MS Delta Academies

Minutes

Board of Directors of MS Delta Academies

Date and Time

Monday April 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Location

virtual

Directors Present

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

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

Brianna Moore (remote), John Beard (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 Apr 14, 2025 at 5:38 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

Cassandria Hansbrough 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 03-10-25.
Erica Plybeah Hemphill seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Board Chair/Vice Chair's Report

A.

Charter Renewal

Mr. Martin shared that he received notification that the charter evaluator will recommend the charter be renewed for an additional five years. The final vote will take place on April 30th. 

 

Cassandria Hansborough added her congratulations and kudos to Dr. Shaw and school staff. 

III. Feasibility Study

A.

Final Study

John Beard presented the results of the feasibility study. He shared the context that this study, funded by a grant, is exploring the feasibility of the Historic Greenwood Library and the Confederate Memorial Building being renovated/restored for use by the school.  Dr. Shaw and Board Members asked follow up questions. 

IV. Financial Report

A.

Review and Approve Financial Reports

Dr. Shaw shared the monthly financial reports including cashflow, cash on hand, fundraising update, and expenditures greater than $5,000. 

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

V. Executive Director's Report

A.

General Updates

Dr. Shaw shared updates about the charter renewal process, scholar enrollment for 2025-26, personnel recruitment and hiring, and fundraising strategies. 

VI. Policy Point

A.

Charter Contract Review

The board reviewed and discussed section three of the charter contract together to ensure all board members are familiar with the contract details. 

 

As an action item, the committees will each review a section in greater depth and report at the May meeting:
Governance Committee: Sections 1-2

Academic Committee: Sections 4-5
Development Committee: Sections 6-7

 

 

VII. Committee Reports - Breakout Sessions

A.

Governance

Mr. Martin said the Governance Committee will reach out to Attorney Dorsey about support with charter contract compliance. 

B.

Academic

Ms. Hansborough and Dr. Mims said they will read the committee's job description to ensure they are fulfilling their duties.

C.

Development (Fundraising)

Ms. Mulligan said the committee members will compare availability to schedule a meeting. They will also review signature fundraising event options. 

D.

Finance

Mr. Brack said the committee members will start meeting regularly. 

VIII. Executive Session (if needed)

A.

Executive Session

Williams Brack made a motion to enter executive session.
Erin Mulligan seconded the motion.

The members voted to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

The board entered executive session at 7:20pm and exited executive session at 7:29pm. No decisions were made. No actions were taken. 

IX. Closing Items

A.

Next Meeting Date & Topics

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 12th. 

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tamala Shaw