Welcome and Call to Order

This meeting was called to order by Suzette Arnold at 6:37 pm.

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.

Head of School Report

Dr.Bostic congratulated the employee of the month, Mr. Rice, and teacher of the year Mrs. Ward. She also discussed the different activities that took place during the month of February and the upcoming events that will come in the month of March. As of February 26, 2024, enrollment is at 512. After school tutoring, writers' workshop for teachers, and Lennections Technology Program began this month. Dr. Bostic provided details about Teacher Keys Effectiveness System Updates and Leader Keys Effectiveness System Updates. Dekalb Preparatory Academy scored a 101 on our school safety drill and had 92% overall participation on Georgia Health Survey. The school received a new server and new copiers. There are three vacancies. We need two Science teachers and one special education teacher.

Committee Reports

Marshall Jones (Auditor's Report)

Randy Shrum, an auditor with Marshall Jones reviewed the auditor’s report that was conducted June 30, 2023. Tim suggested that the school hire a qualified appraiser to conduct inventory for June 30, 2024, audit and that DPA calculate our liabilities before the start of next school year. Randy Shrum explained the Material Weakness for financial reporting on capital assets.

Janelle Wilhite (treasurer) and Randy Shrum (auditor) had an in-depth conversation addressing numbers listed on page thirteen of the auditor’s report. There was a conversation between Randy Shrum, Dr. Bostic, Janelle Wilhite, and Suzette Arnold regarding the unacceptance of the previous inventory. Suzette Arnold thanked Marshall Jones for their explanation. Janelle Wilhite questioned why the report was submitted did not reflect the inventory that was conducted. Suzette exclaimed that the board would work more closely with the school to become more stringent in monitoring the compliances of the school. 

Corrective Action Plan

 A corrective action plan will be created and presented to the board at the next board meeting with a deadline attached upon approval by the finance committee.

Finance Committee Reports

Janelle Wilhite explained that the financial committee did not meet in lieu of Janelle Wilhite’s scheduling conflicts. Dr. Bostic reviewed the Profit & Loss Budget vs Actuals for the month of January. Dr. Bostic expressed that requisitions have been put in for Dekalb Preparatory Academy to receive federal funding and nutrition reimbursements have been approved. Suzette Arnold questioned why there is more funding being spent than the school has budgeted for. Dr. Bostic explained that some of the deficit in our spending is for expenses for substitute and special education teachers. Dr. Bostic and Suzette Arnold engaged in a robust discussion regarding the Profit & Loss Budget vs Actuals. 

Compensation Study

Janelle Wilhite gave permission for the study to be presented with the caveat that the study will be further discussed and approved in the finance committee meeting. Dr. Blackshear (The Unit Lead for the Compensation Study) expressed that the goals of the compensation study for the 2024-2025 school year are to have a 100% certified staff, decrease the attrition rate, and increase sustainability. QBE (Quality Based Education) funding is the focus of this study that will make us more competitive amongst other counties and charter schools surrounding Dekalb Preparatory Academy. The study suggests that QBE funding will pay for certified teachers, teachers in the TAP program, and teachers with a provisional. Dr. Merritt has worked diligently to ensure that all teachers at Dekalb Preparatory Academy are certified, working to join the TAP program, or in the process of getting a provisional with an ending goal of receiving QBE funding for every educator in the school. Once this goal is met QBE will fund $2,249,898.00 to the school in which Dekalb Preparatory Academy will save $585,745.00. Bridget Robinson questioned what will happen to the educators that do not meet any of the allotted categories that qualify them to receive the certified raise amount. Dr. Merritt confirmed that 90% of the staff qualify to receive a provisional. Suzette Arnold explained that the question presented must be answered by personnel in an executive committee meeting. Dr. Bostic explains how the increase in compensation for the teachers that qualify will allow teachers to receive a yearly raise in observance of their TKES evaluation. It will also allow Dekalb Preparatory Academy the opportunity to hire certified teachers. Dr.Bostic, Dr. Merritt, and Dr. Blackshear have supported staff with testing and tutoring in an effort to move our 50% certified staff rate to an 80% certified staff. Kathy Ann Young questioned if the support staff are included in the compensation study in which Dr. Blackshear answered no. Dr. Blackshear expressed the importance of approving the compensation quickly to retain the teachers that are employed at this time for next school year. Suzette Arnold would like the finance committee to address the pinching liability and benefits (TRS)when re-evaluating the compensation study in the finance committee meeting. Janelle Wilhite would also like Dr. Bostic to present the anticipated revenue projection and grants in the finance committee meeting also.

Academic Meeting (Roberta Walker)

Roberta Walker stated that the academic committee met on February 14, 2024. She discussed the upcoming events that are quickly approaching including March 8, 2024, independent learning day for students and a professional development day for the staff. She also discussed milestone testing that is forthcoming. Milestone testing begins Wednesday, April 17, 2024- Monday, April 29, 2024. Dr. Bostic asked for the approval of the hire of Isaiah Roberts a long-term sub for general ed in which was previously approved in a committee meeting. 

Governance Committee (Bridget Robinson)

Bridget Robinson explained the discussion and approval of a disciplinary handbook that was discussed in the governance committee meeting held on February 21, 2024. She explained that there is no motion necessary at this time for the handbook.

Corrective Actions

Dr. Bostic explained that the corrective action will be updated and added to the governance board meeting beginning next month.

Development Committee

Dr.Bostic revisited the exploration of partnering with M.I.C.O University to provide exceptional education opportunities for the scholars of Dekalb Preparatory Academy. Suzette Arnold would like for the proposal to be moved to the governance or academic committee to seek approval. The Academic committee chair, Ms. Roberta Walker accepted a charge to approve the motion for the exploration of the strategic partnership with M.I.C.O University and Dekalb Preparatory Academy to provide exceptional education opportunities for the scholars at Dekalb Preparatory Academy.

other business

There were not any recommendations for the board. Suzette Arnold would like to add a public comment period allowing stakeholders the opportunity to correctly address the board. There were not any questions from either the stakeholders or the board members.

Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 8:49 pm