandler made a motion to also enter into executive session for the purposes of discussion for negotiations incident to proposed contractual arrangements.
Marion Newton seconded the motion.
No action was taken regarding the student attendance hearings other than to reinforce the next steps to be taken in board approved attendance policy for future violations.
V. Action Related to Executive Session
A.
Action from Executive Session
Cameron Chandler made a motion to return from executive session at 9:58 am.
Jenny Knopf seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Next Steps
Final Action Items
- Board academic committee members committed to Read Across America reading times next week at both campuses.
B.
Good of the Order
Nothing was discussed.
C.
Adjourn Meeting
Jenny Knopf made a motion to adjourn the meeting without any further action taken.
Marion Newton 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 10:00 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trevor Ivey
Dr. Newton provided the invocation.