Liberty STEAM Charter
Minutes
LSC Board of Directors Academic Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Location
Liberty STEAM Charter School
Network Office
117 N. 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.
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
Amy Hansen, Shafara Douglas (remote)
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 Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM.
C.
Invocation
D.
Reading of the Mission Statement
Mrs. Chandler read the mission statement
E.
Reading of the Vision Statement
Rev. Dr. Newton read the vision statement.
F.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mrs. Knopf led the Pledge of Allegiance.
G.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Cameron Chandler made a motion to approve the minutes from LSC Board of Directors Academic Committee Meeting on 04-24-25.
Marion Newton seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Academic Excellence
A.
Topics for Discussion
- Teacherpreneur Kelli Carlisle Updates: Provided updates on proposed revisions to LSC’s coaching cycle, LEEA effectiveness ratings, and the profile of the LSC teacher. She emphasized the importance of aligning the evaluation system with the coaching system to fulfill LSC’s promise of individualized teacher support. Both campuses will use the same diagnostic tools (e.g., mastery checks, progress monitoring); committee will regularly receive updates on Tier I Instruction focus; Coaching responsibilities are now separated from managerial responsibilities; a plan is in place to strengthen Tier I Instruction.
- Liberty Launch – Summer PD Institute: This is LSC’s first summer professional development institute, offering two days of customized PD sessions June 10-11. Teachers who attend will receive a stipend.
- Special Education Inclusion Program LSC’s current special population is 15%, with growth expected in the new school year. Overview of co-teaching in inclusive classrooms: Scholars receive services inside the general education classroom; special education teachers are embedded in classrooms; floating teaching fellows will provide support so classroom teachers are not alone; scholars will not be singled out or treated differently; classroom ratios will be closely monitored. All teachers will receive PD on co-teaching responsibilities, including standards, accommodations, and roles; benefits of co-teaching were reviewed; alternatives will be available for scholars who do not thrive in the co-teaching model; goal: by August 2025, all staff will be fully trained in co-teaching. Two certified teachers will be present in every inclusion classroom.
- End-of-Year Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey: Survey results for family participation:PA 100% EA 94%
- Fifth Grade Coming for FY26
- Per the charter application, fifth grade will launch in FY26, with sixth grade to follow.
- Spring Semester Rally Cry Update was provided.
- Parent Volunteer Hours - Review of participation and engagement.
- Enrollment Roadmap: LSC’s roadmap includes the Seal of Biliteracy (a new section on the SC high school diploma); Curriculum for next year includes two hours of Spanish weekly at both academies.; by 8th grade, LSC scholars will be able to communicate in Spanish.
- Promotion and Retention Update shared on student promotion and retention processes.
- Spring MAP Student Achievement Review of Spring MAP data.
- Average Daily Attendance LSC met its student attendance goal.
- Proposed Policy Revisions: Review and discussion of updates to: Student Attendance Policy; Whistleblower Policy Proposal; Military Enrollment Policy
- 2025–26 Hiring Update: Approximately 12 new teachers have been hired for FY26.
- New Hiring Guidance: Included a review of the recent HR audit.
Looking Ahead:
- Each campus is investigating next year’s CLI team members; suggested implementing term limits (e.g., rotate out members who’ve served 2 years); Involve campus leaders and ensure a special education teacher is included on the CLI team. Seek and provide feedback during Summer Institute; Present CLI concepts at New; Staff Academy and Whole Staff PD.
- Clearly communicate to families when co-teaching or additional support staff are present in classrooms; reassure families of the integrity of the LSC model. Align messaging with Culture Camp and include a session on inclusive classrooms; reassure parents:
- International Spanish teachers will create workbooks for K–5 scholars starting FY26.
- Family Engagement: Address the 25 families at the EA who did not complete the survey, consider barriers.
SEL Development: Consider creating a comprehensive SEL Roadmap.
III. Other Business
A.
New Business
There was no new business.
B.
Old Business
There was no old business.
C.
Agenda Items from Committee Members
There were no agenda items from committee members.
IV. Executive Session
A.
Purposes of Discussion of Negotiations Incident to Proposed Property Contractual Agreements, Proposed Contractual Agreements, and/or Discussion of Personnel Matters
There was no executive session.
V. Committee Action
A.
Any Action Related to Executive Session Item(s)
There was no committee action.
B.
Committee Recommendations
There were no committee recommendations.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Next Steps
There was no discussion.
B.
Good of the Order
There was no discussion.
C.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jenny Knopf
Mrs. Chandler gave an invocation.