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 the Agenda

Review and approve the meeting agenda.

Approve Previous Meeting Minutes

Approve previous meeting minutes.

Principal's Report

Principal Mike Stewart began with a review of student body demographics, the upcoming school year calendar, and adjustments to covid procedures, noting they will be implemented beginning February 1, 2022. Mr. Stewart further noted that an adjusted covid approach to serving lunch inside is still being finalized with a focus on maximizing distancing as much as possible. He then reminded the Board that the school year calendar somewhat follows City Schools of Decatur; he plans on getting parent/caregiver feedback on the school calendar for the next school year.

Finance Committee and Treasurer's Report

Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Tamara Richards first reviewed revenue, noting a reduction in QBE funding attributed to a reduction by 4 students that is being appealed with DeKalb Schools.

Ms. Richards noted that expenses related to lunches continues to remain high given that lunches are provided free to all. At the current time, benefits costs are trending under budget, although Ms. Richards warned this might be adjusted in coming months. She drew attention to increased expenses related to Expeditions.

Ms. Richards shared that state funds just arrived for staff bonuses approved approximately a year ago. The Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) amount remains on our balance sheet until that loan is forgiven.

A motion to nominate a new incoming Treasurer was deferred until the Governance Committee report.

Diversity Committee Report

Diversity Committee Chair Christina Cassidy provided a short update, noting various communication plans of the Committee that Dr. Kelbaugh is helping to lead. The Committee continues to find it important to share with the school community the various DEI activities and accomplishments of TMS.

Governance Committee Report

Governance Committee Chair Richard Piercy put forth two new officer recommendations for consideration.

Board Chair Update

Board Chair Dr. Kelly Swinks did not have an update. She wished everyone a happy holiday season.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:23 pm

Executive Director's Report

Executive Director Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh reviewed challenges to surveillance testing that have been mentioned in school newsletters; shifting to a new vendor in January 2022 is hoped to address these challenges.

Dr. Kelbaugh shared news of a $50,000 grant from the SNAV Foundation to TMS Foundation. The grant will support refreshing the Museum in a Box resources and DEI support, among additional activities. She shared additional Foundation news, reminding the Board that there had been a decision to host the traditional Auction Night every other year. A spring 2022 fundraiser will be a significant event but smaller and is anticipated to be hosted at the Lost Druid. More information forthcoming and volunteers/supporters can contact Anne Huff. Dr. Kelbaugh shared that the Foundation bank balance is $136,000.

Dr. Kelbaugh provided an update on the charter renewal process. She stated that a transfer to the State Commission, bypassing the local district and shifting to statewide attendance as a State Charter School Commission, applies only to new, start-up charter schools, not a transfer school. 

Facilities Committee Update

Facilities Chair Jade Yang reiterated a few points on the quick playground refresh activities that Dr. Kelbaugh mentioned. She shared that the Facilities Committee held a site master plan review with a former Facilities Committee member and registered landscape architect, Steve Sanchez.

The Committee continues to pursue recommendations from TMS Security Master Plan. An estimate has been obtained for a few additional security cameras plus installation and ancillary hardware. Further the Committee continues to explore IT security improvements.