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 shared several updates, including concerns around student social emotional well-being. A team of TMS staff (Lillian Galicia, Assistant Principal; Ashley Bebee, Instructional Coach Grades 6-8; Jen Pomfret, Instructional Coach Grades K-5) presented a proposal for increased instructional professional learning days. The proposal consideration began in 2020 and was created through a culmination of research, community-area school reviews, staff survey, staff focus group, and a diverse caregiver focus group. An emphasis was made for additional time to plan and prepare to improve instruction and student support and achievement. The proposal shared precedent and approaches other schools have taken; a reminder that students are 1:1 with technology devices; and an earlier effort to increase instruction preparation time was noted (Flex Wednesdays). The group shared the potential 5 Explorer Days that might occur across the school calendar (1 day every few months); logistics as to how the days may function; and an example day's schedule.

Executive Director's Report

Executive Director Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh provided a COVID update, report on grant management and TMS Foundation news. Dr. Kelbaugh reviewed the roll-out of the test-to-stay program and shared that data is being monitored with support for DeKalb County Dept. of Public Health. She then shared an update on management of the CARES and SERSS funds, as well as the annual state-granted Facilities Grant. TMS Foundation news included and update on the spring fundraiser, which will be hosted by the Foundation on March 31. A soft roll-out of ticket sales will begin soon. She also shared a report on finances of the Foundation.

Finance Committee and Treasurer's Report

Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Andrew Tashiro reviewed the monthly financials and overall budget (revenue and expenditures).

Facilities Committee Update

Facilities Chair Jade Yang shared details of electrical work and other preparation that will occur during Winter Break, in preparation for installation of new security cameras. The cameras will take some time to arrive due to supply chain issues but it was important to begin efforts during Winter Break for timing of the grant execution as well as to take advantage of students not being on campus.

Diversity Committee Report

Diversity Committee Chair Christina Cassidy reported on work of the DEI Coordinator, a newly-filled TMS position.

Governance Committee Report

Governance Committee Chair Richard Piercy shared that the Board evaluation survey would soon begin, a process for recruitment for new committee members, and discussed the need to reschedule annual training (most likely to occur now in April).

Board Chair Update

Board Chair Kelly Swinks reminded Board members that all had been emailed the DeKalb County contract.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:53 pm