ZEST Preparatory Academy Charter School
Minutes
ZEST Preparatory Academy Governance Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday January 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Location
Virtual Only
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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82435668903
Meeting ID: 824 3566 8903
Dial-In
Phone Number: +13126266799
Meeting ID: 824 3566 8903#
Directors Present
A. Joiner (remote), B. Jones (remote), E. Jackson (remote), H. Ridley (remote), T. Stevens (remote)
Directors Absent
K. Green
Ex Officio Members Present
L. McDonald (remote), M. Carruthers (remote), M. Felts (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
L. McDonald (remote), M. Carruthers (remote), M. Felts (remote)
Guests Present
A. Parks (remote), Gregg Stevens (remote), K. Rhodes (remote), R. Davis (remote), Sabrina Silver (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
D.
Review & Approve Agenda
E.
Mission and Vision
F.
Public Comment
II. Executive Directors Report
A.
Action Item: School Year 2025 - 2026 Calendar
B.
Attendance & Enrollment Dashboard
ED Carruthers proved an update on student attendance. ZEST ended the calendar year with an average of 90% or above for all grade levels. Chronic absenteeism is currently at 6.4%.
ED Carruthers also gave an update on enrollment and new applications.
C.
Academic Data Update - SY23-24 CCRPI
ED Carruthers provided a CCRPI update for SY23 - 24. Additional academic data will be shared at the February meeting.
ED Carruthers reminded the Board that only the 3rd graders were tested last school year. As a result, ZEST does not have Progress or Closing Gaps data.
D.
Update on Cross Functional Monitoring
ED Carruthers provided an update on Cross Functional Monitoring (CFM). Monitoring date is March 5, 2025. ED Carruthers informed the Board of upcoming Board actions and support that will be needed before the CFM date.
III. Governance Report
A.
Committee Announcement
The Finance Committee held a called meeting last week and established a regular schedule. The Finance Committee will hold regularly scheduled meetings on the 4th Monday of each month at 5:00 pm through the end of the fiscal year.
Finance Chair, Mr. Horace Ridley, recommended to the Board that FY26 Board meetings be moved to later in the month so that the Finance Committee can review most recent financials before the monthly Board meeting.
B.
Board Recruitment
The Board is recruiting new members. Ms. Jackson is spearheading the recruitment process.
C.
Action Item: Reduction In Force (RIF) Policy
Chairman Jones noted the need to adopt policies to ensure ZEST is well equipped to make decisions.
D.
SCSC Probation
Chairman Jones shared that ZEST has been placed on probation by the SCSC. ZEST is in progress of responding to the notice with the requested Corrective Action Plan (CAP).
Ms. Carruthers emphasized the need for the support and responsiveness of the Board with regard to the CAP.
IV. Finance Report
A.
December Financials & Forecast
Ms. Silver provided actuals through December 31, 2024 and a forecast through the remainder of the fiscal year.
- FY25 Forecast Update - Ms. Silver shared that there's been an increase in expected QBE revenue due to news from the SCSC that ZEST would not experience a reduction in funds. Current forecast is that ZEST will end the year with $315K operating income surplus.
- FY25 Cash Flow - updated revenue has also stabilized forecasted cash balances. Expected ending days COH for June 30th is 40.
- FY26 Cash Flow - very preliminary but FY26 has also stabilized cash flow.
- SCSC CPF Indicators - Dashboard demonstrates how ZEST would perform on indicators as of December 31st.
No public comment.