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Board Meeting Minutes » BOD Meeting Minutes- September 16, 2023

BOD Meeting Minutes- September 16, 2023

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RETREAT

September 16, 2023

Creative Coworks at  500 W 5th St in Winston-Salem


The Arts Based School Board of Directors annual retreat was held at Creative Coworks at 500 West 5th Street in downtown Winston-Salem. The retreat began with a bus tour of Historic Happy Hill Neighborhood at 9:00 am. The meeting was called to order at 10:31a.m.

Board Members in attendance: 

ABS Staff: Charter Director Robin Hillis, Principal Sherell McArthur, Principal Yvonne Leab, Arts Director Mary Siebert, Curriculum Director Liz Green, Director of Operations and Student Services Ashley Tate, Parent Council Co-chair Katie Whiteheart, and Members of the School Leadership Team: Adam Tate and Ashley Brady.

Board Members: Ellis Asher, Endia Beale, Joy Blaser, Ashley Brady, Ellen Coble, Brenda Kennedy, Jay Kumar, Kimberly D. Pemberton, Michelle Hopkins Lawrence, Shannon Meares, Tonya Monteiro, Letitia Wall

The meeting materials (Agenda, August Meeting Minutes, Charter School Director’s Report, and August Financials) were distributed to the Board by email on September 6, 2023.


Approval of August Minutes: Ellen Coble moved to approve. Endia Beale seconded. Motion passed without opposition.


Asher Ellis reviewed financial reports for August:

  • There is currently a deficit of $20,000 projected for the year. The state has not yet determined the per pupil allotment, therefore this number is likely to change.
  • School has the option of using ABSSO funds.
  • This is the last year to use NC Access grant funds. Abs may spend up to $356,000 by June 30. This money may not be used for salaries. It may be used for teacher development, curriculum development, and furniture purchased over the summer.
  • Discussion was held about the possibility of using grant money to purchase a new bus.

Letitia Wall moved to approve the financial reports for June and July. Joy Blaser seconded. Motion passed without opposition.


Charter Director’s Report (Robin Hollis): 

  • Academic testing has begun to measure student achievement: 
    • Beginning of Grade Test (BOG) in Reading, mClass/DIBELS (required as part of the Read to Achieve state legislation), and MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
  • Charter renewal process has begun. The first phase (self assessment) is due by November 30. The school’s charter expires on June 30, 2025. 

Other Business

  • Ellen Coble spoke about the annual fund which begins in October for families and funds about 10% of our budget. A mailing will occur and information will be included in Thursday Notes. It was noted that 100% Board participation is very important for applying grants.
  • Board members are asked to check if they can come to the Happy Hill Neighborhood Association Board meeting on the evening of September 26 

The next Board Meeting will be October 10, 5:45 p.m. at the 7th Street Building (ABS North).


Ellen Coble moved to adjourn and Tonya Monteiro seconded it. Motion passed without opposition. Meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Hopkins Lawrence

ABS Board of Directors Secretary