Two members of the community were present on the phone conference line.

A. Farooqi read the mission statement.

S. Liner made a motion to approve the minutes from the September meeting. 
 

M. Mittal made a motion to amend the minutes from the last meeting to include more information about the discussion that took place regarding the Expansion Committee update.

A. Farooqi seconded the motion.

S. Schroeck read M. Mittal's proposed changes to the minutes. A discussion took place regarding the language of the proposed changes.

VOTE on the motion to amend the minutes.
FIVE votes FOR the motion: A. O'Rourke, A. Farooqi, M. Mittal, M. Ramasami, S. Dasu;
FIVE votes AGAINST the motion: S. Schroeck, A. Gozycki, S. Liner, S. Korrapati, M. Dixon

The motion did not pass.
 

S. Liner made a motion to approve the draft minutes. S. Schroeck seconded.
FOUR votes FOR the motion: S. Schroeck, A. Gozycki, S. Liner, S. Korrapati

The motion did not pass.
 

A schedule was proposed whereby the amended September meeting draft minutes will be available for feedback by Tuesday night. Feedback will be incorporated into the draft and the revised minutes will be available for further comment on November 1 (Friday) with a goal of having a draft vote on November 4 (Monday) and having the minutes re-posted on the public portal as soon as a quorum is reached. If there is a disagreement such that a quorum cannot be reached, it will be debated at the November meeting.

A. O'Rourke made a motion to postpone the vote on the draft minutes of the last meeting until the next meeting. S. Dasu seconded.

VOTE on postponing the vote on the draft minutes to the next meeting with a draft vote by email by November 4 (Monday) after two rounds of revisions as stated.

The motion passed unanimously.

M. Mittal proposed to add the final audit report sent out Monday to the Board to the agenda.
 

There were no comments from the community at this time.

A. Pieper gave director's report. 

Student Performance:

• ISIP first administration results were given.
• Results will be made available to parents after the January administration.
• Reading EOG scores will not be available until the start of next school year because the test is being reformatted/renormed.
• October anti-bullying month: 2 speakers came to school to address the students
• Student body demographic information was presented.

Teacher/Staff updates:

• The State of North Carolina has changed the AIG certification procedure. 
• There will be an amendment proposed for an increase to budget for professional development for staff.
• There was an opportunity for Professional Development offered for teachers during the teacher work day from Michelle Tolison of Dandelion Counseling.
• Two scholars teachers are currently receiving training and support from Leaders Building Leaders.
• There will be a student teacher shadowing Ms. Gee during this school year.

Ms. Pieper discussed adding two additional 6th grade student with the 5/6 teachers. Teachers were supportive of the idea. The state has approved us for more students than we currently have, so there is no paperwork necessary to make this change.
 

A. O'Rourke made a motion to approve the plan to add two additional students to the 6th grade class for the current school year. S. Liner seconded.

The Board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
 

Expansion update:

• Staff and others have joined the Expansion Committee. There will be an update on that committee's progress in November.
• The school is collecting quotes on repairing damage to the turf on the playground.

Crisis response:

• Administration has reviewed the emergency response procedures with the staff.
• Ms. Pieper has applied for a grant for safety and security updates to the school.

Extended Care Program (Superlative Club):

• Ms. Pieper discussed some minor concerns with program administrators of the Superlatives Club. Administrators made several suggestions to improve the program experience for the children.
• Parent/Student feedback regarding after school electives and programs was discussed.

Lunch Program:
Menus no longer has a location inside the Exchange. Responsibility for the SA lunch program has been transferred to a different employee of menus. Food is being prepared at a different site. Since the new arrangement, the lunch program has gone smoothly.
In November, the school will be taking over the contract from the PTO because the lunch contract is vital to the operation of the school. Details of the new relationship will be discussed in closed session.

Ms. Pieper presented the budget deep dive. 
Each Committee will plan to discuss budget priorities for midyear in November.
Some areas Ms. Pieper has suggested might need additional funding in the budget:

• Instructional Supplies
• Instructional Software
• Office Software 
• Copiers & Reproduction

M. Mittal presented the proposed budget amendments.
 

M. Mittal updated the board on the status of the Mortgage Refinance. A desk appraisal was chosen rather than a full appraisal. The Finance Committee is awaiting word from the bank regarding the appraisal.

The Board formally acknowledged receiving a copy of the Audit Report which was sent to the bank.

S. Liner gave the report on the governance committee.

A. Gozycki and A. Pieper are currently reviewing the existing Strategic Plan that ends in 2020. In Novermber's meeting, they will report on which themes and goals have been completed, and which ones will move forward into the next Strategic Plan. Committees will then have input in creating goals for the next plan.

S. Korrapati gave the report on the expansion committee.
New members to the committee were split into subcommittees. The Committee has authored an FAQ now posted on the website.

S. Liner discussed the FAQ as a living document to keep the community updated on the progress of the expansion committee. The FAQ cannot discuss specifics, confidential information, site locations. Contract specifics to be discussed in closed session.

A. Farooqi gave the Development Committee Report.

Annual Giving:
Current year at 50% of the goal as of today. Family participation at 49%. $262,000 includes pledges and actual dollars received.

Sponsorship - Science Fair:
There will be a call with Sealed Air on Wednesday to discuss furthering their partnership with the school.

Grandparents Day:
Grandparents Day will now be called "Grand Day" to allow students who do not have a grandparent who can attend to invite another special person to the event.
 

S. Schroeck gave the 20 in 2020 report:

"Early Eagle" reduced price ticket sales will officially kick off on Friday and continue until the start of Thanksgiving Break.
The main marketing push will be via ambassadors who will reach out to their network to encourage ticket sales.

A. O'Rourke gave the policy committee update:
New guidelines for AIG certification was discussed. Guidelines for deadlines for teachers to complete their requirements were written. Teachers can apply for financial assistance for courses or test fees.

M. Ramasami gave the  Foundation Committee update.
The committee is at the point where they require legal counsel to get the exact language to fill out IRS Form 1023. Contract to be discussed in closed session.

S. Dasu gave the Diversity committee report: Committee created a document to outline goals:

• Outreach
• Plans to remove barriers for admissions next year

Members of the Diversity Committee attended the Charlotte Parent Fair and had a good reception.

S. Liner made a motion to convene in Closed Session pursuant to "Permitted
Purposes" under N.C.G.S. §143-318.11: (a) To prevent the disclosure of privileged or
confidential information; (e) To discuss contract negotiations. M. Mittal seconded.

The Board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.