KIPP Memphis Public Schools

Minutes

KIPP Governance Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday February 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Location

Non-board members and non-staff are welcomed to attend this public meeting and are asked to pre-register to receive the meeting location details: KMPS Board Meeting Registration

Guests are welcomed to attend these public meeting and are asked to pre-register to receive the meeting location details: KMPS Board Meeting Registration

Committee Members Present

D. Hopson (remote), D. Lyles-Wallace (remote), R. Crutcher (remote)

Committee Members Absent

J. Worles

Committee Members who arrived after the meeting opened

D. Hopson

Guests Present

J. Ward-Gill (remote), T. Todd (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

D. Lyles-Wallace called a meeting of the Governance Committee of KIPP Memphis Public Schools to order on Tuesday Feb 10, 2026 at 5:13 PM.

B.

Roll Call

D. Hopson arrived at 5:31 PM.

C.

Agenda Review

The agenda was reviewed and approved with no changes.

D.

Approve Minutes

D. Lyles-Wallace made a motion to approve the minutes from KIPP Governance Committee Meeting on 09-09-25.
R. Crutcher seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Governance Committee Updates

A.

Board Recruitment, Composition, and Succession

Committee Chair Lyles-Wallace presented an update on the following:

  • Board composition and succession, including current members’ terms and skills, recruitment partnership with New Memphis, and board support for recruiting new members.

B.

New Memphis Partnership and Board Development

Committee Chair Lyles-Wallace presented an update on the following:

  • Through New Memphis, we were matched with six potential board members and have connected with two so far. The goal is to grow the board to 12–15 members to strengthen committee support and shared leadership.

C.

Board Member Referral Process

Committee Chair Lyles-Wallace presented an overview of the following:

  • Potential board members are identified through recommendations or expressed interest. After initial outreach and review of commitments, interested candidates complete an interest form, meet with leadership for interviews, and, if recommended, are voted on by the Governance Committee and then the full Board.

 

D.

Fundraising Progress

Todd, Director of Communications, provided an update on fundraising efforts:

  • Board members are asked to sell 7 tickets or raise $455 each, while executive team members are asked to sell 5 tickets or raise $325 each.
  • To date, $4,500 has been raised in sponsorships and $840 from tickets and other donations, for a total of $5,340.
  • The overall goal is $21,955, with $15,000 from sponsorships and nearly $7,000 from tickets and donations.

Board members and the executive team are encouraged to continue reaching out to vendors and community partners to help close the gap and achieve the goal.

 

, The Fundraiser Event is scheduled as follows:

  • Date:  March 27, 2026 | 
  • Time:  8:30 am - 10 am
  • Location:  Westin Hotel, 170 Lt. George W. Lee Ave., Memphis, TN  38103

III. Governance Committee Actions

A.

Extend Terms

It is recommended that the Governance Committee extend the term for the following board members through June 11, 2026 - the final board meeting of the school year.

  • Dorsey Hopson:  February 1, 2026 to June 11, 2026
D. Lyles-Wallace made a motion to extend the term for Dorsey Hopson through June 11, 2026 - the final board meeting of the school year.
R. Crutcher seconded the motion.

Committee Member Hopson abstained from voting.

The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Approve a Third Two-Year Term

It is recommended that the Governance Committee approve a third two-year term for the following board members from February 1, 2026 - February 28, 2028.

  • Alfred Anderson
  • Desiree Lyles-Wallace
R. Crutcher made a motion to approve a third two-year term for the following board members from February 1, 2026 - February 28, 2028 for Alfred Anderson and Desiree Lyles Wallace.
D. Hopson seconded the motion.

Committee Chair Lyles-Wallace abstained from voting.

The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Promotion & Retention Policy

It is recommended that the Governance Committee approve the KIPP Memphis Public Schools Promotion & Retention Policy.   

R. Crutcher made a motion to approve the KIPP Memphis Public Schools Promotion & Retention Policy for the Student Handbook.
D. Hopson seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Committee Questions and Comments

A.

Governance Chairperson Comments

Committee Chair Lyles-Wallace appreciate the time with the committee and will follow-up on the following action items.

 

  • What has been done as an official assessment to see where the gaps are with skill sets and what skill sets we could target for recruitment.
  • Committee Member Neal will transition out of the roll as Board Parent (since she no longer has a student attending KIPP Memphis Public Schools) at the end of the school year and the committee will discuss options for her to be considered the position as a regular board member. 

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:56 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Ward-Gill