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 1/26/2026 for open session
  • Monthly Board meeting on 1/26/2026 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.

• One vendor contractual item to be disclosed in close

1. Discussed strategic 5-year plan. The Governance Committee will meet in an extended session a first draft to be ready to share on next Board meeting. 
2. Update on Mid year ED evaluation survey for staff :

• The 2025-2026 Mid-Year Leadership Feedback Survey was available to staff members earlier this month.
• This anonymous survey is aimed to gather insights on leadership, communication, support, and culture.
• We received 34 responses, which corresponds to 68% of the total staff.
• This survey has helped the Board take informed decisions about school leadership and constructive growth opportunities.  
• More details about the results of this survey will be shared in closed.

• Various personnel matters to be discussed in closed.
• Potential vote on personnel matters after closed session

• 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

• [VOTE] Title IX Update 
  • Policy was revised to include the Title IX coordinator and new requirements regarding discipline and suspension. 
  • A blackline version with highlighted changes is attached and available to board members upon request.
• Policies in review in order of priority:
  • Grievance policy - Review at recommendation of counsel continues. 
  • Code of Conduct for discipline purposes - Review at recommendation of counsel continues.
  • Staff and Student Handbook amendment - including the recent developments on the use of wireless devices and Title IX Coordinator information.
• AI policy: Discussed AI policy guidelines issued by the County and discussed the opportunity to share with teacher staff members, as well as with Educational Excellence, to provide directional guidance back to the policy committee. 
• The next Policy Committee meeting will be Friday, February 27 at 8:15 am

• 403b Plan Communication to former employees (withdrawal capabilities): Draft letter under review
• January 2026 Financial Statements, Budget vs. Actuals (see attached)
  • In line with expectations
  • Field trip budget line item will be reviewed; there's an item under Other Contributions that will be reclassigied
• Budget amendments for Local Revenue (see attached) - VOTE for approval
• Grants Review - updated UEI number to ensure federal grants come in - Need to update UEI number every year
• Bearman contract is coming up for renewal and RFP process will begin
  • Bearman communicated a monthly cost increase of $500/mo or $6000/year

• Working with school to determine best way to get announcements and alerts to rear playground.
• Determining pricing for new HVAC units for longer term financial planning purposes. 
• Next meeting is Thurs, March. 5th.

• Next Meeting April 14th, 2026 (8:15)
• Reviewed NC 2025 School Report Card: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy [A]
  •  https://ncreports.ondemand.sas.com/src/school?school=60F000&year=2025&residing_district=600LEA
• Reviewing the previous Strategic Plan to prepare for drafting the new 5-year Strategic Plan. 
• AI Policy Implementation: Teacher Leadership Team is identifying teachers to participate in drafting the AI policy.  They are also reviewing professional development materials on how to appropriately incorporate AI into the classroom. 

No updates

Discussions to continue on

• 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. 
• Helping unhoused families and/or teachers. 
• Next meeting--March 4

• February meeting canceled due to snow, will reschedule for March

• AGC updates
• Ambassadors for Phone Call Outreach
• 2025 tax letters
• Foundation Director

• Discuss student matters - None
• Discuss personnel matters - x1
• Discuss vendor contracts - x1