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Cirrus Education Group

Minutes

CEG - Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday September 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Location

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87375054242?pwd=TpBKpCrtwd2qkbOvRgIfbKdJYe4BaJ.1

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), Arleen Samuels (remote), B. Williams (remote), Brenda Edwards (remote), Diane Freeman (remote), N. Brinson (remote), Nyla Thornton (remote), Sonja Riley (remote), Wendy Grimes-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 Sep 29, 2026 at 6:03 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve Agenda

R. Finley made a motion to Approve Agenda.
S. Kelly seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Approve Minutes

S. Kelly made a motion to approve the minutes from CEG - Monthly Board Meeting on 08-25-26.
R. Finley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Approve Minutes Special Called Board Meeting

S. Kelly made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Called Board Meeting on 05-13-26.
R. Finley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Committee Reports

A.

Operations Committee

  • Ms. Sherlynn Kelly, Operations Committee Chair, provided the Operations Committee report. The committee met on September 1, 2026.
  • The school is obtaining vendor quotes for backflow repairs, and the exhaust fan suppression work remains pending.
  • Electrical concerns, including lighting, non-functioning outlets, and tripped circuits, were discussed.
  • Student restroom work is scheduled to be completed during Fall Break, October 12–16.
  • The records room was reorganized, and fireproof filing cabinets were installed.
  • Playground work has been completed.
  • The committee discussed continuing to establish a substitute pool.
  • Due to increased special education enrollment, the need for two additional special education teachers and one EIP teacher was discussed.
  • The Board requested a cost analysis with Finance before staffing decisions are made.
  • Updates were provided regarding federal program drawdowns, HR activities, and compliance.
  • The September 15 safety monitoring visit was reported as going well with no findings.
  • The school is preparing for an October 20 meeting with commissioners.
  • October 6 is Student Count Day.
  • Charter renewal and the strategic plan were discussed.
  • Mr. Williams was asked to obtain additional consultant quotes for review by the Finance Committee.
  • No additional questions were presented.

B.

Academic Committee

  • s. Rhonda Finley provided the Academic Committee report. The committee met on September 28, 2026.
  • Current student enrollment was reported at 513 scholars.
  • The committee reviewed the school’s academic assessment data, including MAP, Georgia Milestones, and DRC BEACON.
  • Assessment results indicate that scholars continue to need significant academic support in reading and mathematics. The school is implementing strategies to increase scholar achievement toward the “Meets” performance level.
  • The committee discussed instructional supports being provided to scholars who have not yet mastered classroom content. Paraprofessionals are being utilized to provide additional small-group instruction while allowing classroom instruction to continue.
  • The school is utilizing after-school programming to provide additional academic support. Approximately 48 scholars are participating in the program.
  • The committee discussed MTSS and the need to identify a new MTSS Coordinator following the departure of the previous employee.
  • The school received a $10,000 tutoring grant to support scholars.
  • The school’s nutrition program continues to provide scholars with free breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
  • An update was provided regarding the September 15 SCSC visit. The school successfully completed the facilities and school records portions of the visit.
  • The committee discussed the upcoming October 20 visit related to charter renewal.
  • The committee discussed prioritizing academics and placing some planned enrichment activities on hold so that resources and attention can remain focused on improving academic achievement.
  • No additional questions were presented.

C.

