Adam read the Scholars Academy mission statement.

Dominique read the Zoom webinar etiquette/rules.

There were no community comments.

Mr. Carper presented the Executive Director's Board Report. 

• iReady math data and iReady reading data
• Math EOG data
• Reading and science EOG data
• Scholars Academy has the highest EOG and EOC combined test results in the state of North Carolina.
• Historical enrollment numbers
  • Question about how much revenue we will lose with the current 6th-grade class (with 3 classes) graduates and student enrollment reduces by about 20 students. 
  • We will need to consider this during strategic planning.
• Historical wait list - Kindergarten wait list is currently zero which is potentially concerning. The Board will review this further and determine if adjustments will need to be made to marketing moving forward.
• Missed days from Helene - we got the days back due to the Disaster Recovery Act which allows us to have those days for future weather shutdowns.
• Mr. Carper explained how the decision is made to cancel school for weather reasons. 
• Fall Social - a successful event
• Scholars Academy was awarded 2024 Gold Middle School, Silver Charter School, and Bronze Elementary School.
• Last Friday was "Coffee with Mr. Carper" where parents were able to come out and chat with Mr. Carper about the school and their school experience.

The Finance Committee provided the 2023-2024 Audit Report for board approval. Once approved, it will be submitted as the final document for the Charter Renewal. This document is due October 31, 2024.

• Discuss changes from the first Read Draft that include new Title IX Formal Complaint Form.
• Propose move to vote to adopt Final Draft policy attached.
• Board counsel Lisa Gordon-Stella provided the first Read Draft.
• There's a document comparing 2020 to 2024 Title IX changes available upon request.

Ms. Zagorski has put forward a procedure. The committee is working on a general policy prepared to reference the new procedure required and available for a review in November meeting. 

As background, NC lawmakers passed a bill to require schools to safety threats. HB 605 requires assessment of and intervention with an individual whose behavior poses a risk to the safety of school staff, students, or self, including suggested definitions of threat levels with examples of behavior that would be considered a threat under given definitions. 

We have inquired with the other committees about the need to update certain policies and ask that they include policy edits on their various committee agendas so that we can provide assistance if needed, as necessary (i.e. Media policy etc).

1. The Foundation, along with PTO President Mel Ahlers, held our information
   session on October 6th. The recorded session is on the Foundation’s webpage
   on the school’s website. The Foundation will also work on a Q&A type video soon and will upload this on the Foundation's page on the website.
2. Our Grade Pledge Week Challenge ended last night with 48 SA families
   participating. Kindergarten is our lower school winner and 5th grade is our middle
   school winner. Each winning grade will receive a special prize determined by
   their homeroom teachers.
3. Our annual giving campaign's current pledge total is $158K and total donations is
   $60K for an overall total of $218K or about 48% of our financial goal. Annual
   giving campaign SA family participation is at 43%.
4. Next month, our Parent Ambassadors will be reaching out to our families who
   have not pledged yet to encourage them to participate in this year’s annual giving
   campaign. Our goal is 100% SA family participation.

• Updates on Safety Grant application due October 31st. 
  • The competitive state safety grant application closes this Thursday October 31st. This grant is for equipment that will increase safety in the school.  The FAST committee prioritized security needs based on the assessment completed by Jerico in fall 2023.  The security system and intercom system were listed as the top priorities and were completed using funds from last year's AGC.
  • There are some remaining needs that we have not yet been able to fund.  
  • We are applying for $75,000 to complete the following:
    • $50,000 for fencing, $18,000 for a PA system upgrade, and $7,000 for nightlock shades (quickly cover the glass panes of classrooms in case of an intruder) and additional signage.
• Will need future Board approval for fencing once grant is approved and multiple quotes are received.
• Dominique asked if there is an update on construction completion for the adjacent Townhomes. Alison said that they were supposed to be done in 2024 Quarter 1 but are past that deadline. Because roads are paved and marketing of the units has begun, she anticipates that it will probably finish construction soon and start leasing (phased approach) in the early part of 2025. Also, 77 Center Drive will become a through street and we will have to re-assess traffic management at that time. Enrique asked if we can apply "school zone" traffic signs. Alison will inquire about this.
• Question was asked about the existing fencing. There are no fences shown in the construction plans. Alison anticipates that any fence will be removed (if it is construction fencing).

Mr. Carper has worked on getting two quotes for rubber mulching in the playground area and the FAST committee recommends going with a $4400 quote for a company to do all of the work from beginning to end.  This is under the threshold for board approval, but an FYI that we are close to the budget line item for building supplies & materials and just under 40% of the amount allocated for building services.

We plan to have a FAST meeting to discuss the history of expansion and schedule a separate FAST committee meeting to determine what are our paths forward.

Committee inquired on Holiday Calendar and 2024-2025 School Year has been prepared by Staff pursuant to CMS guidance. The calendar includes annotations on fasting and prayers observed. The next step is for the committee to make sure the calendar is available to Staff and PTO to consider when planning school and PTO events.

Committee discussed ways to collaborate with PTO and Staff. So far, an idea was put forward to staff regarding a "Guest Speaker" program. Program to potentially serve as a mechanism for parents to sign up as a guest speaker in classrooms (not necessarily their child's class) to share a unique personal or professional experience, a family tradition or holiday. The program is yet to be discussed with the staff and PTO for consideration. 

• The committee has aligned on a preliminary process to approve a new book set once a form is submitted to ensure there is an appropriate review process and support from the committee when necessary. 
• Ms. Zagorski put together a form with a variety of questions that will be given to teachers that have required reading and are requesting books to be purchased. Teachers will receive training on how to fill out the form. 
• The form will be vetted by administration staff, the school counselor and Mr. Carper.
• Parents bill of rights - Erica wonders how this will align with this process. Enrique replied that this form should, in theory, resolve any issues in advance.

1. Financial update - Adam provided a summary of the current finances for the Board.
2. Vote on budget amendments, as recommended by the Finance Committee
   1. $16,907 additional state revenue (offset with Technology grant)
   2. $49,041 additional local revenue
   3. $600 social dues (expense) - paid by the teachers
   4. In total - adding $48,441 to the budget revenue line
3. Vote on authorizing the school to enter into 2-3 year service contract for new color printer
4. Vote to approve 2023-2024 Audit Report so it can be submitted with the Charter Renewal application.

No community comments

Meeting went to closed session.