Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy
Minutes
SA Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday February 26, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Location
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Topic: Scholars Academy Monthly Board Meetings
Register in advance for this webinar:
Scholars Academy Monthly Board Meeting - Zoom Webinar Registration
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You may also watch the meeting live via YouTube stream, at Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy - Charlotte - YouTube
Directors Present
A. Farooqi, A. Hall (remote), A. Starling, D. Palmer, E. Alvarez, E. Womer, L. Lopez (remote), M. Dixon (remote), W. Ning
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
A. Pieper
Non Voting Members Present
A. Pieper
Guests Present
Jaclyn D'Andrea (remote), Julie Doll (remote), K. Ely (remote), N. Zagorski (remote), T. Hemming (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 Minutes of January Board Meeting - 1/22/24
F.
Approval of Minutes of Special Board Meeting - 2/21/24
G.
Adoption of the Agenda
II. Director's Report
A.
General Items
III. Governance Committee
A.
Executive Director Search Update
MM 18:05
Executive Director Search Update:
- Job opening is posted on the Scholars website, Office of Charter Schools, NC Association for Public Charter Schools, NAGC
- We have shared the opportunity with our community (consultants and local leaders)
- Several candidates have expressed interest
- The Governance Committee is reviewing the applications over the next couple of weeks
- Members of the community may be asked to participate in panel interviews
- The committee meets every two weeks to discuss the ED Search and transition plan
- Additionally, a representative from the Governance Committee participates in the staff meeting once a month.
B.
Other Priorities
- Townhall - Proposed date April 17th at 6:30 pm
- Board members needed for next year
IV. Policy Committee
A.
Update
MM 26:20
- REVIEWED RECOMMENDED POLICY - FIRST READ
Policy content evaluation:
• Identify the problem/conduct/actionable goal or change that the policy targets or influences.
• What are the core components and implementation requirements of the policy?
• Does the policy articulate the mechanism for monitoring implementation?
• Does the policy identify indicators for assessing program success/problem resolution?
• How is the content of the policy similar to or different from that of other policies?
Improving policy implementation and future policy development:
• What is the context of the policy’s development and passage?
• Is there a basis of evidence in support of the policy's strategy?
• Is there an unexpected impact of the policy?
- Policy Update:
A. Recommended Edits to the 2024-2025 Parent/Student Handbook:
• Excused Absences
• Excessive Absences
B. Parents' Bill of Rights:
• The statute requires that a Parent’s Guide to Student Achievement is provided to parents, students, and school personnel no later than the first day of school after January 1, 2024. Based on school calendars across the state, the first day of school is in August for traditional calendars and July for year-round calendars.
• Additionally, the law stipulates (115C-76.30): “The State Board of Education shall develop minimum requirements for public school units for a parent's guide to student achievement to provide what parents need to know about their child's educational progress and how they can help their child to succeed in school.” March or April projected Review.
V. Educational Excellence Committee
A.
Update
MM 41:30
Reviewed process for Charter Renewal Visit on 2/27/24
VI. Foundation
A.
Update
MM 56:30
- 80.5% overall participation (last month 76%)
- Positive results from the outreach campaign last month
- $431,000 ($420,000 last month); $221,000 received.
- Bus fund $26,000 ($23,000 last month)
VII. FAST Committee
A.
Update
MM 59:09
- Security Assessment Update & Next Steps
- Requested proposals
- Focused on establishing our spending priorities
VIII. Finance Committee
A.
Budget Amendments
MM: 1:01:55
- Taxes for activity buses due
- Unexpected expenses - Bus repairs and bus repair
- State funding for workshop expenses
- Expenses related to the Walkie Talkie Grant
B.
Financial Deep Dive
Discussed the following:
- ED Compensation Study underway
- Teacher pay analysis
- ESSER Audit - Passed
MM 5:40