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 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.

• Official approval of draft minutes for open and closed meeting minutes

• Official approval of draft minutes for open and closed meeting minutes

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.

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.

• We reviewed the status of our compliance reporting to Office of Charter Schools and We are up to date with all of our items. 
• There are 3 pending submissions that are coming up (Parents Bill of Rights collection, school mental health plan, and school safety plan)

• As done last year and the year before that Board will be hosting a virtual and in person townhall. Dates will likely be in April 2025 but still TBD.

- Guest Speaker Initiative:

  - Low parent participation reported.

  - Suggestions: Continue promotion in the newsletter and use social media.

  - Discussion on tracking success and considering Career Day for next year.

-PTO and Staff Collaboration

- Plan to attend the next PTO and Staff DEI meetings (March 20, 2024).

The Biden administration's Title IX rules were struck down in court January, 2025. Consequently, SA must revert to the previously approved 2020 policy because the 2024 policy is no longer applicable. 

Three changes are required to implement the change:

1. Personnel changes;
2. The 2020 Title IX policy must be posted to the website;
3. A training manual must be provided to the staff.

The committee is proposing a vote to reinstate the previously amended and approved 2020 Title IX policy.  

• The Trump Administration rescinded a 2021 DHS memo that designated schools and other community services as “protected areas.” This 2021 rule stated that ICE agents should avoid enforcement activities in these locations whenever possible. Consequently, counsel has recommended that the SA develop a protocol or policy to address ICE enforcement and ensure all staff are informed of the appropriate actions to take.
• The Policy Committee suggests its adoption as soon as possible to ensure, among other protections, that student records are safeguarded against legal enforcement actions, especially given the evolving immigration landscape.
• The Policy Committee recommends a vote on the proposed policy, which was first communicated by email for First Read to the Board on February 1, 2024.
• The Procedures are included in the agenda as supplemental material. 

Finance Committee updates