Sankofa Montessori
Minutes
Governance Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday February 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM
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.
Committee Members Present
A. Allen-Thames (remote), A. Nash (remote), E. Moore (remote), F. Sheffield (remote), K. Karacalidis (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Previous Meeting Minutes
II. Governance Task
A.
Upcoming Policy Review/Creation
Question regarding how funds can be used-can they used for teacher training/certification
This vote is simply to allow Sankofa to draw down on the funds
Will follow up on permitted uses of funds
B.
Charter Task
C.
Executive Directors Employment Agreement
Contract term end at close of SY25-26
Need to review contract to determine whether any updates or changes are needed before renewal
III. Executive Director's Corner
A.
Updates
TKES/LKES access for Kim and Errika is still needed to complete evaluation process (walked
Calendar needs to be reviewed to be approved at the next full Board meeting
Staff updates
Fully staffed currently
Conversations with staff regarding retention-will update Board about staff outlook for next year
1 staff member leaving to go to law school
Hiring
Need at least 1 K teacher
5th grade-adding that grade for SY26-27
Sarah prioritizing hiring solid teachers who can obtain certification after hire
Discussed possible hiring strategies/opportunities
Insurance (benefit plan)
Looking at options for insurance providers
Interested in getting better rates for benefits
Handbook
Working through Community Handbook and Employee Handbook edits-will bring back to Governance to review
Bylaws need to be reviewed by the Board
Make sure we are in compliance with our bylaws
Determine if any changes need to be made and voted on
Wright Community School
Works with the same FRC as Sankofa
Last year discussed possible co-location at Sankofa--WCS decided not to move forward
FRC approached Sankofa again this year--possible use of modulars on Sankofa property
Discussed with Fawn and what Sankofa needs to make arrangement work (contribute to legal fees, provide 2 classroom modulars for Sankofa)
Update on compliance with meeting minutes
All Full Board minutes posted and approved (SCSC check)
Will need to make sure that minutes going forward are voted on properly and posted timely
Committee Assignments for new board members
Monika-Academic
Al-Finance
Alex-Finance
Board Recruitment
Possible future roll offs--need to begin succession planning for Board and school
Plan is to stagger roll offs if possible
Legislative Updates
Required to have an Emergency Alert system in place by 2027 (Sarah is looking at vendors)
Procedure for cell phone/personal mobile device policy
Currently paused- not flushed out or implemented