MS Delta Academies

Minutes

Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies

Date and Time

Wednesday February 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM

Location

virtual

Directors Present

Cassandria Hansbrough (remote), Emily Cupples (remote), Erica Plybeah Hemphill (remote), Erin Mulligan (remote), McKinley Martin (remote), Williams Brack (remote)

Directors Absent

Amanda Wiltshire, Jacquelyn Brownlow

Guests Present

Tamala Shaw (remote), Tosha Boyd (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 Wednesday Feb 1, 2023 at 1:09 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

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

D.

Approve Minutes

Williams Brack made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies on 01-18-23.
Cassandria Hansbrough seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Board Chair/Vice Chair's Report

A.

Fundraiser Event

Dr. Tamala Shaw shared the Vision Meeting will be 2-5 pm on Saturday, April 29th. Board members discussed the event goals and logistics. 

B.

Board Member Documents

Dr. Shaw reminded members to complete their documents and email them to submit. 

C.

Executive Committee

Emily Cupples opened the conversation as to whether an Executive Committee is needed and what its duties would be. Members discussed. Mr. Martin will draft a scope of work for the proposed Executive Committee and share with members for review and feedback. 

McKinley Martin made a motion to form an Executive Committee to consist of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Williams Brack seconded the motion.

The committee will have to power to make decisions on behalf of the full board in emergency situations. The bylaws will be amended. Language will be presented at the next meeting by the Governance Committee. 

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. Financial Report

A.

Expenditures over $5,000

None for this month/reporting period. 

B.

Review and Approve Financial Reports

Tosha Boyd shared information about the ad valorem payments, which have been received. Financial reports will not be ready until after Feb. 5th. Williams Brack recommended monthly meetings be moved to mid-month so financial reports will be available.  

IV. Executive Director's Report

A.

General Updates

BoardonTrack: renewal for $5k is available, but with fewer features than were previously available. 

 

Fundraising: The school was awarded $150K grant from a Congressional earmark. An article about the award ran on the front page of the local paper. The Alluvian Hotel has also agreed to an in-kind donation. The Legends Academic Fund met with Dr. Shaw and visited Leflore Legacy Academy. This connection was facilitated by the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. 

 

Scholar Recruitment: Dr. Shaw shared the annual plan and current enrollment numbers.  

 

Personnel: No updates

 

Facilities: Dr. Shaw met with an architect who will provide a high-level report regarding costs to make the library building usable. A historical building grant is a possibility, and members of the historical society are visiting the site next week. The existing facility also will need some updates. 

 

Operations: The school was closed today due to inclement weather. 

 

Calendar: Proposed changes will be ready at the March meeting. 

V. Committee Reports

A.

Committee reports

Academic report: Ms. Hansbrough will connect with Dean Fluker for further information and hopes to visit the school next month. 

Operations and Facilities: None

Development Fundraising: Nothing to add -- the event was discussed earlier in the meeting.

Governance: No report

Finance: No report

VI. Closing Items

A.

Next Meeting Date & Topics

1pm CST on March 8

Agenda items - calendar updates

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 1:57 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tamala Shaw