Cirrus Education Group
Minutes
Cirrus Education Group Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday March 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Location
Directors Present
L. Golphin (remote), L. Taylor (remote), N. Lewis (remote), R. Finley (remote), S. Kelly (remote), T. Olagunju (remote)
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Alison Bass (remote), Brenda Edwards (remote), C. Blake (remote), Chelsie Roberts (remote), Diane Freeman (remote), Dr. Nyla Thornton (remote), E. Thomas (remote), Geisel Wingfield (remote), Gianni Teal (remote), Hope Pendergrass (remote), Jarvis Adside (remote), Joanne Binns (remote), Kashara Wiliiams (remote), Keziah McClary (remote), Melinda Coley (remote), Nisah Brinson (remote), Nykia Rountree (remote), S Johnson (remote), Simone Bates (remote), Sonja Riley (remote), Tadashia Morris (remote), Teyonna Brown (remote), Theresa Umbarger (remote), Wendy Grimes (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Approve Agenda
The motion passed; the vote was not unanimous.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Olagunju |
Aye
|
| R. Finley |
Abstain
|
| L. Golphin |
No
|
| S. Kelly |
Aye
|
| L. Taylor |
Aye
|
| N. Lewis |
No
|
D.
Approve Minutes from the Board Meeting on February 24, 2026
E.
Approve Minutes from Special Called Board Meeting on March 3, 2026
The motion passed; the vote was not unanimous.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Golphin |
Abstain
|
| N. Lewis |
Abstain
|
| R. Finley |
Aye
|
| T. Olagunju |
Aye
|
| S. Kelly |
Aye
|
II. Matters of Discussion
A.
Academic Committee Report
Academic Committee Report (Presented by Rhonda Finley)
- Student academic data updates were reviewed, including IXL usage and upcoming assessment analysis.
- Behavioral referral trends were discussed, noting a decrease across multiple grade levels.
- Staffing capacity and instructional support needs were discussed, including teacher workload and classroom management.
B.
Operations Committee
Operations Committee (Presented by Wendy Brinson Grimes)
- Updates were provided on facilities improvements and maintenance projects.
- School safety measures and operational supports were reviewed.
- After-school programming and nutrition services were discussed.
C.
Finance Committee
Finance Committee (Presented by Lisa Golphin)
- February financials were reviewed, including revenue, expenses, and overall financial position.
- Debt service coverage ratio and projected financial performance were discussed.
- Additional financial documentation, including cash flow analysis, was requested for further review.
D.
FY24 & FY25 Audit Findings and Corrective Action Plan
FY24 & FY25 Audit Findings and Corrective Action Plan (Presented by Hope Pendergrass from Mauldin and Jenkins)
- Audit findings were presented, including revenue and receivable recording, bond covenant compliance, and benefit payment reporting.
- Differences between fund balance and net position were reviewed.
- Corrective actions were discussed, including updates to financial procedures and reporting practices. The finance team will receive additional training on how to properly record, track, and adjust, if needed, expenditures and revenue in the correct fiscal year.
E.
Head of School Report
Head of School Report (Presented by Barry Williams)
- Enrollment updates were provided, including current student count and pending applications.
- Compliance updates were shared, including testing completion and monitoring outcomes.
- Financial performance and corrective actions related to audit findings were discussed.
F.
Public Comment
Public comment was received from staff regarding student support, staffing needs, and resource allocation.
G.
Annual Software Renewals
Annual Software Renewals (Presented by Diane Freeman)
- Renewal needs for instructional and operational software were reviewed, including Renaissance Learning and Infinite Campus.
- Costs and system requirements were discussed.
H.
Staffing Cost and Funding Analysis
Staffing Cost and Funding Analysis (Presented by Barry Williams)
- Proposed staffing additions, including MTSS support, SRO, substitute pool, and supplemental pay, were reviewed.
- Funding sources and budget alignment were discussed.
- Additional financial detail was requested by the Board.
I.
Field Trips Review
Field Trips Review (Presented by Barry Williams)
- Upcoming field trips and associated planning considerations were reviewed.
- Timing and transportation coordination were discussed.
- The Board noted the need for timely approval to support scheduling.
III. Actions Items
A.
Approve FY24 and FY25 Annual/Single Audit/Findings and Corrective Action Plans
IV. Finance Action Items
A.
Staffing Salary Approvals
The Board considered staffing needs and associated funding, including safety and operational support positions. The motion passed to hire a school resource officer from April - June 30, 2026. The Board discussed additional staffing items, including a custodian position and substitute support. No motion was made or seconded regarding the custodian position.
B.
Additional Funding for Supplemental Pay
The Board reviewed considerations related to supplemental pay for staff.
- This item was discussed.
- No action was taken.
C.
Software Renewals
Renaissance and Infinite Campus
D.
Field Trips Approval
The Board reviewed upcoming field trips and associated planning considerations.
- The timing of approvals and transportation coordination was discussed.
- No action was taken
The Board reviewed the agenda and agreed to table the staffing salary approvals item for further review.