Approve minutes for SCSF Monthly Executive Committee Meeting on July 18, 2023. 

The SCSF is pleased to welcome Christina Guillen, school leader for 7 Pillars Career Academy, to provide comments to the committee about the school, expansion plans, and need for additional subgrant funding.

7 Pillars Career Academy is a charter middle/high school authorized by Clayton County Public Schools. The school was granted an enrollment cap lift by the authorizer for this school year due to strong demand from the public. 

We are excited to welcome Donovan Head, the new Executive Director for the SCSC, to the SCSF board and Executive Committee! His start date on the board was August 1, 2023, when he was sworn in as the new Executive Director. 

The SCSF staff recommend an updated policy on procurement utilizing federal grant funds. 

• New section on sole source contracts
• Additional information in conflict of interest section
• Updated "President" to "President & CEO"

SCSF staff request revoking the Executive Committee's previous approval to enter into a sole source contract with the following nonprofit entity:

• Georgia Charter Schools Association - $160,000

Staff recommend seeking competitive bids for services for Phase II of the Replication and Expansion Cohort program since GCSA did not submit a scope of services/proposal and is not in compliance with the existing SCSF contract under GEER II.

SCSF staff is reviewing the progress of all subgrantees. Recommendations will be made for any subgrant award modifications at the September meeting.

• All but one subgrantee have made at least one request for grant funds. DELTA STEAM Academy has expressed their intent to expend grant funds on time. 
• DuBois Integrity Academy has relinquished their Planning Grant due to lack of capacity to carry out grant activities at this time.
• All SCSF team members are assisting with grant fund requests and providing technical assistance to subgrantees.

The Georgia Strategic Charter School Growth Initiative partners (SCSF, SCSC, GCSA) recommend reallocating subgrant funds from the relinquishment of DuBois Integrity Academy's Planning Grant and other underspent GEER II budget categories as follows:

• Amend the subgrant award for 7 Pillars Career Academy from $35,000 to $100,000. This subgrant is intended to support the substantial expansion of the school, as approved by Clayton County, the school's authorizer. The school has indicated their significant need and ability to expend funds by the end of September. The additional grant funds would fully fund their grant application request of $100,000.

Operations

• Providing documents and information for first single audit/audit with Maulden & Jenkins. Closing out FY2023.
• Set up new payroll system, 403(b) plan, and health contributions program for 2 employees. Secured workers' comp insurance and DOL account. Utilized e-verify. All personnel documents completed and secured.
• Continuing IT migration, implementation of new grant portal.
• Establishing new office protocols and expectations.
• All SCSC equipment returned and licenses relinquished.
• Requested and now working with new banking team at Truist to address banking challenges. Moving from small business services to Treasury services for greater service and lift on ACH transactions.

Federal Grants

• Finalizing contracts with two CSP TA providers and executing partner contracts with GaDOE and SCSC.
• Carefully monitoring GEER II expenditures and preparing for budget amendment request and possible additional/reallocated subgrants. Grant fund requests are requiring full attention of all staff member.
• Planning two charter school info sessions in Athens with local resident/business leader. To include newly-approved Movement School and BES fellow developing a petition for the area. GeorgiaCAN to assist.
• Planning charter school info sessions in other locations with GeorgiaCAN - virtual, Augusta, other possible locations.
• Ads for FindaGaCharter.org running on public radio and in publications across the state.

Other Programs

• Book vending machines being delivered; ribbon cuttings to be scheduled in August. *Still working on this with schools.
• Re-started weekly newsletters to schools.
• Created annual calendar of activities.