March Board Meeting Minutes

March 11, 2025, 6:30-10:00 PM

Minutes Approved

Kestrel Heights Public Charter School

Minutes

March Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday March 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89228721593?pwd=MGx0MU43NUQ3czQxVmlYdW5abGRDQT09

Meeting ID: 892 2872 1593

Passcode: KHCS

Directors Present

A. Davis (remote), A. Hernandez (remote), D. Patterson (remote), D. Powe (remote), D. Wimberly (remote), S. McGarrah (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Ex Officio Members Present

T. Jackson (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

T. Jackson (remote)

Guests Present

A. Touchette (remote), Kimanthi Thompson (remote), Lindsey Nyemb (remote), S. Bowens (remote), S. Vargas (remote), T. McFadden (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 Mar 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM.

B. Public Comment Submission

Ms. Davis noted that people can put public comments in the chat.

C. Record Attendance & Guests

D. Approve Minutes

D. Wimberly made a motion to approve the minutes from February Board Meeting on 02-11-25.

D. Powe seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E. Public Comment

There was no public comment.

II. Key Agenda Items & Presentations

A. February Academic Update

Mr. Touchette shared the February academic update, which primarily included a discussion of iReady testing, NC Check-ins, and EOG score predictions. Kestrel scholars showed improvement in some areas, and staff will use information to assist where scholars need additional support.

B. Marketing & Enrollment Report

Ms. Vargas shared the marketing and enrollment report. 73% of students are planning to return, and 417 students are enrolled for the 2025-26 school year. The target enrollment is 563, and applications are down year over year (202 in 2024 versus 148 in 2025). Ms. Vargas also shared the social media and other outreach work.

C. Facilities Report

Mr. Thompson shared the facilities report. The detention pond has had the final repairs completed. The committee has also lined up mulch and other supplies for the beautification day.

III. Curriculum & Assessment

A. Winter Sports

Mr. McFadden shared that both the boys' and girls' basketball teams went to the tournament. The girls' team won their championship game. Spring sports have already started.

B. Summer Learning Opportunities 2025

Mrs. Jackson shared the proposed summer learning opportunities for Kestrel scholars, including the summer program camp, reading camp, Camp Kestrel, and band camp. The summer program serves as an EOG remediation program, and the reading camp is by invitation only. Kestrel has applied for a grant to cover Camp Kestrel. The other camps will be covered by local funds.

S. McGarrah made a motion to Approve to move forward with Camp Kestrel and the Summer Retest Opportunity Camp.

D. Wimberly seconded the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

Roll Call
A. Davis	Abstain
A. Hernandez	Aye
S. McGarrah	Aye
D. Powe	Aye
D. Patterson	Aye
D. Wimberly	Aye

IV. Operational Reports

A. Executive Director's Report

Mrs. Jackson shared information on attendance, tardies, and discipline. Attendance is up year over year, and tardies and disciplinary problems are down. For the EpiCenter report, Kestrel is in compliance. Mrs. Jackson also shared updates on our policy updates.

B. Monthly Budget Report

Mrs. Jackson shared information from the Finance Committee, included the budget. For the current 2024-25, Kestrel is operating with a surplus of $781,448. There are some budget line items that are trending high for the year, and Mrs. Jackson and CSP are looking into those items to evaluate. Kestrel is in compliance with all financial measures for the bond covenants. Our ELISS grant funds were also released.

V. Committee Reports

A. Committee Structure

B. AIG Review & Expansion

Ms. Wimberly shared that the AIG committee is reviewing standards and making good progress.

C. Community Engagement & Development

Ms. Davis shared that Community Engagement and Development committee is sponsoring the April 12 Beautification Day and Community Fair. There are letters going out to potential sponsors. Ms. Jackson and team pulled together a list of projects, categorized them, and is working to find sponsors and families to help get these projects completed. Ms. Hernandez has several groups of NCCU students who are helping out with organization, social media advertising, and assisting with the day.

D. Facilities Committee

No additional updates.

E. Finance Committee

Ms. Davis thanked Mr. Patterson for his financial expertise with the budget.

F. Governance Committee

Mr. Powe shared that the review of policies and procedures are underway.

VI. Closed Session

A. Enter Closed Session

S. McGarrah 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. Personnel Update

C. Board Meeting Agenda Items

VII. Closing Items

A. Report Out from Closed Session

Ms. McGarrah shared that the Board discussed a contractual issue and a personnel issue in closed session.

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