The Museum School

Governing Board

Regular Meeting - Tuesday December 6th, 2022 @7:00 PM

Meeting Minutes

Attendance Summary

Name Status Arrival Time Departure Time
Mike Stewart present ex-officio On Time At Adjournment
Christina Cassidy not present member
Kelly Swinks present chair On Time At Adjournment
Janaun Ivy present vice-chair On Time At Adjournment
Richard Piercy present member On Time At Adjournment
Jade Yang not present member
Andrew Tashiro present Treasurer On Time At Adjournment
Katherine Moore present member On Time At Adjournment
Sterling Johnson present member On Time At Adjournment
Zach Robison present secretary On Time At Adjournment
Tamara Richards present member On Time At Adjournment
Katherine Kelbaugh present ex-officio On Time At Adjournment
Robin Reese present member On Time At Adjournment
Monique Dukes not present member
Cameron Lewis not present member

Welcome and Call to Order

The Meeting was called to order by the Board Chair Dr. Kelly Swinks at 7:09 pm.

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.

No public comments were made.

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.

Approve the agenda for the December 6th, 2022 regular meeting as submitted.

By: Richard Piercy Seconded by: Andrew Tashiro

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Change order of agenda: 1) Executive Director Report in front of Principal's Report and 2) to move into executive session to discuss a legal and personnel matter.

By: Katherine Moore Seconded by: Andrew Tashiro

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Move out of executive session into regular session.

By: Richard Piercy Seconded by: Katherine Moore

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Support legal counsel recommendations as discussed in executive session.

By: Zach Robison Seconded by: Richard Piercy

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Approve Previous Meeting Minutes

Approve the previous meeting minutes from November 15th, 2022.

Approve the previous meeting minutes from the November 15th, 2022 regular meeting as submitted.

By: Andrew Tashiro Seconded by: Richard Piercy

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Executive Director's Report

Executive Director Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh provided a report.

  • Announcement of Principal Stewart's final year went out on December 5th, 2022.
  • Reminder - Board Retreat at Lost Druid January 29th, 2023.
  • 2022 TMS Enrollment Lottery Policies and Procedures.
  • Strategic Planning Committee Update - survey to be deployed.
  • Ongoing Committee strategy discussions, please complete by January 10th, 2023.
  • Foundation Update - K-4 lower building roof repair, quoted $65K, getting new quote.
  • 80K Facilities Grant - roof repair, PA/alert system.
  • Explorer Dash 3/25/23.
  • Art in the Park TBD.


Approve TMS 2022 Lottery Policy and Procedures as presented by Dr. Kelbaugh.

By: Richard Piercy Seconded by: Andrew Tashiro

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Principal's Report

Principal Mike Stewart provided a report.

  • Demographic Info and Reminders.
  • 2023-2024 Calendar - Explorer Days will no longer be used starting Fall 2023. 5 Explorer Days were removed and 3 Professional Learning Days (no school requirement for students) were put in their place.
  • Academic and General Updates.


Finance Committee Update

Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Andrew Tashiro provided a report.

  • Financial statements for November not yet finalized. Update to be provided on both November and December at the January meeting.
  • TMS continues to operate with a positive margin and maintain a healthy cash balance (~$3M) well in excess of the provisions of the charter contract.
  • Special thank you to Tamara Richards for years of service to the Finance Committee and the to Board, rolling off as of January 1st, 2023.

Facilities Committee Update

Facilities Committee Member Richard Piercy provided a report.

  • Sports Court renovation under contract and installation beginning soon.
  • New gate - obtaining quote.



Governance Committee Update

Governance Committee Chair Richard Piercy provided a report.

  • Vetting and presentation of new Board nominees Monique Dukes and Cameron Lewis.


Nominate Monique Dukes to Board of Directors effective January 1st, 2023.

By: Richard Piercy Seconded by: Andrew Tashiro

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Nominate Cameron Lewis to Board of Directors effective January 1st, 2023.

By: Richard Piercy Seconded by: Andrew Tashiro

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Appoint Tamara Richards to TMS Advisory Board effective January 1st, 2023.

By: Richard Piercy Seconded by: Janaun Ivy

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Diversity Committee Update

Diversity Committee Member Sterling Johnson provided a report.

  • Strategic Planning Discussions ongoing for Diversity Committee - looking at three separate areas: Staff/students, TMS community growth, and BoD.


Board Chair Update

Board Chair Dr. Kelly Swinks made remarks.

  • Happy Holidays to all!
  • A time to give thanks - grateful for uniqueness of TMS and teachers, staff, and students - student-created 3rd grade Art Club.
  • Thank you for Board Committees' work on strategic plan.
  • Reminder to committee chairs to update committees' dates, times, and minutes in CharterBoards.


The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:07 pm.

Motion to adjourn.

By: Richard Piercy Seconded by: Katherine Moore

There was no notable discussion on the motion.