Julie Doll

Board Meeting is noted as a 6:00 PM start time for the ZOOM confirmation. Update to 6:30 PM in communications.

• Staff Update (6:56)
  • Bus Drivers- New bus driver started on 10/17, in the process of hiring a new bus driver. Mr. Marino will be a backup driver to fill in for when a bus driver isn't available. 
  • Ms. Hanson has moved to the 1st-grade classroom as a long-term substitute until a permanent hire has been made for that classroom. We are hiring for a long-term substitute who can serve as a backup TA.
  • In the process of interviewing teacher assistants (TAs)
  • Short on substitutes 2 or 3 times every week. Looking for people willing to serve as substitutes.
  • New counselor started and has started going to classrooms to meet the students.
• Compliance 
  • Discussed the Title II - Prayer and Assurance Form - no vote needed (attached to the agenda)
  • Grant funding is used for teacher development.
• Enrollment and Staffing
  • 390 students for the 2022-2023 school year.
  • Projected to increase to 442 in 2023-2024 SY if expansion happens. 390 this year.
  • The current waitlist is 222 for all grades up from 193.
  • 88% teacher retention, 95% student retention.
• Marketing update (Alicia) (18:45)
  • Alicia reviewed the marketing plan for this school year
  • Leveraging social media to connect with the community, families, alumni
  • No-cost marketing channels
    • Virtual parent support group (monthly, except February)
    • Gifted Minds Conference virtual and in-person (February)
    • Virtual Q&A sessions
  • Media Placement:
    • Niche.com partnership is live. We have a tailored profile. Meet with rep monthly.
    • Qcitymetro.com was founded in 2008, to serve the local black audience in Charlotte, 7,500+ Facebook, and 9,000+ daily newsletter reach (33% open rate). Sponsored article to increase awareness of Scholars as an option, as well as highlight our DEI accomplishments. Added value - feature in their Living Charlotte section. 
    • National Association for Gifted Children - NAGC News Source (weekly newsletter) to promote the conference in February and increase awareness of Scholars. They have a 60% - 70% open rate.
    • Earmarked funds for Hispanic media. The preference is to build a relationship with this community through an in-person event with staff and potentially older students.

(34:20)

• 10/17 meeting - State compliance review from last school year - in compliance
• Board retreat second session pending - AJ is coordinating
• Staff survey deferred to January 2023

(36:10)

• Policy updates are needed.
• Developing a plan of action and will bring it to the board for a vote.

(37:32)

• No in-person meetings.
• Additional discussion in closed session.

(37:52)

• 10/5 meeting and reviewed strategic plan.
• Collaborating with the marketing team on media placement.
• 10/28 next meeting.

(38:35)

• 10/14 reviewed student testing results.
  • Monitoring second-grade math scores.
  • New 3rd grade (14 additional kids) cohort starting in the 2021-2022 school year. How will it impact cohort measurements?
• How do we differentiate middle school? Plan to solicit feedback from the parent community to develop a teaching approach for middle school.

(41:35)

As of 10.24.22

• 42% for current families (42% for the prior year)
• 39% for new families (44% prior)
• 96% volunteer Leadership (board, Trustees, PTO officers) (96% PRIOR)
• 90% FACULTY AND STAFF (100% PRIOR)
• In progress 
  • pledge week challenge for the last week of October
  • Giving Tuesday Campaign (11/29)
  • Preparations for Parent Ambassador Outreach to non-pledged families. 
• Strategic Goals
  • 974% ROI 
  • Foundation Liasion is working on the first phase of an Informal Communications Audit with the school's Marketing Coordinator and Communications & Data Manager, Phase One will look at our own messaging (current families, staff) about SA and ways we can improve to be more accurate, clear, and consistent.

(49:22)

• 9/28 Meeting 
• Posts on Social Media - every 2 weeks 
• SEL document for parents
• Creating messaging for leadership to talk about 
• Eagle Vision Awards and Parent Updates in October meeting.
• The next meeting is 10/26

(55:55)

Met last week

• No proposed budget amendments
• Concerns about rising interest rates. The current loan has a floating interest rate: with an estimated impact of ~$25,000 for this school year.
• Final funding from State expected in November
• Reviewed financials thru 9/30/22
• Audit report provided for review - due to the bank 10/28 and state 10/31. Must be approved by the board, and signed by the auditor. 
  • The audit report includes the foundation for the first time.
• Recommend investing $750,000 in 3-month CDs (3.35% interest). ~$2,000 - $4,000 in additional interest. 
  • Typically recommend 6-month CDs but allows liquidity in late January if needed for expansion. 
  • $1.5 m operating, $0.5m in savings, and additional funds are invested.