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Memphis Merit Academy Charter School

Minutes

Monthly Governance meeting

Date and Time

Monday March 9, 2026 at 11:59 AM

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. 

Committee Members Present

Aurelia Mcbride, Dimika Cavalier (remote), Joseph McKinney (remote)

Committee Members Absent

Talunja Prophet

Committee Members who arrived after the meeting opened

Aurelia Mcbride

Guests Present

Lakenna Booker (remote), Tasia Mitchum (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Joseph McKinney called a meeting of the Governance Committee of Memphis Merit Academy Charter School to order on Monday Mar 9, 2026 at 12:08 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Governance meeting on 02-09-26.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Governance

A.

Accountability Hearing

We are working on the Attendees List so that we can submit prior to the deadline, which is March 14th. 

 

We currently have satisfied the requirements of who needs to attend and in what capacity. If there are other members that want to attend, they still can. Ms. Mitchum and/or Board Chair McBride will be reaching out. 

 

Next focus is the Renewal Year. This is our next focus. 

 

There are more legislative changes in the works for the Renewal Policy. We will continue to follow these changes and update the Governance Committee as items are unveiled. 

B.

Potential Candidate

Potential Board Member - Ben Clark 

 

He is a friend of Mr. McKinney since college. He has worked for Lowes and American Home Shield. Mr. McKinney is awaiting Mr. Clark's resume. Once he receives it, he will e-connect Mr. Clark with Mrs. Booker and Chair McBride. 

 

Aurelia Mcbride arrived at 12:12 PM.

C.

Strategic Planning

Chair McBride - Met with Mrs. Landau last month. There is a draft strategic plan that is underway. The Capital Campaign is the biggest focus. 

 

She wants to ensure that the school and the board are aligned with the Strategic Plan before moving forward and sharing with the rest of the Board of Directors. The school has also been focused on the Accountability Hearing. 

III. 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 12:24 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Tasia Mitchum

* 8-44-102. Open meetings -- "Governing body" defined -- "Meeting" defined. (a)All meetings of any governing body are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times, except as provided by the Constitution of Tennessee...(ii) The provisions of this
subdivision (b)(1)(E) shall not be construed to require the disclosure of a trade secret or proprietary information held or used by an association or nonprofit corporation to which this chapter applies. In the event a trade secret or proprietary information is required to
be discussed in an open meeting, the association or nonprofit corporation may conduct an executive session to discuss such trade secret or proprietary information; provided that a notice of the executive session is included in the agenda for such meeting. (iii)As
used in this subdivision (b) (1) (E): (a)"Proprietary information" means rating information, plans, or proposals; actuarial information; specifications for specific services provided; and any other similar commercial or financial information used in making or deliberating
toward a decision by employees, agents or the board of directors of such association or corporation; and which if known to a person or entity outside the association or corporation would give such person or entity an advantage or an opportunity to gain an
advantage over the association or corporation when providing or bidding to provide the same or similar services to local governments; and (b)"Trade secret" means the whole or any portion or phrase of any scientific or technical information, design, process,
procedure, formula or improvement which is secret and of value. The trier of fact may infer a trade secret to be secret when the owner thereof takes measures to prevent it from becoming available to persons other than those selected by the owner to have access
thereto for limited purposes.