The Exploris School
Minutes
The Exploris School Board Regular Monthly Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday January 22, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Location
The Exploris School: Elementary Campus
17 S Swain St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
5th Grade Classroom
Directors Present
A. Rodriguez, E. Grunden, L. Collins (remote), R. Averitte (remote), S. Darroch, S. Scipione
Directors Absent
E. Buchan, M. Nelson, M. Perry, P. President
Ex Officio Members Present
D. Brown, E. Burton (remote), J. Corbat
Non Voting Members Present
D. Brown, E. Burton (remote), J. Corbat
Guests Present
Amanda Habich (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
S. Darroch called a meeting of the board of directors of The Exploris School to order on Thursday Jan 22, 2026 at 4:37 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
A. Rodriguez made a motion to approve the minutes from The Exploris School Board Regular Monthly Meeting on 12-18-25.
E. Grunden seconded the motion.
Board is reviewing why certain items were not included.
A. Rodriguez made a motion to table approval until corrections can be made.
R. Averitte seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Public Comment
E.
Board Development
A. Rodriguez made a motion to Read into the minutes a commendation for Steven Darroch, retiring board chair.
S. Scipione seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
A. Rodriguez made a motion to Nominate slate of board officers.
R. Averitte seconded the motion.
Eric Grunden, Chair (accepted)
Richard Averitte, Vice-Chair (declined)
Lauren Collins, Secretary (accept)
F.
Audit Report - Amanda Habich, TJT. Opinions are unmodified and there are no findings. This is the highest rating an institution can receive.
II. Committee Reports
A.
Finance
E. Grunden made a motion to Accept proposal to retain Target River as a marketing consultant.
S. Scipione seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Educational Excellence
C.
Governance
Governance committee did not meet in January as per their practice.
D.
Director Evaluation & Support
EG to assume chair of the committee and will be meeting with directors.
E.
Facilities
A. Rodriguez made a motion to Approve retention of TerraCon as geotechnical contractor.
R. Averitte seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E. Grunden made a motion to Accept 6-month planning and implementation with CapDev.
S. Scipione seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
Kaizen
III. Meeting Items
A.
Directors Report
E. Grunden made a motion to Approve conference days as instructional days.
R. Averitte seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
A. Rodriguez made a motion to approve the draft 26-27 school calendar.
E. Grunden seconded the motion.
Does the calendar align with WCPSS? Yes it does.
Special thanks to Jessie Francese for preparing document!
IV. Closed Session
A.
Facilities & Legal Items
A. Rodriguez made a motion to enter closed session to discuss employment issues.
S. Scipione seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
A. Rodriguez made a motion to exit closed session.
R. Averitte seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. 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 6:37 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
E. Grunden
Documents used during the meeting
- S. Darroch Commendation Letter.pdf
- Proposal for The Exploris School (1).pdf
- Bank Account Balances 2025.12 - Exploris.pdf
- 03. Board Report 2025.12 - Exploris.pdf
- 06. Balance Sheet 2025.12 - Exploris.pdf
- 05. Income Statement 2025.12 - Exploris.pdf
- Exploris - CapDev planning-early implementation extension proposal 12.17.2025 (1).pdf
- 2025.12.15_Terracon Geotech Proposal.pdf
- PROPOSED_2026-2027 Calendar.pdf
- January 2026 Exploris Leadership Team Board Report.pdf
- January, 2026 The Exploris School TargetMarketing Agreement.pdf
One submitted item was read. Items read will be addressed consistent with Board policy.