Announcements

The board will consider entering into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.

*This requires a motion and majority vote by the board.

The FY2023 audit draft report is attached. It will be finalizing in October.

More than $2 million was expended in August and September.

GEER II - We have received all reimbursements and advance payments for the GEER II grant, totaling nearly $4.1 million. The grant term has expired. We are making final payments for invoices and subgrantee requests by October 31st. We anticipate expending over 99.8% of funds.

CSP - The SCSF has been awarded $38,295,000 by the U.S. Dept. of Education for the Charter Schools Program State Entity program to continue and expand the Charter Growth Initiative. Our budget has been approved, and we have drawn $193,435.78, to cover operational expenses through the end of calendar year 2023. (If it appears that a governement shutdown is looming in November, we will request additional funds for ops.) We hope to open the application for subgrants late Fall. We are still working on the agreement with GaDOE, which includes funding for their activities.

Operational support - We entered into an FY2024 contract with the SCSC for $132,500 to support our operational expenses. We have received $30,000 and will receive an additional quarterly payment of $32,500 soon. In FY2024, the President & CEO remains an employee of the SCSC, but the Director of Operations and Program Coordinator are SCSF employees.

Grants & fundraising - We are submitting grant requests for the book vending machine program for FY2024 now. The Donuts for Teachers fundraiser will take place in November. We are working with a national entity on two potential new grant funds for schools. We will be looking for ways to expand individual and business giving after we close out GEER II and finish setting up CSP. 

Other notes - The SCSF's first audit has been completed with no financial findings. We are finishing up the audit process and will share the full report when it is ready. Maulden and Jenkins is the auditing firm.

Michele Neely will give an update on the Georgia Strategic Charter School Growth Initiative (Charter Growth Initiative). 

• GEER II grant term has expired. All Charter Growth activities are under CSP going forward.
• See the attachment for details.

Steven Quinn, board member and GeorgiaCAN State Outreach Director and 50CAN national Organizing Manager, will talk about GeorgiaCAN's work to support communities interested in charter schools and new charter schools across the state.

Ebony Payne Brown, Executive Director and Founder of PEACE Academy, will share her experience as a new school leader and how the GEER II Start-up Grant impacted her school.

• Director of Operations and Program Coordinator added as full-time employees in July. Implemented new payroll system, 403(b) plan access, and healthcare benefit.
• Visited four schools with the Book Wagon, giving more than 600 books to students - RISE Schools, Atlanta Unbound Academy, Ivy Preparatory Academy, Sankofa Montessori. Two more are scheduled - Amana Academy West, International Charter Academy of Georgia.
• Granted book vending machines and books to two schools - Genesis Innovation Academy, Baconton Community Charter School. Provided book vending machine package to another school (they paid).
• Sponsoring 15 teachers at the Teacher Store, where they will be able to "shop" for over $500 of classroom supplies. (evening of the board meeting)
• Working on resources and training for state charter schools around grant management and financial reporting.
• Preparing for Donuts for Teachers.
• Offering free online training on Inclusive Education for all state charter schools.
• Revamped weekly newsletter for schools and updated all contact lists.
• Exploring possibility of two new grant opportunities funded by a national entity.