Dr. Keck gave an update to the board with question and answer session: 

• Enrollment 
  • Officially have a lottery - 126 applicants. Huge kudos to the community engagement task force. 
• Finances 
  • Submitted second round of Chart School Growth Fund high review. 
  • RedefinED contract is signed - $150k non-restricted funds, $15k of restricted funds used for community outreach. 
  • Payroll - first one Jan 31st. 
• Facilities - 
  • working through a couple of things with the lease. 
  • Entering due diligence - partners at FRC are now going through to make sure we get our CO from Gwinnett. 
• Personnel - 
  • DOO, Kiaura Stewart, starting on 12 Jan 2026. 
  • Benefits - insurance is figured out and 401(3)(b) will be set up as well. RedefinED will be used for year 0 fundings. To be figured out - PTO, life insurance (once more employees), short term disability with new laws in GA re 12 weeks paid maternity leave may not offer STD at first
  • Hiring - 
    • Director of Academic - 5 candidates for final interviews. Interviewees will do a sample teach, observation, and panel interview, and 1:1 interview with Dr. Keck. Full-time February/March
    • Teacher and Business Manager roles posted on job platform. Can apply through the website
• Community Outreach 
  • Meliora Monday - averaging 30-40 people per session. 10 applications since then. Will have a Meliora Monday every Monday this month (January) 
  • Canvassing at Diamonds in the Rough Event - located in Snellville, canvassing on the 10th (Dr. Keck and Kiaura will be present) and 17th of January. 
  • School Choice Expo (24 Jan 2026) - attending but probably not going to see many applications from this one.
  • Lottery (23 Jan 2026) - at 12 pm. Will be held in person and virtually. Discussion re transparency and make sure families understand the lottery system, deadlines, etc. 75 6th seats and 50 7th grade seats.
• Dr. Keck will be up in New York for Z-Combinator next week. Will be practicing the pitch this time. Will get at least $10,000 and will be pitching Meliora School in New York to investors. 

Polly quickly ran through the documents provided to new members for review. No questions. 

Board Officers

• Discussion on potential slate for the updated board. Recommendation will be made and voted on during next board meeting.

Committees: time of meeting and cadence to be determined by next board meeting and reported back. 

• Academics: Laila, Lydia, Michael, Lakeesha
• Operations: Zenat, Darrell, Polly
• Finance: Lydia, Michael, Lakeesha, Darrell 
• Community: Zenat 
• Governance / Executive - Officers 

Term Lengths: discussed term lengths all board members asked to come prepared with the term length they want to serve for initial term - 1, 2, or 3 years. 

Reviewed the SCSC pre-opening checklist working documents. Each committee is tasked with reviewing and building out meeting cadence and agendas with this document and due dates in mind.