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Kestrel Heights Public Charter School

Minutes

April Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday April 15, 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), S. McGarrah (remote)

Directors Absent

D. Wimberly

Ex Officio Members Present

T. Jackson (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

T. Jackson (remote)

Guests Present

Cee Rhodes (remote), Kimanthi Thompson (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 Apr 15, 2025 at 6:31 PM.

B.

Public Comment Submission

C.

Record Attendance & Guests

D.

Approve Minutes

D. Patterson made a motion to approve the minutes from March Board Meeting on 03-11-25.
D. Powe 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.

Marketing & Enrollment Report

Ms. Vargas shared the Marketing and Enrollment Report.  Enrollment for 2024-25 year is at 408; 3 students withdrew, who moved out of the area.  Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is at 423 students with waitlists for grades 3 and 5.  Advertising and in-person tours are continuing.  The campus beautification day on April 12 was a good way to get people on campus. Bloomwell provided the outreach numbers and spending for March.  While the reach has been great, the cost per lead is still high.

B.

Facilities Report

Mr. Thompson provided the Facilities Report.  There was a repair made to the 2nd floor Elementary School HVAC.  Attorney Bowen asked about a warranty on the HVAC repair.  The problems with the gym locker room and the middle school boys' bathroom toilet and sink have been corrected.  The gates on the dumpster corral have been repaired.  The campus beautification day was successful.  Board members extended thanks to Mrs. Jackson, Ms. Vargas, and Mr. KT for their efforts with the beautification day.

III. Operational Reports

A.

Executive Director's Report

Mrs. Jackson provided the Executive Director's Report.  Over 120 people attended the Campus Beautification Day; it was a successful event for engagement and facilities' projects.  Based on records as of March 28, our attendance has drastically improved, but the tardy numbers have increased.  There was a significant decline year over year is ISS/OSS.

 

For the EpiCenter report, Kestrel has 14 reports for the year that have been turned in on time and accurately (100% completion).  For the Office of Federal Programs, all reports that were due have been completed.  For School Nutrition, the State of NC has been actively communicating with Kestrel as the federal funding picture remains unclear.  The bond report through December was also completed.

B.

Monthly Budget Report

Mrs. Jackson shared the Monthly Budget Report.  Mr. Patterson has been assisting the school with an updated 5-year budget for the debt service and regular expenses based on our actual enrollment instead of projected enrollment.  Through March 2025, Kestrel is operating with an annual surplus and has closed the deficit gap for the current school year.  The finance committee has discussed how to handle the facilities' budget items that are large expenditures.  The Board will meet in-person in May to discuss the budget and 5-year plan in-depth.  For the bond requirements, Kestrel met the days cash on hand and debt service coverage ratio.

C.

Auditor Engagement

Mrs. Jackson shared the Auditor Engagement proposal from Rebekah Barr. 

S. McGarrah made a motion to Approve the hiring of Rebekah Barr to provide the auditing services for the FY 2025 for $8,175.
D. Powe seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Davis
Abstain
D. Powe
Aye
D. Wimberly
Absent
S. McGarrah
Aye
D. Patterson
Aye
A. Hernandez
Aye

IV. Committee Reports

A.

2024-2025 Committee Structure

There was not discussion of the 2024-25 committee structure.

B.

AIG Review & Expansion

Mrs. Jackson reported that the committee will share the full AIG report at the May meeting for a June meeting vote.

C.

Community Engagement & Development

Ms. Davis shared that the Campus Beautification Day was successful in terms of facilities' improvements as well as other businesses and non-profits that came to partner with Kestrel. Show What You Know Day is also coming up on Thursday.

D.

Facilities Committee

No additional report at this time.

E.

Finance Committee

The Finance committee needs to review and update policies.

F.

Governance Committee

Mr. Powe shared that June 7 is the Board retreat date. The by-laws have been updated.

S. McGarrah made a motion to Approve the updated by-laws.
D. Patterson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Davis
Abstain
D. Wimberly
Absent
D. Powe
Aye
D. Patterson
Aye
S. McGarrah
Aye
A. Hernandez
Aye

V. 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.
A. Hernandez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Board Meeting Agenda Items

VI. Closing Items

A.

Report Out from Closed Session

Ms. McGarrah reported that the Board discussed legal 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 7:33 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
S. McGarrah