Durham Charter School
Minutes
Durham Charter School Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday December 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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 (remote), C. Cain, G. Wicker (remote), L. Morey, M. Bailey (remote), M. Lesesky, P. Edwards, R. Ford
Directors Absent
E. Lembert
Guests Present
A. Hill, B. Brown, P. Adkins (remote), 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 Dec 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM.
B.
Record Attendance
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 10-23-25.
M. Lesesky seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Approval of Agenda
C. Cain made a motion to to approve the ameneded 12/8/25 3:29pm agenda.
G. Wicker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
Privilege of the Floor
No one was present for Privilege of the Floor.
II. Executive Director Report
A.
Presentation of Report
- General student enrollment, application portal launched, Info sessions and tours
- Staff attendance good, no new hires
- Culture and Discipline Data
- Academic Data - EOC's in January
- Students enrollment at Durham Tech
- School Events (Thanksgiving dinner deliveries, ochestra, basketball)
- Ethnic diversity is increasing among student population
B.
School Mental Health Policy
Mr. Quigley presented School Mental Health Policy for board approval.
III. Old Business
A.
Building Update
Mr. Cumming gave an update on the phase 1 remaining punch list and phase 2 preparation items:
- permenant site lights fully operational by the end of this week
- zoning sign off upcoming
- budget still in line for phases 1
- Durham County erosion and storm water control final items
- elementary drawing out to subcontractors for pricing
- looking at February to start pursuing permits for the elementary school
- checking on fire lane marking
IV. Academic Excellence
A.
Committee Minutes
Mr. Qiugley and Mr. Bailey disussed the Academic Excellence report:
- Credit recovery policy
- Draft of 26-27 school calendar (for approval by board)
P. Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Excellence on 11-18-25.
G. Wicker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
P. Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Excellence on 12-05-25.
G. Wicker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Governance and CEO Evaluation
A.
Committee Minutes
Mr. Cain presented the Governance and CEO Evaluation Committee report:
- Parent/Scholar Grievance Policy (for board approval)
- Naloxone Policy (for board approval)
- Title IX policy addendum (for board approval)
P. Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance and CEO Evaluation on 11-05-25.
G. Wicker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
P. Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from Governance and CEO Evaluation on 12-03-25.
G. Wicker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Finance & Operations
A.
Committee Minutes
Mr. Lewesky presented the Finance & Operations committee report:
- Monthly Budget
- Audit
- State Retirement
- Finance reports (October and November for board approval)
- Christmas Bonus
P. Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from Finance & Operations on 11-17-25.
G. Wicker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
P. Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from Finance & Operations on 12-08-25.
G. Wicker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VII. Board Votes
A.
The following items are presented as a slate for board approval:
- Title IX Policy Adendum
- Parent/Scholar Grievance Policy
- Naxolone Policy
- DCS High School Credit Recovery Policy
- 26-27 School Calendar
- October and November Financial Reports
- Christmas Bonus
- School Mental Health Policy
- October and November Committee Minutes
P. Edwards made a motion to approve the aforementioned slate of items.
G. Wicker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Approval of the move of 1,113,252.90 in proceeds from the sale of the 807 W. Chapel Hill St. property to the operating account to cover capital expenditures at the 4621 Kemp Rd. property
M. Lesesky made a motion to approve the movement of property sale proceeds as aforementioned.
R. Ford seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
R. Ford made a motion to adjourn meeting.
P. Edwards 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 5:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
C. Cain
Qurom was reached with 7 of 8 board members present.