Cirrus Education Group

Minutes

Special Called Meeting - Cirrus Education Group Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday April 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Location

Directors Present

L. Golphin (remote), L. Taylor (remote), N. Lewis (remote), R. Finley (remote), S. Kelly (remote)

Directors Absent

T. Olagunju

Guests Present

Alison Bass (remote), Arleen Samuels (remote), B. Williams (remote), C. Blake (remote), Diane Freeman (remote), Geisel Wingfield (remote), Jarvis Adside (remote), Jasmine Fuller (remote), Jasmine King (remote), Joanne Binns (remote), Nisah Brinson (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

L. Taylor called a meeting of the board of directors of Cirrus Education Group to order on Tuesday Apr 21, 2026 at 6:08 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

N. Lewis made a motion to Approve Amended Agenda.
L. Golphin seconded the motion.

The Board discussed amending the agenda to include Executive Session for personnel and real estate matters.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Approve Minutes from the Board Meeting on March 24, 2026

L. Golphin made a motion to approve the minutes from Cirrus Education Group Monthly Board Meeting on 03-24-26.
N. Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Approve Minutes from Special Called Board Meeting on April 9, 2026

S. Kelly made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Called Board Meeting on 04-09-26.
R. Finley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Matters of Discussion

A.

Academic Committee Report

Academic Committee Report (Presented by Rhonda Finley)

  • Student academic performance data was reviewed, noting strengths in K–3 reading and math growth and areas for improvement in grades 2, 4, and 5.
  • Instructional strategies, including walkthroughs and use of exit tickets, were discussed to support targeted interventions.

B.

Operations Committee Report

Operations Committee Report (Presented by Shirlynn Kelly)

  • Facilities updates were provided, including ongoing repairs related to the electrical fire and bathroom maintenance issues.
  • Operational adjustments were discussed, including temporary lunch procedures and campus readiness.
  • Staffing updates were shared, including multiple open positions and progress on the 21st Century Grant.

C.

Finance Committee Report

Finance Committee Report (Presented by Lisa Golphin)

  • Financial updates were reviewed, including revenue, expenses, and net income.
  • Debt service coverage ratio and financial performance were discussed.
  • Federal funding updates and compliance requirements, including MOE and CIP timelines, were reviewed.

D.

Head of School Report

Head of School Report (Presented by Barry Williams)

  • Enrollment updates were provided, including current student count and application trends.
  • School culture improvements were discussed, including reductions in referrals and suspensions.
  • An update on the electrical fire and facility restoration timeline was shared.

E.

Field Trips Review

Field Trips Review (Presented by Nisah Brinson)

Proposed field trips for grades K–8 were reviewed, including total projected costs and remaining budget balance.
Logistics and alignment with student experiences were discussed.

III. Actions Items

A.

Policy Review

Policy Review (Presented by Chantelle Blake)

The Outside Food Delivery Policy, Technology Acceptable Use Policy, and Board Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy were presented for approval.
Discussion occurred regarding policy reading requirements prior to board approval.
The policies were tabled pending confirmation from the school attorney on proper policy reading procedures. 

B.

Field Trips Approval

S. Kelly made a motion to Field trips.
R. Finley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Field Trips Approval (Presented by Barry Williams)

Field trips were presented for approval.
A motion was made, seconded, and approved.

C.

SPED Coordinator Role

SPED Coordinator Role (Presented by Barry Williams)

The SPED Coordinator role and associated funding were presented.
Discussion occurred regarding salary and funding sources.
The item was tabled pending additional information.

D.

Milestone Pep Rally and Family Cookout Costs

Milestone Pep Rally and Family Cookout Costs (Presented by Barry Williams)

Proposed event costs were reviewed, including food, technology, and security expenses.
Discussion occurred regarding documentation and budget alignment.
A motion was made and a vote was conducted; final approval was reached but the vote was not unanaminous and the board will be sent additional information.

Motion to Milestone Pep Rally and Family Cookout Costs.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Taylor
Aye
N. Lewis
Aye
L. Golphin
No
R. Finley
No
S. Kelly
Aye
Motion to Milestone Pep Rally and Family Cookout Costs.

With an email from Ms Samuels 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. Finley
No
T. Olagunju
Absent
L. Golphin
No
N. Lewis
Aye
S. Kelly
Aye
L. Taylor
Aye

E.

Pending Facility Requests

There were no pending facility requests. 

F.

FY27 Academic Calendar Adjustment

S. Kelly made a motion to FY27 Academic Calendar Adjustment.
R. Finley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

FY27 Academic Calendar Adjustment (Presented by Sonja Riley)

Proposed adjustments to align with Bibb County School District were reviewed.
A motion was made, seconded, and approved.

IV. Budget Hearing

A.

FY26 Amended Budget Presentation

FY26 Amended Budget Presentation (Presented by Arleen Samuels)

A high-level overview of the amended budget was presented, including total revenue, expenditures, and projected surplus.
Key adjustments to staffing, bonuses, and facilities costs were reviewed.

B.

Public Comment

Public comment procedures were acknowledged.
An issue with the governing board email inbox was noted.
The Board agreed to allow a limited additional opportunity for individuals impacted by the issue to submit comments

C.

[Added Item] Executive Session – Personnel and Real Estate Matters

A motion was made to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel and real estate matters pursuant to applicable provisions of the Georgia Open Meetings Act. The motion was seconded and approved.

 

The board entered executive session at 8:44 pm

The Board returned to open session at 9:27 pm. The motion was made by N. Lewis and seconded by R. Finley and approved. No votes were taken during the Executive Session.

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:27 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Blake
N. Lewis made a motion to Adjourn meeting.
R. Finley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.