Welcome and Call to Order

Welcome and Call to Order – Suzette Arnold at 6:34p.m.

Approval of Agenda

The committee approves the agenda items.

Approval of Minutes from Oct 14, 2023

Committee Reports

Academic Committee Report-Roberta Walker

The Academic Committee met on October 10, 2023. Discussion included vacancies, changing the Art Teacher position to a STEAM position, afterschool tutorial and the focus on Math.

Dr. Bostic stated that on the first day of school there were 539 students enrolled and now there are 555. Commendation to School Registrar, Mattie Reid.

Academic Committee Report was accepted by the Governing Board.

Finance Committee Report There was no official meeting but Dr. Bostic met with the Board Treasurer. Discussion regarding the Reauthorization and data that would be included in the Reauthorization document. Dr. Bostic gave an overview of the documents and projections for the next 5 years. Discussion regarding the possible utilization of funds for capital improvements. Discussion regarding the computer projections for there to be 1:1 computers for students. There is money allocated in the Title I budget for the purchase of computers and computer carts. Dr. Bostic mentioned that the Asset Management System is needed as we implement the 1:1 program.

The Accountability Report was included in the reauthorization document that was sent to the Governing Board members for review and approval prior to submission to the Authorizer (DCSD). Dr. Bostic will send the Accountability Report to the board members again. Update on the Reauthorization Process: the reauthorization documents were submitted to the authorizer on time. The authorizer provided feedback and requested additional documentation. The requested additional information was sent to the authorizer as requested. Update on the annual audit: The audit is moving forward. The Capital Asset report is being recreated and will be included in the audit. Important due dates and deadlines: The Audit is due November 1. The Annual Report is also due on November 1. The Board Capacity Interview is on October 31, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. The board chair reiterated that all board members have to be present for the interview. Brief discussion regarding the board members mock interview will take place virtually on October 26, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Since there was not an official meeting, the finances are not being presented for approval. However, next month, the financials will be presented.

**In the future, the board will need supporting documentation regarding the current salary, what the new salary will be, to assist in the decision-making process.

Ms. Young raised questions regarding the projection chart vs the extra-curricular funds for coaches. Dr. Bostic will revisit this line item and provide clarification.

Governance Committee Report – there was no meeting this month.

Development Committee Report – there was no meeting this month. 

Public Comment

Public Comment

Nicole Brundidge, parent of 4^th Grade student, raised concerns about 4^th grade academics. Stated that there are issues with academics and discipline. Expressed concerns about a 3^rd grade teacher degrading 4^th grade student. Ms. Owens and Mr. Brown are working to resolve the issues. There are good teachers here and staff who care but there are others that need to be addressed. Dr. Bostic stated that she is aware of some of the issues and that there will be a 4^th Grade Town Hall meeting on tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom to address the issues.

Ms. Young, Governing Board member, stated that she is also a parent and has been here for 4 years. She has not had any negative interactions with staff but apologized for Ms. Brundidge’s experience. Ms. Young reiterated that the teachers, staff and administration love the children and hopes that there will be some resolution soon.

Any Other Items

Ms. Arnold reminded the board members that there is mandatory board training that each board member must complete. Each member has received an email from Ayana Clarke with links to the required training modules.

Head of School Report

Dr. Bostic congratulated the Employee of the Month for August and September. JaToyia Franklin is the August Employee of the Month and Trevius Ward is the September Employee of the Month.

Homecoming activities took place last week and were very organized and fun. Mr. DPA is Montrez Holloway and Miss DPA is K’Sobe Stephens. The Royal Court was also congratulated and acknowledged.

October Highlights: Homecoming Week with 70’s and 80’s Day, Homecoming Parade and Rally, 2^nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Tea, Red Ribbon Week (No Bullying or Drugs Pledge), Caught Reading at Breakfast, Pancakes and Pajamas-AR/MyOn Reading Kick-off, International Food Tasting (2^nd and 3^rd Grade Gifted and Talented Students), Earth and Space Performance Task (4^th Grade, Mr. Vassall’s class), Surface Resources on the Earth Caused by Constructive and Destructive Processes Experiment and Performance Task (5^th Grade, Ms. Sampson’s class), 8^th Grade conducted an experiment demonstrating how exothermic chemical reactions generate heat.

Parent Involvement and Engagement Activities: Science Night, Donuts for Dads, the participation was so high that there will be another Donuts with Dads 2.0 event in the coming weeks.

November Professional Learning Day and Holiday-Tuesday, November 7, 2023, is a Professional Learning Day and an Independent Learning Day (at home) for students. The first Professional Learning Day was very successful. Thanksgiving Break is November 20-24, 2023. School is closed for staff and students,.

Upcoming November Activities – Parent University Writing Workshop, Thanksgiving luncheon, National Junior Beta Club Induction.

October Academic Highlights PSAT for 8^th grade students on October 20, 2023.

November Academic Highlights CoGAT Testing for Gifted and Talented and Project Based Learning Tasks will continue.

Dr. Bostic presented an extensive review of the Fall 2023 MAP results. The data discussed included comparisons of the past three years. (The full report is available upon request.) Dr. Bostic discussed strategies and interventions that will be utilized and brought forth to the Academic Committee next month.

Ms. Arnold asked that Dr. Bostic notify the board of supports needed to bring the school’s scores up.

Ms. Arnold stated that due to voter signature issues, DPA needs to put effort into ensuring that our students can print and sign their names.

Robust discussion regarding the availability of cohort information. Dr. Bostic explained that it is available through Illuminate.

Enrollment by Grade

Kindergarten               59

1^st Grade                     55

2^nd Grade                    55

3^rd Grade                     62

4^th Grade                     65

5^th Grade                     59

6^th Grade                     70

7^th Grade                     68

8^th Grade                     62

Total                           555

Head of Schools Report was accepted by the Governing Board.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 pm