Leon Samuels was welcomed to his first Board Meeting as a member.  He provided a brief overview of his background and was welcomed by the Board.

Anser restructured their K-5 labs for the 2025-26 school year. The crew leaders introduced themselves and provided an overview of how the labs will function this year.  Presenters were Gina Lagatutta, Miranda Haight, April Cox, and Jessica McGinnis.  A new literacy lab component has been added along with other changes.  The Lab Leaders expressed excitement about the changes and stated how scheduling and delivery of the curriculum and instruction were already going more efficiently and effectively.  

Tracy Quissell, Anser registar,  provided an enrollment update.  As of 9/16/2025, 592 students were enrolled.  There are potentially 3 more students who might be enrolled by next week. 617 was the enrollment number budgeted for this year so Anser is behind its target by 25 students. This has created about a $225,000 budget shortfall for the 2025-26 school year. When asked what is needed to increase enrollments, Destin responded that wait lists are needed so more people can be contacted with offers to enroll at Anser. 

Erik Moncada created a promotional video for Anser.  It has been completed and Board members were asked to share it on their Linked in accounts and other appropriate places.  

Magnetic signs to be placed on buses were found to be permissible and have thus been ordered.

Yard signs advertising Anser are being considered but whether they will be purchased and deployed with depend on their cost.

It was reported that Amanda Neill has been asked to contact local apartment complexes nearby Anser about distributing information about the school.

During discussion a recommendation was made that although the current promotional videos are excellent, future videos and other media need to also focus on academics.  Previously Anser was known in the community for its academics and this should become an additional focus of videos, media, and outreach efforts to promote the school and build enrollment. 

Destin provided an overview of prior year student achievement data.  She and her staff have been diligently working to improve student achievement, including both standardized test scores and key Expeditionary Learning (EL) indicators of learning.  She presented a slide deck showing trends in improved performance on most learning measures.  She provided details about how specific changes to curriculum and instruction have resulted in improved student outcomes.  If current trends hold, this year should result in additional improvements. Her target for student growth is the 75th percentile.  

Jessica provided an update on annual RDC goals and activities.  She asked Board members to help with fundraising. The RDC has a goal for 2025-2026 of $127,000. 

Anser has a 96% attendance goal this year.  Last year the school achieved 95% attendance. Much current activity in the school is focused on achieving the goal, and Board members with children in the school reported hearing about the importance of attendance from their children and evidence of staff and students getting invested in efforts to achieve the school-wide goal.

Jessica distributed a table of "Philanthropic Expectations 2025-2026" for the Board, the RDC, and the staff.  She requested feedback on the document. She also distributed an "Anser Charter School Board of Directors Pledge Form 2025-2026."  She requested that all Board members make a pledge.

She mentioned that the Board agreed to conduct a community experience activity or participate in one.  To this end, she said that she would send out a survey for Board members to complete asking what type of community service activity they would like to be part of. 

Pursuant to meeting the requirements of Idaho Code 33-143 concerning flags and banners displayed in schools, a first reading of a policy occurred at this meeting and a vote will be taken on the policy at the next monthly Board meeting. 

Sarah provided a brief finance update.  Anser is running a current budget deficit of roughly $225,000. The reduction from $800 to $700 per month per employee who joined Anser's health insurance program netted about $24,000 of total savings for the year instead of the much larger anticipated amount of savings. This was due to 58 people signing on to the insurance for 2025-2026 instead of the budgeted for number of 48 people. The Board will take up the issue of where to make budget cuts at the next monthly Board meeting.