Ms. Davis instructed participants to use the Zoom meeting chat to submit public comments.

There was no public comment.

Ms. Vargas shared the enrollment report.  Kestrel currently has 418 scholars enrolled and has 158 open seats.  45 returning scholars from 2023-24 withdrew. Bloomwell marketing's campaign reached 85,000 families, and they have started a new add campaign.

The Board talked about the NC state private school vouchers and about home schooling.  This is the first school year start since the NC General Assembly significantly increased funding and changed the rules for the vouchers.

Mr. Thompson shared the facilities update/committee report.  There have been many repairs and facilities updates completed.  Rooftop units #6 and #8 have been repaired.  The Duke Energy light study should happen again within the next two weeks.  Mr. Thompson shared that he and Mrs. Jackson held a Zoom call with Duke Energy to resolve those issues.

Mrs. Jackson also shared that the new playground paperwork has been completed, and the Gaga pit construction planning is underway.  Lastly, Mr. Thompson and Mrs. McGarrah met with vendors to repair the recreation areas and address drainage issues around the school.

Mr. McFadden shared the school culture report, including a plan for staff/faculty and students. This year, Kestrel is using an app called Slack, which allows interpersonal communication between faculty that is all in one place and can cut down on multiple distractions in the classroom (e.g., announcements, walkies, etc).  Educator's Handbook is another tool that Kestrel is using this year that links with PowerSchool and allows Kestrel to keep data on students in one place, including referrals, incident reports, etc.  This tool also allows the letters and other communications to be shared easily with parents through Class Dojo.

Mr. Touchette shared the Kestrel School Performance Update. In the 2022-23 school year, Kestrel was a D school, with F grades in some areas.  In the 2023-24 school year, Kestrel is moving to a C school with significant increases across the board in math and reading and by student demographics.  Kestrel has made up pandemic losses and is performing above 2019 performance.  Mr. Touchette indicated that the growth is not the end, and Kestrel has plans in place to continue our performance improvement.

Mr. Patterson asked a question about whether the data would show how students that have stayed at Kestrel have performed compared to those students that have left Kestrel.  Mr. Touchette said that he could look at that data, but he does not have it at his fingertips.

The reading scores for beginning of the grade are in, and Kestrel has a plan for working with our new readers as well as our other students.  We have set growth and achievement goals for all scholars and have a plan to pursue that achievement.  The Board discussed the grading system and how it worked.  Mrs. Jackson and Mr. MacFadden both emphasized the importance of growth.

Mrs. Jackson shared the Executive Director's report. Enrollment is down to 418 from projections of over 500 students.  EpiCenter analytics are on track for submitting required documents to the State of NC with 100% on-time submission of accurate data.  On the federal programs (including English Language Learners, Exceptional Children, and other federal programs such as school nutrition), it is a busy time of year.  Assessments for students has to be completed in the beginning of the year, and Mrs. Broadwell is working through these requirements.  There are reports and requirements for the Exceptional Children program, including IEP meetings and beginning of the year requirements.  Kestrel's School Nutrition program application has been completed and approved, and menus are completed.   There are additional requirements for Title 1 and Title 2 federal programs are underway.

On the charter renewal, Kestrel has completed the final data collection and has received some feedback from the Charter School Renewal Board staff (some positive and some areas of growth).  Kestrel is pursuing a 10-year renewal of our charter, and we will find out in October 2024 if we are eligible for that charter.  

Mrs. Jackson shared the monthly budget report.  Kestrel Heights is one month into the new fiscal year, and we are on-track for the year.  Two areas of expenditures - books and supplies and administrative services - are over for the year.  However, both of these areas are front-loaded in most years.  We are also waiting on federal and local funds that have not yet been released, but should be released soon.  

Kestrel has 93.38 days cash on hand (with a bond requirement of 45 days cash on hand), and has a debt service coverage ratio of 1.13 (with a bond requirement of 1.05 that will increase to 1.15 at September 30, 2024).  

Mrs. Jackson shared that the School Nutrition Program application has been approved by the state.  There will be a site visit on September 12, 2024.  Vittles is our food provider, and the students have shared positive feedback on the menu this year.

There was no update.

Ms. Davis provided an update on the Board's plans to update our committee structure.  The committee structure is: 

(1) Community Engagement and Development - Adrienne Davis, Dwayne Patterson;

(2) Governance - Derek Powe; 

(3) Facilities - Stephanie McGarrah; 

(4) AIG Review and Expansion - Dalia Wimberly; and 

(5) Finance - Serja Goram.

Mrs. McGarrah shared that the Board discussed candidates for open positions.