M. Sturdivant invited any staff  - teachers or administrative personnel -  to speak if they so wished.

D. Ussery updated the board about plans to bring children back into the classroom and return to the hybrid model.  A comprehensive report was shared online. 

Out of 222 families, 40% responded to a survey asking about the return to the classroom.  Substantial majority (73%) of respondents indicated a desire for their children to return to classroom learning.  The  families of 31 (27%)  students indicated a preference for virtual learning.  Six staff members indicated a preference not to return to the classroom.  Concerns remained about the availability of PPE, availability of regular COVID-19 testing, scrub tops, dividers and shields.  The preferred return date was given as February 15.  D. Ussery is talking with staff about steps being taken to mollify these concerns.

Discussion followed. 

D. Ussery also updated the board about enrollment and return of equipment.

Twelve laptops were returned damaged, 6 have not been returned.  Staff have been working with families to make immunization appointments so the children can be re-enrolled. 

M. Sturdivant brought the Board up to date on plans to remain in the soon to be renovated Klondike building, in lieu of moving to neighboring Northside previously discussed.    Alicia Norman and Deadre Ussery have been in meetings to discuss potential designs and plans for the renovated building.

 S. Brooks is compiling a list of all costs PES and PPS have born for the building since renting from SCS beginning in 2015.  This list will be submitted and included in the assessment of purchase value.   Decisions about how the building will be purchased should be forthcoming in another month or so; there is no agreement as yet. 

A discussion followed about Northside Renaissance Group and their involvement with the development of Smokey City Klondike neighborhood including PES and PPS. 

M. Sturdivant also brought the Board up to date on future plans for PPS. M. Sturdivant, K. Perry and C. Stephenson will hold a meeting to further discuss matters related to PPS and PES. 

The monthly financials were shared online. 

Enrollment is better than budgeted; therefore BEP income is higher.  Also, expenses have been less than budgeted.  There is a significant increase forecasted in operating income. 

At approximately 5:45 p.m. the zoom platform was hacked and the meeting was adjourned.  The meeting was reconvened via a secure Raymond James Zoom conference call at approximately 6:00 p.m. 

The next BEP adjustment/tune-up is February. 

The PPP application for loan forgiveness has moved to the SBA for approval. 

A CSP remote learning grant has been awarded.

The FY 22 budgeting process will begin in February.  The final budget should be approved April or May and the final version sent to SCS by July 15, 2021. $9K is sent to the school for each student; when six students get their necessary shots, enrollment will be at 228 yielding a bump in funding of $54K. 

D. Ussery shared that numerous maintenance emergencies have necessitated staff coming out in the middle of the night in addition to managing daily needs.  She would like to post a position for a building engineer – part time to the end of the school year, full-time for the next school year.  D. Ussery will give K. Perry the financials for such a position by Monday, February 1. 

D. Ussery updated the Board on teachers who have not yet been certified.  If certification is not obtained by May 1, their positions will be posted online for next year. 

Durham, Harmony and Kline have been asked to submit RFP’s for consideration by February 15. 

Discussion followed about the training of monitors on the buses.  Having Perea’s own TA’s serve as monitors is under consideration. 

D. Ussery asked board members to reach out to faculty and staff sending words of encouragement and appreciation.  A list will be sent to each board member.