Alyson read aloud the SRCA Mission Statement

Alyson announced the date and time of the next board meeting which is on September 24th at 6:30 PM ET

No public comment; Alyson reminded the audience of how to request public comment

No update

Cory Vallaincourt has requested that the Board comment on an article he has published regarding Joshua Morgan, SRCA Head of School.

The Board had replied with its general approach to media response.

Josh Morgan shared the following

• This August school report was broadcast on ParentSquare
• Student attendance has improved
• Western Carolina University has collaborated with us in teaching our 6th graders who in turn teach a lower grade level
  • Alyson suggested broadcasting information about this to media
• BOG testing is complete despite technical issues
• Laurne Bulla was awarded a $1250 grant for the music program
• Christina White and Tom Gilfoy were awarded a $5000 grant for outdoor learning opportunities for high school students
• Alex Anderson has been invited to present at the state EC conference
• Amanda Muri has shifted roles to 4th grade teacher
• We followed state guidance to comply with the Safer Schools program
• Information for Epicenter, the state clearinghouse for all public school data, is up-to-date
  • Alyson noted that this is a task that Katy Ridnouer was performing which Josh Morgan is now handling
• Sidewalk concrete addition has improved car line efficiency and safety
• Sidewalk awning is set to be installed within 6 weeks time
• To be installed during Fall Break:
  • Curtain to be installed in the gym to divide it
  • Four basketball goals to be installed
• FEMA update @ Dellwood campus
  • Roof repair
  • Retention pond repair
• Budget stalemate at the state legislature is impacting us in so far as
  • We are using last year's payscale for our staff this year
  • Without the release of a state budget, cost of living has not been accounted for
  • Health plan costs have changed
• Student cell phone policy
  • Top of the agenda for next policy meeting
• Organization chart updated to reflect new structure

• Revised to make it more standardized
• Teacher first, then Director, then Head of School

• A form is required to establish a change to a student's name, pronouns, and/or gender
• This is not a legal name change
• Identifies the child at Shining Rock Classical Academy only

• Standardization
• For 1st read only
• Drug screening is requirement pre-employment

• Gives the right to the media to ask the Board of Directors for information
• Cyberbullying details are included
• Ties to grievance policy
• Outlines the process for public comment

• The state school board has removed the FF designation wherein students are failing due to attendance
  • This revision covers the gap created by the aforementioned removal
• Expect another revision of this document because it is due for another cleanup
• We are voting on this revision which was wrought by the academic committee and its mix of participants because it is immediately needed

• Nutrition standards
• Physical activity standards
• In preparation to conform for the federally assisted nutrition program
• We have professional resources we are querying as we practice this policy

• Do not place yourself in a 1-1 situation with a student
• Ensure there is line of sight between a staff member and a student
• Rule of three to assist a child in the event that assistance is needed during a trip to the restroom

• Rob Gevjan highlighted the following
  • Finance committee did not meet in July
  • Communicating to our bond holders such there is mutual understanding of fiscal responsibility
  • We have a surplus and, though it is modest, the presence of a surplus is great
  • Everything that is going on with the capital improvements, we are being responsible with
  • Waiting until funds are released from the state before we establish any high-yield accounts
  • Rob asked Travis Gresham how CSP is supporting her in her duties
    • They are supporting her in HR and finance with
      • Reporting
      • Auditing
      • Entering employee information into the various benefit platforms
  • Butch Mullinix noted that the budget last year ran a deficit and that this year we are running a surplus and asked/suggested
    • Does the board decide on how a surplus is used
    • Teachers are deserving of an increase in pay and that seems one of the best designations for a surplus
    • Josh Morgan noted that we must be mindful of the unpredictability of state and federal funding and it would be wise to wait until the Spring semester to decide on use of surplus funds

Alyson stated that at this point in the meeting we have covered everything that the academic committee has been focusing on

• Recapped latest NEST minutes from the August meeting
• Alyson asked about the struggle wherein teacher's don´t tend to share needs/wants with NEST
  • Alyson and Josh Morgan advised using a form for teachers to share that information
• Rachel McFalls stepping down after 3 years of service as NEST President

Main update is the school nutrition procurement plan (see below)

• Nutrition consultant that visited today was very helpful in forming this plan
• This is strictly for the school nutrition program
• Does not affect procurement for other services

• Removes the distinguishment of upper vs lower director
• Sara Jenkins, currently serving Director, asserted
  • The accuracy of the job description
  • That the new position is proving to be effective

• Alyson spoke about
  • Abby Wilkins's years dedication and service
  • Abby was unavailable to join tonight's meeting as she is on-call in the OR

The Board has reviewed Barby Bowser's application and Alyson Weimar, Joshua Sims, and Rob Gevjan interviewed Barby earlier this week

None