Strategic Plan Kick-Off

Experience in Montessori Charter School and charter schools in general and can provide strategic planning experience

Sharing lessons learned through experience in starting up Urban Montessori in Oakland, CA 

Project Overview & Timeline (tentative, dates may change based on scheduling)

   Strategic Plan for 1-3 year planning

   Project Context Meeting w/key stakeholders

   Gather Stakeholder Input

   Draft v1.0 Strategic Plan

   Review v1.0 & share feedback

   Finalize strategic plan

Sarah provided information from our Board retreat

    BT provided input on important items that came out of our Board retreat--things to think           about as we launch

Will need to schedule definitive date for next step (more in depth strategic planning session) tentatively scheduled for April 4.  

February Numbers

$88,000 in revenue

$64,000 out-salary, benefits, professional & tech services

Ended month with $24,000 positive cash flow

End of month cash flow at $310,000

$165,000 uncategorized expenses (Sarah is working on this)

Should end planning year in good position financially.

Waiting on results of two outstanding grant applications.  

Reminder to Board members to donate funds by April deadline

EdTec-expected to provide detailed monthly expense report with narrative explanations once we begin Year 1.

Finance Committee reviewed and commented on Section 4 of the handbook.

Academic committee reviewed and commented on Section 2 of handbook

Made suggestions for Sarah to update the handbook before voting.

Met March 7

Gregg Stevens joined meeting to discuss the SCSC Dashboard

   Dashboard planning-important to keep up with monthly and long term strategic planning

Discussed using Infinite Campus--for attendance, Clayton County school uses this system

Enrollment--needed 109 for March 24 deadline, had 128 

   April 28 deadline approaching

   May 17 deadline requires proof  85% enrollment--have to meet this goal for SCSC compliance

Darius possibly attending planning conference

Employment still ongoing-Sarah conducting interviews to fill open positions

  goal to have 80% hired by June 2023

Reminder to complete board assessment listed under action items on Board on Track before our April 13 Governance Committee meeting.

Need to assess where we are as a Board and what skills need to be added to our group for maximum benefit.  

Governance Committee reviewed and commented on Section 5 of handbook.  

Executive Session entered at 7:20pm

                             ended at 7:44 pm

Sarah received email to set date for SCSC walk through before June 1.  Will need to schedule visit for SCSC compliance.

144 applications

82 of those registered (proof of residency and age)

  42- K

  21- 1

  19- 2

Met March 24 deadline at 80%

Need to have completed 142 registrations by May 17 deadline (85% target)--must meet to open

Hired founding music teacher-offer made and accepted

Hired 1 K lead guide-need 4 total 

Today offered certified lead guide job-would bring us up to 2

2 additional applicants in the pipeline for K, but not certified--they would need

Have 2 applicants in elementary lead guides who are certified

4 elementary lead guide applicants are not certified 

Montessori fellows-hiring for 7, have 6 in the pipeline

Hiring for special ed teacher-GA Charter School Association has contracted with a consultant; special ed certification alone insufficient based on requirements from our authorizer and state/federal guidelines; looks like we need a Director of Special Education Services (still one role but new title based on requirements of role)

   There is a candidate in pipeline who has the necessary experience

Nurse-no longer looking for full time nurse; now looking at part-time nurse based on size of school; could change based on apparent needs and move up to full-time if it becomes necessary

Therapeutic Counselor-not currently in budget but might be a necessary role; adding this to staffing plan;  will start off part-time and can adjust as necessary

Will start gathering medical information and needs of kids in April

Made it to final round of Charter School Growth grant--fund up to full enrollment for each child up to $1000/child

Shared spreadsheet provided by Emmalee Hacksaw with funding sources and grants. Reviewing to see who has contacts to find out next steps in applying to those sources.

Voting whether to hire Sarah as ED.

Further discussion to hammer out terms for multi-year contract and finalizing job description.

Gregory suggested a point system to determine effectiveness versus percentage of goals met.  Kim asked for more clarity in trying to determine whether that is feasible method for measuring metrics (will let us know by end of week).  

Kim asking for feedback on contract and will forward a draft of the job description.  

Review of resolution which would allow Kim Karacalidis as Board Chair to sign documents on the Board's behalf related to the facilities at 5881 Phillips Drive.

Critical in terms of lease signing date approaching.  Would allow Kim to execute the document without the need to call a full board meeting.

All Board members have had the opportunity to review and comment on the lease and the resolution.  

4/4 Brass Tacks Kim, Alfie, Adrienne, Krystal, Andrea (tentative)-3-4:30 pm

Reminder to make calls to new families.