MS Delta Academies
Minutes
Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies
Date and Time
Monday September 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Location
virtual
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83885678291?pwd=UDZ5UXNaZDNSNWxJYW9SSEx5UUVRQT09
Meeting ID: 838 8567 8291
Passcode: 580498
Directors Present
Cassandria Hansbrough, Erin Mulligan, Jacquelyn Brownlow, McKinley Martin, Tracy Mims
Directors Absent
Erica Plybeah Hemphill, Williams Brack
Guests Present
Ann Krafcik, Florina Burnwatt, Tamala Shaw, Vallrie Dorsey
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Approve Agenda
D.
Approve Minutes
II. Board Chair/Vice Chair's Report
A.
Report
III. Financial Report
A.
Review and Approve Financial Reports
No monthly financial report available. Dr. Tamala Shaw provided an update on the annual audit process.
IV. Executive Director's Report
A.
General Updates
Dr. Shaw provided updates on scholar enrollment, personnel/staffing, and facilities/operations. She also shared information about the elevator repairs and HVAC updates.
Dr. Shaw gave an update about the situation involving a vehicle that damaged the school building and communications with the insurance companies involved. Board members asked follow up questions and provided guidance. Vallrie Dorsey, the school's attorney, provided additional advice.
She also provided updates on partnerships with MS Charter School Association and Charter School Growth Fund.
Dr. Shaw provided a fundraising and donations update, including Giving Tuesday. She also shared an update about the Whole Schools grant from the MS Arts Commission that's being implemented this year.
She provided an update about the preliminary "grade" the school expects to receive this year based on state assessment results.
V. Policy Point
A.
Policy Review
Board members discussed the homeless policy and EL policy that members previously reviewed. Florina Burnwatt, Legacy teacher, provided an overview of both policies.
Dr. Shaw provided and reviewed 1) Family Engagement Policy, 2) Parent and Scholar Compact, and 3) Parent right to request and review teacher credentials.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Tracy Mims |
Aye
|
| Jacquelyn Brownlow |
Absent
|
| Williams Brack |
Absent
|
| Cassandria Hansbrough |
Aye
|
| Erica Plybeah Hemphill |
Absent
|
| McKinley Martin |
Aye
|
| Erin Mulligan |
Aye
|
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Williams Brack |
Absent
|
| Tracy Mims |
Aye
|
| McKinley Martin |
Aye
|
| Cassandria Hansbrough |
Aye
|
| Erin Mulligan |
Aye
|
| Jacquelyn Brownlow |
Absent
|
| Erica Plybeah Hemphill |
Absent
|
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Cassandria Hansbrough |
Aye
|
| Williams Brack |
Absent
|
| Erin Mulligan |
Aye
|
| McKinley Martin |
Aye
|
| Erica Plybeah Hemphill |
Absent
|
| Tracy Mims |
Aye
|
| Jacquelyn Brownlow |
Absent
|
VI. Committee Reports
A.
Governance
None
B.
Academic
Cassandria Hansbrough provided a brief update. The committee has not formally met.
C.
Development (Fundraising)
Erin Mulligan provided a fundraising update and presented ideas for a spring event.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Tracy Mims |
Aye
|
| Cassandria Hansbrough |
Aye
|
| Williams Brack |
Absent
|
| Erica Plybeah Hemphill |
Absent
|
| Jacquelyn Brownlow |
Absent
|
| Erin Mulligan |
Aye
|
| McKinley Martin |
Aye
|
D.
Finance
None
VII. Public Comments
A.
Comments
Teacher Florina Burnwatt shared how much she enjoys working at Leflore Legacy Academy.
VIII. Executive Session (if needed)
A.
Executive Session
The board entered executive session at 7:02 pm to discuss a personnel matter. The session included board members, Dr. Shaw and Attorney Dorsey. The board exited executive session at 7:24 pm. No decisions were made. No action was taken.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Next Meeting Date & Topics
The next meeting will Oct. 13 at 5:30 pm.
Mr. Martin shared information about a board training session for board members being provided by MCSAB in Jackson. Date and time TBD.