MS Delta Academies

Minutes

Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies

Date and Time

Monday February 12, 2024 at 5:30 PM

Location

virtual

Directors Present

Erica Plybeah Hemphill (remote), Erin Mulligan (remote), Jacquelyn Brownlow (remote), McKinley Martin (remote), Tracy Mims (remote), Williams Brack (remote)

Directors Absent

Cassandria Hansbrough, Emily Cupples

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

Erica Plybeah Hemphill

Guests Present

Amy Tisdale (remote), Ann Krafcik, Brianna Moore (remote), Katie Wise (remote), 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 Monday Feb 12, 2024 at 5:44 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

Williams Brack 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

Erin Mulligan made a motion to approve the minutes from Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies on 01-08-24.
Williams Brack seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Financial Report

A.

Review and Approve Financial Reports

Katie Wise of GT3 presented the financial reports, including the revenue and expenditure highlights and shifts in line items. 

EFRLF loan opportunity - GT3 will speak more to this next meeting. 

Erica Plybeah Hemphill arrived at 5:57 PM.

III. Executive Director's Report

A.

General Updates

Personnel: Dr. Shaw shared personnel and hiring updates for the current and upcoming years.

 

Accreditation: Dr. Shaw shared the Cognia Accreditation report and recommendations.

 

Grants: MCOPS has been submitted, as well as the NSLP cafeteria equipment grant and the USDA community garden grant application.  The City of Greenwood has submitted a grant on Legacy's behalf to explore renovation of local buildings. 

 

Gymnasium: A proposal for building a gymnasium was provided for board review. 

 

Enrollment: Dr. Shaw provided an enrollment update for current and upcoming years. 

 

Academics: Staff went through MDE accountability training to learn about becoming a "700 point" school. Mastery Connect has been implemented as a benchmark assessment tool. Intervention small groups continue. An 8th grade scholar won the District Spelling Bee. 

 

Performance Framework: Dr. Shaw provided an update on communications with MCSAB regarding the framework draft, the updated review timeframe, and a change in how certified staff are counted. 

IV. Committee Reports

A.

Development Committee - Vision Meeting

Erin Mulligan provided an update about the meeting plans. 

B.

Governance Committee

Early June was identified as a good time for the annual in-person Board Retreat. 

McKinley Martin noted that meeting a quorum as currently defined (51%) could be challenging; the board recently expanded from 7 to 8 members, and in doing so the quorum requirement increased from 4 members to 5. Board members posed clarifying questions, including what happens in the event of a tie. 

Tracy Mims made a motion to change the quorum definition to 50%.
Erin Mulligan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Closing Items

A.

Next Meeting Date & Topics

Next meeting is Monday, March 11 at 5:30pm Central time. 

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tamala Shaw