Ruben C Morris

This strategic plan for Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School aims to prepare its diverse student body for leadership positions and high-demand careers within the aerospace and aviation industries. The plan is structured around four strategic pillars: Student Achievement, Connectivity, Cultural Change, and Collaborative Partnerships. It focuses on providing rigorous, industry-aligned education, fostering a culture of engagement and belonging, cultivating a collaborative and growth-oriented professional environment, and establishing strong relationships with families, higher education, and industry partners.

The meeting included discussions on welcoming a new board member, updated school policies (commencement participation guidelines, no zero grading policy, and promotion and retention policy), and the approval of June 2025 financial statements. Concerns were raised about the lack of cash flow due to pending funds from the state department, and budget cuts for administrative roles were discussed. Updates were provided on the Aviation Village construction and potential earmark budget. School operations, summer school enrichment, credit recovery, enrollment goals, funding received, and the upcoming presentation at the National Charter School Conference were also discussed. The board also discussed concerns with the current back office provider and will explore other options.

The AAHS Governance Board meeting included a review of AAHS minutes, a school director report covering new faculty and staff, student dual enrollment, culture and climate initiatives, senior installation, ACT preparations, and a reward program. The CEO reported on student achievements, donations from the Sanders Foundation, the Impact Report, and potential TVA internships and drone donations. Financial reports were reviewed, and the July budget was approved. New business included discussions on local interaction for enrollment, E-Sports board member donations, a class action lawsuit regarding charter school funding, and a cell phone and entertainment device policy. An executive session addressed replacing NSFA with MAEF, governance board attendance, term limits, by-law adjustments, and compliance monitoring by the State of Alabama.

The meeting included a review of monthly financials and project progress for new school facilities, with discussions on slower funding due to federal slowdowns. A review of the status of a potential second location in Birmingham was conducted, including Birmingham Board Meetings. An extension for staying at the current location was discussed, leading to an adjustment of the timeline. Tasks were redistributed to balance workloads, and recent feedback from the audit was shared. The next steps include finalizing the revised timeline, sharing updated client deliverables, and scheduling the next review meeting.

This strategic plan outlines the vision and mission of Alabama Aerospace and Aviation Schools to prepare a diverse student body for leadership in the aerospace and aviation industries. Key strategic pillars include Instruction, Professional Development, Culture & Climate, and High Expectations. The plan aims to achieve this through rigorous, industry-aligned education, creating clear career pathways, and fostering a culture of excellence by adapting instructional methods, providing targeted teacher training, empowering educators, implementing a structured lesson delivery model, and utilizing technology. It also focuses on continuous professional development, establishing SOAR core values, clear classroom norms, and addressing both academic and non-academic student needs.