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Cirrus Education Group

Minutes

CEG - Academic Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday August 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Location

This meeting will be held via Zoom. Please use the link below to join the meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89220676131?pwd=utqr9FSbaaahoaCCfffCWf1P68n6Hd.1

Committee Members Present

L. Taylor (remote), R. Finley (remote), S. Kelly (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

Guests Present

Alison Bass (remote), Arleen Samuels (remote), B. Williams (remote), Diane Freeman (remote), Dr. Nyla Thornton (remote), N. Brinson (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

R. Finley called a meeting of the Academic Committee of Cirrus Education Group to order on Thursday Aug 6, 2026 at 10:05 AM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

L. Taylor made a motion to Approve the agenda.
S. Kelly seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Approval of Minutes from 7/16

S. Kelly made a motion to approve the minutes from CEG - Academic Committee Meeting on 07-16-26.
L. Taylor seconded the motion.

One correction was requested to remove inaccurate wording regarding who submitted the minutes. Chair Finley did not submit the minutes from July 16th meeting

The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Academic

A.

Curriculum and Instruction

Principal's Academic Report

Dr. Thornton provided an overview of the successful start of the 2026–2027 school year, including:

  • Positive first-week culture and student engagement activities.
  • School-wide implementation of the new SOAR High, Stand Tall, Stay Safe expectations.
  • Procedures and routines emphasized during the opening weeks.
  • MAP Growth and DRC Beacon assessments to be used for instructional grouping.
  • All instructional vacancies have been filled.
  • Summer professional development focused on curriculum, instructional planning, team building, and teacher support.
  • Launch of the new Cirrus Vault, providing centralized instructional resources.
  • Curriculum materials distributed and classrooms fully prepared.
  • School culture calendar completed with extensive staff and parent input.
  • Targeted after-school intervention program planned for students identified through assessment data.
  • Facility improvements and classroom readiness completed before the start of school.

Committee discussion included:

  • Confirmation that new staff received orientation to the school's mission, vision, and charter, with additional charter training planned.
  • Board members commended the quality of school preparations, branding, teacher supports, and the successful opening of school.

B.

Attendance

Mr. Williams reported:

 

  • Approximately 470 students enrolled at the time of the meeting.
  • 446 students in attendance on the reporting day.
  • 105 no-show students were actively being contacted.
  • Leadership expected enrollment to stabilize near the budgeted level after transportation, uniform, and enrollment issues were resolved.

III. Updates

A.

Academic Grant

  • Cirrus was awarded a $10,000 SCSC Academic Support Grant.
  • Planning began for submission of the $100,000 High-Dosage Tutoring Grant application due later in August.

Fundraising

 

Mr. Williams shared plans for a $50,000 fundraising campaign to support student experiences and teacher development.

Notable early commitments included:

 

  • Former Board Chair Sheldon Hart – $1,000 pledge.
  • Mr. Tosin – $2,500 donation

B.

Cognia Update

Leadership met with Cognia to begin planning for the upcoming accreditation renewal process. The renewal timeline will align with the school's charter renewal process, and board members were invited to attend the Cognia conference in Phoenix in February 2027.

IV. 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 11:14 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
N. Brinson