Durham Charter School

Minutes

Durham Charter School Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday March 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Location

DCS Board Meeting

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 (remote), G. Wicker (remote), J. Miller (remote), L. Morey, M. Bailey, M. Lesesky, P. Edwards, R. Ford

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

A. Quigley, B. Brown, Joey Webb, P. Adkins

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

B. Brown called a meeting of the board of directors of Durham Charter School to order on Thursday Mar 27, 2025 at 5:10 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

Quorum reached by having 9 of 10 board members present.

C.

Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance was rendered. 

D.

Approve Minutes

R. Ford made a motion to approve the minutes from Durham Charter School Board Meeting on 02-27-25.
P. Edwards seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Approval of Agenda

P. Edwards made a motion to approve the March 27, 2025 meeting amended agenda.
C. Cain seconded the motion.

NC Charter School Conference added to new business (IV)

Policital Express Policy removed from Governance and CEO Evaluation section (VI)

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

Mr. Quigley presented his executive director's report

B.

Board Dashboard

  • Academics and Assessments
  • Enrollment (budget projection)
  • Bus route sign-ups
  • How new resident applications are handled
  • Bus stops caps
  • Spring Break
  • Suspension Data

C.

HS Uniform Revisions

  • High School Uniform adjustment
  • Durham Tech requirements 

III. Old Business

A.

Kemp Rd. School Construction Report

Mr. Hubrich discussed updates to the new school:

  • 1st floor items 
  • 2nd floor items
  • Site work
  • Road widening 
  • Duke Power and Pike Electric
  • Fencing for soccer field
  • Funds draw

B.

Charter School Relocation Approval

Mr. Quigley presented Charter School Relocation Documents for board approval.

C.

Cap buses at 15 routes

Mr. Qiugley discussed having a 15 bus route cap being approved the board.

IV. New Business

A.

$7 million budget shortfall: Durham Public Schools

Ms. Morey discussed a $7 million Durham Public School budget shortfall and hiring freeze.

B.

NC Charter School Conference

  • Dates: July 16 -18
  • Located: Wilmington, NC
  • RSVP to Ms. Morey

V. Academic Excellence Committee

A.

Academic Committee Report

Mr. Bailey presented the academic committee report.

B.

A. Recommended Teacher Hires

Discussed in closed session.

VI. Governance and CEO Evaluation Committee

A.

Governance and CEO Evaluation Committee Report

Mr. Cain presented the governance and ceo evaluation committee report.

B.

A. School Policy on Political Expression

Mr. Cain indicated that the policy on political experession is tabled upon additional review by committee and should presented to board for approval in April.

VII. Finance & Operations Committee

A.

Finance Committee Report

Mr. Lesesky conferred the presentation of the report to Mr. Qiugley. 

B.

Charter Success Partner (CSP) Presentation by Cory

Charter Success Partners with Cory as the fractional CFO being presented for board approval.

C.

Highland Bus Fleet

Mr. Qiugley presented and discussed the Highland Bus Fleet contract for board approval and bus maintenance information.

D.

Budget Report

  • Current Budget Report
  • Annual Budget presented next month

VIII. Closed Session pursuant to (G.S.)143-318.11 (5)(6) for Real Estate and Personnel Matters

A.

Enter closed session

R. Ford made a motion to to enter closed session.
P. Edwards seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Adjourn closed session

C. Cain made a motion to adjourn from closed session.
R. Ford seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IX. Board Votes

A.

The following items are presented as a slate for board approval: Capping bus routes at 15, High School Uniform Policy Revision, Charter Success Partners (Cory) as fractional CFO, Charter School Relocation Documents, Academic Committee Minutes...

Board approval items continued: Finance Committee Minutes, Governance and CEO Evaluation Committee Minutes; Highland Bus Fleet Contract pending Ms .Morey, Mr. Qiugley, and Mr. Atkins agreement; the hiring of the following teachers: Britnie Golloway, Sarah Machak, Miranda Arias, Christian Beltran Lea, Monique Hewitt Carter, Gavin Treasure, Lauren Ataei, Karyn Collis, Na'Laura Luo, Rosario Spaulding, Tyler Cooper, Martin Lopez, Levi Yakubu, Aliya Southerland,  and Jackson Webb.

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

X. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

R. Ford made a motion to adjourn board meeting.
M. Bailey 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 7:10 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Cain