Connector: if you could be instantly good at anything, what would it be and why?
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Michael Freeland
1 m
The [MONTH] meting of the DeKalb Brilliance Academy Governing Board is called to order at [TIME].
Anyone that is here for public comment, please indicate by signing up on the clipboard in the back OR in the chat in zoom by X:10 PM if you would like to make a comment. We will have two minutes for each speaker, in the order in which we receive the request to comment.
Our mission: With unwavering commitment to exceptional academics, leadership development, and community collaboration, DeKalb Brilliance Academy prepares all Kindergarten-8th grade students to thrive in high school and college, have fulfilling careers, and become impactful leaders in our communities.
Our vision: Each child will know and leverage their unique brilliance to critically analyze the world around them and to design a better and more equitable future.
B.
Board Commitments
FYI
Michael Freeland
2 m
Build excellence: We know that an excellent school starts with an excellent founding team. We come to our time together well-prepared, fulfill our commitments, and generate new ideas to accomplish our goals.
Stay engaged: We stay engaged by “remaining morally, emotionally, intellectually, and socially involved in the dialogue.”
Embrace disagreement: We value disagreement and agree to bring issues into the open. It is through dialogue, even when uncomfortable, that we grow as a team to best serve our students.
Take responsibility for intent and impact: We assume best intent, and also take responsibility for the impact of our actions.
Process, not the people: We know that everyone is working hard for the team, and look first at how to change the process, policies, or plans when we don’t reach our goals.
C.
Public Comment
FYI
Michael Freeland
10 m
If people sign up:
Transparency: Board meetings are a public forum to provide transparency into the governance of the school. Engagement from the community is strongly encouraged and vital to that governance. We value and appreciate the input from our community members. As we proceed with public comments, we would like to remind everyone of the following guidelines:
Time Limit: A total of 30 minutes shall be set aside for public comment. Each speaker will have a maximum of 2 minutes to speak. A speaker may not sign up to speak more than once during the same public comment period
Board Action: The board cannot respond to public comment in the meeting, and in general needs to listen, and then follow up after the board meeting, this is because the board acts through policies and votes as a governing body, not through individuals, so we cannot respond until the board has the information to respond as a group (as opposed to individually), as applicable. We understand this can feel awkward, but please know that we are taking careful notes and take all feedback to the board seriously. The board will direct an appropriate committee or the Head of Schools to engage in responding at a later time as necessary and appropriate.
Scope of discussion: Please be aware that certain topics cannot be discussed during the public comment period. These include, but are not limited to, pending investigations or legal matters, personnel matters, confidential student information and matters, and issues that are subject to ongoing grievance or complaint procedures. Any attempt to discuss these topics during public comment will not be permitted.
Discourse: Speakers are encouraged to maintain decorum and present their comments in a civil manner. The Governing Board reserves the right to request any speaker engaging in defamatory comments to cease. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in adhering to these guidelines.
Any disruptive members of the public will be asked to cease their disruption to allow the Board meeting to continue. If the disruption continues, the disruptive member will be asked to leave the meeting.
Start public comment: “the order we have for public comment is XYZ”
If people do not sign up: “seeing no requests for public comment, we will move to the next section of our agenda”
III.
Committee Updates
7:23 PM
A.
Committee Updates
FYI
Michael Freeland
5 m
No committee meetings in June
Finance reports combined for June and July (board will see in August meeting)
We are looking for both a Secretary and a Vice Chair
Purchase of adjacent land parcel moving forward, with August 15 closing date
Decision 1: Approval of Handbook and Policy Revisions
Suggested Motion Language: Move to approve the recommended revisions from the school’s legal counsel in the Staff Handbook and Student & Family Handbook, as submitted to the Board.
Decision 2: Vote on FY25 Executive Bonuses
Suggested motion language: Move to approve the issuance of FY25 executive merit bonuses, not to exceed $5,000 per eligible executive, in accordance with the terms outlined in their employment contracts and at the Board’s sole discretion.
VI.
Closing Items
7:43 PM
A.
Team shoutouts
Discuss
Michael Freeland
5 m
Align shutouts to board agreements:
Build excellence: We know that an excellent school starts with an excellent founding team. We come to our time together well-prepared, fulfill our commitments, and generate new ideas to accomplish our goals.
Stay engaged: We stay engaged by “remaining morally, emotionally, intellectually, and socially involved in the dialogue.”
Embrace disagreement: We value disagreement and agree to bring issues into the open. It is through dialogue, even when uncomfortable, that we grow as a team to best serve our students.
Take responsibility for intent and impact: We assume best intent, and also take responsibility for the impact of our actions.
Process, not the people: We know that everyone is working hard for the team, and look first at how to change the process, policies, or plans when we don’t reach our goals.
Complete Background Check We are using the same provider (JDP), but they have a new platform and look. You should have received an individual email invitation to complete the check. Please reach out if you didn’t receive it.
Save the Date/Block your Work Calendars for Required SCSC Board Training All board members in their first or second year must attend in-person State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC) governance training this year. Save one of the following dates and locations:
November 5–6: Middle Georgia State University (Macon)
February 11–12: Loudermilk Conference Center (Atlanta)
Day 1 is a half-day session for new board members only; Day 2 is a full-day training for all board members in their first two years of service. Registration links will be available on the SCSC website by September.
C.
Adjourn Meeting
FYI
Michael Freeland
Now we will adjourn our board business.
As a reminder, we don’t need a motion to close - I will just ask if there is any further business, and if there is none, we can adjourn board business. Do we have any further board business to discuss?
