Memphis Merit Academy Charter School
Minutes
Monthly MMA Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday June 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Location
Memphis Merit Academy
PUBLIC COMMENT AT MEMPHIS MERIT ACADEMY BOARD MEETINGS - An opportunity for the public to address the Board will be provided at the conclusion of the agenda. Members of the public who wish to speak on
any item are requested to identify themselves and indicate on which agenda item they wish to speak. The Board will provide an opportunity for the public to speak for a maximum of three (3) minutes, unless granted
additional time at the discretion of the Board. Testimony shall be limited in content to matters pertaining to Memphis Merit Academy. The Board may not take any action on matters discussed during the public testimony
period that are not listed on the agenda.
Directors Present
Angelia Allen, Aurelia Mcbride, Dimika Cavalier (remote), Joseph McKinney, Lashawn Lester, Reid Lanigan (remote), Talunja Prophet, Timorie Belk
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Angelina Mccoach, Lakenna Booker
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Review and Approval of Monthly Financials
A.
Approval of Monthly Financials
III. Approval of FY26 Budget
A.
FY26 Budget Approval
IV. Approval of Auditing Firm
A.
HHM Firm
V. Approval of Contracts FY25-26
A.
Technology- American Capital Lease - Student Laptop Plan
B.
Mastery Connect - Benchmarks
This testing measures against grade level standards.... how students are predicted to do on TCAP.
C.
Edtec - Back Office Provider
Did financial modeling together this year - very happy with experience with EdTec. Very productive weekly meetings. Remain very pleased with support from their team. Offer a lot of customizable features/reporting. This contract will be for three years.
D.
CodeCrew
Required that MMA offers a computer science credit before end of 8th grade. CodeCrew will work with science teacher to introduce coding.
E.
McGraw-Hill - Social Studies Curriculum
VI. Consultants
A.
Security- Ronin Security
Will add a second guard - one stationed at the front and at the other door for walkers. During the day, one stationed inside walking at the main door and one walking around inside. MMARE covers the parking lot currently.
B.
Taylor Wiz- Marketing
C.
Sherika Fitness - Physical Education Services
Provide PE; also upping recess requirement to 40 mins
D.
Huddle Up
Speech services, for students with IEPs, since MMA does not have speech pathologist on staff.
E.
Turner Real Estate Consulting
Commercial Advisors representative (Jeremy) going out on his own, so the Board discussed and made a decision on changing providers to continue working with Jeremy, who we've been working with and been supported by for a long time.
VII. Curriculum & Digital Platforms
A.
Schoolmint
Enrollment application, teacher evaluation data, grades, includes school runner.
VIII. Committee Reports
A.
Academic Achievement Commmittee
2023-2024 Evaluation almost complete - awaiting Joseph and Talunja.
B.
Development Committee
Packet and address list are ready for distribution. Reminder that board giving is due this month, so we can have a 100% giving board. Goal of $1K/board member, but really the most important is that all board members participate and give in whatever way they can.
C.
Finance Committee
Happy with monthly budget and FY26 budget, all in good shape fiscally.
D.
Governance Committee
Received potential board member from Ms. Mitchum. Angelia Allen will be rolling off the board this year, after many years of dedicated service. Will need Board Vice Chair, and Development Committee leader... will handle at the board retreat. Retreat will be held in late August - mid September.
Discussed a sip-and-see event in July. Opportunity to show potential funders and volunteers and board members the award-winning facility and to meet the staff. Landed on Tuesday July 22nd at 5:30 PM. MMA will reach out to Taylor Whiz to make an invite.
IX. Other Business
A.
Executive Director Update
- Accomplishments: Community Impact Award, Building Memphis Award, Architizer's A+ Awards
- Goals: complete strategic plan, re-ignite the school's capital campaign, reevaluate current property management company, recommend 3 new board members
- Next steps: review and finalize strategic plan, start reaching out to corporate donors, collect and submit proposals for property management companies, follow up with gov't committee re: next steps, continue meeting with board prospects
- Enrollment: have 472 enrolled for FY25-26; 524 in the process to enroll (budget based on 500 students) 520 is our max for next year.
B.
Phase II Updated Project Advisory Agreement
C.
MMARE Financials- April
Majority of outstanding balances caught up. Church did not pay this month. Insurance doubled this month (thanks to a down payment).
Presented by Wendy with EdTec. Reviewed 2024-2025 Prior vs. Current Forecast. Supplies and materials and personnel drive $15K net income increase. Projected to end FY25 with $594K, or 35 DCOH.
FY26 Budget Summary (projected net income of $14K). Budget supports 500 students. Contract Services includes the additional lease payment for new construction phase. Lakenna brought in additional $300K in fundraising this year alone - incredibly impressive. Board will discuss bonus for Executive Director at the August meeting.