Ms. Cupples reported that she and Dr. Shaw met with the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board (MCSAB) to discuss ways to improve communications and support. In addition, the school requested and was awarded a contract amendment.  

Dr. Shaw reported that one SPED teaching position is being filled by the SPED Assistant while the SPED teacher is on long-term leave. The SPED Teaching Assistant opening has been posted and has received a good number of responses. The Counselor role is being outsourced to a consultant for the time being. Teacher and staff evaluations will be conducted soon using the MDE evaluation rubric. The evaluations will also be conducted formally in the spring. Teachers who will not be invited to return will be notified by April 1. 

Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF) has provided an executive coach to Dr. Shaw. They meet biweekly. 

  

Dr. Shaw shared details about the charter amendment, which lowers the enrollment goal to 100 students per grade rather than 120 students. The lowered target means a revised 5-year budget will be needed. This work is underway. Mr. Martin posed clarifying questions about the impact on the budget and how it will affect staffing levels and job descriptions. 

She also shared that not having sports at Leflore Legacy has made the school less competitive to parents and students. In addition, a large number of 5th graders in the public district were not promoted, meaning a smaller pool of 6th graders available. The 2022-23 school year recruitment is underway. 
 

Dr. Shaw shared that the CSGF has awarded the school a fully-funded place in the JumpStart program, which provides a year of fundraising training, tools, mentoring and support through Network for Good.

Dr. Shaw requested each board member connect with 5 people in their network and provide their contact information to Dr. Shaw to begin developing a list of fundraising prospects. The school continues to apply for grant opportunities.  

Projected financials and cash flow were reviewed with the board by Consultant Rene Fumich. 

CSGF has connected us with Level Field Partners. A meeting is scheduled with them on the 30th, and Ms. Cupples and Mr. Brack will attend.  The goal is to finalize a plan by Dec. 17th. 

Dr. Shaw reported we have received our first report from MKS Partners, the Strategic Planning consultants, and have conducted a second meeting. Their second visit on-site is scheduled for the last week of February. They will reach out to the board members in their data-gathering process. 

Dr. Alexander asked about the timeline for a finished product, which Dr. Shaw shared is late March/early April. The plan for sharing the final product is to conduct a full presentation to the board. 

Mr. Martin shared suggested goals and action items created by the Governance Committee:

1) Board retreat in Jan/Feb
2) Create a board handbook at the retreat

3) Establish board priorities aligned with BoardonTrack annual goals

4) Establish a candidate pool for new board members

5) Recruit two new members by June 2022
6) Establish board rollover matrix

7) BoardonTrack training

8) Board member contribution due by Dec. 31

9) Review and dissect board assessment 2021-22 with full board at board retreat

10) Evaluate ED by 4/1/2022

11) Each board members provides 5 contacts of prospective contributors/donors

Dr. Alexander reported that Dean Fluker provided a report she shared with the parents. Dean Fluker was unable to meet with the Academic Committee to explain the report and the associated academic goals for the year, so the development of Academic Committee goals for the board is on hold until that meeting takes place. The report included some of the interventions the school is implementing based on current academic data. The report will be available in BoardonTrack. 

Ms. Brownlow has begun the process to become a second authorized signer on checks. 

The next meeting is TBD.