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Board Meeting Minutes » BOD Meeting Minutes- March 17, 2026

BOD Meeting Minutes- March 17, 2026

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The Arts Based School

North Campus

Tuesday March 17, 2026


Attendees: Michelle Hopkins Lawrence, Elizabeth Repetti, Joy Blaser, Ellen Coble, Shannon Meares, Becky Dickson, Jess Bolduc, DeeDee Pinckney, Jonathon Williams, Brenda Kennedy, Jennifer Borrero, Alissa Meads, Marc Pope, Asher Ellis, Lina Sims, Jonathan Williams

ABS Staff: Robin Hollis, Yvonne Leab

Meeting materials: The agenda, February meeting minutes, and the charter director’s report were shared via email on March 3. The February financial reports and links below were shared via email on February 16:
 BTSP plan 

Distracted Driving

Motor Vehicle Record Review

Child Safety & Employee Conduct


Meeting Called to Order – 5:49PM

Approval of February Minutes – 1st Shannon Meares, 2nd Ellen Coble, All approved.

Review of February Financial Results – We are 2/3 through the fiscal year so we should be at 67% year to date on the budget. We are tracking on target; 30% of total revenue remaining; 32.5% expenses remaining. We have one month of payroll remaining from state sources. The remaining 1.6M is coming from local funds and transfers from ABSSO and fundraising sources. The amended budget is represented in this month’s budget report. Vertex suspended their fee until we can get federal funding for the lunch program.

Approval of February Financials – 1st Finance Committee, All Approved.

Prestige Contract – Prestige is the company that handles all financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, accounts payable, and support for the audit. We pay $5620/month for the Prestige service for next year, which is a 5% increase over this year.  1st Finance Committee, All approved.

Nominating Committee – We have 2 motions.

  • Officers recommendation: Michelle continue as Chair, Becky Vice Chair, Asher continue as Finance Chair, Ellen as Recorder. 1st Nominating Committee, All approved.
  • Five positions open for next year and five candidates – details in ABS Board Matrix 2025-26 – 1st Nominating Committee, All approved.

Director’s Report – 

  • School calendar considerations. We are trying to align snow make-up days closer to when those would be missed, alternating between remote and in-person makeup. Approval of school calendar – 1st Ellen Coble, 2nd Jonathon Williams, All approved.
  • Parent Satisfaction Survey – 92% agree with being satisfied with the education at ABS. Results are linked in the Director’s Report attachment.
  • Hiring 3rd grade and 5th grade teachers, as well as assistants.
  • The state has altered some of the Beginning Teacher Support Policy, mentors assigned to teachers in their first 3 years. Approval of BTSP Proposal - 1st Jonathon Williams, 2nd DeeDee Pinckney, All approved except Shannon abstained
  • As part of the Insurance Review, we are implementing a Distracted Driving Policy – driving with a student or staff. Approval of Distracted Driving Policy – 1st Jonathon Williams, 2nd Becky Dickson, All approved except Shannon abstained
  • As part of the Insurance Review, we are implementing a Motor Vehicle Record Review. Approval of Motor Vehicle Record Review – 1st Jennifer Borrero, 2nd Ellen Coble, All approved except Shannon abstained.
  • As part of the Insurance Review, we are implementing a Child Safety & Employee Conduct, tweaks to avoid liability. Approval of Child Safety & Employee Conduct -1st Brenda Kennedy, 2nd Ellen Coble, All approved except Shannon abstained.
  • Solar Panel is going to be installed between buildings at North Campus. Will be connected to electric bus charger.
  • Federal grants need to be approved to be submitted in June. 1st Becky Dickson, 2nd Shannon Meares, All approved.

Committee Updates – 

  • Community Creates on May 2 from 7-11pm. Sponsorship is critical to our success. If your company would be willing to sponsor, we could use those sponsorships. Fundraising committee is meeting tomorrow to discuss.

Parent Council Updates – Teacher appreciation coffee event in February. Adding additional volunteer coordinator position to both campuses PC board.

The board decided to organize a teacher appreciation event with board members contributing $10 each for donuts and coffee, separate from the planned catered lunches. Due to a missed school day caused by severe weather, the board approved making Good Friday, April 3rd, a school day to meet instructional hour requirements.

Approval of April 3 as school day – 1st Asher Ellis, 2nd Ellen Coble.  All Approved.

Other Business – Next Board Meeting – 4/14/2026 at 5:45

Community Creates – 5/2/2026 

Adjournment –