Download minutes PDF Minutes Approved

Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy

Minutes

SA Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday April 24, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Location

You are invited to a Zoom webinar. 
Topic: Scholars Academy Monthly Board Meetings

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You may also watch the meeting live via YouTube stream, at rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2

Directors Present

A. Farooqi (remote), A. Hall (remote), A. Starling (remote), C. Lewis (remote), D. Palmer (remote), E. Womer (remote), M. Pfaff (remote), N. Morrison (remote), W. Ning (remote)

Directors Absent

S. Dasu

Guests Present

Anne Mitchell (remote), Enrique Alvarez (remote), Kelly Smalenberger (remote), Rickey Landry (remote), T. Hemming (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

C. Lewis called a meeting of the board of directors of Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy to order on Monday Apr 24, 2023 at 6:33 PM.

C.

Read Mission Statement

D.

Administrative Meeting Review

E.

Approval of Prior Minutes 3/27/23

W. Ning made a motion to approve the minutes from SA Monthly Board Meeting on 03-27-23.
A. Farooqi seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
N. Morrison
Aye
A. Farooqi
Absent
M. Pfaff
Aye
S. Dasu
Aye
D. Palmer
Aye
E. Womer
Aye
W. Ning
Aye
A. Starling
Abstain
A. Hall
Aye
C. Lewis
Aye

F.

Approval of Prior Minutes - Special Meeting 4/6/23

A. Farooqi made a motion to approve the minutes from Special Board Meeting on 04-06-23.
A. Hall seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

Adoption of the Agenda

W. Ning made a motion to approve the agenda for 4/24/23 meeting.
E. Womer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Director's Report

A.

General Items

Director's Report 

  • Budget process timeline:
    • March - initial budget developed based on projections using historical data
    • April - Finance committee discusses the budget proposal and finalizes draft for April Board meeting 
    • May - Board votes on the final budget for the upcoming school year
    • June 30th - End of fiscal year 
    • July 1 - New fiscal year begins and state planning numbers released
    • August/September - State and local revenue numbers are known based on ADM. First allotment dropped. Salary and benefits costs finalized. 
  • Budget priorities:
    • Additional teacher for middle school for additional students
    • Mental and physical health support
    • Continuation of bus transportation program
    • Years of experience step and pay increases for all staff
    • Project for an increase in health insurance and interest rates
    • Deferred building maintenance costs
    • Security upgrade costs
  • Reviewed annual grant allowances
  • Any contracts to be discussed in closed session
  • Any personnel matters to be discussed in closed session

 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dg8iRMDRaW0wET8UvRdP6s4CR0Wi9NSgasdFomYJ1Ao/edit?usp=sharing

III. Governance Committee

A.

Status Review

  • Townhall on April 19th 
    • "Ask the Board" form on school website
  • 360 feedback ED Evaluation process underway - a third party to review staff and Board submissions and then will provide a report for review
  • Board recruitment ongoing 
  • An employment contract will be discussed in closed (VOTE)

 

IV. Policy Committee Updates

A.

Policy Updates

Committee updates:

 

  • First read of the revised Gift Policy. Clarifies gifts to individual teachers and distinguishes gifts to the classroom
  • Policies still under review this this year: paid-time off and gift policy
  • Policies adopted so far this year: staff teleworking (revised) and religious holiday (new)

V. Expansion Committee

A.

Status Review

Scholars Academy will remain in our current facility for the 2023-24 school year. We are assessing ways to grow in our current location. 

  • Discussed architectural improvements 
    • Gym
    • Adding classrooms

VI. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Updates

A.

Status Review

  • Shared update on the multi-cultural experience day on April 7th
  • Review commitment to actions outlined in the DEI Action Plan

VII. Educational Excellence Committee Updates

A.

Status Review

There was no committee meeting in April due to the spring break holiday. 

VIII. Foundation

A.

Status Review

Provide an update on this year's AGC trends and transportation program fund

 

  • $425,000 - $435,000 Commitment 
    • $144,000 shortfall in pledges
    • Outreach campaign ongoing by parent ambassadors
  • Transportation fund ($74,250):
    • $47,000 received
    • $8,000 pledges pending 
    • $19,250 shortfall

IX. Whole Child Committee

A.

Status Review

Next meeting May 5th

X. Finance Committee Update

A.

Finance Recommendations

  • Reviewed proposed 2023-24 budget
    • Estimate funding increases - 2% state and 1% local + ADM increase
    • Bus transportation program
      • PT bus drivers 
      • 3 buses running AM + PM routes
      • Recommended family donation of $300 per rider/year
  • Discussed reinvesting maturing CDs and shifting $750K more from cash to short-term CDs 
  • Discuss staff compensation in closed (VOTE)

XI. Closed Session

A.

Closed Session

A. Farooqi made a motion to to go into closed session.
N. Morrison seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

XII. Closing Items

A.

Vote on any items from Closed Session

A. Farooqi made a motion to contingent approval of employment contract discussed in closed session.
M. Pfaff seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to approve investing $750K more from cash in short-term CDs.
A. Starling seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to approve staff compensation recommended by the finance committee.
A. Starling seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D. Palmer made a motion to approve the reinvestment of the three maturing CDs into 3 to 6-month CDs ($750K total).
A. Starling seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

A. Starling made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M. Pfaff seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously 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 8:42 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
D. Palmer