Simple Vue Academy

Minutes

SVA Governing Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday July 16, 2025 at 7:45 PM

Location

The Simple Vue Academy

3264 Brookmont Pkwy

Douglasville, GA 30135

Trustees Present

A. Giles, A. Helton, C. Henderson, C. Thorbes, D. Brown, E. Estrada-Olufade, L. Curry, M. Wills Brown

Trustees Absent

None

Guests Present

M. Felts, N. Edouard

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

M. Wills Brown called a meeting of the board of trustees of Simple Vue Academy to order on Wednesday Jul 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM.

C.

Approval of Minutes

L. Curry made a motion to approve the minutes from SVA Governing Board Meeting on 06-18-25.
D. Brown seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Approval of Minutes

D. Brown made a motion to approve the minutes from Called Meeting on 07-01-25.
C. Thorbes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Adoption of Agenda

C. Thorbes made a motion to Approve the agenda.
A. Helton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Executive Director's Report

A.

Executive Director's Report by Nandi Edouard

Founding Team & Staffing

The school is fully staffed at the leadership level. Two recent teacher resignations have prompted active recruitment efforts. Existing staff are being adjusted to ensure classroom coverage, and hiring is underway to fill the remaining roles before the school year begins.

 

Enrollment
95 students are currently enrolled, with 106 acceptances. To accommodate demand, the school will open a second seventh-grade classroom, totaling five classrooms (three sixth-grade and two seventh-grade).

 

Internet Access (E-Rate)
Simple Vue Academy was unexpectedly removed from the state’s E-Rate internet funding list as of July 1. Efforts are ongoing to appeal this decision. In the interim, the school is operating on Angels in Progress Academy’s internet. A contract with AT&T has been initiated, but installation will take 3-4 weeks. The school year will begin with hotspots and a low-tech approach.

 

Monitoring
Charter Schools Program (CSP) monitoring is scheduled for August 19, 2025.

 

School Safety & Policy
The Board is referring the development of a Weapons in Schools policy to the Governance Committee and has requested a written School Safety Plan from school leadership. Additionally, the Board recommends that leadership pursue CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) training for de-escalation and restraint practices.

 

Key Upcoming Dates

  • Grand Opening: August 2
  • First Day of School: August 4
  • InspiredU Digital Literacy Workshops: November 4 and 8; January 24, 2026

III. Executive Session

A.

Facilities

M. Wills Brown made a motion to Enter the Executive session for the purpose of discussing the Simple Vue Academy facilities.
L. Curry seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
A. Helton made a motion to Adjourn the Executive Session.
D. Brown seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Governance Committee Report

A.

Review of Officer Roles & Responsibilities

The Governance Committee presented an overview of officer roles and responsibilities. No further discussion was held.

B.

Review of Member/Officer Tracking

The review of member and officer tracking discussion was tabled and will be revisited at the next meeting.

C.

Conflict of Interest Compliance Status

The Board is currently 75% compliant with Conflict of Interest form submissions. Remaining members are requested to return their signed forms to the Secretary at their earliest convenience.

D.

Board Recruitment

The board recruitment discussion was tabled and will be revisited at the next meeting.

E.

SCSC Monitoring Update

Charter Schools Program (CSP) monitoring is scheduled for August 19, one day before the next regular board meeting. Policy updates will be required to ensure compliance with federal standards. Due to the timing, the Board will need to hold a called meeting, conducted in person to establish quorum, to review and approve these revisions.

V. Financial Committee Preview

A.

Committee Launch Timeline

As previously discussed, the Finance Committee will launch in August with members Ajuah Helton, Erika Estrada-Olufade, and Anthony Giles. Scheduling and procedures are being finalized to align with board meeting timelines and reporting needs.

B.

FY26 Budget Update

No budget lines have been exceeded. Financial reports will be posted, and at the next board meeting, the Finance Committee will provide an executive summary of the June financials.

C.

Fundraising Update

The Board agreed to move the gala to spring to better coordinate with key events and fundraising efforts. A VIP executive luncheon at the upcoming ribbon-cutting aims to raise $5,000 for extended learning, with board members encouraged to invite potential donors. To date, $1,700 has been raised toward the extended learning campaign through sponsorships. Board members are reminded to fulfill their give/get commitments through donations or in-kind contributions.

VI. Action Items

A.

Election of Vice Chair

D. Brown made a motion to Elect Lovette Curry as the Vice Chair for a 2-year term.
A. Helton seconded the motion.

Several board members nominated Lovette Curry to serve as the Vice Chair.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Approval of Revised Bylaws

D. Brown made a motion to Approve the Bylaws for the Simple Vue Academy.
C. Thorbes seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Approval of Revised Committee Policy

A. Helton made a motion to Approve the Committee Policy for the Simple Vue Academy.
D. Brown seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Finance Committee FY26 Regular Meeting Schedule

L. Curry made a motion to Approve the FY26 regular meeting schedule for the Finance Committee meeting.
M. Wills Brown seconded the motion.

The Finance Committee proposed a regular meeting schedule of the third Wednesday each month, 12:00-1:30 PM, at The College Park Library, with Erika Estrada-Olufade designated as the Committee Chair and Anthony Giles designated as Committee Secretary.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VII. 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 9:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Thorbes