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

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.

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 was no public comment.

Principal's Report

Principal Mike Stewart provided a report on recent activities as well as a look ahead at the remaining weeks of the school year. Mr. Stewart noted that TMS will see a return of the vast majority of staff, with a 96% retention rate for the upcoming school year. He then previewed content that will be elaborated upon during the upcoming State of the School address on May 27. Mr. Stewart stressed that the impacts of the pandemic will remain with the school/student body for some time to come and that lessons from the past school year have shaped key goals for the 2021-22 school year, including more culturally responsive instruction and redefining technology as a tool through which students express their learning.

Executive Director's Report

Executive Director Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh discussed a variety of activities that will take place over the summer. Dr. Kelbaugh noted that TMS Covid-19 policies will remain in place through the remaining 8 days of the current school year. In June the task force, expert group and focus groups that initially helped shape TMS protocols and policies will again convene with data and public health guidelines in place at the time to begin formulating a plan for fall.

Dr. Kelbaugh reminded the Board that material was submitted to the State Charter Schools Commission for early feedback, with future steps in that early feedback process to involve engagement with TMS Board members. She shared a variety of questions and consideration requests staff shared during the staff town hall related to charter renewal and parents shared during the parent-oriented renewal town hall.

Dr. Kelbaugh concluded with updates on a variety of other activities, including an update from TMS Foundation.

Facilities Committee Update

Facilities Chair Alan Locke reported on Committee discussions related to maintenance needed for the school. He reviewed roof maintenance needs and exterior LED lighting replacement needs. Mr. Locke also mentioned that there is a need to consider space needs in the near future for the orchestra.

Diversity Committee

Diversity Committee Chair Christina Cassidy referred the Board to remarks made previously on the listening circles.

Governance Committee Update

Governance Committee Chair Richard Piercy noted that there are two openings on the Board and that the Governance Committee was meeting this week to finalize recommendations for the positions such that the Governing Board might vote on candidates at the next meeting. Mr. Piercy also noted that June 8 is likely to be a final one-hour training; he will confirm the date and time shortly.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:12 pm

Board Chair Update

Board Chair Dr. Kelly Swinks reminded the Board of the need to move to Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

Upon return to regular session, Dr. Swinks updated the Board of the process of and feedback highlights received from the recently-held listening circles related to TMS mission statement; she noted that the listening circles were co-hosted by the equity, diversity and inclusion consultant. Dr. Swinks noted that a report from the consultant was forthcoming and that the Board should be prepared to give thoughtful consideration to the stakeholder feedback documented in the report.

Ms. Carla Smith, TMS Operations Manager, presented the administrative calendar for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, for which the Board expressed agreement and support.

Finance Committee Update

Finance Committee Chair and TMS Treasurer Tamara Richards presented a revised budget for the 2020-2021 school year as well as a review of the April 2021 financials. Ms. Richards noted that due to the pivoting on in-classroom instruction, there were changes to both expenses and revenues, necessitating a budget revision. She also confirmed that the tax return filing was made on time.