Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Minutes
SA Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday May 22, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Location
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Topic: Scholars Academy Monthly Board Meetings
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tVP7q8nNR9O4LaIS1aV99g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
You may also watch the meeting live via YouTube stream, at rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2
Directors Present
A. Farooqi, A. Hall, A. Starling, C. Lewis, D. Palmer, E. Womer, M. Pfaff, N. Morrison (remote), S. Dasu, W. Ning
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
A. Pieper
Non Voting Members Present
A. Pieper
Guests Present
Christina Andrievk (remote), Enrique Alvarez (remote), Julie Doll (remote), K. Ely (remote), Katie Foote (remote), Kelly Smalenberger (remote), Kim Becnel (remote), T. Hemming (remote), Xihui Dong (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Read Mission Statement
D.
Administrative Meeting Review
E.
Approval of Prior Minutes 4/24/23
F.
Adoption of the Agenda
II. Community Comments (First Opportunity) - subject to guidelines
A.
Community Comments - guidelines
(3:36)
Anne Mitchell made community comments regarding academic overview, teacher stability, and educational excellence.
III. Director's Report
A.
General Items
(10:30)
- Director's Report
- Provided a recap of the 45-minute 5th-grade meeting last week
- Overview of next year's 5th-grade structure and schedule
- Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies daily
- Chorus and Band for 5th grade 3x/week
- Foreign Language - 3x/week
- Art, PE, SEL, Electives - 2x/week
- Moving to a three-course pathway for math beginning with the rising 5th-grade class
- Additional Informational Nights:
- August 24th - Meet the Teachers
- September 12th - Curriculum night
- October 9th - Student-Led Conferences
- The 2023-24 proposed staff slate will be presented in closed session
IV. Governance Committee
A.
Status Review
(26:39)
- Provided updates on the ED evaluation process, board recruitment, and committee reminders about their progress on the strategic goals
V. Policy Committee Updates
A.
Policy Updates
(29:15)
- Second read of the revised Gift Policy (VOTE)
- Policies still under review this year: Paid Time Off
- Policies adopted so far this year: staff teleworking (revised) and religious holiday (new)
VI. Expansion Committee
A.
Status Review
(31:00)
Scholars Academy will remain in our current facility for the 2023-24 school year. We are assessing ways to grow in our current location.
Priorities were communicated to the architect and a sketch was provided for feedback
The next meeting is Wednesday, June 7th.
VII. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Updates
A.
Status Review
(32:35)
- Meeting rescheduled to May 23 to review and update the DEI Action Plan
VIII. Educational Excellence Committee Updates
A.
Status Review
(32:56)
Provided updates on progress toward strategic goals. Achievements include:
- Dedicated common planning time for staff
- Curriculum nights
- Bi-annual Parent survey
- Gifted conference
- 2023-2024 Strategic Plan
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, iReady - once a year (fall only) for 7th and 8th grade
IX. Foundation
A.
Status Review
(35:39)
Provided an update on this year's AGC trends and transportation program fund:
AGC
$398,465 total donations received (up $58K since April's board meeting)
$111,371 total outstanding pledges
- Of those outstanding pledges, $66,794 is SA family pledges and $44,577 in outstanding SA family match gift pledges.
Parent ambassadors have wrapped up their pledge fulfillment outreach. Trustees are making phone calls to those families with outstanding pledges we have not heard from.
Transportation Program has received $55,000 in donations plus another $8000 in outstanding pledges.
X. Whole Child Committee
A.
Status Review
(37:56)
Provided updates:
- Teacher Retreats were completed in April.
- Working on the Eagle awards to wrap up the year
- The new playground will be installed in mid-July.
- Next meeting is May 24th
XI. Finance Committee Update
A.
Finance Recommendations
(38:50)
Committee Update
- Proposed current-year budget amendments for approval
- The estimated surplus after adjustments is $130,937.
- Adding the fund balance back into the budget
- Presented the 2023-24 budget for approval
XII. Community Comments (Second Opportunity) - Subject to Guidelines
A.
Agenda Item Summary
(1:11:20)
Christina presented three questions/comments:
- Will the new structure allow teachers to teach to their strengths or are they teaching something they haven't taught before?
- Are we adding grades each year going forward?
- How are students who are falling behind due to staffing changes addressed?
Julie Doll posed this question:
- How is the 6th grade impacted by the 5th-grade restructure?
Mike Pfaff read the Mission Statement