October Board Meeting Minutes

October 11, 2022, 6:30-10:00 PM

Minutes Approved

Kestrel Heights Public Charter School

Minutes

October Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday October 11, 2022 at 6:30 PM

Directors Present

A. Davis (remote), B. Paris (remote), D. Powe (remote), D. Wimberly (remote), S. Goram (remote), S. McGarrah (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Ex Officio Members Present

J. Price (remote), M. Callahan (remote), T. Jackson (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

J. Price (remote), M. Callahan (remote), T. Jackson (remote)

Guests Present

A. Touchette (remote), Dale Edmonds (remote), Holly Thom (remote), Justin Matthews (remote), M. Gordon (remote), S. Bowens (remote), S. Vargas (remote), S. Villegas (remote)

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 Oct 11, 2022 at 6:30 PM.

B. Public Comment Submission

Ms. Davis invited participants to put public comments in the chat.

C. Record Attendance and Guests

D. Approve September Meeting Minutes

B. Paris made a motion to approve the minutes from September Board Meeting on 09-13-22.

D. Wimberly seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E. Public Comment

There was no public comment.

II. Key Agenda Items & Presentations

A. Marketing and Enrollment Update

Ms. Vargas provided a marketing and enrollment update. She detailed the marketing efforts, including recognition for the students of the week. Kestrel is backfilling vacancies throughout the year as we get new applicants; enrollment is presently around 420 scholars.

B. Facilities Sub Committee

Mr. Matthews provided a facility update. There has been a lot of progress since last month's meeting with wall panels in place, steel construction started, and parking lot construction underway. The Board will discuss contractual issues in the closed session.

III. Curriculum & Assessment

A. Student Code of Conduct

Mr. Price and Ms. Villegas presented on the student code of conduct. This plan had been presented to the Board at the September meeting, and the team is bringing it forward for a vote. The biggest changes were made to the dress code section.

S. McGarrah made a motion to Accept the Student Code of Conduct as presented.

D. Wimberly seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
B. Paris	Aye
D. Wimberly	Aye
S. Goram	Aye
D. Powe	Aye
S. McGarrah	Aye

IV. Operational Reports

A. Executive Director Report

Ms. Jackson provided the Executive Director's report. The school's average daily membership was 421 students, and the school is continuing to backfill seats. Every one associated with Kestrel is responsible for marketing the school. The school's daily attendance is 400 students, and the administration team has been working on strategies to get students to attend school.

Ms. Jackson also addressed the EpiCenter report to the state to make sure that the school's charter information is up-to-date and reflects changes represented as a result of the various building-related changes.

B. Monthly Budget Report

Ms. Jackson shared the monthly budget report, and she noted that a couple of months into the school year, there are a few categories that are over-budget for books and staff development. In both cases, there are budget revisions that need to be made.

For the 2022-23 school year, Ms. Jackson has met with the finance committee to develop the new budget based on the revised ADM. She will share that budget with the Board next month after some additional changes are made.

C. Audit Report

Ms. Jackson presented the audit report to the Board. The report notes that Kestrel has purchased our building and that the school's assets exceed the school's liabilities. The independent auditor renders the following findings: no material weaknesses in financial controls, no non-compliance or findings with financial statements, no material weaknesses in controls for state awards, and no questioned costs for state awards.

Kestrel has received a clean financial audit for another year.

B. Paris made a motion to accept financial audit as presented.

D. Wimberly seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
A. Davis	Aye
S. McGarrah	Abstain
S. Goram	Aye
D. Powe	Aye
D. Wimberly	Aye
B. Paris	Aye

D. Operations Report

Ms. Gordon provided an update on operations. She noted that the mold that was found on the exterior of the building was remediated. Ms. Gordon and Mr. KT have begun preventative maintenance on the existing building and assets. Due to the power outage and surge from several weeks ago, the phones have been out, and the school has had to use call forwarding with a cell phone while Spectrum has been unable to resolve this issue.

V. Committee Reports

A. Governance Committee

Ms. Davis noted that there is a Board member application that has been updated.

VI. Closed Session

A. Enter Closed Session

S. McGarrah made a motion to Enter into closed session per NCGS § 143-318.11 (a) Permitted Purposes. - It is the policy of this State that closed sessions shall be held only when required to permit a public body to act in the public interest as permitted in this section. A public body may hold a closed session and exclude the public only when a closed session is required: 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.

D. Wimberly seconded the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B. Project Change Orders - Approvals

S. McGarrah made a motion to Return to open session.

D. Wimberly seconded the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VII. Closing Items

A. Report out from Closed Session

Ms. McGarrah reported that the Board took a vote related to the building construction contract.

B. Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

S. McGarrah