Matt

• Overall synopsis of the structure of the binder and what is included

Greg discusses the current state of financials

• Facilities Grant has helped maintain the building
• Mentioned we should be around 8% year to date as a % of Board; some line items are larger to more upfront costs at the beginning of the SY
• Stresses about building our reserves as it is key for summer months
  • Florence asked about the school's reserves
• Building philanthropy (Goal of $350k)
  • Pyramid/Hyde Meeting Recap
    • Matt describes the meeting with Pyramid/Hyde & how they will visit our school to further our chances for our investment ask.
    • Alicia is confident that they will give us something, but not the whole asking amount
    • Jeremy stresses the importance of enrollment

Alicia gives praise for the improvement in enrollment numbers in SY24-25 vs SY23-24

Jeremy questions about the USDA Breakfast & Lunch about the significant variance.

• Greg answers with a lack of accuracy with meals served from prior years, which may have caused the variance; even though it is a lower number, it doesn't impact expenses.

Jeremy questions about the advertising spending and how it is being utilized

• Matt answers that this is being utilized via Power Solutions (PR firm)
• Ads are being run via social media platforms

Matt discusses

• Currently at 453 students
• Still short of our target goal of 465
• Contingency Plan is in effect
  • Closed one of the 4th grade classes; combined as 1 class
  • The 4th grade teachers will teach 3rd & 4th grade classes
  • 3rd Grade teacher will fill a kindergarten class
  • Kindergarten teacher will fill the ECT
  • Communication of the plan will happen during the Data Night (Wednesday, 8/28) 

Jeremy mentioned to recap of the contingency plan

Matt discusses a potential board member

• Benefits to the board
  • Experience in fundraising & development

Alicia adds that the potential board member is new to Memphis but very charismatic and outgoing and "Gets It!"

Board reviews the resume and credentials

Jeremy asks if we are voting on the new potential board member tonight

• Matt favors to vote
• Alicia mentions if a meeting of the potential board member is needed; Florence, Jeremy, & Mike denied the request due to the trust of Matt & Alicia

Florence makes the motion to accept the potential new member to the Board

Jeremy seconds the motion

Unanimous decision to accept the potential board member to the Board 

Targeting 11 board members

Alica has a potential target for a board member

Florence asks about finding a board member with a legal background

• Jeremy has a potential fit

Matt discusses TCAP results

• Alica wants to know what things are in place for the ELA goal of significantly increasing.
  • Matt mentions that the curriculum has changed from Reading Reconsidered to CommonLit.
  • Small group instruction started too late (March), aiming for an October start time.
• Matt is focusing on data and instruction in classrooms
  • Alicia wants to zero in on teaching and standards

Jeremy questions the cost efficiency of going to small groups

Diane chimes in about the 2PC volunteers to help assist the teachers and students with the curriculum

Florence questions what they want to see when it comes to academic improvements.

• Alicia gears to outperforming the District and AMOs (Annual Measure Outcomes)
• Matt chimes in on the main focus is ELA & Math

Matt went the ambitious route with the TCAP SY25 Goals

• Stresses that we have to double the results to catapult us to our SY27 goals
• If we do not see the goals, something has to change

Alicia chimes in about how Pyramid questioned the two planning periods

Florence chimes in about the stresses of the two planning periods and does the staff understand the importance.

• Florence & Jeremy Encourages Matt to have conversations with the Leadership Team about what is at stake

Alicia makes an observation on Lower Academy vs Middle Academy

• She notices that LA is doing better than MA; earlier grades perform better (K-3)

Matt gives shoutouts to 6th grade Social Studies, 7th grade Science

Jeremy asks who is the Math teacher for 8th grade

• Matt answers that we are filling the roles of 6th & 8th grade Math teachers

Matt talks about the Strategic Priorities

Matt moves Alicia from Academics to Finance

Matt will reach out to each board member to schedule meetings

The next board meeting is Thursday, October 3, 2024 (8:30am-12:30pm)

• Matt mentions that the board should partake in classroom visits

Matt is shifting to more board meetings as he wants the accountability

• Matt is already feeling the support from Diane, Jeremy, & Alicia 

Alicia says the goal is not to be a mediocre Charter School as the focus is to increase our academic results. 

Alicia mentioned that she and Brad will reach out to each member about assessments and board training to be completed.

Alicia questions about if 4pm start time works for everyone

• everyone agrees