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

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

Approval of the previous Governing Board meeting.

Principal's Report

Principal Mike Stewart provided a detailed report to the Board and highlighted three main topics in his verbal presentation. Principal Stewart noted that Milestones testing had begun. He noted that there were more opt-outs this year than TMS historically experiences but that the 95% participation requirement has been waived for this school year. Principal Stewart shared that teacher contracts have been distributed and that TMS will have a 98% retention rate, with only two previously known open slots going into the next school year. As a final discussion item, Principal Stewart stated that the summer camp program is going forward with two cohorts to be offered (June and July) and that TMS hopes to serve 200 students through this morning program that will focus on reading, writing and math. Registration will go live Thursday evening at 7:00 PM and he plans to send a reminder email to families.

Finance Committee Update

Finance Committee Chair and TMS Treasurer Tamara Richards updated the Board on TMS claim for the Employee Retention Tax Credit for first quarter 2021 which netted the school meaningful funds. Ms. Richards reviewed the tax credit parameters and the auditor advice provided to her and the Finance Committee that TMS continued to be eligible for the tax credit for second quarter. The Finance Committee research underscores the auditing firm's findings and the Committee recommends TMS claim the credit for second quarter. The Board was supportive of pursuing the tax credit for the second quarter.

Ms. Richards then reviewed the monthly financials, noting increased income and expenses related to an increase student participation in school meals. She also drew attention to the Paycheck Protection Program funds within the balance sheet.

Diversity Committee

Diversity Committee Chair Christina Cassidy discussed the upcoming listening circle to consider TMS mission, as a continuation of equity, diversity and inclusion goals. Ms. Cassidy asked Board members to participate and see a school-wide email with listening circle event details.

Governance Committee Update

Governance Committee Chair Richard Piercy noted that Andrea Jones has resigned from the Board of Directors and her role as Communications Chair. Mr. Piercy announced that there is a one hour full Board retreat forthcoming and one additional hour of finance training for newer Board members. He will poll Board members for dates and times.

Executive Director Report

Executive Director Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh reviewed activity over the last month. Dr. Kelbaugh provided details on the COVID-19 surveillance testing, noting that there had been an increase in authorizations from parents/caregivers. The Return to School Task Force has been re-engaged to help TMS leadership explore how school protocols and operations may look in the fall for the next school year. Dr. Kelbaugh also provided an update from TMS Foundation.

Board Chair Update

Board Chair Dr. Kelly Swinks reflected on the past school year and extended appreciation and thanks to the Board and TMS leadership and staff.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:29 pm