L. Radney will introduce the C.R. Neal Academy Volunteer Champion Program — a community-based initiative to amplify school awareness and support enrollment as we approach opening day.

Program Overview

• Champions are trusted community members who believe in the school's mission and are willing to share it — in their neighborhoods, workplaces, churches, and social networks.

• Champions serve as visible advocates during the critical 16-month enrollment period, helping to convert community interest into applications.

• As board members, you are the first and most powerful champions — and you know who else should be one.

Board's Role

• Identify 2–3 potential champions from your personal and professional networks.

• Make warm introductions to Lalah Radney for onboarding into the champion program.

• Participate as champions yourselves at community events this summer and fall.

Discussion regarding a potential partnership with the Downtown YMCA to support after-school clubs, enrichment programming, and student engagement opportunities for the proposed campus opening in August 2027. Conversation included preliminary coordination around student transportation and pick-up logistics, alignment with projected dismissal schedules for middle and high school students, and opportunities to leverage Friday early release time for structured work-based learning and credential-building activities. The YMCA was also asked to provide information regarding existing partnership models, family pricing structures, and timelines for establishing formal agreements such as an MOU or Letter of Intent to support advance planning for families and student programming.

L. Radney will present the monthly Board Brief — a standing summary of progress on the three critical pre-opening priorities. Board members will receive this brief in advance of the meeting.

Enrollment

• Current digital lead count and pipeline progress toward the 450-application target.

• Summer outreach: community events, Banco partnership, tabling schedule.

• Engagement strategy: call to action, monthly newsletter, information sessions at the C.R. Neal Dream Center beginning in August.

• Applications open: Week of October 26, 2026. Every conversation counts.

L. Radney will provide a brief update on ESMA status and the upcoming authorizer contract milestones.

• ESMA Chair vacancy: See Section III.B for discussion.

• Authorizer contract: The contract from Voorhees University Charter Institute of Learning (VCIL) is expected to be received in the coming days.

• July 16, 2026 — Executive Director Lalah Radney and Senior Director Steven Carney will meet with the Voorhees team to review and discuss the authorizer contract, including pre-opening conditions and performance gates.

• The board will be briefed on contract terms and next steps at the July meeting.

Board Chair will discuss recent article as it pertains to changes in charter regulations. Please refer to the article sent. 

Board Chair & L. Radney  will present the proposed committee framework for C.R. Neal Academy's founding board. Board members are invited to indicate their committee interest. The SC Governance Playbook will serve as a reference for best practices in board committee structure.

Governance Committee

• Purpose: Supports the recruitment of new board members, promotes board health, and ensures governance best practices are followed.

• References the SC Governance Playbook for guidance on board composition, onboarding, and succession.

• This committee helps grow and sustain the board as a high-functioning governance body.

Facilities Advisor Group

• Purpose: Community and expert advisors who attend meetings, present directly to the board, and report on facilities progress.

• These advisors do the presenting — the board listens, asks questions, and provides direction.

• Provides oversight and community input on building design, construction milestones, and programming of the facility.

Subcommittees

• Pre-Opening / Compliance Subcommittee — Responsible for tracking and advancing policy development and all pre-opening conditions required by VCIL. This team will begin working through the policy calendar starting in July 2026.

• Fund Development / Finance Subcommittee — Leads early budget development work and fund development strategy. This committee will begin working toward the school's first operating budget and identify philanthropic opportunities to supplement state per-pupil funding.

Future Committee (Launching Closer to Opening)

• Academic Excellence Committee — Board member(s) who will help oversee and monitor academic results. This committee will review dashboards and school performance data on a recurring basis. A current board member is already positioned to support this work.

Board members will be asked to indicate their committee interest. A sign-up will be shared following this meeting.

Two positions are currently open on the founding committee:

• Secretary — Board officer responsible for meeting records, governance documentation, and official correspondence. Ensures minutes are accurately captured and publicly available per FOIA requirements.

• ESMA Committee Chair — Leads the Education Services and Management Agreement (ESMA) development process in collaboration with RSF leadership, legal counsel, and the full board. This role is critical as the ESMA governs the Board's accountability relationship with Rooted School Foundation as the school's operator.

The board is asked to consider nominations or self-nominations. Candidates should communicate interest to Chair Jackson.

S.Carney will discuss the board profile and areas to strengthen as we move closer to opening day