Having new board members and new faculty present at today's meeting, the president shared an overview of Butler Academy's journey to where we are today. Discussed the mission of the school and the Socio-Emotional Learning Compassionate model it uses.

Introduced Ms K. Lee the new Dean of Middle school. Ms R. Johnston Dean of Lower School, Ms N. Taylor the Provost or Chief Academic Officer.

The middle school facility has opened. Have tried to give the middle schoolers in a small population a middle school experience by giving them more independence and movement rather than just moving up in cohorts. 

K-5th grade has 22 per homeroom. 6th-7th has 24 per advisory. Currently at 348 total scholars but have capacity for 360. For the first time, there is no waiting list at 3rd, 4th and 6th grade. Trying to advertise that for middle schoolers, can participate at zoned school for extracurricular athletics. There are 9 confirmed scholar athletes. 4 scholars have been selected for Cypress Adventures Youth Leadership Development Program.

Ms Rounsefell was the director of this summer's reading camp (SRC).  Duration: 3 weeks. Total of 14 scholars in 3rd grade. May look at expanding participation to other grades next year. Used I-Ready, MAP and SC ready scores to require 3 participants and invite the others. Classrooms gave differential instruction with regards to phonics, fluency and comprehension. Also incorporated SPARK hour partnering with EdVenture. 

86% made growth over the summer. 43% scholars went up a whole grade level in 3 weeks. 

BA received SCDE community grant to get 6 adults to 14 scholars to help address SEL and literacy needs.  Partnered with Coker Assistants, EdVenture and had field trips to Hartsville Memorial Library and Kalmia Garden.

Plan to follow up on the growth on these scholars through the school year to make sure growth  continues. May consider implementing similar short-term programs during interim breaks. SRC sparked the idea to branch into an after school tutoring program during the school year. 

VP of development presented a summary of the past year for new trustees. July 2022 Pee Dee Electric supported the purchase of a school bus. The VP of development has created a 5 year development Plan, and in 2022, hosted community breakfasts over the year and purchased a donor management system.  Also developed first direct mail solicitation. In Dec, had career week. Feb 2023, Honda sponsored BA scientist Program. March had a visit by Boeing.  The Mandarin exchange teacher is fully sponsored for the 2023-2024 year. In June Dr Reyes Received Citizenship Award by the Butler Heritage Foundation. 

This year's goal is to raise $1M. So far we already have $500,000 committed to the school. Compared pledges and gifts 2023-2022. Encouraged board giving. Goal is 100% of the board will support the school in form of donation.

Treasurer reviewed the June Dashboard. As of June was 9% below budget at the end of the year. Current Minutes

Explained that we planned for deficits given the growth of the school with the hope that as the student population grows, can try to off-set the deficit.

Proposed Change

Explained that the school is dependent on a public-private partnership model and that funds raised from grants and donors are used to underwrite spending that is expected to always be higher than what state funding will provide. The term deficit is used to describe spending that exceeds state funding, not an ending operating position at the end of the year. In the first three years of operations, Butler’s budget plans called for a $600,000 annual operating deficit which was paid for with private funds from grants and donations. This is just a simple way to express the structural need for private support and to keep the revenue streams distinct and separate.

. Gave some historical perspective to new trustees on the finances of the school.

Then reviewed financial summary of July. This year's allocation is based on last year's 135 day school year. State payment allocations come in monthly.

Self- evaluation of the president has started and invites to complete the evaluation. Similarly, there will be invites sent out soon to complete the VP evaluation. Invited trustees who were on the board last year to complete the evaluation of the President by end of the week. Plan to meet in September to discuss the President Evaluation memo.

Gave a brief summary of expectations of board members. Briefly directed new board members where information about the By-laws and committee descriptions are.  Emphasized the responsibility of the board and the privilege it has in holding the school and its President to its charter, mission and vision. Reiterated that the board acts as a body, and not individuals in the community. 

Reviewed mandatory board training.

Invited new trustees to let it be known which 2 top committees they intend to join so that future meetings can include new members. 

Focused on the section that was previously known as 'Student behavior' was vague and left room for a wide range of interpretation. Now the section called 'Code of Conduct'.  The current version is a culmination of 3 years of experience in the school. E. Mobley suggested a disclaimer at the end. Will be going out to families next week. The scholar and family handbook has been shared with staff at the school and is linked on the website for public access.  Praised the leadership team on how thorough and well-thought out updated handbook has been.

Nothing discussed