Welcome and Call to Order

The Meeting will be called to order by the Chair.

Mission: The mission of The Museum School of Avondale Estates is to inspire students, teachers and the community to collaborate to develop strong critical thinking, interpersonal and academic skills in our students, which will prepare them for real-world success.

 

Core Values: Responsibility, Respect, Cooperation, Sustainability, Creativity, Kindness

Public Comment

Our Public Comment period is for members of the public to address the board. The board will listen, but may not directly respond to any comments. Please do not use specific student, teacher or administrator names in your comments as 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.

Email Executive Director, Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh at Katherine.kelbaugh@themuseumschool.org for Zoom access to the meeting.

Public comment (no longer than one page) should be submitted via email to Katherine.kelbaugh@themuseumschool.org. Your comments must be received by 10:00 am on the day of the meeting. Only those emails received during the allotted time will be read aloud and broadcast. Emails received outside of the allotted time will be included in the Public Comments record for the next meeting.

There were no public comments.

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.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Approve minutes of the previous regular meeting plus two special called meetings.

Principal's Report

Principal Mike Stewart began with a review of TMS student body enrollment statistics. Principal Stewart then provided updates on TMS response of recent events in Washington, D.C. (inclusive of a listening session approach for staff as well as grade-level specific listening strategies); a review of virtual learning protocol updates and adjustments; a discussion of a tracking system for disengaged students; and a review of school-wide plans for Black History Month.

Facilities Committee Update

Facilities Chair Alan Locke shared that all the Facilities Grant work has been completed. The Committee is now working on details related to plans for set-up of tents and access to tents that are planned for use for outdoor activities (lunch and perhaps limited instruction) when in-person instruction resumes.

Diversity Committee Update

Diversity Committee Chair Christina Cassidy shared plans for wrapping up mapping and analysis related to potential diversity increases that her committee has shared in previous meetings. Ms. Cassidy also shared the latest update to the Equity Diversity and Inclusion website page and highlighted the hiring of an EDI consultant who will assist in reviewing TMS vision and core principles, outlining a strategic vision for future years

Governance Committee Update

Governance Committee Chair Richard Piercy reported that all Equity Diversity and Inclusion goals related to Governance are being implemented. Mr. Piercy reminded the Board of a second evening of training/retreat time on Thursday evening. February 23 is likely to be the final date for the annual required financial training. Mr. Piercy will confirm the date in coming days. He reviewed the history of the number of Board members as well as an overview of professional and personal details of Mr. Andrew Tashiro whom he nominated for a Board position.

Board Chair Report

Board Chair Dr. Kelly Swinks alerted the Board that the February regular meeting will occur on the 9th, versus the regular Tuesday to avoid meeting during winter break.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:10 pm

Executive Director Report

Executive Director Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh reviewed available information related to DeKalb County School District's return to in-person instruction. Dr. Kelbaugh stated that it is currently understood that DCSD staff will return to school facilities on February 3 with the intention of students returning on/around February 12. She is monitoring for any further verification or elaboration on these plans as such information becomes available.

Dr. Kelbaugh reviewed the process for TMS open enrollment and refreshed the Board on student and family recruitment efforts.

Dr. Kelbaugh provided an update from TMS Foundation, including a reminder of the March 5 virtual auction night and a recap of the successful end-of-year giving campaign.

Finance Committee Update

Board of Directors Treasurer Tamara Richards reviewed TMS finances. Ms. Richards also lead a discussion on the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program. The discussion included a review of logistics of the application; appropriate uses of funds from a successful application; and likely reporting requirements. Ms. Richards will continue to monitor information related to PPP2.