May Board Meeting Minutes

May 13, 2025, 6:30-10:00 PM

Minutes Approved

Kestrel Heights Public Charter School

Minutes

May Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Location

Kestrel Heights Charter School

4700 S. Alston Avenue

Durham, NC 27713

In-Person at Kestrel Heights Charter School

Directors Present

A. Davis, A. Hernandez, D. Patterson, D. Powe, S. McGarrah

Directors Absent

D. Wimberly

Ex Officio Members Present

T. Jackson

Non Voting Members Present

T. Jackson

Guests Present

A. Touchette, Adam Love, Kimanthi Thompson, S. Bowens, S. Vargas, S. Villegas, T. McFadden

I. Opening Items

A. Call the Meeting to Order

A. Davis called a meeting of the board of directors of Kestrel Heights Public Charter School to order on Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 6:35 PM.

B. Public Comment Submission

Chair Davis noted that interested parties could sign in for public comments.

C. Record Attendance & Guests

D. Approve Minutes

D. Powe made a motion to approve the minutes from April Board Meeting on 04-15-25.

D. Patterson seconded the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E. Public Comment

There was no public comment.

II. Key Agenda Items & Presentations

A. AIG Plan 2025-2028

Mr. Love presented the AIG plan. The Board will have time to review and ask questions so that it can be voted on at the June meeting. Kestrel has approximately 90 students who participate in the AIG program.

B. Marketing & Enrollment Report

Ms. Vargas shared the Enrollment and Marketing report. Applications are down year-over-year, but there are several grades with a waitlist. Tours and marketing activities are continuing. The State of NC is moving to Infinite Campus from Power School, so there has been a lot of work in initiating this transfer.

C. Facilities Report

Mr. Thompson and Ms. Davis shared that the school received a donation of 50 cubic yards of mulch that has been placed in front area to control mud and improve the campus appearance. HVAC issues continue to be a problem with the Elementary School building, and repairs took place in March and April. Mr. Thompson reported that the school passed the re-inspection from the Fire Marshal and that upgrades to the security system have been made.

III. Curriculum & Assessment

A. Academic Update

Mr. Touchette shared the check-in scores, which showed improvements in English and Language Arts as well as in Math for most, but not all, grades. Science check-ins were conducted for 5th and 8th graders and showed growth in both. The iReady results will be in soon, and attendance overall is above 90%. The Board asked questions about the scores and efforts to assist students who need more support.

B. Culture Report

Mr. McFadden shared the School Culture report, covering events in April and May. Those events included a well-attended Campus Beautification Day, Jammy Jam, Teacher Appreciation, and Spring Music shows for all grades.

IV. Operational Reports

A. Executive Director's Report

Mrs. Jackson shared the Executive Director's report. Kestrel has submitted all records for EpiCenter on-time and accurately. There are 4 positions open for the 2025-26 school year, and interviews are underway. Ms. Jackson also shared that all federal and state reporting is complete. The Board discussed potential changes underway at the federal and state levels.

B. Monthly Budget Report

Mrs. Jackson shared the budget report, including the projected year-end deficit of $31,000, which she and the staff are working to correct. Facilities' costs continue to be unpredictable and more costly than planned. Kestrel initiated a new copier contract to save additional funds. For the bond covenants, 1 of 2 have been met, but the second covenant will be met after additional expected revenues are received. The Board discussed those issues.

V. Committee Reports

A. Committee Structure

No update provided.

B. AIG Review & Expansion

No additional update beyond Mr. Love's report was provided.

C. Community Engagement & Development

Mr. Powe shared an update on working with NCCU to assist Kestrel's school counselors, and he will meet with NCCU's School of Nursing about school nursing support.

D. Facilities Committee

No additional update was shared.

E. Finance Committee

No additional update was shared.

F. Governance Committee

The committee reported that the communications policy and password and credential management policy will need to be reviewed and approved in June.

VI. Closed Session

A. Enter Closed Session

D. Powe made a motion to Enter into closed session per NCGS§ 143-318.11. (a) (1) To prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to the law of this State or of the United States, or not considered a public record within the meaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes. (3) To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the public body, which privilege is hereby acknowledged. General policy matters may not be discussed in a closed session and nothing herein shall be construed to permit a public body to close a meeting that otherwise would be open merely because an attorney employed or retained by the public body is a participant. The public body may consider and give instructions to an attorney concerning the handling or settlement of a claim, judicial action, mediation, arbitration, or administrative procedure. If the public body has approved or considered a settlement, other than a malpractice settlement by or on behalf of a hospital, in closed session, the terms of that settlement shall be reported to the public body and entered into its minutes as soon as possible within a reasonable time after the settlement is concluded. (6) To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee. General personnel policy issues may not be considered in a closed session. A public body may not consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, appointment, or removal of a member of the public body or another body and may not consider or fill a vacancy among its own membership except in an open meeting. Final action making an appointment or discharge or removal by a public body having final authority for the appointment or discharge or removal shall be taken in an open meeting.

D. Patterson seconded the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B. Bond Discussion

C. Rohde Steele

D. Employee Retention Credit

E. Board Meeting Agenda Items

VII. Closing Items

A. Report Out from Closed Session

Ms. McGarrah reported that the Board discussed confidential bond and tax issues.

B. Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

S. McGarrah