Download minutes PDF Minutes Draft

ZEST Preparatory Academy Charter School

Minutes

ZEST Preparatory Academy Governance Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday March 24, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Location

3130 Golf Ridge Blvd. Douglasville, GA 30135

Directors Present

A. Olugbala, B. Jones, C. James, H. Ridley, R. Palmer

Directors Absent

A. Joiner, S. Rankin

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

B. Jones called a meeting of the board of directors of ZEST Preparatory Academy Charter School to order on Tuesday Mar 24, 2026 at 6:52 PM.

C.

Mission

Mission shared by B. Jones

D.

Approve Minutes

R. Palmer made a motion to approve the minute meetings.
H. Ridley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Executive Director's Report

A.

Updates

Updates were provided for the following:

 

  • Enrollment
  • Staffing
    • Administrative resignation
  • Contracts
    • Proposal for an in-house contractor
    • Would function as AP / Operational in a long-term sub role
    • Current prospects rates are:
      • 750 a day
      • $100 a hr (virtual)
      • Not to exceed the annual allowed limit under TRS
  • Closure Checklist
    • M. Carruthers working on checklist
    • Onboarding meeting Thurdsay March 26, 2026

B.

Finance

  • YTD — $2.5 (surplus of 177,000)
  • Expenses —$2.3
  • Cash — $362,000 (31 days cash on hand)

ZEST is not meeting standards in two/six categories on the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework based on facility expenses.

 

  • Repayment on a debt
  • Debt to asset ratio

 

Governor's salary supplements: The school is expecting to receive the Governor's Salary Supplement on March 26th. Supplements will be issued in two tiers (earned and unearned positions). The LEA will supplement unearned positions.

C.

Policy Updates

The board reviewed the bylaws and will discuss making any necessary changes needed to ensure business operations can continue  post June 30, 2026. A vote will occur at the April board meeting.

 

No changes were made to the leave policy.

D.

Executive Session

H. Ridley made a motion to motion to not enter Executive Session.
C. James seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

III. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

H. Ridley made a motion to adjourn meeting.
C. James seconded the motion.
The board VOTED 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 7:52 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Olugbala

ZEST Preparatory Academy Charter School is a K-5 elementary school community that provides an academically rigorous, supportive, and joyful learning environment to develop the leader inside every student for lifelong educational achievement and impactful community service.