The public was invited to submit public comments.

There were no public comments.

Jennifer Lucas reported that our applicants went up to 166 from 152.  She anticipates that the school will continue to receive applications, and the production of the video is underway.  Ms. Lucas recommends that we put the rest of our budget towards digital advertising and outreach ($10,000 of remaining $12,000).  She thinks that there are a lot of people who will be moving between the end of the current school year and the start of the next school year.  She also recommends that the school do some live events in June to show off the school and our facilities to families that have applied.  

Ms. Lucas would like to see the school bring in another 100 applications in order to get another 40-50 confirmed students.  She strongly emphasized the live events (usually held when students weren't in the building given the ongoing pandemic) as playing a role in getting more families to attend.

Dr. Tracy provided an update that Ten Square has provided the information from the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis.  They will use that information in part to develop a plan in the next month.

Dr. Tracy provided an update on Mind Brain Education.  The tool was launched on Friday with the staff, and staff seemed to be excited about the project and launch. 

Sam Villegas presented on blended learning.  The team continues to work on what blended learning will look like for next year.

Sam Villegas provided an update on testing at the school.  There will be 102 different groupings in 5 days of testing with 4 days of make-up days.  Kestrel Heights will be desk monitored by the NC Department of Public Instruction.  The monitoring visit will take place remotely, and the documentation is due to the State on Friday, May 14.  Ms. Villegas, Ms. Callahan and Ms. Kennedy are responsible for testing and the DPI monitoring visit. 

The US Department of Education required states to conduct testing this year, but North Carolina submitted two waivers on requiring testing and on reporting.  Both waivers were granted, so it is not mandated that 95% of students take the EOGs.  EOG assessments in grades 3-8 will not impact a student's pass/fail and/or grade.  Students in Math I are required by state law to take the End of Course test, and they are required to count for 20% of the final grade for the course.

Dr. Tracy provided an update on the accreditation process.  The feedback from the team was positive, but the official report will not be released until later this month. 

Brandon Paris and Robin Clement provided an update from the Facilities Committee.  The consultant, Justin Matthews, shared a draft design plan for the addition to the school.  The drawing is preliminary, and the designs will be updated after a site visit by the design/build firm.  The committee is also making good progress on the bond.

Dr. Tracy and Tonya Jackson provided information on the federal funds that the school receives and how they will be used.  

Dr. Tracy provided an update on the Executive Director report.

Dr. Tracy provided an update on the monthly budget. The school is in a good position on its budget. 

Dr. Tracy gave an update on how the return to school planning has gone.  It has gone smoothly with no increases in illness of scholars or staff.

Dr. Tracy provided an update on the monthly epi center report.  The school is on-track with its reporting to the state. 

Adrienne Davis provided an update from the committee.  They plan to invite Ms. Kennedy and the Mind Brain education team to their next meeting so they can understand how they can support those efforts. 

No update from this committee.

No update from this committee.

Josephe Featherstone provided an update from this committee.  There has been at least one candidate who submitted an application.  The committee requests that Board members continue to help recruit additional candidates.