Westside Atlanta Charter School

Governing Board

Regular Meeting - Thursday July 17th, 2025 @8:00 AM

Meeting Minutes

Attendance Summary

Name Status Arrival Time Departure Time
Jonathan Baker not present member
Hannah Heck not present member
Ashley Pruitt present member On Time At Adjournment
Chris Tuten present member On Time At Adjournment
Alyson West present secretary On Time At Adjournment
Julius Farrington present member On Time At Adjournment
Tiffany Chen present member On Time At Adjournment
Jessica Weissinger present chair On Time At Adjournment
Katrina Mitchell present vice-chair On Time At Adjournment
Susan Beckett-Mitchell present member On Time At Adjournment
Erika Williams present member On Time At Adjournment

Welcome and Call to Order

The meeting will be called to the order.

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 the agenda as submitted

By: Jessica Weissinger Seconded by: Tiffany Chen

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Approval of Minutes from Jun 12, 2025

Approve the minutes as submitted

By: Jessica Weissinger Seconded by: Alyson West

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Mission Statement

The meeting will begin with a reading of the school's mission statement:


Westside fosters a diverse, tight knit community of lifelong learners, giving each child an excellent academic experience that builds curiosity, critical thinking, and character.

Public Comment

The WACS Board would like to welcome students, parents, staff and community members. In order to facilitate an efficient meeting, if you would like to offer comments please limit your remarks to the public comment period of the agenda. We would ask that sign up on the sign up sheet and limit your comments to 3 minutes. Finally, we ask that you not include comments that reference individual students (other than your own). If you need to reference a specific student, you may do so in writing to governance@wacs.us where the board can protect student privacy. We understand that after the public comment period, you may have questions/comments regarding topics that are discussed during the meeting. Please direct those questions to governance@wacs.us. The Board may not address comments/questions after the public comment period. However, we will work with the school administration to provide a prompt response to your email.


If you have a grievance, we would ask that you follow the board policy of starting first with the lowest level of authority as that is almost always the place where change can happen most effectively. Any grievance directed to the attention of the board, should be sent to governance@wacs.us. We thank you for your cooperation. At this time, we would like to open the floor to public comment.


No public comment given.

Community Council Report

Community Council Co-Chair gives an update.


No update. Activities will begin when school opens.

School Leader Report

The school leader reports on the status of the school.

  • Start of school updates:
  • Enrollment update for 25/26 school year (projected 360)
  • Offers are out for 5 spaces
  • Updated start date: 8/4/25
  • Automated lunch fees will begin this year
  • New athletic policies and uniforms to better support the program, parent awareness, and student participation


Events:

  • Meet the Teacher 7/31 4-6 pm
  • Family Picnic 7/25 11:30 am - 1pm
  • Kindergarten Camp will be the last week of July


Westside University Report presented by Dr. McKee:

  • Offered intervention (PowerUp) in reading and math (plus IEP support)
  • Offered 13 enrichment courses
  • Sara Quinn, Ms. Menna, and Catherine Perry were noted for demonstrating exceptional leadership behavior while assisting with resources and operations
  • Will implement feedback survey and iReady data to track additional metrics next year

Finance Committee Report

  • Monthly Financial Update given by CFO, William Arterberry
  • Auditors are scheduled for the start of the school year
  • Approval of auditors for June 30, 2025 audit
  • Budget hearing #1 for FY 25/26
  • Goal was to invest heavily in instruction and technology
  • Westside University is included in new budget
  • 3% salary increase is included for all positions
  • Budget hearing #2 is set for the August board meeting

Approve appointment of audit firm for June 30, 2025 audit

By: Jessica Weissinger Seconded by: Chris Tuten

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Governance Committee Report

Governance Committee gives monthly report.

  • Board hours successfully completed by all members
  • Review and and approve Distraction Free Policy
  • COI and Ethics forms will be sent soon

Approve Distraction-Free Policy

By: Ashley Pruitt Seconded by: Julius Farrington

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Development Committee Report

Development Committee gives monthly report.


Did not meet this month, but they are continuing to finalize graphics project.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:36 am

Motion to adjourn

By: Jessica Weissinger Seconded by: Julius Farrington

There was no notable discussion on the motion.