MS Delta Academies

Minutes

Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies

Date and Time

Monday August 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Directors Present

Cassandria Hansbrough (remote), Erica Plybeah Hemphill (remote), Jacquelyn Brownlow (remote), McKinley Martin (remote), Tracy Mims (remote)

Directors Absent

Erin Mulligan

Guests Present

Ann Krafcik, Katie Wise (remote), Tamala Shaw (remote), Tosha Boyd (remote), Vallrie Dorsey (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

McKinley Martin called a meeting of the board of directors of MS Delta Academies to order on Monday Aug 10, 2026 at 5:35 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

Cassandria Hansbrough made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
Tracy Mims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Approve Minutes

Tracy Mims made a motion to approve the minutes from Annual Board Retreat on 06-29-26.
Cassandria Hansbrough seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Financial Reports

A.

Monthly Financial Reports

Katie Wise presented the monthly financials on screen, as well as preliminary year-end financials. She reported that Leflore Legacy's year ended very well, even better than forecast, and that MS Delta Academies and Leflore Legacy Academy is in excellent financial health. In her professional opinion, she anticipates a great score on the MCSAB framework evaluation's financial section. 

B.

Approve Financial Reports

Cassandria Hansbrough made a motion to approve the financials as presented.
Tracy Mims seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. Executive Director's Report

A.

Update

Dr. Tamala Boyd Shaw provided an update about the Notice of Concern and Corrective Action Plan. She also shared an update on the impact of the local public schools merging and Legacy enrollment. The embargoed student achievement data was reviewed. 

IV. Policy Point

A.

American Fidelity Presentation

Representatives of American Fidelity provided information about the benefits offered to Leflore Legacy employees. 

B.

Attendance Policy

Dr. Shaw shared the recent changes to the state's student attendance policy. 

V. Executive Session (if needed)

A.

Closed Session - Item #1

Tracy Mims made a motion to enter closed session to determine whether an executive session is needed to discuss a personnel issue.

No second required

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Motion to discuss a personnel issue in executive session.

In closed session, the board determined an executive session is warranted to discuss a personnel matter. 

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

The board reported in open session that they voted in executive session to approve the Executive Director sending a letter to Mrs. Burnwatt regarding her employment.

B.

Closed Session - Item #2

Tracy Mims made a motion to enter closed session to determine if executive session is warranted to discuss legal strategy and potential litigation regarding the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board and Leflore Legacy Academy.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Motion to discuss legal strategy and potential litigation in executive session.

In closed session, the board voted unanimously that executive session is warranted to discuss legal strategy and potential litigation. 

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

No decisions were made and no action was taken during the executive session regarding legal strategy and possible litigation. 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Next Meeting Date & Topics

Next meeting was scheduled for September 14th but will be rescheduled for September 21st due to travel schedules. 

Cassandria Hansbrough made a motion to change the September meeting date from the 14th to the 21st at the same time.
Erica Plybeah Hemphill seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tamala Shaw