Butler Academy
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday September 18, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Location
701 S 5th St,
Hartsville, SC
29550
Trustees Present
A. Morris, C. Robinson, D. Buryj, H. Hoilett-Frierson, K. Flaherty, M. Bunnell, M. Stellingworth, S. Hill, S. Wilson
Trustees Absent
E. Mobley, E. Waters
Guests Present
J. Reyes, Taylor Harris
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. President Updates
A.
Introduction to leadership team
B.
DESSA updates
DESSA is the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment. Discussed how it is a tool used to evaluate scholars' socioemotional growth in the school. It helps formulate plans and intervention strategies for scholars that are identified as 'in need'. Having better socioemotional growth correlates to improved academic outcomes and in turn strengthens social culture.
DESSA is implemented three times a year.
Comparing 2023-2024, there were 13% in the 'needs range' whereas in 2024 had 11% in the 'needs' range. There are also 28% in the 'strengths' range this year compared to 25% in 2023. There has also been growth throughout the year of 2023 from 'needs range' to 'typical range' by mid-year. 66% moved from the 'needs range' to 'typical range' by the end of the school year of 2023.
Using the DESSA data allow us to identify those in the 'needs range' to be placed into small groups. This is done with consent of parents. Small groups are in 20-30 min blocks. School counselor then continues discussions with parents as well as teachers to continue to implement skills they are working on.
There are two external counseling services that are present on campus three days a week.
C.
Summer reading data 2024
To be discussed at the October meeting.
III. Governance Committee
A.
Board expansion
Put an invite out to ask board members to reach out to the Board Chair with intentions to renew their term or not.
IV. Scholar Experience
A.
Annual review of disciplinary data
The committee met with the president last month. Will present after discussing with the leadership team on how to present the disciplinary data at a future board meeting. Encouraged the president to volunteer new liasons to various committees so that he doesn't get invited to all committee meetings.
B.
Update on board support of teachers/faculty
V. Finance
A.
Review Financials
Reviewed financials from May to August.
Reviewed new formatting of financial statements. Treasurer reassured the board that the school is at around 14% of budget which is where we expect to be at the beginning of the school year. Encouraged to keep a standing committee date and keep a cadence.
C. Robinson voted to approve the May to August financials.
S. Wilson seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
Will be moved to the October meeting.