Ted Duncan reviews the board training slideshow on board interaction with employees and families. Board members need to remember their capacity when interacting with the community and that all concerns and grievances should through the formal board process. This is to protect board members, the school, students and its stakeholders.

The announcement that Lyndsay Sluder (West) needed to step down from the board. We appreciate her service to the board.

Adeline and Eliza K. led the board in the pledge of allegiance.

Students in the advanced art class were able to supply artwork for the MLK celebration at the Mary C. Jenkins Community Center. Two students shared their experiences in creating art based on the experiences of individuals during the Civil Rights Movement.

Camy Stirling shared an update for the K-2 grades, and all the great things the "yellow hallway" is doing! These grades have been able to take field trips, celebrate historical events, and the holidays all linking these ideas and concepts back to learning strategies. Kindergarten highlights include sign language lessons and raising trout in the classroom. 1st grade highlights include Egypt day and 2nd grade highlights included a Greek Day!

No public comment.

Monthly budget updates from CSP present no concerns are all budget items are progressing appropriately. One item to note is the projected surplus at the end of year has grown back up to a more comfortable dollar amount.

Paul Cooper explains that the USDA loan application process has been revitalized and there is now progress being made with the loan process. He has been able to be in contact with senior USDA loan officers and made significant progress and is hopefully to be able to make up lost time. This potential progress will begin to have budget implications and the board should be aware of how captial spending will impact end of year projections.

• The board is asked to review the policy for the first read- edits came from legal as the law is updated.
• The school is up to date on all Performance Framework Actions.
• There have been several iterations of the 2024-2025 school year calendar. The proposed calendar for approval includes the end of the second quarter falling right before the winter holiday break. The board should review this calendar before the next meeting.
• Jamie Atkinson shared the committee meeting calendar schedule.

Jennifer Silva provides facility updates that include:

• possible addition of modular space for the AIG program (this would be a further conversation if progress on the USDA is halted again).
• the committee did shift the cleaning crew contract to a new company.

Ted Duncan shared with the group several documents from Rhodes Branding Company that the board should review prior to the next board meeting. Ted has been meeting with this company every other week to continue to strengthen the school's marketing strategies and proposed outcomes.

There is still progress being made towards a celebration event of the school's 25th year.

The board is still looking to fill the Vice Chair position and Mark is suggesting Jamie Atkinson for this position.

There is a new board member candidate present (his second attended meeting), and his addition will be up for a vote next meeting.

Ted Duncan reviews the director's report and gave a special shout-out to Transylvania County SRO's on all their hard work!

Amber Wolfe (who has been selected as the VFW’s Social Studies Teacher of the Year for WNC) provides an update to the board on different professional development opportunities. These include Lead and Learn Days, "Walkthroughs" (which include admin driven walkthroughs and observations),  SIT indicators and Action Steps, and Student Growth and Action Steps.

Ted Duncan shares the strategic plan draft with the board of directors. Board members are asked to review this document and provide feedback to Jamie Atkinson and Ted Duncan by 1/24.

Next meeting will be 2/21/24.