SLAM ATLANTA

Governing Board

Regular Meeting - Saturday April 28th, 2018 @10:30 AM

Meeting Minutes

Attendance Summary

Name Status Arrival Time Departure Time
William Greene present 20 Minutes Late At Adjournment
Tanina Packer present On Time At Adjournment
Travis Stroud present On Time At Adjournment
Daniel McKayhan present On Time At Adjournment
Karen Womack not present
Pardes Sulaiman present On Time At Adjournment
Altrenesha Ervin present On Time At Adjournment
Charlene Ellis present 10 Minutes Late At Adjournment
Eboni Chillis present On Time At Adjournment
Lonnie White not present
Deana Holiday Ingraham present 10 Minutes Late At Adjournment

Welcome and Call to Order

The meeting will be called to the order, beginning with the pledge of allegiance.


The meeting was called to order at 10:43AM, a quorum was established and the pledge of allegiance was conducted.


After the pledge of allegiance, Tanina Packer noted that all documents associated with the proposed agenda items were available to Board members well in advance of the meeting via DropBox for their review.

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.



Approve the agenda as submitted

By: Eboni Chillis Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved.

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.


No public comments were made.

School Leader Report

The school leader reports on the status of the school.


School Leader was not in attendance due to previously scheduled recruitment event. Tanina Packer reported on his behalf. Full report available on school's website. Car Magnets were disbursed to Board Members and also given to all parents at the last parent meeting to express appreciation for those parents who have registered their students and also to assist with marketing the school.

Approval of Minutes for March 24, 2018 Meeting

Review and approve Minutes for March 24, 2018 Meeting

To approve minutes from the March 24, 2018 Meeting

By: Eboni Chillis Seconded by: William Greene

There was no discussion on this motion

Unanimously approved (Subject to revision of any scrivener's errors)

Consent Agenda

There were no items on the consent agenda

Special Population Policy

Discussion and adoption of Special Population Policy

To adopt the Special Population Policy

By: Charlene Ellis Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved (subject to revision of any scrivener's errors)

School Health Program, Medication, Health and Safety Emergencies, Illness, Immunization Records, School Nutrition Policies and Procedures

Discussion and adoption of School Health Program, Medication, Health and Safety Emergencies, Illness, Immunization Records, School Nutrition Policies and Procedures.

To adopt the School Health Program, Medication, Health and Safety Emergencies, Illness, Immunization Records, School Nutrition Policies and Procedures.

By: Altrenesha Ervin Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved (subject to revision of any scrivener's errors)

2018 - 2019 Parent - Student Handbook

Discussion and adoption of the 2018 - 2019 Parent - Student Handbook

To adopt the 2018 - 2019 Parent - Student Handbook

By: Tanina Packer Seconded by: Travis Stroud

Deana Ingraham mentioned that the discipline due process procedure had been edited to conform to state law.  Kelly from Academica participated by telephone and stated that the school needed to ensure that the discipline process did not involve the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education.  Deana Ingraham confirmed that the process did not involve the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education.

Unanimously approved (Subject to revision of any scriveners errors).  

Personnel Policy

Discussion and adoption of the Personnel Policy

To adopt the Personnel Policy

By: Pardes Sulaiman Seconded by: Daniel McKayhan

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved subject to revision of scrivener's errors)

Public Comments Policy

Discussion and adoption of the Public Comments Policy

To adopt the Public Comments Policy

By: Daniel McKayhan Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved (subject to revision of any scrivener's errors)

Amendments to Bylaws

Discussion and adoption of amendments to bylaws

To amend the by-laws of the Governing Board of Slam Academy of Atlanta to insert a new Section 6.3 to provide for standing committees, in accordance with the proposed Section 6.3 previously distributed to Board members

By: Travis Stroud Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved (subject to revision of any scrivener's errors)

Amendments to Employee Handbook

Discussion and adoption of amendments to the Employee Handbook

To amend the Employee Handbook of Slam Academy of Atlanta in accordance with the proposed amendments previously distributed to Board members

