Ascertain a Quorum – 6:41 p.m.

Ascertain a Quorum – 6:41 p.m. Roberta Walker - present Wanda McKay - present Janelle Wilhite – arrived at 7:00 p.m. Suzette Arnold – not in attendance Tamseel Syed - not in attendance Wanda Brooks-Long, Ex-Officio

Welcome and Call to Order

The meeting will be called to the order.

Welcome and Call to Order by Roberta Walker, Board Co-Chair

Since there is no quorum, the meeting will proceed but no votes can be taken until there is a quorum.

Quorum was reached at 7:00 p.m. EDT

Approval of Agenda

So that there is agreement between board members on the agenda, and the amount of time spent on the meeting, the board shall vote to approve an agenda for the meeting. To the best of its ability, it will follow that agenda, and allow for the chair to move the board through the agenda as specified.

Motion to approve the agenda

Motion made: Wanda McKay

Motion approved after quorum was established. HOS report was presented in the meantime

Consent Agenda

Was approved after quorum was established

Head of School Report

The school leader reports on the status of the school.

Head of School Report – Dr. Brooks-Long and Melba Smith

Melba Smith, Interim Principal, presented the Interim Principal’s Report which included:

Student Enrollment                            

Grade Level                                       Students Recorded                             

Kindergarten                                                  52                                           

1^st                                                                   67                                                      

2^nd                                                                  59                                           

3^rd                                                                   63                                           

4^th                                                                   63                                           

5^th                                                                   62                                           

6^th                                                                   79                                           

7^th                                                                   75                                           

8^th                                                                   62

Total                                                             576     

August Monthly Highlights and Pulse Check

           2 Fire Drills were reported to the State

           Approved CSIP posted on the website under the Title I Tab

           Parent and student surveys posted on the website

           Progress reports went home this week

           Flag football team had a recent win of 15-0

           Hosted a Pep Rally last Friday

           Title I Night is September 29, 2022

DCSD Innovation Team is scheduled to come to DPA the following days: October 3 (morning); December 9 (noon) 1^st PBL/AVC Showcase date; January 31, 2023 (morning); 2^nd PBL Kickoff and March 29, 2022 (noon).

           PBIS Kickoff is October 5, 2022

           MAP Testing make up day ended Friday

           Leadership Team meets biweekly

           School-wide Book Fair began this week and ends September 30, 2022

           Parent compliment: The car rider line has improved

           Anti-bullying assembly will take place next week.

Excel and Accel Academy begin the week of October 3, 2022

Accel Academy is every Tuesday through Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Attendees are High Level 1 and Level 2 learners.

Excel Academy will take place every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. -12 noon. This academy services Gifted Students and High Level 3 and 4 students.

GMAS Data Points

Ms. Smith reviewed GMAS data points for 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022.

Review of data for different grade levels and subjects and whether DPA beat the state and/or district. (Report is available upon request)

Intentional Intervention Plans

Ms. Smith reviewed the Intentional Intervention Plans for Math, Reading, Science and Social Studies.

Going for the Gold Master Teachers are:

·      Sadrina Sampson

·      Yauntia Gentry

·      Moniqwa Wright Smith

·      Veronica Jordan

·      Dr. Viola Blackshear

August Teacher of the Month

Trevius Ward is the August Teacher of the Month

Committee Reports

Following are committee reports in order of occurence:

Academic Committee:

Academic Committee Report – Roberta Walker/Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long

No additional items from the Academic Committee Report during the work session on 09/24/2022 need to be reported at this time.

Ascertain a Quorum – 7:07 p.m.

Roberta Walker

Janelle Wilhite

Wanda McKay

Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long

Finance Committee:

Financial Reports from August 2022 – Presented by Interim CFO, Candy Yu

Challenges for the Finance Team –

·      Year-end compliance reports, grant completion and audit prep which are due at the same time.

·      Due to the lack of a human resource staff, the School Operations Manager continues to perform tasks outside of finance.

Finance Policies –

Updated Credit Card Policy and Finance Policy were presented to the Board on July 15, 2022. Credit card policy has been approved. Encouraged the board to approve the Finance Policy.

Finance Report –

Reviewed and gave updates on Financial Statement, Budget, Cash Flow, Debt, System and Processes, Banking, Grants, and the Balance sheet.

Additional efforts – clean-up project, audit preparation, submission and acceptance of County Annual Financial Reporting, trained HR Manager and participated in CFO interview.

Ms. Yu answered questions regarding the balance sheet and how it is used.

