BOD Meeting Minutes- October 10, 2023
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
October 10, 2023
Arts Based School North
Arts Based School North
The Arts Based School Board of Directors met at ABS North on 7th Street. The meeting was called to order at
5:51 pm.
Attendance:
ABS Staff: Charter Director Robin Hollis, Principal Sherell McArthur, Arts Director Mary Siebert, Curriculum Director
Liz Green, Director of Operations and Student Services Ashley Tate, Parent Council Co-chair Katy Whiteheart and
Stephanie Smith.
Board Members: Ellis Asher, Joy Blaser, Ellen Coble, Chanita Couter, David Ford, Tomisha Gladman, Amir
Henry, Brenda Kennedy, Jay Kumar, Michelle Hopkins Lawrence, Shannon Meares, Letitia Wall
The meeting materials (Agenda, September Meeting Minutes, Charter School Director’s Report, and September
Financials) were distributed to the Board by email on October 4, 2023.
Committee Updates
● Review of Strategic Plan drafts from the September retreat will occur at the November meeting.
● Reminder: Please sign up for a board committee.
Charter Director’s Report (Robin Hollis):
● Review of academic testing results (MAP). ABS continues to outperform the national mean in
reading and math. Faculty met to discuss results and determine which students need additional
help.
● Staffing updates: new teacher Caroline Soesbee
○ One position remains unfilled: 1st grade assistant
● Annual Giving began last week.
○ Ellen Coble announced the ability for Board members to donate securities.
5:51 pm.
Attendance:
ABS Staff: Charter Director Robin Hollis, Principal Sherell McArthur, Arts Director Mary Siebert, Curriculum Director
Liz Green, Director of Operations and Student Services Ashley Tate, Parent Council Co-chair Katy Whiteheart and
Stephanie Smith.
Board Members: Ellis Asher, Joy Blaser, Ellen Coble, Chanita Couter, David Ford, Tomisha Gladman, Amir
Henry, Brenda Kennedy, Jay Kumar, Michelle Hopkins Lawrence, Shannon Meares, Letitia Wall
The meeting materials (Agenda, September Meeting Minutes, Charter School Director’s Report, and September
Financials) were distributed to the Board by email on October 4, 2023.
Committee Updates
● Review of Strategic Plan drafts from the September retreat will occur at the November meeting.
● Reminder: Please sign up for a board committee.
Charter Director’s Report (Robin Hollis):
● Review of academic testing results (MAP). ABS continues to outperform the national mean in
reading and math. Faculty met to discuss results and determine which students need additional
help.
● Staffing updates: new teacher Caroline Soesbee
○ One position remains unfilled: 1st grade assistant
● Annual Giving began last week.
○ Ellen Coble announced the ability for Board members to donate securities.
Approval of September Minutes: Asher Ellis motioned to approve minutes from September. Ellen Coble
seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
Asher Ellis reviewed financial reports for September:
● NC access grant is not in the budget but $356,000 would potentially offset part of the school’s
budgeted expenses.
● Next month the Board should have an amended budget to approve.
● Asher Ellis submitted for Board approval the financial reports for September. Ellen Coble
seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
● Jay Kumar discussed potential savings of switching lighting to LED in MLK and 7th street
buildings. (South campus already has LED lighting.)
○ ROI in 14 months with estimated $7000 utility savings for both buildings per year.
○ A. Ellis proposed a motion to approve up to $10,000 for a contractor to do the work of
replacing lights. David Ford seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
Asher Ellis reviewed financial reports for September:
● NC access grant is not in the budget but $356,000 would potentially offset part of the school’s
budgeted expenses.
● Next month the Board should have an amended budget to approve.
● Asher Ellis submitted for Board approval the financial reports for September. Ellen Coble
seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
● Jay Kumar discussed potential savings of switching lighting to LED in MLK and 7th street
buildings. (South campus already has LED lighting.)
○ ROI in 14 months with estimated $7000 utility savings for both buildings per year.
○ A. Ellis proposed a motion to approve up to $10,000 for a contractor to do the work of
replacing lights. David Ford seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
● Asher Ellis recommended looking at using a money market fund for money held by ABS.
Parent Council Updates
● Fall Fest is scheduled for Saturday Oct 7.
● Book Fair begins Saturday Oct 7.
● A survey is underway for choosing times for Parent Council meetings.
Other Business
● Discussion of letter from parent about reading curriculum
○ The Board President will write the parent.
○ The Charter Director will prepare a presentation for the next board meeting.
The next Board Meeting will be Tuesday, November 14 at 5:45 pm at the 7th Street Building (ABS
North).
M. H. Lawrence moved to adjourn and Tomisha Gladman seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
Meeting adjourned at 6:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Hopkins Lawrence
ABS Board of Directors Secretary
Parent Council Updates
● Fall Fest is scheduled for Saturday Oct 7.
● Book Fair begins Saturday Oct 7.
● A survey is underway for choosing times for Parent Council meetings.
Other Business
● Discussion of letter from parent about reading curriculum
○ The Board President will write the parent.
○ The Charter Director will prepare a presentation for the next board meeting.
The next Board Meeting will be Tuesday, November 14 at 5:45 pm at the 7th Street Building (ABS
North).
M. H. Lawrence moved to adjourn and Tomisha Gladman seconded. Motion passed without opposition.
Meeting adjourned at 6:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Hopkins Lawrence
ABS Board of Directors Secretary