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Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy

Minutes

SA Monthly Board Meeting (Open Session)

Date and Time

Monday April 27, 2026 at 6:30 PM

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_scvf1hB1RAyCn81hxsmkvw

 

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 Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy - Charlotte - YouTube

Directors Present

D. Palmer, D. Tijerina, E. Alvarez, E. Womer, K. Becnel, L. Lopez, M. Dixon, X. Dong

Directors Absent

A. Hall

Ex Officio Members Present

J. Cuneo (remote), S. Dasu (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

J. Cuneo (remote), S. Dasu (remote)

Guests Present

Ann Henderson (remote), Anne Mitchell (remote), Chasity Boyce (remote), D. Delp (remote), Hui Liu (remote), Katie Foote (remote), Lalita Mandavilli (remote), Li Li (remote), Madhumitha Rajkumar (remote), Mel Ahlers (remote), Nallu Sethuraman (remote), Nancy Abell (remote), Prashanthi Pocha (remote), Sheetal Puri (remote), Vandana Sheri (remote), Weiyi Ning (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

E. Alvarez called a meeting of the board of directors of Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy to order on Monday Apr 27, 2026 at 6:35 PM.

C.

Read Mission Statement

Enrique Alvarez read the Mission Statement. 

D.

Administrative Meeting Review

Enrique Alvarez read the Zoom Webinar Etiquette/Rules. 

E.

Approval of Minutes of Previous Board Meetings

D. Palmer made a motion to approve the minutes from SA Monthly Board Meeting (Open Session) on 03-23-26.
M. Dixon seconded the motion.

Open and closed session

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

F.

Adoption of the Agenda

D. Tijerina made a motion to adopt the agenda.
M. Dixon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Community Comments (First Opportunity) - subject to guidelines

A.

Community Comments - guidelines

No community comments.

III. Director's Report

A.

General Report

  • Update on the admissions for 2026-2027
  • Personnel items to discuss in closed session
  • Student matter to discuss in closed session

 

B.

Calendar items (for the 2026-2027 School Year)

  1. Proposed 8:00 am start time. Carline will be open from 7:40 am to 8:00 am. This will assist with building extra time for weather days.
  2. Recommend defining recess as Healthful Living time for grades 6 to 7 for instructional time in Infinite Campus.
  3. There was an inclement weather day on March 12th. June 8th would be designated as a makeup day. The Executive Director recommends waiving that day because we have sufficient instructional hours. 
  4. Discussion about the May 1 Walk-In and Rally in Raleigh, and whether Scholars should recognize this Friday as an optional Teacher Workday.
  5. If we allow the optional teacher workday on May 1st, we would need to have a virtual day on June 8th. 

IV. Governance Committee

A.

Governance Updates

Ongoing work:

  1. 5-year strategic plan update.
  2. Update on new staff (new receptionist).
  3. Staff pay planning.
  4. Performance plan for employees.
  5. 2026-2027 Slate Planning discussed.
  6. Lower lot update.
  7. Town hall recap.

 

B.

Personnel and Staff

  • Various personnel matters to be discussed in closed session.
  • Vote on recommendations made by the Executive Director relating to personnel. 

C.

Board Recruitment

Dany and Enrique made a plea to the community regarding joining the board. We have several board members coming to the end of their 3-year term. Please reach out to the board if you have questions.

 

  • 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

V. Policy Committee

A.

Committee Work on Policy Updates

  • AI policy: The AI policy framework draft has been circulated for discussion with teacher staff members and Educational Excellence. Policy will incorporate feedback by counsel.
  • Policies in review in order of priority:
    • Grievance policy: review at the recommendation of counsel continues. 
    • Code of Conduct for discipline purposes - Review at recommendation of counsel continues.
  • The next Policy Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, April 29 at 8:15 am.

B.

Credit by Mastery

Policy is ready for a vote for the option to be available in the next school year.

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AcaTk5acJGNIXAPKTJaIJURiUz4Z2zhg/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101052500018425717483&rtpof=true&sd=true

 

C.

Healthful living - Instructional Time

Healthful living time allotment for instructional minutes for the 2026-27 school year.

Infinite Campus. Discussed during the Director's Report. 

VI. Finance Committee

A.

Financial Updates

  • Reviewed budget amendments - document here
  • Taxes due May 15th.
  • March 2026 Financial Statements, Budget vs. Actuals (see attached).

VII. FAST Committee

A.

FAST Updates

  • The City has already installed the 'School Zone' signage along 77 Center Dr.  They also plan on lowering the speed limit to 25 mph for the entire road.
  • Replaced 2 out of the 3 water heaters due to leaks.
  • Quotes were received for the HVAC units (2).  They will need to be replaced in about 4-5 years.  The plan would also be to re-roof the building at that time.  
  • The Admin team is working on a new custodial structure for the upcoming school year due to the inconsistency of cleaning companies over the years.
  • Assessing the need for mini buses.
  • Next meeting is Thurs, May 7th.

VIII. Educational Excellence Committee

A.

Educational Excellence Committee Updates

  • Finalized credit by demonstrated mastery (CDM) discussion.
  • AI Policy Implementation Review continues. 

IX. DEI

A.

DEI Updates

  • Exploring funding for resources for Economically Disadvantaged Students.
  • Discussing marketing/advertising initiatives for the upcoming year. 
  • Next meeting--May 6.

X. Foundation [TO BE UPDATED]

A.

Foundation Update

  • Annual Giving Campaign (AGC) updates - 5/15/26 Deadline.
    • More donations this month, but still only ~37% of the goal achieved.
      • An additional $53,000 received since the middle of March.
    • Family participation increased to ~49%.
    • Making phone calls to unpledged families.
    • Reminder about the corporate charity matching programs.

XI. Community Comments (Second Opportunity) - Subject to Guidelines

A.

Community Comments

  • Chasity Boyce - Comments/questions about participation in committees and long-term transportation strategy.
  • Katie Foote - Comments/questions about long-term substitute teacher strategy. 

XII. Closed Session

A.

Vote to go into Closed Session

D. Palmer made a motion to go into closed session.
D. Tijerina seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XIII. Voting after Closed

A.

Voting

D. Palmer made a motion to Authorize a credit by demonstrated mastery (CDM) process to allow for implementation and application for credits in the 2026 - 2027 school year. The procedures are to be established by the Executive Director or their designee.
K. Becnel seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the employment contracts (x2) as discussed in closed session.
K. Becnel seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the $90,000 request to the Foundation to offset the state funding shortfall to provide staff bonuses.
L. Lopez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to approve the 2026-2027 staff slate as recommended by the Executive Director.
E. Womer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the Healthy Living designation as instructional time for middle school, as recommended by the Executive Director.
M. Dixon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the 8:00 am start time for the 2026-2027 school year.
M. Dixon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Waive the June 8th makeup day, and no changes to the current school calendar.
E. Womer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the budget amendments as recommended by the Finance Committee.
L. Lopez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XIV. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

D. Tijerina made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
D. Palmer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 10:08 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
D. Palmer
Documents used during the meeting
None