Download minutes PDF Minutes Approved

MS Delta Academies

Minutes

Meeting of the Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies

February 2021

Date and Time

Tuesday February 23, 2021 at 6:00 PM

Location

Zoom video call

Directors Present

Emily Cupples (remote), McKinley Martin (remote), Sonja Hollins-Alexander (remote), Steve Fortenberry (remote)

Directors Absent

Jacquelyn Brownlow

Guests Present

Tamala Shaw (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 Tuesday Feb 23, 2021 at 6:18 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

Steve Fortenberry made a motion to approve the meeting agenda.
Sonja Hollins-Alexander seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
McKinley Martin
Aye
Steve Fortenberry
Aye
Jacquelyn Brownlow
Absent
Emily Cupples
Aye
Sonja Hollins-Alexander
Aye

D.

Approve Minutes

Sonja Hollins-Alexander made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies on 01-26-21.
Steve Fortenberry seconded the motion.
Correction from "Mr. McKinley" to "Mr. Martin" in the last section.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
McKinley Martin
Aye
Sonja Hollins-Alexander
Aye
Steve Fortenberry
Aye
Jacquelyn Brownlow
Absent
Emily Cupples
Aye

II. Executive Director's Report

A.

Facilities Update

  • Dr. Shaw reported the leaseholder's board is meeting tonight to vote on acceptance of the lease offer letter. Dr. Shaw also noted she added restrictions to the offer letter about needed repairs to be completed by May 1.
  • A feasibility study will need to be conducted prior to next year to ensure the space is large enough to accommodate the increase in student enrollment. 

 

B.

Enrollment

Student recruitment for 2021-22 is underway.
  • Dr. Shaw shared the SchoolMint system being used to track enrollment.
  • The internal goal of 30 students per month was not met in January, but the team is working aggressively to meet the February target and make up the January shortfall.
  • Dr. Shaw reported that she followed up with the parents of the three students who withdrew during the current year.
  • Current students are in the process of re-enrolling. Parents have completed a survey to indicate their intent to re-enroll. 
  • Ms. Cupples posed a question about the funding impact of losing students.

C.

Personnel

  • Dr. Shaw gave a report on the process of recruiting, screening, and interviewing teachers and other staff members for the 21-22 school year.
  • She also addressed offers being made to current staff members.
  • Mr. Martin posed a clarifying question about state licensure in relation to the terms of the charter contract, which Dr. Shaw addressed. 

D.

Finance

  • Dr. Shaw reported that budget documents will soon be available for review in BoardonTrack.
  • She also reported on the funds raised through her Facebook birthday fundraiser to be used for classroom libraries. 
  • The finance staff has attended MDE training on the new accounting system they're requiring for charter schools.
  • An ESSER (CARES Act) restricted grant was awarded to the school. Paperwork and training to follow. 

III. Academic Committee Report

A.

Update

Dr. Alexander reported that she met with the school staff for an update on assessments.

 

  • She provided an update on the ANET assessment schedule and results to date.
  • She also provided an update on the state assessment schedule and logistics to ensure a safe testing experience.
  • She addressed the role of the ACT Aspire program and assessment in the overall curriculum and educational experience. 
  • Mr. Martin posed a question about how targets are set and whether the current targets are realistic and attainable during this current school year. Dr. Shaw described how the goals are set and how they will be re-evaluated.
  • Dr. Alexander asked a clarifying question about how assessment results reported and opportunities to dig deeper into the data. 

 

IV. Governance Committee Report

A.

ED Contract

Mr. Martin shared that the final ED contract draft that was sent to all board members for their review prior to the meeting. He reviewed the edits and changes he made to the document prior to finalizing it. 
Sonja Hollins-Alexander made a motion to approve the ED contract.
Steve Fortenberry seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Sonja Hollins-Alexander
Aye
Jacquelyn Brownlow
Absent
Steve Fortenberry
Aye
Emily Cupples
Aye
McKinley Martin
Aye

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:24 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tamala Shaw