Consent Agenda approval

Hiring of New Personnel

·      Sheridan Rogers        PEC Teacher ($83, 942.57)

·      Ta’Shaun Boyd          6^th Grade Teacher ($75,310.19)

·      Valjean Williams      Reading Recovery Substitute ($5, 280.00)

·      JaToiya Franklin        School Office Manager ($56,058.27)

Motion to Accept the Consent Agenda as presented

Motion made by:        Janelle Wilhite

Motion seconded by: Wanda McKay

Motion carries:         Unanimous vote

Executive Session to address personnel matters at 7:12 p.m.

Motion to move to Executive Session

Motion made by:        Wanda McKay

Motion seconded by: Janelle Wilhite

Motion carries:         Unanimous Vote

Return from Executive Session and resume regular meeting at 7:39 p.m.

Motion to return from Executive session and resume regular meeting

Motion made by:        Janelle Wilhite

Motion seconded by: Roberta Walker

Motion carries:         Unanimous vote

Governance committee:

Governance Committee Report – Dr. Wanda Brooks-Long

The Governance Committee met and began the policy review.

Development committee:

Development Committee Report – Melba Smith

Development Committee met but there is no action to bring forward to the Governing Board at this time

Executive Session

Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.

Public Comment

Our Public Comment period is for members of the public to address the board. Each member of the public may sign up to comment at the meeting, and will be allotted two minutes. The board will listen, but may not directly respond to any comments. Our meetings are open to the public and public record. As such, if your comment is about a private matter, please contact the board via email, or speak to the board chair privately.

Following comments were made:

LaToya Scott:

What is being allocated in the budget for building maintenance and cafeteria for janitorial services ? Candy Yu, Interim CFO: answered specific questions and discussion ensued about budget and expenditures for this line item and the process of revising the budget for 2022-23 school year, GASB rules, etc.

How many board members are there? There are 5 board members. Ms. Walker made a request for additional board members.

Devonne Holland:

Will there be another guard in the morning to help direct traffic?

Dr. Brooks-Long, CAO:Head of Schools stated that there ehre will be another guard ande are in the process of hiring one.

“Ms. Smith is doing a wonderful job. The morning traffic is going excellent. Ms. Guyton is doing a great job with the traffic.”

Demetria Macon

Interested in being on the board. Parent of three DPA scholars.

How do you as a board handle issues with parents that habitually break the rules? Examples: not honoring traffic pattern, road rage, etc.

“Kudos to the team. You guys are doing a great job.”

Dr Brooks-Long explained that DPA is instituting a Parent and Community Council to assist with coming up with ideas. Encouraged parents to join the Council and participate.

Janelle Wilhite:

Please ensure that the approved budget is posted on the website if it is not.

Pearl:

“I am a DPA parent. My child has been doing well, even through COVID.  Kudos to the Admin Team! This team is very welcoming, hands on and willing to listen, unlike the previous administration. Thank you for listening and being present and transparent.”

“I am concerned about the turnover. How long will the process be before DPA decides on the permanent teacher and other positions that are available?”

Roberta Walker explained the hiring process and that DPA is working diligently to get the positions filled.

LaToya Scott:

It is a must that we have law enforcement to deal with traffic and fights. I don’t think that the Parents should decide how to deal with traffic situation.

Roberta Walker stated that Dr. Brooks-Long is in the process of hiring someone to help with traffic and the board acknowledges that safety is an issue.

Can we get another vendor for lunch and breakfast?

Roberta Walker thanked Ms. Scott for the question and stated that Dr. Brooks-Long or Ms. Smith will respond to her at another time.

Other Business

New Hires for Consideration:

·      Shawn Armour          3^rd Grade Teacher ($59, 660.05)

Motion made by:        Wanda McKay

Motion seconded by: Janelle Wilhite

Motion carries:          Unanimous vote

·      Jonah Bushell            Reading Recovery Substitute Teacher ($5, 280.00)

Motion made by:        Wanda McKay

Motion seconded by: Janelle Wilhite

Motion carries:         Unanimous vote

·      Sunny Amey              Grants Manager ($86,072.90)

Motion made by:        Janelle Wilhite

Motion seconded by:  Wanda McKay

Motion carries:          Unanimous vote

Telehealth Services Agreement

Motion made by:                    Wanda McKay

Motion seconded by:             Janelle Wilhite

Motion carries:                     Unanimous vote

Scheduling and Training Consultant – Mary Bostic - $20,000.00

Motion made by:                    Wanda McKay

Motion seconded by:             Motion not seconded

Motion did not carry; Action is tabled until next month. Form needs to indicate time frames and specific plan. Add vendor name to the Board Action Form

Adjourn

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.

Motion made by:                    Janelle Wilhite

Motion seconded by:             Wanda McKay

Motion carries:                     Unanimous vote

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:22 pm