Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy

Minutes

SA Monthly Board Meeting (Open Session)

Date and Time

Monday June 22, 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_cPY29Te6TZmwinl_7Qiiqg

 

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

A. Hall (remote), D. Palmer (remote), D. Tijerina (remote), E. Alvarez (remote), E. Womer (remote), L. Lopez (remote), M. Dixon (remote), X. Dong (remote)

Directors Absent

K. Becnel

Ex Officio Members Present

J. Cuneo (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

J. Cuneo (remote)

Guests Present

Anne Mitchell (remote), D. Delp (remote), Mel Ahlers (remote), Nancy Abell (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 Jun 22, 2026 at 6:37 PM.

C.

Read Mission Statement

E. Alvarez read the Mission Statement.

D.

Administrative Meeting Review

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 06-01-26.
E. Womer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

F.

Adoption of the Agenda

D. Palmer made a motion to Adopt the agenda.
D. Tijerina seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

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

A.

Community Comments - guidelines

Enrique Alvarez read the Zoom Webinar Etiquette/Rules.

 

Anne Mitchell comments:

Loopholes 

Recognition of pivot from teachers such as Mr. Havner.

Need clear guidelines

 

III. Director's Report

A.

General Report

State Testing Preliminary Data

 

Summary of Student Achievement Data for the 2025- 2026 School Year

More detailed EOG/EOC data and iReady report will be released later

 

Definitions

Level 3 (Proficient): The student meets grade-level expectations and demonstrates a solid understanding of the subject. They are prepared to advance to the next grade but may need some support with more complex coursework. 

 

Achievement Level 4:

 

Students at Level 4 demonstrate a thorough understanding of grade-level content standards and are on track for career and college.

 

Achievement Level 5:

 

Students at Level 5 demonstrate comprehensive understanding of grade-level content standards, are on track for career and college, and are prepared for advanced content at the next grade/course. 

 

EOG: Reading

3rd grade

  • 9% (Level 3)
  • 24% (Level 4)
  • 67% (Level 5)

4th grade

  • 11% (Level 3)
  • 56%  (Level 4)
  • 33% (Level 5)

5th grade

  • 6% (Level 3)
  • 37%  (Level 4)
  • 57% (Level 5)

6th grade

  • 7% (Level 3)
  • 54%  (Level 4)
  • 39% (Level 5)

7th Grade

  • 9% (Level 3)
  • 24%  (Level 4)
  • 67% (Level 5)

8th Grade

  • 17% (Level 3)
  • 43%  (Level 4)
  • 40% (Level 5)

Summary of Student Achievement Data for 25-26 School Year

EOG: Math

 

3rd grade

  • 2% (Level 3)
  • 25% (Level 4)
  • 73% (Level 5)

4th grade

  • 11% (Level 3)
  • 39% (Level 4)
  • 50% (Level 5)

5th grade

  • 7% (Level 3)
  • 25% (Level 4)
  • 68% (Level 5)

6th grade

  • 4% (Level 3)
  • 35% (Level 4)
  • 61% (Level 5)

7th Grade

  • 2% (Level 3)
  • 21% (Level 4)
  • 77% (Level 5)

8th Grade

  • NA
  • NA
  • NA

Summary of Student Achievement Data for 25-26 School Year

EOG: Science

 

5th

  • 11% (Level 3)
  • 48% (Level 4)
  • 41% (Level 5)

8th

  • 7% (Level 3)
  • 50% (Level 4)
  • 43% (Level 5)

 

Summary of Student Achievement Data for 25-26 School Year

EOC:Math

Level 5

Math I

  • 21% (Level 4)
  • 79% (Level 5)

Math III

  • 8% (Level 4)
  • 92% (Level 5)

 

Summary of Student Achievement Data for 25-26 School Year

EOC:Biology

  •  
  • 13% (Level 3)
  • 28% (Level 4)
  • 57% (Level 5)

 

B.

Personnel Contract Approval

C.

Contract approval

Dr. Brian Housand will develop and facilitate a Scholars-specific gifted education certification program. The program includes:

  • Onsite sessions.
  • Virtual sessions and support.
  • On-site bootcamp for new-to-Scholars teachers.
  • An estimated 20 will participate in the program next year.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve Dr. Brian Housand's contract.
E. Womer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Olympic Bus parent pay option

Parents on the bus wait list reached out to the school to explore a self-pay option.

 

Olympic confirmed that they offer a private pay transportation service. The estimated cost is $ 350- $ 400 per rider per month for 10 months. The next step is a survey of our families to gather interest and determine if it is something we should pursue this year. Olympic needs a minimum of 20 riders per bus to make it an option. 


 

IV. Finance Committee

A.

Financial Updates

  • Finance Manager position - position filled and in transition
  • 2025-2026 Budget Amendments - VOTE needed
    • EC Contract services new line item
  • 2026-2027 New Budget - VOTE needed
    • Budget deficit to be covered with part of reserves
  • 2 CDs of $250K each, one approx. 12 mo and second approx. 9 mo - VOTE needed
    • Current MM balance is $1.5 M (500K will be moved to Checking Acct for expenses of the remaining of the fiscal year, $500K will be invested in CDs, will leave $500K in the MM)
    • Current CD balance is $1M
    • 1.18% MM vs. 3.8% CD
  • May 2026 Budget Analysis (vs. Actuals) and Financial Statements attached as reference

 

V. FAST Committee

A.

FAST Updates

  • New custodians underway 
  • Minor and regular improvements underway for completion during the summer
  • A firm HVAC quote is being updated from the current maintenance provider and looking into obtaining multiple quotes
  • HVAC backup process to be developed over the summer 
  • Bus program revisiting over the summer

VI. Foundation

A.

Foundation Update

  • AGC updates
    • $325,696 as of 6/19, recorded in DonorPerfect (76% of goal)
    • Corporate matches are still coming through (about $6,465 just from Wells Fargo since June 16th)
    • Budget for the Foundation was prepared

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

A.

Community Comments

No community comments.

 

Public thank you to Erica Womer and Malik Dixon for their years of service to the board.

VIII. Closed Session

A.

Vote to go into Closed Session

D. Palmer made a motion to Go into closed session.
M. Dixon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IX. Vote on items discusse din closed

A.

contracts

D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the 6 employment contracts as recommended by the Executive Director in Closed Session.
L. Lopez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

new positions

D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the 2 new positions as recommended by the Executive Director in Closed session.
E. Womer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Vendor contract

D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the AIG certification contract 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 AI policy as recommended by the Policy Committee.
A. Hall seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the amendments to the 2025 - 2026 budget as recommended by the Finance Committee.
L. Lopez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve the 2026-2027 budget with a revenue contribution from the foundation to achieve a balanced budget as recommended by the Finance Committee.
L. Lopez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to Approve 2 new CDs of $250,000 each with a target maturity of 9 months and 12 months, as recommended by the Finance Committee.
L. Lopez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

X. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

D. Palmer made a motion to Adjourn the meeting.
M. Dixon 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 10:07 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
D. Palmer