By: Tanina Packer Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

Danny Diaz from Academica participated by telephone and raised a concern about elimination of the statement that ADP TotalSource was the employer of record for SLAM employees.  He stated that other SLAM schools had tried to eliminate that statement in their handbooks, and ADP had refused.  Tanina Packer stated that this was a handbook for SLAM employees to follow on day-to-day matters.  Nina Gupta, attorney for SLAM Academy of Atlanta, stated the same and stated that the elimination of the statement did not change the legal relationship but would help avoid confusion on the part of employees as to their day-to-day management and supervision.  Danny Diaz suggested that Nina Gupta consult with ADP's attorneys, and Nina Gupta stated she was happy to do that. 
Motion unanimously approved (subject to revision of any scrivener's errors).

Budget Adoption Policy

Discussion and adoption of the Budget Adoption Policy

Motion to approve the Budget Adoption Policy

By: Pardes Sulaiman Seconded by: Tanina Packer

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved (subject to revision of any scrivener's errors)

Recess Meeting

Recess meeting for public hearing on proposed annual operations budget

To recess meeting for public hearing on proposed annual operating budget

By: Tanina Packer Seconded by: Travis Stroud

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved.

Public Hearing on Proposed Annual Operating Budget

11:30am Public Hearing on proposed annual operating budget

To open the public hearing on the proposed annual operating budget

By: William Greene Seconded by: Travis Stroud

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved.  There were no speakers during the public hearing.

To close the Public Hearing on the proposed annual operating budget

By: William Greene Seconded by: Travis Stroud

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved.

Reconvene Meeting

To reconvene meeting

To Reconvene Meeting

By: William Greene Seconded by: Daniel McKayhan

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved.

Budget Discussion

Lonnie White (School Leader) was interested in two candidates who were capable of holding both teaching and administrative positions and he wanted to have both sets of duties and commensurate salaries. Pardes Sulaiman wondered whether the budget would support hybrid teacher/administrators and whether there would be a need for administrative personnel. Travis Stroud suggested that student enrollment numbers would determine funding and whether funds were there to support administrative positions. It was suggested that offers be made for a hybrid teaching/administrative position and commensurate salary contingent upon sufficient enrollment in the school's judgement to justify the hybrid position. If enrollment was not sufficient, then the individuals would be hired as teachers only at a teacher salary. Because the School Leader was ready to make offers to these individuals, it became necessary for the Board to take action on this direction.

Motion that offers be made for a hybrid teaching/administrative position and commensurate salary contingent upon sufficient enrollment in the school's judgement to justify the hybrid position

By: Pardes Sulaiman Seconded by: Travis Stroud

Motion was made after the budget discussion summarized above.  Unanimously approved.

Student Information System

Discussion and possible action on Student Information System

To approve Georgia Vendor - Infinite Campus at the cost of $13,846.25 for the school information system

By: William Greene Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

There was no discussion on the motion.  Unanimously approved

Safety Action / Emergency Management Plan

Discussion and adoption of the Safety Action / Emergency Management Plan.

To adopt the Safety Action / Emergency Management Plan

By: Travis Stroud Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

William Greene stated that we could explore partnerships to assist with fire safety and work with the local fire department.  Unanimously approved (Subject to revision of any scrivener's errors)

Executive Session

Executive Session was not held as there were no Personnel, Litigation, or Real Estate matters.

Announcements and Adjournment


Deana Holiday Ingraham shared that SCSC is partnering with the Carl Vinson Institute to provide Charter Schools Financial Management Certification on May 9, 2018. Boards members interested in participating should send an email to the Chair


Daniel McKayhan shared that a draft Request for Qualifications regarding facilities will be shared with the Board for review and will be on the May Board meeting agenda for discussion




The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:25 pm

Motion to adjourn

By: Altrenesha Ervin Seconded by: Pardes Sulaiman

The meeting was adjourned at 12:25pm