Sankofa Montessori
Minutes
Full Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday August 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Location
Meeting ID 601 495 1069
Through a culturally responsive, child and family-centered Montessori education, Sankofa Montessori ensures that all of our students develop the knowledge, skill, and agency to have a life of purpose.
Directors Present
A. Allen-Thames (remote), A. Nash (remote), E. Moore (remote), G. Edward (remote), K. Karacalidis (remote)
Directors Absent
F. Sheffield
Ex Officio Members Present
S. Harvey (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
S. Harvey (remote)
Guests Present
Alexis Stokes (remote), LaDonya Buchanan (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Academic
A.
Highlights
B.
Next Steps
Enrollment and recruitment support needed
Leadership has increased ad spending
Attending more events to encourage increase in enrollment numbers
Need 20 additional students to bring us to where we need to be
Over-enrolled in K, still need more students in 3/4
III. Finance
A.
July Financial Report
Financial Overview
• Funds Received: $271,110
• Expenses: $325,482
• Salaries: $102,529
• Benefits: $28,376
• Technology & Furniture Purchases: $67,831
• Professional Services: $13,089
• Facilities: $73,460
• Supplies: $4,564
• Negative Cash Flow: ($54,373)
• Ending Balance of Operating Account: $312,845
Future Projections
• YTD Revenue is $687,414 lower than budget due to lower enrollment and QBE funding
• YTD expenses are $326,650 lower than budget reflecting staffing cuts to support lower enrollment
• Projected Ending Cash Balances:
o June 2026: $351,302
• Cash on Hand: Projected to hover between 34 and 65 through June 2026.
IV. Governance
A.
Board Members
Kim and Sarah with 3 potential candidates for Board membership.
Next step would be for the candidates to meet the rest of the Board.
Full Board meetings will be the last Wednesday of each month
B.
SY25-26
Savings Account Discussion
QBE funds expected-want to set aside to keep spending in check
Amount based on 200 enrollment rather than 160, expected to have downward adjustment based on 160 enrollment
Goal is to be prepared for true up
V. Public Comment
A.
Community Talk
No public comments
Met 8/13/25
Enrollment status
48-K
1/2-55
3-4-26
Carribbean-7
2 withdrawal
Goal: 160 enrolled
Attendance-not available at committee meeting due to school year beginning
Standardized testing discussed
Ways to improve developing students to proficient
Will get more updates as school year progresses
Orientation took place and went well kicking off the new year.
Upcoming community events discussed.
Curriculum discussed-adding some additional curriculum to augment current offerings
Discussed school year goal for 25-26--brought to the committee from leadership