Final

Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy

SA Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday March 27, 2023 at 6:30 PM EDT

Location

You are invited to a Zoom webinar. 
Topic: Scholars Academy Monthly Board Meetings

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tVP7q8nNR9O4LaIS1aV99g


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

You may also watch the meeting live via YouTube stream, at rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2

Agenda

      Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 6:30 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record Attendance and Guests   Dominique Palmer 1 m
   

Confirm meeting recording.

  
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Catherine Lewis 1 m
   

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

  
  C. Read Mission Statement   Natesha Morrison 2 m
   

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.

  
  D. Administrative Meeting Review   Catherine Lewis 2 m
   

Zoom Webinar Etiquette/Rules:

 

Meetings will be broadcast to the public via the Zoom Webinar Platform. This medium is more secure 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.

  
  E. Approval of Prior Minutes 2/27/23 Approve Minutes Dominique Palmer 2 m
   
  • Official approval of draft minutes
  
     
  F. Approval of Prior Minutes - Special Meeting 3/14/23 Approve Minutes Dominique Palmer 2 m
     
  G. Adoption of the Agenda Vote Catherine Lewis 2 m
   

Are there any Amendments to the Agenda?

  
II. Community Comments (First Opportunity) - subject to guidelines 6:42 PM
  A. Community Comments - guidelines FYI 5 m
   

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.

  1. If you would like to raise a hand, click “Participants” in the lower or upper section of your Zoom chat.
  2. In the “Participants” window select “Raise Hand” {Windows: Alt+Y} or {Mac: Option+Y} keyboard shortcuts to raise or lower your hand.
  3. When it is your turn, a moderator will identify you by name and then grant you access to speak.
  
III. Director's Report 6:47 PM
  A. General Items Vote Ari Pieper 15 m
   
  • Director's Report - this month, the report will include an overview of the admissions process and 2023-24 lottery
  • Any contracts to be discussed in closed session
  • Any personnel matters to be discussed in closed session

March ED Report

 

  
IV. Governance Committee 7:02 PM
  A. Status Review Vote Erica Womer 10 m
   

Committee updates:

 

  • Provide updates on the community town hall (April 19th), "Ask the Board" form on school website, 360 feedback ED evaluation process, and board recruitment 
  • Discuss possible membership in the NC Association for Public Charter Schools (NCAPCS) (vote)
  • Review the Board on Track contract for the 2023-24 school year (vote)
  • Review an employment contract in closed session (vote)

 

  
V. Policy Committee Updates 7:12 PM
  A. Policy Updates FYI Erica Womer 3 m
   

Committee updates:

 

  • Policies still under review this this year: paid-time off and gift policy
  • Policies adopted so far this year: staff teleworking (revised) and religious holiday (new)
  
VI. Expansion Committee 7:15 PM
  A. Status Review FYI Weiyi Ning 3 m
   

Scholars Academy will remain in our current facility for the 2023-24 school year. 

 

 

 

 

 

  
VII. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Updates 7:18 PM
  A. Status Review FYI Dominique Palmer 5 m
   

Committee updates: 

 

  • Share details about the upcoming multi-cultural experience day on April 7th
  • Review commitment to actions outlined on the DEI Action Plan
  
VIII. Educational Excellence Committee Updates 7:23 PM
  A. Status Review FYI Sridhar Dasu 15 m
   

Review results from the recent parent survey on the SA school experience. 

  
IX. Foundation 7:38 PM
  A. Status Review Discuss AJ Farooqi 4 m
   

Provide an update on this year's AGC trends and transportation program fund

  
X. Whole Child Committee 7:42 PM
  A. Status Review Vote Alison Hall 10 m
   
  • Share plans for teacher retreats in April 
  • Review plans and contract for enhanced playground equipment (vote)
  
XI. Finance Committee Update 7:52 PM
  A. Finance Recommendations Vote Catherine Lewis 45 m
   

Committee Update

  • Discuss amending language in our current bond to shift the interest rate index from the expiring LIBOR rate to SOFR (vote)
  • Discuss strategic priorities in advance of upcoming budgeting season:
    • Viability of bus transportation program /format options
    • Expansion - including ADM increase for next year's 5th grade (vote)
    • Any other priorities, deferred maintenance, staffing, etc
  
XII. Community Comments (Second Opportunity) - Subject to Guidelines 8:37 PM
  A. Agenda Item Summary FYI 5 m
   
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.
  1. If you would like to raise a hand, click “Participants” in the lower or upper section of your Zoom chat.
  2. In the “Participants” window select “Raise Hand” {Windows: Alt+Y} or {Mac: Option+Y} keyboard shortcuts to raise or lower your hand.
  3. When it is your turn, a moderator will identify you by name and then grant you access to speak.

 

  
XIII. Closed Session 8:42 PM
 

As noted in the Agenda or Meeting:

  1. to prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential 
  2. to discuss  material terms of a contract or proposed contract
  3. to discuss or consider employment contracts
  
  A. Closed Session Discuss 30 m
XIV. Closing Items 9:12 PM
  A. Vote on any items from Closed Session Vote Catherine Lewis 10 m
   

Vote on any items from Closed Session

  
  B. Adjourn Meeting Vote Catherine Lewis