Give STL Day May 7, 2026  is coming up,  See the QR code on the TLS Support Website or use this link.

MEC Financial Disclosure is due May 1.

Please respond to the survey requesting board feedback on availability for Summer Board Retreat (July or August Saturdays)

End of Year Evaluation for Courtney is due 5/1.

Check the Task Management Tracker for assignment update for April.

Stephanie participated in Career Week and was able to answer students' questions about her career (encouraging students to consider teaching)  and help educate teachers on the work of the Board.  Good community engagement opportunity.  Everyone is encouraged to participate next year. 

On 4.22.26 Courtney and Becky along with other Charter School EDs and Board Chairs met with Mark Modrecn, the new Executive Director of the MCPSC.

On 5.9.26, The Buddy Club Kickball Tournament will be held at the Bud Dome (9711 Green Park Industrial Dr, Saint Louis, MO 63123) and starts at about 12.  TLS will be awarded a check for $30K to spend on equipping the playground.

Reviewed updated language in the Finance & Facilities and Governance committee charters to include responsibilities formerly handled by the Development Committee.

Reviewed proposed Board Meeting dates for next year.  The Governance Committee will take another look at timing and number before presenting to the Board for final approval.

Reviewed initial thinking around Charter Renewal: Goals Years 6-10.  Are looking at a three-part approach: 

1. Charter Commission Performance Contract Goals unique to TLS

2. Charter School Performance Framework Goal applicable to all charters, and 

3. Internal School Goals addressing areas we value and will monitor, but are not part of the legal contract with the Commission, such as family satisfaction, student wellness, and economic development.

Decrease $50K since February

KPIs 

Projected to end the year with:

• Cash on Hand: 82 days  (goal = >45)
• Growth Margin: 8.5% (goal = 5%)
• Fund Balance: 22% (goal = >12%)

CSP Funding 

• Significantly underspent this year. 
  • As we move into the next FY27 we will need to plan on how to spend the cash by year's end: 
  • Eligible for reimbursement: Furniture and supplies for the new building, staffing to accommodate the addition of Grade 6 and additional cohorts in K and Gr. 1, recruitment, replacement curriculum for ELA (from EL to Redthread), instructional and operational planning.
  • 30% of leadership salaries are refundable.
  • Usually submit reimbursements bi-monthly; can do monthly
  • F & F will monitor spend down monthly going forward.

Budget FY26 to FY27 

• Nearly final. EdOps is awaiting completion of non-staff costs and line item details.
• Will increase from $5.4 million to $6.4 million
• Need to learn more about the Debt Service Coverage Ratio now that we have taken on a $14M loan.  State requires 1.1; we are slated to have 3.51, which is good.

Internal Controls re: Credit Card Receipts

• School will more closely monitor classification of credit card receipts in a timely manner.
• All receipts need to be correctly filed by the last Friday of the month for the previous month.
• The F & F Committee will check in with EdOps at the end of day on the due date to verify that it has the information needed to complete its monthly report to share with the Finance Committee in a timely manner (Monday of the week the Committee meets, 3 weeks after the last Friday of the month deadline).
• If there are issues with delayed documentation on the school's end that are adversely impacting work flow, the Board will add language to the Bank Procedures Policy stipulating that the school must file receipts within a specified amount of time as determined by the board.

Development 

• Courtney is working with someone to support External Affairs and Communications on a contract basis to help with identifying future donors.
• Needs to meet with Jesse Dixon re: potential funders in Normandy

Recognize Outstanding Staff and Students

• Courtney & Keisha will determine honorees.
• Names will be shared with the Board in order for the Board to honor awardees at the Annual Board meeting at the end of June.

Board Member Agreement 

• We agree to serve on at least one committee
• We agree to contact the Committee Chair within two business days if missing meeting. 
• We agree to respond to emails/calendar invite/requests for information within two business days per the Board Conduct policy (barring emergencies).
• We agree to participate in semi-annual self-evaluations if we have served at least six months.

Policy Review 

• Discussion of School Closure Policy - tabled to next month due to time

Summer Retreat Planning

• Discussion of date and agenda - tabled to next month due to time

Goals 1 - 4:  Students will take MAP in early May, then iReady.

Goals 5 & 6: The ratio of students with discipline referrals vs the total population to date is 19%. Both the school and the Board will monitor this percentage going forward.

Goal 7: In May the school will seek another round of feedback related to family engagement.

Goal 8: Enrollment is on pace to meet projections.

Gary commented that we had fulfilled our fiduciary responsibilities in this meeting through our review of the KPI, discussion of next year's budget, internal controls relative to credit card receipts, and the need to the monitor spend down related to the CSP grant.