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The Meliora School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Annual Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Location

Remote: call in details below

Directors Present

L. Hollon (remote), L. Hooda (remote), L. Ramdhanie (remote), P. Flinch (remote), Z. Mahmuda (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

L. Ramdhanie, Z. Mahmuda

Guests Present

C. Keck (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

P. Flinch called a meeting of the board of directors of The Meliora School to order on Tuesday May 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM.

C.

Approve Agenda

P. Flinch made a motion to Approve meeting agenda.
L. Hollon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Approve Minutes from Previous Meeting

P. Flinch made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 04-21-26.
L. Hooda seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Recurring Items

A.

Executive Update

Z. Mahmuda arrived.
L. Ramdhanie arrived.
  • The school has 131 fully enrolled learners, exceeding the target of 125, with about 61 learners on the waitlist.
  • The team is preparing for the state enrollment verification deadline and continuing family follow-up for missing documentation.
  • Family engagement remains strong through community events, parent task force outreach, and upcoming bowling night.
  • The readathon raised $5,600.50 to support the school’s house system.
  • The school is shifting transportation support toward YMCA aftercare, with possible subsidies for families with financial need.
  • The school has submitted its first CSP drawdown and is awaiting reimbursement.
  • The school received a term sheet for a $500,000 construction loan, co-signed by ReDefine Ed.
  • Core Construction has been selected as the general contractor for facility updates.
  • The leadership team and learning guide roles are fully hired.
  • The school is exploring a Teach For America partnership to support staffing and teacher development.
  • Staff onboarding has begun through Slack, welcome packages, one-on-one meetings, and shared professional reading.
  • The academic team is continuing work with Building 21 on competencies, rubrics, and summer professional development.

B.

Academic Committee Update

  • Academic planning is ongoing, including work on the competency framework, mastery-based rubrics, standards-based math progression, and summer professional development.

C.

Finance Committee Update

  • The budget remains conservative and is based on 125 students.
  • The board noted that budget amendments may be needed once final enrollment and funding numbers are confirmed.
  • The Finance Committee reviewed procurement thresholds and recommended board approval for purchases or contracts above $25,000.

D.

Operations Committee Update

  • The board discussed background check requirements for board members and volunteers.
  • Members agreed the volunteer policy should distinguish between supervised volunteers and volunteers with independent responsibility for students.
  • The board also discussed visitor check-in procedures and safety tracking.

E.

Community Engagement Committee Update

  • Community engagement updates were included in the Executive Update.
  • Recent outreach and family events have supported enrollment conversion and family connection.

III. New Items

A.

Budget Hearing

  • The board reviewed the proposed budget during the budget hearing.
  • No public comments or requested edits were noted.
  • Final budget approval will occur after the required hearing/public comment process.

B.

Procurement Policy

L. Hollon made a motion to Approve procurement policy.
P. Flinch seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
  • The board reviewed the proposed procurement policy based on the SCSC template.
  • The policy sets a $25,000 threshold for full board approval of contracts or purchase commitments.
  • The board unanimously approved the procurement policy.

C.

Board Slate

  • The board discussed upcoming transitions, including L. Ramdhanie’s future move, Z. Mahmuda’s transition into a staff role, and P. Flinch’s term ending June 30.
  • The board discussed potential new members and future officer roles.
  • Members will continue candidate outreach and schedule interviews.

D.

Policy Discussion - Volunteer Eligibility

  • The board discussed whether background checks should apply to all volunteers or only those with independent responsibility for students.
  • Members agreed the policy needs further clarification before approval.

E.

Loan for Construction - Approval

L. Ramdhanie made a motion to Approve loan for construction.
L. Hooda seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
  • The board reviewed the $500,000 construction loan for facility improvements needed for the certificate of occupancy.
  • ReDefine Ed is co-signing the loan at 100%.

F.

Personnel Policies - Approval

P. Flinch made a motion to Approve EEO policy.
L. Hollon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
P. Flinch made a motion to Approve health and safety policy.
L. Hooda seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
  • The board paused approval of the employment classifications/contract policy pending additional review.

IV. Closing Items

A.

Next Meeting Date: 19 May 2026

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
P. Flinch