Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC Board of Directors Development Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday April 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Location
Liberty STEAM Charter School
Network Office
117 N. Main Street
Sumter, SC 29150
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
(Tajma) LaShea Davis, Heather Bass (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
Amy Hansen, Gifford Shaw, Trevor Ivey
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Invocation
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Davis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E.
Reading of the Mission Statement
Ms. Davis read the mission statement.
F.
Reading of the Vision Statement
Ms. Bass read the vision statement.
G.
Approval of Consent Agenda
II. Development
A.
Old Business
Mr. Shaw shared that as a response to the Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF)-next steps in progress, Liberty has engaged Afton Partners to conduct a long-range financial planning and sustainability review. This includes that Dr. Ivey will have two monthly check-ins to discuss problem-solving and best practices, with a focus on financial structure, organizational chart, and teacher coaching.
Dr. Ivey shared that he and Laquana Chambers visited Movement School in Charlotte, NC. Movement is expanding to Atlanta and Charleston. Their model is similar to Liberty’s; however, they serve k-5 students. The student population is 98% minority with an ADA high of 87%. The Charlotte school shares space with a church (church pays utilities and uses the cafeteria on weekends). The school is heavily grant funded by Casey Crawford, a successful philanthropic entrepreneur (Movement Mortgage).
Dr. Ivey shared that the Children’s Trust Fund of SC has a meeting scheduled in the near future.
Dr. Ivey shared the first $20,000 portion of the Connected Communities grant was used to purchase weapons detectors. The remaining $20,000, scheduled to be received in August 2025, can be requested earlier under special circumstances.
Dr. Ivey provided an update on two grants from the SC Department of Education, one that is a pending award of $200,000 for Project Lead the Way in which funds are to be used in FY26, and the other awarded $200,000 is expected to be received any day now. Building Hope is an anticipated grant between $5,000 to $10,000 to support STEAM Workforce Development Days (May 5–7). A grant in the amount of $7,500 from the SC Student Loan Corporation is the result of Liberty being nominated by a parent.
Dr. Ivey shared that parent/guardian climate survey results for learning environment, social and physical environment, and home school relations will be a part of the state report card along with student and staff survey results expected to be completed at the end of the school year in June or July.
Dr. Ivey provided a brief update on the Rally Cry Spring 2025.
Dr. Ivey shared that SC Ready Intervention Boot Camp is in progress.
Dr. Ivey provided an update on STEAM Workforce Development Field Trips:
- Kindergarten scholars visited CCTC Health Sciences/McLeod Health.
- First grade scholars will visit EMS-Chemie this year. Dr. Ivey noted he may connect with Travis Norton to coordinate a possible student field trip to eVAC Magnetics next school term.
- Second grade scholars will visit City of Sumter sites.
- Third grade scholars will visit CCTC.
- Fourth grade scholars visited Nephron
B.
New Business
Dr. Ivey provided brief updates on current development efforts:
- Walton Foundation
- SC Department of Education Strategic Compensation Pilot
- Teachers in Workforce Development
Dr. Ivey confirmed a STEAM Workforce Development Initiative planning session is scheduled for 8:30 AM on May 23.
Dr. Ivey provided updated academic performance data for the EA campus.
Mr. Shaw shared that the FY25 budget is on target to meet budget goals. He is currently working on addressing legal matters related to a loan; and therefore temporary financing options may be explored to support construction.
Ms. Davis shared that Liberty will be one of three beneficiaries that will receive $500 of every $3,000 sponsorship of the Champion Foundation Golf Tournament scheduled for late June in Darlington SC.
III. Closing Items
A.
Next Steps
Committee discussion resulted in the following next steps:
- Grant Writing Support
- Grant writer Victoria Lamar (Securing Degrees) has been very instrumental in securing grant funds. Ms. Davis will invite Ms. Lamar to visit Liberty to spend a day with Dr. Ivey.
- Workforce Development Partnerships
- Ms. Davis will provide the Champion Foundation Golf Tournament information to Ms. Bass to share with our workforce development partner organizations.
B.
Good of the Order
There was no discussion.
Ms. Bass provided the invocation.