BOD Meeting Minutes-January 13, 2026
The Arts Based School
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
Attendance
Kellie Alston, Sarah Avery, Jes Bolduc, Jennifer Borrero, Ellen Coble, Becky Dickson, Asher
Ellis, DeeDe Holly, Michelle Lawrence, Brenda Kennedy, Shannon Meares, Kim Pemberton,
Isaac Perry, Marc Pope, Elizabeth Repetti, Lina Sims, Robin Hollis, Yvonne Leab
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m.
Approval of December 2025 Minutes
Minutes from the December meeting were reviewed. Clarification was provided by Asher Ellis
regarding federal and state funding.
● Motion: Approve December minutes with edits
○ Moved by Shannon Meares
○ Seconded by Isaac Perry
● Vote: Approved
Finance Report
Presented by Asher Ellis
● Expenses are slightly ahead of projections; revenue and expenses remain generally as
expected.
● The majority of state funds have been spent, with approximately three months of state
funding remaining.
● Approximately $800,000 in local funds are still expected to be collected.
● A revised budget is recommended to reflect more accurate revenue and expense
projections.
Discussion:
● Marc Pope inquired about budgeting for computers, noting concern about increased
technology costs due to RAM shortages.
● Motion: Approve financial reports
○ Vote: Approved
Additional Notes:
● The State of North Carolina has not yet approved its budget.
● The contract with Vertex for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is not currently
functioning as intended. Vertex has not yet received state approval for ABS participation,
and reimbursements for free/reduced lunches have not been received. Administration is
actively working with Vertex to resolve this issue.
Director’s Report
School Lottery and Enrollment
● The ABS lottery will be conducted during the February Board Meeting (second week of
February).
● The lottery process is dictated by the state and strictly followed.
● ABS conducts a weighted lottery, as approved by both the ABS Board and the NC
State Board of Education.
● The lottery is administered by Lotterease, an independent third-party system that is
secure, fully randomized, and auditable, providing increased access for students from
economically disadvantaged families.
Student Achievement
● Middle-of-Year (MOY) mClass Reading Assessments are administered in January for
students in grades K–3, as required by the state.
● MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing for reading and math is also
administered in January for students in grades 3–8.
● Results from both assessments will be shared with parents following completion.
School Calendar Considerations
● ABS must meet 1,050 instructional hours annually.
● Major breaks align with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
● The trimester system allows teacher workdays to coincide with parent-teacher
conferences.
● The school year begins earlier than WS/FC Schools to support enrollment stability and
filling seats from the waitlist.
● Snow make-up days are built into the calendar throughout the year.
● Input is gathered from teachers, staff, and parents.
New Business
Staff Personal Leave Policy
● Discussion regarding the current policy charging employees $50 for personal leave
days, which aligns with WS/FC Schools.
● ABS continues to honor master’s pay, National Board certification pay, and tuition
assistance, unlike many other systems.
● Robin Hollis suggested reviewing this policy as part of a broader update of the
Employee Handbook for approval ahead of the next school year.
Parent Council Update
● Ice Skate Night Fundraiser: February 21 at the Coliseum Annex to support teacher
appreciation funds.
● A teacher appreciation coffee event is also planned.
Board Meeting Schedule
● Discussion regarding the possibility of adjusting the Board meeting day or time to better
accommodate members and ensure quorum.
● Any changes would take effect in the next school year, not the current year.
Announcements
● Board members were encouraged to attend upcoming student performances.
Adjournment
● Motion: Adjourn
● The meeting was adjourned.
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
Attendance
Kellie Alston, Sarah Avery, Jes Bolduc, Jennifer Borrero, Ellen Coble, Becky Dickson, Asher
Ellis, DeeDe Holly, Michelle Lawrence, Brenda Kennedy, Shannon Meares, Kim Pemberton,
Isaac Perry, Marc Pope, Elizabeth Repetti, Lina Sims, Robin Hollis, Yvonne Leab
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m.
Approval of December 2025 Minutes
Minutes from the December meeting were reviewed. Clarification was provided by Asher Ellis
regarding federal and state funding.
● Motion: Approve December minutes with edits
○ Moved by Shannon Meares
○ Seconded by Isaac Perry
● Vote: Approved
Finance Report
Presented by Asher Ellis
● Expenses are slightly ahead of projections; revenue and expenses remain generally as
expected.
● The majority of state funds have been spent, with approximately three months of state
funding remaining.
● Approximately $800,000 in local funds are still expected to be collected.
● A revised budget is recommended to reflect more accurate revenue and expense
projections.
Discussion:
● Marc Pope inquired about budgeting for computers, noting concern about increased
technology costs due to RAM shortages.
● Motion: Approve financial reports
○ Vote: Approved
Additional Notes:
● The State of North Carolina has not yet approved its budget.
● The contract with Vertex for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is not currently
functioning as intended. Vertex has not yet received state approval for ABS participation,
and reimbursements for free/reduced lunches have not been received. Administration is
actively working with Vertex to resolve this issue.
Director’s Report
School Lottery and Enrollment
● The ABS lottery will be conducted during the February Board Meeting (second week of
February).
● The lottery process is dictated by the state and strictly followed.
● ABS conducts a weighted lottery, as approved by both the ABS Board and the NC
State Board of Education.
● The lottery is administered by Lotterease, an independent third-party system that is
secure, fully randomized, and auditable, providing increased access for students from
economically disadvantaged families.
Student Achievement
● Middle-of-Year (MOY) mClass Reading Assessments are administered in January for
students in grades K–3, as required by the state.
● MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing for reading and math is also
administered in January for students in grades 3–8.
● Results from both assessments will be shared with parents following completion.
School Calendar Considerations
● ABS must meet 1,050 instructional hours annually.
● Major breaks align with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
● The trimester system allows teacher workdays to coincide with parent-teacher
conferences.
● The school year begins earlier than WS/FC Schools to support enrollment stability and
filling seats from the waitlist.
● Snow make-up days are built into the calendar throughout the year.
● Input is gathered from teachers, staff, and parents.
New Business
Staff Personal Leave Policy
● Discussion regarding the current policy charging employees $50 for personal leave
days, which aligns with WS/FC Schools.
● ABS continues to honor master’s pay, National Board certification pay, and tuition
assistance, unlike many other systems.
● Robin Hollis suggested reviewing this policy as part of a broader update of the
Employee Handbook for approval ahead of the next school year.
Parent Council Update
● Ice Skate Night Fundraiser: February 21 at the Coliseum Annex to support teacher
appreciation funds.
● A teacher appreciation coffee event is also planned.
Board Meeting Schedule
● Discussion regarding the possibility of adjusting the Board meeting day or time to better
accommodate members and ensure quorum.
● Any changes would take effect in the next school year, not the current year.
Announcements
● Board members were encouraged to attend upcoming student performances.
Adjournment
● Motion: Adjourn
● The meeting was adjourned.