Durham Charter School

Minutes

Durham Charter School Board Annual Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday September 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Location

807 W. Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701

Our Mission: To Build a World-Class, K-12 School in Durham that Empowers Students to Thrive in College, Career, and Life. 

Directors Present

A. Gutierrez, C. Cain, E. Lembert, G. Wicker (remote), L. Morey, M. Bailey, M. Lesesky (remote), P. Edwards, R. Ford

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

A. Hill, B. Brown, P. Adkins, Patrick Cummings (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

L. Morey called a meeting of the board of directors of Durham Charter School to order on Thursday Sep 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

Quorum was met with 9 out 9 board members present. 

C.

Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance was rendered. 

D.

Approve Minutes

P. Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from Durham Charter School Board Meeting on 08-28-25.
M. Lesesky seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Approval of Agenda

C. Cain made a motion to approve amended agenda amended 9/25/25.
R. Ford seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Privilege of the Floor

No one present for Privilege of the Floor.

II. Executive Director Report

A.

Presentation of Report

Mr. Quigley presented the Executive Director’s Report and discussed:

  • Enrollment data (including no shows), high school recruitment
  • Academics (EOG's district, state, and Durham Charter)
  • Bus ridership, routes, and stops
  • Athletics
  • Building update in conjunction with Mr. Cummings (partial and full occupancy, landscaping, athletic fields, punch list items, cost overages, site development)

III. Old Business

A.

4621 Kemp Rd Dedication

Mr. Qiugley discussed the dedication event on October 24th, 2025:

  • Invites
  • Confirmations

IV. New Business

A.

Phase II Construction

Mr.Quigley discussed the Phase II Construction at Kemp Road:

  • Contractor
  • Site Plans
  • Architecture 
  • Price and 5 year projections
  • Start construction goal in July 2026

B.

Board Member Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest Policy presented to each board member for signature.

V. Academic Excellence

A.

Committee Minutes

Mr. Bailey discussed Academic Commttee information:

  • Assessment calendar for approval
  • Parent Square
R. Ford made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Excellence Committee Meeting on 09-16-25.
P. Edwards seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Governance and CEO Evaluation

A.

Committee Minutes

Mr. Cain discussed Governance and CEO Evaluation Committee Information:

  • CEO Evaluation presented to be discussed further in closed session
  • PTO Bylaws tabled for revision
R. Ford made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance and CEO Evaluation on 09-10-25.
P. Edwards seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VII. Finance & Operations

A.

Committee Minutes

Mr. Lesesky discussed the Finance & Operations Committee information:

  • Banks accounts reviewed
  • Preliminary budgets reviewed
  • State Retirement
  • Cash Management 
R. Ford made a motion to approve the minutes from Finance & Operations Committee Meeting on 09-15-25.
P. Edwards seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VIII. Closed Session pursuant to (G.S.) 143-318.11 (6) Personnel Items

A.

Enter Closed Session

P. Edwards made a motion to Enter closed session to discussed personnel items.
R. Ford seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Adjourn Closed Session

C. Cain made a motion to adjourn closed session.
E. Lembert seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IX. Annual Election of Board Officers

A.

Elect board officer's

The following board members were discussed and recommended for 25-26 election to these listed offices:

 

Liz Morrey - President

Prestion Edwards - Vice President 

Matt Lesesky  - Treasurer

Cary Cain - Secretary 

X. Board Votes

A.

The following items are presented as slate for board approval: September Committee Meeting Minutes, 25-26 Testing (Assessment) Calendar, Termination of Michael Howard, approve election of officers as listed in Section IX of these minutes, and

approve Mr. Cain to finalize Mr. Qiugley's CEO Evaluation Summary Memo.

R. Ford made a motion to approve the aforementioned slate of items.
P. Edwards seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

XI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

P. Edwards made a motion to adjourn meeting.
E. Lembert 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 6:58 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Cain