Sarah Yagnow read the conflict of interest and ethics statement.

There were no public comments.

Executive Director Update:

Apptegy: Currently, we are in the website design process. We have weekly meetings to discuss aspects of the design and training on the various backend features. It has been a pleasant process so far.

Bobcat Annual Fund: As of today, we have $14,105.13. We will have a family update next week showcasing another grant that was funded by last year’s Bobcat Fund.

Middle School Performing Arts: Last week, the middle school performing arts class presented a comedy, Spy TV. It was a great performance and we are so fortunate to have Mrs. Greene at ERA!

Tours: We had our second round of tours in early November and they were well attended. We will continue to offer them through February which will take us to lottery on February 23rd. The lottery window will open on January 2nd and end on February 16th.

ESSER Monitoring Visit: The Office of Federal Programs will be conducting a monitoring review of our implementation of federal COVID educational grants. They will be reviewing documents and conducting an interview with me on our usage of the grants. This is required for all schools that were awarded federal grants. 

Jeremy giving finance update:

See ERA Budget Report chart attached to agenda.

-still waiting for state on per pupil allotment and then we can adjust as needed.

-local revenue is flowing in. Two large districts are posting checks and will show up in November.

Sabrina giving update-

Discussed 2 items at last meeting:

• Applications for annual fund grants starting- earlier this year. Due January 5th
• Looking at Strategy 5 from school improvement plan (developed last year). Putting a plan together- to implement this strategy. (See School improvement plan for specifics on about Strategy 5)
• Next meeting on January 16th again.

See Parents Bill of Rights attachment in agenda.

This is required by the NC state government. This is our policy developed by administration and attorney. 

• This will go out to parents ahead of time- surveys and will need to be published ahead of time and then parents will need to opt student in or out. 
• Pronouns- now parents will need to be notified before use. (unless safety is a concern). Safety is key. Teacher will go to guidance counselor and transfer this to a counselor and/or administrator. 
• Purpose is for parents to know more about what is being done in classroom. To be more involved in directing what their child is involved in. This policy is mandated by State.
• It is proposed this would go live and effect in January 2024.
• It will be posted on the website. 
• If an issue arises what is the procedure to resolve-it would go to classroom teacher, administration, grievance committee and then whole board. 

Communication is key with this, with our families. 

• 2 Documents sent out prior to meeting-survey results and the potential goals gathered by one board member. *These slides in potential goals document are developed by one board member and is one board member's opinions.* 
• Dave summarized framing the discussion- what are those goals, who would like to lead that goal, try to pick a couple things that we want to achieve. Below are 4 potential topics to consider for board goals that was put forth by one board member. Below is discussion on those topics. 
  • Board Governance-School improvement plan-strategy 6 (board improvement)- potential committees reporting board, composition of board members, size, skills, recruitment. All are examples of Board governance improvement or oversight.
  • STEAM-deep topic, board has not addressed much in past years but it is in our STEAM is part of our charter so need to discuss or clarify.  Where do we want to go with STEAM?- We need to know where are we, where we want to go, how do we define STEAM for ERA?(STEAM grading rubric is only an example pulled from NC DPI website and is not real data from ERA. )
• Fundraising- what role does board take in improving or growing fundraising. 
  • Knowing opportunities, how as board do we support the ability to fundraise well?
  • A fundraising committee might be necessary to build the fundraising piece to ERA.
  • Fundraising will give more opportunity to grow other areas for ERA. 
• Student and Teacher Diversity-
  • Already have a D&I plan- focus on follow through with that plan already developed. 
  • Important for board to stay educated on what is happening with that plan. 

Comments discussed:

-Priorities 2-4 (see slides) actually falls under the Board Governance. 

-Update on comprehensive manual this year is a large task in place this year.

-Fundraising- what are we doing now, what are goals and build growth. 

- Want compliance with Steam charter- need more updates and communications of what we are doing now towards STEAM- Mrs. Sealy gave many examples. This can be a learning goal not necessarily a board goal. 

-Sarah would like to vote on developing a fundraising task force and continuing our due diligence towards goals. Board get updates on implementing the School and Diversity team plan. Updates on STEAM. 

-Pamela will lead that fundraising team and create an official board goal to bring back to board at next meeting.