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.

Approve Previous Meeting Minutes

Approve previous meeting minutes.

Approve the Agenda

Approve the agenda as presented.

Executive Director Report

Executive Director Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh provided general updates and TMS Foundation updates. She recognized outgoing Board members Alan Locke and Andrea Jones, noting that books in their honor are being placed in the media center per TMS tradition.

Dr. Kelbaugh noted that the Recruitment Committee met with rising and incoming kindergarten families to obtain feedback on potential recruiting improvements. State of the School address was held and went well.

She shared that 100% of both the Governing Board and Foundation Board members are financial supporters of TMS. The High Five drive exceeded its fundraising goal. The Foundation distributed over 600 popsicles during the end of year celebration. Several areas of focus this summer include exploration of opportunities to increase volunteerism from TMS families over the next school year. A meeting with the Finance Committee is being scheduled to understand what a PTO/Foundation merger would entail.

Dr. Kelbaugh reported on TMS support of the National Association of Museum Schools, work that was originated via a grant to become a convener and central information organizer of the approximately 45 museum schools in the US.

Finance Committee Report

Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Tamara Richards and Committee member Andrew Tashiro provided an update on both monthly revenue and expenses as well as year-to-date totals. Mr. Tashiro reminded the board that a revised school year budget had been approved at last month's meeting. He also mentioned that TMS cannot fully create a new school year budget until we receive certain data and notifications from DeKalb County Schools related to funding (expected to be received after the DeKalb School Board meets in July). However, the Committee has created a one month (July) spending plan, per traditional approaches to this time period each year.

Facilities Committee Report

Facilities Committee Chair Alan Locke reported that there were no major facility points of note but did share that the committee was organizing thoughts for future projects as well as future committee leadership, given his tenure as chair is ending.

Diversity Committee Report

Diversity Committee Chair Cristina Cassidy reviewed the listening circle discussions that had been organized with the support of the equity diversity and inclusion (EDI) consultant. Ms. Cassidy noted that in July the consultant will present a report of the findings to the Governing Board; however, she shared that several significant themes heard included interest in reconsidering TMS mission statement and exploring inclusion of "Avondale Estates" in various communication and guidance statements related to the school. As attendance for the listening circles was not as robust as possible, an idea is being considered to survey TMS families/stakeholders on some discussion topics in order to gain greater insight on perspectives.

Board Chair Update

Board Chair Dr. Kelly Swinks also recognized contributions of outgoing Governing Board members, voicing her thanks for their efforts. Dr. Swinks noted that she would be circulating an survey requesting anonymous feedback on the potential for return to in-person Governing Board meetings.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 pm

School Leader Report

Principal Mike Stewart reviewed end of year ceremonies (held outside) as well as meeting incoming, new families. Mr. Stewart noted that several summer camps are being hosted on TMS facilities, with 180 TMS students utilizing the TMS summer program. He shared that master schedules and rosters for fall are being finalized, to be shared in July. Also, professional learning plans are being prepared for the pre- fall semester days. Mr. Stewart noted that approximately 10 -15 students may be leaving TMS, with family relocations and some private school attendance being shared as reasons for the change. TMS has a full wait list that will allow for these spots to be filled, likely before the start of school.

Governance Committee Report

Governance Committee Chair Richard Piercy noted that longer-serving board members have completed all required annual training; new board members have a bit more to do and will be contacted regarding this. Mr. Piercy reminded members that this time of year is when board roles are revisited. He noted that the committee had considered officer roles and extended requests to existing officers to continue in their roles, meaning Dr. Swinks would continue as Chair; Mr. Janaun Ivy would continue as Vice Chair; Ms. Richards would continue as Treasurer; and Ms. Katherine Moore would continue as Secretary. Mr. Piercy noted that continuation of Ms. Moore's role would require a waiver of the term limit for this role, which the committee considered appropriate. Mr. Piercy stated that proposed committee chairs would be presented and discussed during the July Governing Board meeting however it was likely that several of the existing chairs would be asked to continue their roles. The need for continuation of a Communications Committee was being explored and ongoing discussions would result in a Facilities Committee chair to be presented in July. Mr. Piercy did note that Ms. Tamara Shipley was asked to continue as chair of the Advisory Council and sought board approval for that role.