MS Delta Academies

Minutes

Board Retreat

Date and Time

Monday June 26, 2023 at 5:00 PM

Location

In person at Leflore Legacy Academy

Directors Present

Cassandria Hansbrough, Erin Mulligan (remote), McKinley Martin (remote), Williams Brack (remote)

Directors Absent

Emily Cupples, Erica Plybeah Hemphill, Jacquelyn Brownlow

Guests Present

Greg Thompson (remote), John Beard (remote), Rene Fumich (remote), Tamala Shaw, 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 Monday Jun 26, 2023 at 5:14 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

Cassandria Hansbrough made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
Erin Mulligan 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 05-03-23.
Cassandria Hansbrough seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Financial Report

A.

Expenditures over $5,000

Rene Fumich reported on expenditures over $5K in April, May and June, including Marathon system, field trip transportation, curriculum development, and MobyMax. 

 

 

B.

Review and Approve Financial Reports

Ms. Fumich reviewed the balance sheet on screen and described key line items. 

 

She also presented the cash flow report, including updates on IDEA, ESSER 2, Tile I, ARP ESSER, and 21st CCLC funding.

 

   

Erin Mulligan made a motion to approve the financial reports as presented.
Williams Brack seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

FY24 Revised Budget Presentation

Greg Thompson presented the FY24 (SY23-24) revised budget and discussed key line items, including the impact of enrollment on the budget. 

 

Board members engaged in conversation and asked clarifying questions.

 

A copy of the presented budget is available for board members in Board on Track. 

Cassandria Hansbrough made a motion to approve the FY24 budget as presented.
Williams Brack seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Building Donation(s)

John Beard spoke to the board about possible building donations that might be made to Leflore Legacy if approved by the MS Delta Academies board. 

 

A one page summary is available for board members in Board on Track. 

 

Board members asked follow up questions, including current ownership of the buildings, legal issues, costs and feasibility. 

 

Board members discussed pros and cons of the potential donation. 

Erin Mulligan made a motion to move forward with a feasibility study with up to $10,000 allocated for matching funds for the CLG (Certified Local Government) grant to fund the study.
Williams Brack seconded the motion.

Ms. Hansborough posed a clarifying question

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. Executive Director's Report

A.

ACT Prep

Dr. Shaw discussed options for ACT Prep class structure possibilities depending on budget and enrollment. 

B.

BoardOnTrack

Dr. Shaw mentioned BoT is up for renewal soon. 

C.

Money Market Account

Dr. Shaw presented guidance she received from the organization's bank contact about opening a money market account. Ms. Fumich presented additional information. 

Cassandria Hansbrough made a motion to authorize the Executive Director to continue discussions with bank representatives about opening a money market account.
Williams Brack seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Bus Purchase

Dr. Shaw presented financing options for purchase of a bus. 

Erin Mulligan made a motion to move forward with a loan from Trustmark for the purchase of a bus with the terms as presented.
Cassandria Hansbrough seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Executive Director Evaluation

Dr. Shaw reminded the board that the Executive Director annual evaluation process should begin soon and be completed by Oct. 1. 

F.

General Updates

Dr. Shaw shared updates about the summer school program and the overage for grade program. She also discussed current enrollment numbers and personnel updates. 

G.

Grants

Dr. Shaw shared information about recently awarded grants. 

IV. Governance Committee

A.

Jacquelyn Brownlow - renewal

Dr. Shaw shared information and the board members discussed. Vice Chair Martin will connect with Dr. Brownlow to see if she is interested in renewing her term. 

B.

Board Chair

Dr. Shaw shared information. Vice Chair Martin will connect with Ms. Cupples to see if she is able to continue serving as board chair. 

C.

New Board Members

Dr. Shaw shared information and the board members discussed. The board currently has seven members and seeks to grow by two in 2024 if possible. Suggestions for board member candidates should be submitted to the Governance Chair Mack Martin. 

There was discussion about the best day of the week, time of day, and time of month works best for monthly meetings. Members agreed to the second Wednesday of each month at 1pm Central time. 

V. Closing Items

A.

Next Meeting Date & Topics

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tamala Shaw