Janet Elston

Key discussions during the meeting included community outreach and school events attended by board members, such as the Holiday concert and career night. The President's report addressed developing a plan for swag purchase/accounting procedures and communication regarding a sign for Route 8. Board goals for development focused on succession planning for the Head of School, governance support for discipline and academic achievement, and improving onboarding training. The finance report noted 127 applications for the 2026-27 school year and budget variances concerning salaries, OEC's, and unexpected expenses like fob system repair. The Head of School reported the official approval of the Charter Renewal with two conditions, the piloting of a free after-school program called "The Locker room," and the necessity to revise the Summer School Policy to limit transportation due to funding constraints. The board voted to approve the policy change limiting transportation to required students for summer school.

Key discussions included the approval of the agenda and executive session requests concerning personnel matters and a discipline appeal. The meeting featured a report from the Dean of Students, Jason Ramey, detailing T1 Behavior and Discipline data, including information on students with multiple referrals and intervention approaches. Board members shared attendance at the Veterans Day event, and the President reported on outreach efforts, including a flu vaccination clinic scheduled at CCS. Finance reports covered enrollment (401), confirmed receipt of all federal funds, a budget variance in athletic supplies, and a clean audit review, with full documents pending review at the January meeting. The Head of School reported a successful charter renewal public comment session and provided status updates on the School Success Plan for 2025-2026, focusing on strengthening literacy instruction (Science of Reading), consistency in Math Instruction (Eureka2), meeting diverse student needs through differentiation and scaffolding, and maximizing the use of Infinite Campus features. Plans for enhancing student play spaces, starting with rubberized mulch installation, were also discussed.

The meeting included discussions on community outreach and school events, follow-ups to public comments and Board member suggestions, and committee updates including board development, new member recruitment, and edits to bylaws. The finance report covered enrollment and the monthly budget, including state, local, and federal revenues. The Head of School's report addressed the after-school program and charter renewal. The board also discussed personnel and discipline in an executive session and voted on changes to the bylaws.

The meeting included a presentation on the marketing plan for 2025-2026, focusing on branding, analysis methods, goal development, and implementation timelines. There was a discussion regarding community outreach and school events, including a recommendation for marketing at DSU homecoming events and an exhibit of student work at the Brandywine River Museum. The President's report covered follow-ups to suggestions, the placement of a public comment blurb on the agenda, and a review of bylaws. The finance report included updates on enrollment, the monthly budget, and child nutrition. The Head of School's report covered transportation, state test scores, and charter renewal. An executive session was held to revisit board governance training topics and HOS goals. The meeting also included information items such as the September theme and upcoming events.

The meeting included a roll call to establish a quorum, approval of the agenda, and approval of the minutes from the last meeting with an edit to specify it was a zoom meeting. There was also a staff/student guest of the month segment with new staff introductions. The Head of School's report included discussion of school success goals and a review of HOS goals documents. A special session for board governance training was held. Information items included announcements about a meet and greet, the first student day, and the next board meeting.