A. Young read the Mission Statement.

S. Dasu stated that today's meeting is an in-person meeting. Future meetings this year will use the Zoom Webinar Platform.

There were no members of the community present.

A. Pieper gave the Director's Report.

Educational Program

• 6 period day M, W, F and 8 period day on T, Th
• SEL program - SEL will be at the beginning of the day school-wide
• Guidance/tech for K-4 added to enrichment schedule
• Core extensions/electives for 5-8: this will allow dedicated time for activities that tie to core, but are outside of regular lessons
• Advisory for 5-8: allowing students to make individual goals for social-emotional growth

Staff

• Staff candidates to be presented in closed session
• New staff: 3rd, 4th, 5th/6th, and Music
• Several positions added or changed this year
• Staff development plan in place for the new school year

Students

• Summer camp in session
• Class lists will be posted August 6th
• Mental Health Survey going out August 6th newsletter
• Bus Routes - 1 in South and 1 in North
• Lunch Program - hot lunch program coming back with a new vendor

Compliance and Finance

• Cleaning Contract to be voted on following the Closed Session.
• Insurance Renewal to be voted on following the Closed Session.
• Bus Purchase to be voted on following the Closed Session.
• Vaccine policy to be voted on following the Closed Session.
• Esser III grant funds allocation to be discussed by the board
• Staff and student handbooks will be reviewed by the Board

2021-2022 Covid Response Plan

We have been using the Strong School NC toolkit as a guideline for policies surrounding the school's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was revised on July 21, 2001. 

Major changes to the tookit:

• No longer plans A, B, and C
• Remove remote learning requirements
• Eliminates "must do" language, replaces with "should"
• no longer limits on room capacity
• recommends masking regardless of vaccination status

Scholars Academy will require masks regardless of vaccination status with exceptions:

• Vaccinated adults speaking to a group at a 6 foot distance may remove masks
• Vaccinated adults only in a room may have the option to remove masks
• Masks are not required outdoors

Will resume indoor lunch with physical distancing (50% capacity)
Outdoor lunch will be on a rotation (weather dependent)
Teachers will create a buffer zone for instruction at the front of the room to be able to maintain 6 feet of distance.

Testing and Exposure:
SA will continue to use the school nurse to manage COVID exposure response. Morning health screening is discontinued.

Cleaning and Hygiene:
Daily sanitizing of desks will continue.
Cleaning crew will continue daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces.

Staff Vaccinations:

• School will promote but not mandate vaccination of staff.
• Staff will give proof of vaccination to Ms. Thompson, but information of individual vaccination status will be kept confidential.
• Vaccinated adults are not required to quarantine after exposure.

Changes to protocols:

• No Universal morning screenings
• Resume allowing volunteers - face coverings required
• Resume field trips
• Resume eating indoors - 3 feet distance
• After school activities resume
• Dismissal walk up line procedures in student handbook
• Buses - 2 routes (pending purchase of 2nd bus)

S. Schroeck gave the Whole Child Update.
The Whole Child Committee is currently focused on supporting the implementation of the school-wide comprehensive mental health plan that was presented to the Board in the last Board meeting. The Committee is working on finalizing a mental health needs survey as part of that plan. The link to the survey, which will be a google form, will go out in the August 6 newsletter. Whether or not parents believe their child will need mental health services at school, all SA families will be asked to fill out a survey for each student, so that the school can assess what resources will be needed in the Fall and throughout the year. Answers will be confidential and viewed only by the school’s mental health team. After the start of school, the committee will continue to work to make the community aware of information regarding the social and emotional well-being of highly gifted students including what resources are available to students and parents should they feel that they need some support.

A. Young gave the Policy Committee Status Report.
The Board has been presented with a new COVID-19 vaccine policy. The policy outlines the school's policy regarding vaccination and quarantine procedures should there be an exposure or a positive antigen test. The Policy was written as a result of advice from counsel. The Board will vote to adopt the policy after closed session.

There were no members of the community present.