Confirm meeting recording.

Do we have a quorum? Welcome to the Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy Board Meeting.

Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy provides a differentiated, challenging, and equitable learning environment that supports the distinctive intellectual, social, and emotional needs of highly gifted children from diverse backgrounds and enables them to form meaningful relationships with their intellectual peers.

Zoom Webinar Etiquette/Rules:

Meetings will be broadcast to the public via the Zoom Webinar Platform. This medium is a secure forum for engagement as it requires attendees to register, limits interactivity, removes the ability to communicate without permission and does not permit anonymous participation, comment, or annotation.  Registration will require the submission of a first and last name and an email.

• Official approval of draft minutes from:
  • Monthly Board meeting on 11/24/2025 for open session
  • Monthly Board meeting on 11/24/2025 for closed session
  • Monthly Board meeting on 12/15/2025 for open session
  • Monthly Board meeting on 12/15/2025 for closed session

Are there any Amendments to the Agenda?

The public is welcome to speak; limited to three minutes per speaker.

Topics should not cover private, confidential or personal information.
The board will not respond or enter into a dialogue on topics discussed.

At this time you may indicate your desire to participate in Community Comments by raising your hand using the controls in the Zoom application or browser.

When it is your turn, a moderator will identify you by name and then grant you access to speak.

• Personnel matters to discuss in close x4

1. Discussed strategic go-forward staff planning and administrative roles and responsibilities, to further address in close due to the information of specific personnel.
2. Mid year ED evaluation survey for staff  - Updated and ready to send this week.
3. In light of increasing regulatory updates, including those issued by the NC Dept of Public instruction of Public Instruction, school purchased a new Parent/Student handbook and Code of Conduct template from counsel and prioritized the following, which have been referred to the Policy Committee for action: 

• Code of Conduct for discipline purposes
• Grievance policy - referring to policy committee for recommendation.
• Re-check Title IX, ensuring staff changes
• Bullying
• Staff and Student Handbook - including the recent developments on use of wireless devices.

• Various personnel matters to be discussed in closed.

• 2025-2026: 1 opening (currently at 9 board members, looking to get to 10)
• 2026-2027: 3 openings and 1 potential openings (all of which are uncommitted as of yet to renew for a 2nd term or add new time)
• Staff and Parents are encouraged to talk to those you think would be good fit for the Board
• Board Nomination Website
• Board Nomination Form

• Policy Revamp in light of increased regulatory changes and increased litigation on student discipline, the committee agreed to purcahse new handbook and committee and Ms Cuneo has a hold of such documents already.  The following are on priority:
  • [FIRST READ] Finalizing Title IX update, ensuring staff changes and latest Title IX requirements.
  • Code of Conduct for discipline purposes - Review at recommendation of counsel continues.
  • Grievance policy - Review at recommendation of counsel continues. 
  • Staff and Student Handbook amendment - including the recent developments on the use of wireless devices. 
• AI policy: Will share this process with Educational Excellence. Continued to discuss developments at the county level and discussed with ED ways to best prepare staff guidelines/training materials as opposed to a policy as such.
• The next Policy Committee meeting will be January 27, 2026 at 8:15 am

• Audit results: Favorable, no issues, filed timely (although last minute)
• 403b Plan Status: Draft letter to former employees
• December 2025 Financial Statements, Budget vs. Actuals (see attached)
• Budget amendments (see attached) - VOTE for approval

• Fence is complete, school decided to forgo adding additional netting.
• Working with school to determine best way to get annoucements and alerts to rear playground.
• Determining pricing for new HVAC units for longer term financial planning purposes. 
• Next meeting is Thurs, Feb. 5th.

• Next Meeting February 10th, 2026 (8:15)
• AI Policy and Lessons Discussion at meeting

• Religious Holiday Calendar ready
• Class set review form updated and revised
• EDS Package--working on a proposal for funding per student from the Foundation. Proposal includes a basic package for each child in this category and a pool money for additional needs the families report via survey. 
• Community Building--discussed including in the newsletter twice a year include messages asking for gift cards (groceries/gas) for families who need them and asking families to let us know what needs they may have. 
• Brainstorming--how we can help unhoused families or teachers. Can we purchase hotspots with tech grant money for borrowing?  Can we create a list of resources we could hand out? 
• Next meeting--March 4

• Formation of a Whole Child Staff Committee
• Next meeting February 2, 8:15 am

• AGC update

• Discuss employment contracts - x3
• Discuss student matters - None
• Discuss personnel matters - None
• Discuss vendor contracts - None