The Exploris School

Minutes

The Exploris School Board Regular Monthly Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday June 27, 2024 at 4:30 PM

Location

The Exploris School: Elementary Campus

17 S Swain St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA

5th Grade Classroom

Directors Present

D. Deaton, E. Buchan, E. Grunden (remote), S. Carothers (remote), S. Darroch, W. McLamb

Directors Absent

D. Hencher, G. Bayo, R. Boyce, T. Void

Ex Officio Members Present

D. Brown (remote), E. Burton, J. Corbat

Non Voting Members Present

D. Brown (remote), E. Burton, J. Corbat

Guests Present

K. Morgan

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 Jun 27, 2024 at 4:36 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Section in Finance section needed to be amended to complete sentence regarding bond financing.

 

Mr. Townley was marked as absent and he has resigned (February 23) and should be removed from the board members list.

 

Josh noted his name was switched with Ethan on a few comments.  

 

Will also need to confirm names of all those who spoke during the public comments from the previous meeting.

 

Also add "Finance Committee - refer to board development for more details."  

D. Deaton made a motion to approve the minutes from May 23, 2024 The Exploris School Board Regular Monthly Meeting on 05-23-24.
E. Buchan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Public Comment

No public comment in person or submitted online.  Stephen stated he responded to the comments from the previous meeting.

E.

Board Development: Updates from Rosewood Strategies

Autumn Tomlin with Rosewood provided update on evaluation of potential new school sites.  

 

Noted challenges with traffic queueing for the 104 Fayetteville Street location, but continuing to investigate how this issue could be managed with Capitol Grounds staff.

 

Discussed St. Augustine location and it was noted that the university is prioritizing buyers who could close in 30-60 days.

 

Rosewood has met with representatives with 801 Hillsborough St and negotiations are ongoing.

 

Autumn discussed the traffic issues associated with the Kindley site and it was indicated the traffic load would need to be reduced by 25-30%.  City staff continue display support for the concept of downtown schools.  

 

Dana inquired about the cost of a TDM and if we already had this information.  Josh indicated a formal TDM is required in order to satisfy City requests.  Costs was estimated to be between $10-$20K.  

 

Josh asked if we needed to move forward with a contract for a TDM consultant.  Eric Mulata (Rosewood) responded we should wait until Friday (6/28) after they interview consultants.  

 

Autumn indicated the capital campaign should move forward in order to have financing ready for acquisition. 

II. Committee Reports

A.

Governance

Deborah indicated that more work on the school handbook continues to move forward.  A resume was received for a potential new board member.  

B.

Finance

William indicated the committee did not meet this month, but budget documents were being finalized.  It was projected there would be 3.8% surplus, which exceeds the goal (~2 to 2.5%).

 

William asked about 2 specific items which Koren addressed.  

 

Josh mentioned the asynchronous approval for a salary scale. 

C.

Educational Excellence

Eric provided the update regarding the EOG results.  Ethan discussed reading EOG trends.  Staff will develop a more formal summary report.  

D.

Director Evaluation & Support

Stephen indicated the 360 director survey has been issued and the data has been initially reviewed but additional analysis will be forthcoming.  

E.

Facilities

Josh mentioned the staff have given the facilities for a "deep clean" and start repairs as needed.  Using the last of the Access Grant staff will acquire additional tables and chairs.   

F.

Kaizen

Kaizen update provided in board packet.  

III. Meeting Items

A.

Directors Report

Deborah indicated there will be new employee hires for approval, but it has been a challenge to fill an EC position.  Stephen asked if our salary was an issue and Josh indicated it was only slightly lower and the caseload would be substantially lower compared to an analogous position in WCPSS.  

 

2 new hires were discussed and approved.  

 

 

D. Deaton made a motion to Approve 2 new crew member hires.
W. McLamb seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Board Business

Stephen reiterated Mr. Townley is no longer on the board.

 

Josh asked if we need to move quickly on funding a TDM and staff will need to have the ability to execute a contact on short notice.  

 

Dana mentioned this would be her last meeting.  

D. Deaton made a motion to allow the Board Executive team to give Exploris staff lattitude to fund a TDM.
E. Grunden seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

E. Buchan made a motion to adjourn meeting.
D. Deaton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:11 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
E. Buchan