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

K. Karacalidis called a meeting of the board of directors of Sankofa Montessori to order on Monday Aug 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM.

II. Academic

A.

Highlights

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

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

  

E. Moore made a motion to approve to open a savings account.
A. Nash seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E. Moore made a motion to approve additions to the Code of Conduct regarding the consequences matrix for Kindergarteners.
A. Allen-Thames seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Public Comment

A.

Community Talk

No public comments

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
K. Karacalidis