David Nagel read the conflict of interest and ethics statement - no conflicts brought forward.

David Nagel noted published amended agenda to include:

• Bylaw revision discussion re: staff voting and review of all options
• Update on School Expansion Task Force moved to next meeting.

Jeremy Greene stated that there was one public comment received via email which was read to the Board. Crista Creedle voiced disappointment that the honor roll celebrations were no longer being held and her desire to have them reinstated. Public comment was then opened to online guests. There were no other public comments noted.

As discussed at the November 2025 Board Meeting, David Nagle, representing the Governance Committee (GC) brought the following by-law revisions to the Board for a final vote. Revisions are noted in italic include:

• One (1) to five (5) members of the community, not affiliated with Eno River Academy (Community Director).; the number of appointments are at the discretion of the existing board.
• The one to five non-parent Community Directors are is nominated to the Board; the individuals are is elected appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Community Directors shall serve on the Board for a term period of up to two years one year with no term limit a maximum of three consecutive terms, and with term start and end dates defined by the board at time of appointment.
• Elections are held once per year (in April or May) for the forthcoming fiscal year. The Community Director’s’ nominations and appointments may will take place at any time, but typically one month after during the same month as the election.  

The proposed revisions were reviewed with recognition of the need for additional people to do the work and especially individuals with specific skill sets. There was discussion as to what the process would be for determining what skills needed, how we advertise/communicate what was needed and especially encouraging individuals to become involved. The GC will continue to work on the process and bring back to the Board in March, 2026.

D. Nagle requested that instead of voting on each by-law revision, we vote on all at one time. All were in agreement.

Jeremy Greene, representing the Governance Committee, addressed the recommended change to the by-laws which would allow all staff with or without children attending ERA rather than requiring these votes to only be counted if 40% or more of families vote. It was voiced that as we consider all staff to be members of the corporation they should participate in this process. The new language proposed is as follows with additions noted in italic:

Staff members with or without children attending Eno River Academy shall have the right to cast one vote and one vote only, in the annual Board of Director elections. The remainder of the staff members’ votes may only be counted if at least forty percent (40%) of the families in the membership have cast votes.

The full set of revisions includes both A & B as described above.

David Nagel reviewed a draft of the Board Recruitment Plan based on the by-law revisions discussed previously.  The plan reflects that board candidates will ideally match the sills and qualities needed and contribute to balanced representation. The plan also outlines the following goal and strategies:

Goal: By June 2026, fill 2 parent seats and 2-4 community seats such that desired board skills, qualities and representation are satisfied for 2026-27 school year. 

Strategies: 

1. Proactively make parents and community aware of board priorities, opportunities and needs 

2. Revise parent seat application and process to aid parent voters to recognize the degree to which candidates potentially fill board needs 

3. Revise community seat application and interview process to highlight candidate potential fit with board needs

The Governance Committee will continue to work on this draft and report back in March, 2026.

Margaret Barr has requested to step down as the Academic Committee (AC) chair (but remain a member of the AC), and Pamela Norcross, who is currently a member of the AC, has been recommended as her replacement.

Kristin Martin provided an update on ERA academic growth standards

ERA Academic Growth School Goal: ERA will exceed NCDPI academic growth standards, with at least 65% of students meeting or exceeding expected growth in ELA and Math (EOG/EOC).

Literacy (K–8) - ERA is well positioned to meet and exceed ELA growth expectations.

• K-5 literacy growth exceeds national averages
• Strong comprehension and vocabulary gains in Grades 3–5
  • Vocabulary gains a result of Wordly Wise - implemented Fall 2025
• The majority of Grades 6–8 students are in Tier 1
• 8th grade and English I reading indicate high school readiness

Mathematics (K–8 & Math 1) - Core instruction is effective; accelerated pathways are excelling.

• Positive growth trends across all grade spans
• Strong number sense and fluency development
  • Fluency and math facts became a focus in the 2024-2025 school year and has continued.
• Most students in Tier 1 or Tier 2
• Math 1 and advanced math show near-universal Tier 1 placement

For the High School with 0 being the average, ERA reflected higher scores:

• Fall EOC results (Avg Growth Score)
  • English II - 6
  • Biology - 3.75
  • Math 1 - 7.43
  • Math 3 - 19.84

There is a plan in place to work in the area of Biology to support students ad strengthen those scores.

Discussion reflected understanding and importance of balancing measurements outside of testing such as critical thinking and student engagement. 

Lindsey Sealy reviewed the draft agenda and timeline for the upcoming Charter renewal site visit. It will be a virtual site visit with a meeting scheduled with the Board for March 26th from 12:30 - 2pm. She also reviewed items that the BoD is expected to be familiar with and requested that Board members make her aware if they are unable to attend.

Celebrations:

• Dr. Brown and Mrs. Pattison have both returned from paternity/maternity leave!  Mr. Trull and Mrs. Hopkins were both amazing in their absence.

Testing:

• HS is getting ready for ACT testing in February

Personnel Report: 

• All staff are completing a training on Diabetes this month.

Curriculum:

• MTSS Interventionists met with K-8 teachers for MOY data reviews on all students, adjust tiers and/or phases for students, look critically at classroom instruction
• Worldly Wise was implemented in 6-8 for cohesive vocabulary instruction, focusing on vocabulary in context.
• A small group of K-12 Teachers participated in Capturing Kids Hearts Process Champions Training and we had a CKH visit to provide support and feedback.

General:

• 3-12 Report Cards were sent home on Friday 1/9/26
• The internship program started at the HS.
  • Students are having internship placements at places like Hillsborough Vet, UNC SOM Department of Neurosurgery, Person County Museum of History, UNC Miracles in Sight Surgical - Dept of Neurosurgery Lab, and others. 
  • Currently, 11 students are participating in the program

Lottery:

• Intent to return window open through the end of the month.
  • So far 3 not returning (2 from 8th, 1 from 10th)
• Lottery application window open until February 20. Lottery to run on February 27. 
  • 3 weeks in and already have more Kindergarten, 11th, and 12th grade applications than last lottery cycle
  • Already 19 siblings/staff in line for Kindergarten, 12 in line for 6th, and 6  in line for 9th.
  • # of Lottery applicants as of 1/21
    • Kindergarten - 212
    • 1st - 48
    • 2nd - 52
    • 3rd - 54
    • 4th - 71
    • 5th - 75
    • 6th - 117
    • 7th - 48
    • 8th - 51
    • 9th - 105
    • 10th - 28
    • 11th - 17
    • 12th - 5