Full Board Meeting Minutes

December 10, 2025, 6:30-8:30 PM

Sankofa Montessori

Minutes

Full Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday December 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM

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. Chambers (remote), A. Daniel (remote), A. Nash (remote), E. Moore (remote), F. Sheffield (remote), K. Karacalidis (remote), M. Davis (remote)

Directors Absent

G. Edward

Ex Officio Members Present

S. Harvey (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

S. Harvey (remote)

Guests Present

Rhushanda Barnes (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 Wednesday Dec 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM.

C. Previous Meeting Minutes- Vote

M. Davis made a motion to approve the minutes from Full Board Meeting on 11-19-25.

K. Karacalidis seconded the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Academic

A. Highlights

Special presentation by Hunter Brown at Academic Committee meeting

Google form dashboard to compile and utilize data from Standardized testing data
Software can help Sankofa keep track of DIBELS, ANET, and MAP results

Professional development

Scheduled for Jan. 5

Attendance

Significant number of tardies, 1,148
Proposal to stop breakfast at 8:10 am, for on time instruction start time at 8:30am
Tardies interrupt learning

Enrollment

17 withdrawals

Staffing

Hired Montessori consultant (starts next week)

Suspensions

2 suspensions for physical aggression

MAP Assessments occurring right now

Staff holiday party on Dec. 17

Professional development for staff on Jan. 5

B. Next Steps

Sarah informed Board about new grant

Sankofa received $50,000 grant from Lanice Family Foundation

$20,000 to supplement salaries for teaching assistant

$30,000 for training

III. Governance

A. Facilities Task Force

Met with FRC

Discussed extension of daycare agreement (cannot go past Feb. 2026 based on time needed to renovate for additional classrooms)

Reviewed budget for renovation of daycare space

Discussed refinance options

B. Policy Review and Vote

Distraction Free Education Policy-ensures students not engage with tech devices during learning time

Required to have this policy on file
Will be communicated to families so they are aware of requirements
Outlines timeframe devices should be disengaged, unless some exception applies allowing access
Discussed storage options and what will be practical for school and staff
Procedure for implementing may change over time based on practice and experience

From Rhushanda Barnes: currently no students bringing devices, but that will change as upper grades are added

Also don't want this added to teachers tasks; may make part of morning routing as students enter school

Damage to School Property Policy

Outlines what to do in situation occurs and school property damaged
Will be communicated to parents so they are aware of next steps if there is damage

Governance Training

Reminder to register for training
All Board members must complete training even if you are transitioning off the Board before end of school year
Registration open for Atlanta session scheduled 2/10-2/11/26; closes 1/19/26

M. Davis made a motion to approve Distraction Free Education Policy.

K. Karacalidis seconded the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

M. Davis made a motion to approve Damage to School Property Policy.

A. Allen-Thames seconded the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Public Comment

A. Community Talk

No public comments

V. 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 7:26 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

E. Moore