Welcome and Call to Order

The Meeting will be called to order by the Chair.

Mission: The mission of The Museum School of Avondale Estates is to inspire students, teachers and the community to collaborate to develop strong critical thinking, interpersonal and academic skills in our students, which will prepare them for real-world success.

 

Core Values: Responsibility, Respect, Cooperation, Sustainability, Creativity, Kindness

Public Comment

Our Public Comment period is for members of the public to address the board. The board will listen, but may not directly respond to any comments. Please do not use specific student, teacher or administrator names in your comments as our meetings are open to the public and public record. As such, if your comment is about a private matter, please contact the board via email, or speak to the board chair privately.

Email Executive Director, Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh at Katherine.kelbaugh@themuseumschool.org for Zoom access to the meeting.

Public comment (no longer than one page) should be submitted via email to Katherine.kelbaugh@themuseumschool.org. Your comments must be received by 10:00 am on the day of the meeting. Only those emails received during the allotted time will be read aloud and broadcast. Emails received outside of the allotted time will be included in the Public Comments record for the next meeting.

There were no public comments.

Approval of Agenda

So that there is agreement between board members on the agenda, and the amount of time spent on the meeting, the board shall vote to approve an agenda for the meeting. To the best of its ability, it will follow that agenda, and allow for the chair to move the board through the agenda as specified.

Approve Previous Meeting Minutes

Approve minutes of the previous meeting.

Second Grade Petition

Dr. Kelly Swinks, Board Chair, reminded the Governing Board of the Second Grade petition from the October meeting. The Second Grade requested acknowledgement that TMS is located on traditional lands of the Muscogee people by way of a statement on the TMS website. Dr. Swinks re-read the Second Grade statement. Janaun Ivy confirmed that there are no legal issues associated with putting such a statement on the website.

Diversity Committee Report

Diversity Committee Chair Christina Cassidy introduced Nick Johnson with Georgia Conservancy to present an analysis of TMS data that could illuminate efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion of the student body. Mr. Johnson reviewed the data he utilized, including its potential limitations; the analysis methodology; and findings. The Governing Board thanked Mr. Johnson for his analysis.

Principal's Report

Principal Mike Stewart referenced the report he shared with the Governing Board via email. He focused on just a few highlights: a new tracking and reporting approach being put into place to support increased middle school academic participation; continued facility preparation for eventual return to in-person learning; and exploration of third quarter class schedules for both scenarios of in-person and virtual class offerings.

Executive Director's Report

Executive Director Dr. Katherine Kelbaugh reported on re-opening campus, the charter renewal process, and activities of TMS Foundation.

Dr. Kelbaugh noted that while facilities preparation continues for eventual in-person academics, as Principal Stewart discussed, the community public health metrics are trending in a concerning direction. She reviewed the public health indicators presented originally to the Governing Board in September and noted that metrics being followed by Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County School District and City Schools of Decatur are all in parameters that would not permit in-person education.

Dr. Kelbaugh alerted the Board that DeKalb County Schools has made a determination that CARES funding has been cut from $202,000 to $69,000 due to the District's new allocation of CARES monies, specifically to charter schools. The District is basing the funding on free/reduced lunch students at TMS from approximately two years ago; not reflecting current TMS student composition.

Finance Committee Update

TMS Treasurer Tamara Richards reviewed the monthly financials and discussed the need to issue an audit/tax Request for Proposal.

Facilities Committee Update

Facilities Chair Alan Locke noted that the school water system flushing was being scheduled in preparation for an eventual return to in-person learning.

Governance Committee Update

Governance Committee Chair Richard Piercy noted that 4 hours of required training would be scheduled for December or January, with a poll forthcoming to determine the final dates and times.

Board Chair Update

Governing Board Chair Dr. Kelly Swinks did not have any significant updates for the Board.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:33 pm