R. Watson noted that this meeting is being recorded.

J. Wagler read the mission statement.

No comments from the room or on the phone in the first round.
A guest in the room asked about expansion plans in the second round, and was directed to recent newsletter updates from the expansion committee. 
 

A. Pieper presented the Director's Report:

Student Enrollment and Performance

• Most recent Enrollment Report has been shared with the board
  • The number of withdrawals are comparably small, and for various reasons
  • Majority of withdrawals are middle school students, no other trends to note
  • 8th grade will be at 41 students due to lack of wait list
• Spanish update  - offering 2 sections for 5th and 6th grade Spanish to reduce class size
• New K-3 reading assessment
  • State has mandated we submit a new K-3 reading assessment, and is providing iStation and training for free
    • The school has been using the DRA assessment in K-2, had been looking for something new to try
    • iStation is a computerized assessment that takes about 30 minutes per child, while the DRA was very time consuming
      • Teachers can then work on fluency separately
• Academic data will be available at the summer Board retreat, further discussion will be held at the Educational Excellence committee in August

Governance, Policy, Financial, and Strategic Planning

• Modular update
  • Continuing to work on this, but it may not be in place until school has started.
• 1:1 computers for 8th grade
  • School to provide a loaner computer to each 8th grade student to allow for equal access and increased use
    • Delaying implementation until Ms. Reynolds returns (timing January)
      • Administration to develop a policy packet for students and parents to review and sign
      • Families will be able to opt-out if student has a computer to use at school
• New water fountains have been installed
• Bathroom stall work should start soon
• Making policy improvements to staff contracts, Governance/Policy Committee to assist over the summer

Teachers and Staff

• Interview process for final two positions complete, will discuss further in closed session
• Summer teacher trainings:
  • All new K-2 teachers will attend Letterland training and online Singapore training this summer
  • G. Golba & P. Ellington are taking Project Lead the Way training for the new engineering elective
  • EC staff will be trained on the new EC reporting tool
  • iStation training 2-3 staff
  • All staff: online training in gifted, health, and safety will be held in August
    • Online training allows teachers more time to get classrooms ready once back at school

Upcoming Events/Other

• Staff/student handbook revisions are in progress, will share with Board when complete
• Announcement of all new staff, staff moves, etc. will be addressed in the mid-July newsletter
• Homeroom lists for 1st-8th grades will be available in the first week of August
• K class lists will be released in the last week of July, in time for first Kindergarten playdate on 8/4
• A. Pieper presented Board of Directors plaque to board, features the names of all those who have served on the board since the beginning of the school

Committee has interviewed all candidates and will further discuss in closed session

S. Liner made a motion to nominate M. Dixon as Board Chair
M. Mittal seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

A. Gozycki made a motion to nominate S. Liner for Vice Chair.
M. Scruggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

A. Gozycki announced that she is stepping down as secretary after two years. The Board will keep this position open until the new board members join the board and will appoint the next secretary at that time.

S. Liner made a motion to nominate M. Mittal as Treasurer.
M Scruggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
 

A. Gozycki thanked the board members who have completed assessment, and asked those who haven't to complete prior to the board retreat.

• A. Pieper will also be sent a link to participate and give board feedback.
• Board will review in further detail at the board retreat.

M. Mittal reviewed spending priorities for FY20 Budget:

• Adding $204K to budget and $20K for capital expenses
  • Increase in teacher salaries to match CMS
  • Raise for non-certified teachers and staff
  • Increase in Longevity Bonus
  • 1/2 new position for middle school math
  • Refinance
  • HVAC repair
  • HP carts
  • Elective stipend
  • Athletic Coach
  • 20 in 2020 Celebration
  • Cleaning instrument
• Spending Adjustments/Increased Revenue led to $33K in budget savings
• M. Mittal also covered off on true-ups and changes to FY19-20 budget

M. Mittal presented Budget Amendments to current FY18-19 Budget

• Current Deficit of $54,245.55
  • Annual Campaign is currently $25K short of goal

M. Mittal shared that we have 4 months before needing to refinance, but it will require 2-3 months lead time to complete. Board will need to approve directionally in August.
 

S. Korrapati presented the Expansion update:

• Waiting for a list of land/building options from our contact who we signed the LOI with last month
• Committee has also been securing and planning for the modular unit
  • Currently handling code issues and working through solutions (one additional girls' toilet required)

M. Ramasamy gave committee update, will discuss more in closed session.

M. Scruggs made a motion to convene in Closed Session pursuant to "Permitted Purposes" under N.C.G.S. §143-318.11: (e) To discuss contract negotiations. The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.