Finance Committee

  • The Finance Committee did not meet during September. CFO Arleen Samuels presented the August 2026 financial report to the Board.
  • Ms. Samuels reported that the school’s coverage ratio was not met for the current period. Revenue was lower in July and August in part because certain federal expenditures had been incurred but were not yet eligible for drawdown/reimbursement.
  • August revenue totaled $665,999, while expenses totaled $838,856, resulting in a monthly deficit of $172,857.
  • Year-to-date revenue totaled approximately $1.34 million, with year-to-date expenses of approximately $1.337 million and positive year-to-date net income of $2,558.
  • The approved annual revenue budget is $9,109,685. Approximately $1.34 million had been received through August.
  • The school reported 114 days of cash on hand as of August.
  • Ms. Samuels reviewed the school’s bank reconciliations for the operations, nutrition, student activities, and reserve accounts and reported that the accounts were reconciled.
  • Student activity account revenue is increasing through ice cream sales and GoFan ticket sales. Related student activity expenses will also be paid from this account.
  • Ms. Freeman provided the Federal Programs update and reported that FY2026 federal drawdowns have been completed, with the exception of approximately $6,018.53 remaining from IDEA. The remaining funds are expected following completion of the required report.
  • FY2027 federal allocations were reported as follows: Title I, $465,241; Title II, $49,846; Title IV, $35,021; IDEA, $101,164; and IDEA Preschool, $2,198.
  • Federal program budgets were due October 1, and completion reports are due October 31.
  • Required GEPA certifications were completed and signed by Mr. Williams.
  • CPI/FTE reporting opened September 24, with the official student count date scheduled for October 6.
  • Ms. Freeman reported that the required D-46 documents had been completed and submitted.
  • No additional questions were presented.

III. CEO Report

A.

CEO Report

  • Mr. Barry Williams provided the CEO Report.
  • Mr. Williams discussed current enrollment and emphasized the importance of maintaining enrollment numbers as the school approaches the October 6 student count date.
  • An update was provided on staffing needs, including the continued recruitment of special education personnel to support the school’s growing special education population.
  • Mr. Williams discussed preparations for the upcoming October 20 meeting related to the school’s charter renewal.
  • The school continues to focus on academic achievement and ensuring that instructional resources and staffing are aligned with scholar needs.
  • Mr. Williams provided an update on school operations and ongoing facility-related projects.
  • The Board discussed the importance of continued monitoring of expenditures and ensuring that financial considerations are included when evaluating additional staffing, programs, and services.
  • Mr. Williams discussed the school’s strategic planning work and the need to identify appropriate support for the strategic planning process.
  • The Board discussed obtaining and reviewing additional proposals for strategic planning support before moving forward.
  • No additional questions were presented.

B.

Give Butter Fundraising Platform

  • Ms. Nisah Brinson presented an overview of Givebutter, a proposed fundraising platform for Cirrus Academy Charter School.
  • The platform would support the upcoming Elevate Gala on November 14, 2026, while also serving as the school’s ongoing fundraising infrastructure.
  • Ms. Brinson explained that the school currently does not have a dedicated fundraising platform. Existing tools such as GoFan and Cash App do not provide the donor management, fund designation, campaign tracking, and reporting capabilities needed for broader fundraising efforts.
  • Givebutter is designed for schools, nonprofit organizations, and community organizations and provides tools for fundraising campaigns and donor management.
  • The platform can operate without platform or processing fees when voluntary donor tipping is enabled.
  • Security and compliance features were reviewed, including organization verification, payout review, and donor data protections.
  • Givebutter does not require a long-term contract and can be canceled if the school chooses to change platforms.
  • The platform would provide a centralized and professional method for collecting ticket purchases, sponsorships, donations, and other fundraising revenue.
  • Funds raised through the Elevate Gala are intended to support scholar enrichment and teacher development/professional learning.
  • Ms. Brinson recommended approval of Givebutter to support the upcoming gala and the school’s long-term fundraising efforts.

IV. Action Items

A.

Give Butter Fundraising Platform

R. Finley made a motion to Approve Give Butter Platform.
S. Kelly seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

V. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

  • Two community members registered for public comment.
  • Ms. Sharinda Williams, a Cirrus Academy parent, shared positive feedback regarding her family’s experience at the school over the past two years.
  • Ms. Williams expressed appreciation for the school’s staff and leadership and recognized Ms. Coley, the principal, assistant principal, Ms. Brinson, and other staff members for their responsiveness and support of scholars and families.
  • She highlighted the school’s open communication with parents and encouraged continued parent engagement and partnership with teachers and school staff.
  • Ms. Williams also shared her appreciation for the individualized support her child has received from staff.
  • Ms. April Dean was the second community member registered for public comment. Ms. Dean declined to speak but thanked the Board for the opportunity.
  • The public comment period concluded with no additional speakers.

VI. 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 8:08 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
N. Brinson