Chief Phillips shared an overview of the three contracts that were approved in the Finance Committee:

• IT Management Services - Wired Technology Partners, Inc. (3 year contract)
• Security Services - Laine Federal Security, Inc. (3 year contract)
• Janitorial Services - Contract Renewal with SKB Facilities & Maintenance (1-year)

Chief Phillips shared an overview of our HVAC Improvement Projects (100% complete at Howell and a little over 50% complete at the Henry Campus with an expected completion date of 4/30/2024).

A newer project that is about 90 - 95% complete at both campuses: Exterior Lighting Improvements with LED lighting. At the Howell Campus, mostly Pole lighting with high Lumen LED lighting. At the Henry Campus, it's building lighting with high Lumen LED lighting.

Board Member Crutcher inquired about our camera/security upgrades. Chief Phillips shared that is in progress and he'll be able to share those updates in the May committee and board meeting as those will be complete.

Chief Phillips shared our current enrollment as of the end of period 7: 1,041.

Committee members inquired about our data aligning with the District's data and other charter schools. Chief Phillips shared that it does. We are seeing high numbers of chronic absenteeism, especially with elementary (Kindergarten and 1st grade) and high school.

Board member Anderson inquired about the impact on graduation and why so many high school students are absent and/or chronically absent.

• Part-time jobs for many of our high school students
• For graduation rate, it means less time in the classroom, less prepared academically, and that can lead to dropping out or falling back a grade due to not being able to keep up. This means some fall behind and/or are not able to keep up and stay with their graduation cohort.

Committee Chair Anderson asked if Chief Phillips could define attendance rate and absenteeism. (chronic absenteeism -  missing 10 percent or more of the days one is enrolled in school.)

Discussion about what we can do to pull students back to school from the jobs, etc. to finish school or work outside of school hours. How can we help them to understand the importance of attendance and education? There are programs that some schools have that may pull them back in.  

There are talks of a city-wide campaign pilot to offset students going into jobs by offering hourly pay to attend school and/or do some type of workforce program through school. We have to think in partnership with other groups to bring resources to communities that are distressed to help the students not feel the pressure of having to support their families while in secondary school.

As of 4/05/2024, we are at 62% of our goal of enrolling 1,540 students for the 2024-25 school year.

Board Member Crutcher asked if we could share with board members what's helpful for them to support and/or show up to support getting our enrollment numbers up.

• Attend School Open Houses (shared on monthly calendars)
• Social media pushes (sharing KIPP Memphis Public Schools posts about how to enroll for the 2024-25 school year)
• Call Center Support/Mailers (more hands on - we plan to have a May Saturday call center/mailing prep session)

Question about Graduation Date:  May 16, 2024 at 6 pm at First Baptist Broad (all board members should have received a calendar invitation for this and Senior Decision Day)

Do Board Members need to attend both Decision Day and Graduation? If they are able to attend both, great. If not, Graduation is preferred.