Joseph Wood

The meeting included discussions on internal systems development, faculty hiring, student enrollment, and athletic programs. Updates were provided on the Employee and Parent-Student Handbooks, charter renewal application, and new policies regarding electronic devices. The financial report was presented and approved. An update was given on the grant process. The board discussed and approved the Employee Leave Policy with pending changes. A closed session was held to discuss personnel issues, followed by the approval of new hires.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of an amended agenda, adding the School Improvement Plan to New Business. Key discussions in the Head of School Report included the upcoming December opening of the admissions lottery for the 2026-2027 school year, the completion of the annual audit with approved corrective action plans, and positive feedback regarding the new third-grade classroom and smaller class sizes. The Finance Committee reported on financial information, and the CF Properties Report noted the receipt of a $25,000 grant for tutoring. New Business focused on the approval of the School Improvement Plan, which details goals and action steps for improving reading, math, and science proficiencies. A closed session was held to discuss personnel issues, after which the approval of a new hire was unanimously passed.

The Head of School report noted the academy earned a 10-year charter renewal and discussed updates on enrollment, a new employee insurance plan review, implementation of targeted classroom supports based on testing data, necessary updates to the Athletics Handbook due to behavior concerns, and remediation research for sagging floors in fifth-grade modulars due to water damage. The board also noted a biannual report to bondholders is upcoming and explored the potential sale of 10 unusable acres. The Finance Committee successfully moved to adopt the budget. New business focused on selecting an employee insurance plan, resulting in the unanimous approval to renew with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, with the academy fully covering renewal costs. Discussions were held regarding teacher licensure standards. The board entered and exited closed session to discuss personnel issues and approve a new hire.

The board meeting included discussions on enrollment numbers, student check-in scores, and final EOG scores, with plans to open an additional 3rd-grade section to reduce class sizes. Staffing levels and the recommendation for a 10-year charter renewal were also addressed. A new hire was presented and approved. The meeting also included a review of financial information and updates on CF Properties.

The board meeting addressed academic performance grades, enrollment numbers, and fall sports updates. The implementation of the DCA Way to guide school culture and climate was discussed, along with the goal of having 100% qualified lead teachers in all classrooms. The annual audit is underway, and there was a discussion of the Wireless Communication Policy, Internet Safety Policy, and Lunch Assistance Policy. Charter renewal process is moving forward, including revisions for charter amendments and bylaw revisions, and a change to the school's name. The board also discussed proficiency levels, remediation efforts, and processes to support teachers and students. The current financial information was presented, and the budget will be revisited. The board also discussed personnel issues in a closed session and approved new hires.