Ashley Davis-Gallimore gave the CEO update as the new CEO of RePublic Schools. She gave general reflections for her first few weeks in the role laid out the top priorities for her first 90 days.

Top Priorities over next 90 Days:

• Scholar and family listening tour to understand deeply what the experience of our families are like. We have done a great job understanding staff perspectives, but we have room to grow in terms of our understanding of the perspectives of families and scholars. We will be having roundtable discussions in each region. Key take-aways will be shared at the June Board meeting.
• Ensuring a smooth Quarter 4 closeout this year including the completion of testing and analysis our scholar performance to action plan for next year. Ashley gave a report out of our scholar retention to date: 94% of scholars retained in MS; 90% of scholars retained in TN. There was also a report out of staff retention to date: 80% of teachers across the network.
• Ensuring that Nashville Prep has a lease to execute. Ashley reported that a final decision on the lease will be made by the beginning of June.
• Ensuring that we are looking ahead and on track to start next year strong. Ashley reported working with principals on a clear and transparent budget process; a final budget proposal will be made to the board at the June meeting.
• Summer and School Launch Plan
• Strategic Plan Implementation

Wood Caldwell gave the finance report. The finance committee met to discuss the state of finances at RePublic.

Stacie Landry of 4th Sector Solutions reported on the financials of RePublic Schools Inc, which were included in the board packet.

Stacie Landry of 4th Sector Solutions reported on the financials of RePublic Schools Nashville, which were included in the board packet.

Wood Caldwell called for a discussion on investing RePublic's excess cash.

Glenn Turtel presented options for investing cash with information on risks and benefits.

Wood Caldwell discussed concerns about risks of presented options, and he recommended waiting until the June meeting to pause discussions on investment in treasuries so that the board can monitor the status of the national debt ceiling and interests rates.

Glenn Turtel recommending setting up a mechanism for investing in treasuries while waiting until June to vote on whether RePublic will invest in treasuries.

Erika Berry asked for best practices from other charter schools. Wood Caldwell stated that he would reach out to other networks between now and June to inform the discussion at the next meeting.

Joe Keeney of 4th Sector Solutions discussed the fact that many schools are considering what to do to invest their extra cash. He stated that other charters review several different options from many different financial advisors.

Glenn Turtel recommended getting a line of credit from Pinnacle for RSI in order to increase cash-on-hand in June.

Kevin Heffel gave the academics update, with the following key highlights:

• MS and TN schools are currently in state testing, with the window open until May 10.
• MS 3rd graders are required to pass a 3rd grade literacy testing referred to as the "reading gate." They will otherwise be retained in 3rd grade.
• The TN high school must take the ACT, AP, and EOC exams.
• NWEA MAP assessments were taken in the winter, and they give us insight into where we are seeing strengths and where we need to focus.
• We anticipate results in late June or early July.

Ashley Davis Gallimore gave an overview of the SY23-24 Strategic Initiatives. They are:

• For the network, we will:
  • Adopt an anti-racist framework and audit our practices.
  • Offering high quality electives and specials courses for all scholars.
  • Decrease the number of students who are chronically absent.
• By region, we will:
  • MS - Focus on growth and expansion
  • TN - Focus on improving scholar enrollment and retention

Angela Bass gave an update on regional advisory board progress. 

In Mississippi, she presented key advisory board benchmarks in each quarter for next year, which were:

• Quarter 1: Facilitate a regional advisory board retreat to collect feedback on strategic growth and expansion plans.
• Quarter 2: Facilitate a regional advisory board meeting in which the recruitment/enrollment plan and draft “greenlighting” protocols are shared and plussed.
• Quarters 3 & 4:Regional advisory board begins work on a key sub-initiative that may include the following areas where we will likely need support:
  • Facilities and finance
  • Marketing/enrollment
  • Political and regulatory environment
  • School model and pathway planning

In TN, the regional advisory board has been meeting to create action plans addressing scholar retention and enrollment. They have now completed a plan, and they are ready to begin executing the plan as we head into the summer.