OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENT
In accordance to Tennessee Open Meetings Act (TCA §8-44-101), Circles of Success’ Board Meetings are public meetings open to the public at all times, except as provided by the Constitution of Tennessee. A Board Meeting schedule is provided for your convenience.
COSLA Board Meeting Minutes November 2022
Members and Guests Attending: Wayne Palmer, Sheri Catron Cooper, R. Troy Wilkins, Rev. Marilynm Robinson, Karen Dotson, Dr. Kenneth Robinson, Darly Leven, Arlenda Jones, Cecelia Sawyer
1. President Daryl Leven called the meeting to order at 12:08 pm.
2. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved with no changes or corrections.
3. New Board Member welcomed; R. Troy Wilkins formerly with Knowledge Quest, now working as Director of Operations at COSLA.
4. The financial report was reviewed.
- No particular anomalies were noted.
- At this point in the current school year, finances are holding steady. Awaiting some reimbursement funds from the state. The financial report was approved unanimously.
5. Board Members Updates
- Governance
- Potential New Board Members
- In-Person Meeting Updates
6. CEO School Update
- Renewal visits are all completed as we await our final renewal approval. o Dr. Cooper reported a summary of findings from the renewal visit in the areas ofAcademics, Climate, Operations, Financial Standing Each area was found solid, however, financial standing does require some minor attention to maintain standards.
- Renewal visit was an overall success. School is very near capacity with enrollment and the visit team is aware of our need to relocate.
- Annual Training must be completed by 11/23. Email distribution has taken place to all board members
7. Other Business
- Fire Marshal Visit. Issues found were minor as it related to COSLA responsibility and corrective action plan has been created.
8. The meeting was adjourned at 1:01 pm.
Minutes recorded by Sylverna Ford, Board Secretary
COSLA Board Meeting Minutes October 2022
Members Attending: Cecelia Sawyer, Marcus Newman, Karen Dotson, Sheri Catron Cooper, Ian Randolph, Marilynn Robinson, Arlender Jones, Deneen Burton
1. Meeting was called to order at 12:00 pm by President Daryl Leven.
2. Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting. Minutes were approved as submitted.
3. Financial report Board members received the financial report which was distributed electronically.
- Still awaiting funds from MSCS and State.
- Pre K Funds are still awaiting distribution to COSLA. Awaiting signatures from both City and County Mayors
- Request made for some potential forward on funds for PreK, awaiting response.
- ESSER reimbursements have been received.
- Loan review with Board Member Jones’s bank of employment
- The financial picture is in order at this time. The financial report was approved unanimously.
4. School Compliances Report made by Sheri Catron Cooper Governance Committee Report
- School Improvement Plan - Submitted
- ESSER, PREK, and Title 1 Budgets - Submitted
- 2021-2022 Annual Report - Submitted
- SNP Annual Report - Submitted
- Operations Scorecard Uploads with September Indicators - Completed
- Annual Charter School Visit - Completed - Preliminary Findings due mid-October with final renewal vote mid-December by MSCS Board
- Renewal Visit - Scheduled
- Emergency Medical Plan - Completed Enrollment
- PreK 40
- KK - 5th 220
- Total 260
- School Performance Ratings Released
-- COSLA achieved Level 5 status
-- TN Reward School Attorneys Jeff Feberman and Lani Hester joined the meeting to discuss legal opinions related to the on-going legal actions being taken by St Andrews AME Church. Options presented to the Board to ponder that can have potential impacts on school status.
5. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was approved unanimously at 1:07 pm
Minutes recorded by: Sylverna Ford, Board Secretary
COSLA Board Meeting Minutes July 2022
MembersAttending: Daryl Leven, Sheri Catron Cooper, Ceclia Sawyer, Ian Randolph, Wayne Palmer, Arlender Jones, Rhonda Lee, and Marcus Newman
1. Meeting was called to order at 12:00 pm by President Daryl Leven.
2. Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting. Minutes were approved as submitted.
3. Financial report Board members received the financial report which was distributed electronically.
- There are still outstanding funds that should be coming in from the state.
- So far, our per pupil expense is below the amount that was budgeted for this point in the school year.
- The expenses related to the Magnolia project will be covered through a combination of funds on hand and the anticipated loan that has been negotiated.
- At this point, indications are that total revenues exceed total expenses by $37, 700.
- The financial picture is in order at this time. The financial report was approved unanimously.
4. Board MemberUpdates Governance Committee Report
- By laws review The current bylaws are being reviewed by the Committee. The committee will be recommending some changes and additions to update the bylaws.
- Skills Assessment
We currently have vacancies on the board. As we consider adding new board members, we should be taking into consideration the skills that are currently represented on our board as well as those that are not. Completing the Skills Assessment Form will provide a clearer picture of existing and needed skills.
-Board members are asked to help identify potential new Board Members. We are interested in identifying individuals who understand the COSLA mission and are willing to put in time and energy to support that mission. Return to in-person meetings With COID-19 being a declining threat and with the high level of vaccinations among Board Members, we have the opportunity of resuming in-person meetings. We will plan to meet in-Person for our next meeting which is scheduled for August 17th.
5. CEO Updates
- TN Charter School Center Membership
This membership keeps COSLA connected to other chart schools in the state. It’s a good source of information related to planning and developments related to charter schools.COSLA Board Meeting Minutes: July 20, 2022
- On-site Review
There will be an on-site follow up visit. This will provide visual confirmation of the information included in the written report that went forth.
- School year – The2022/23 school year begins on August 1st with staff reporting. Students will report on August 8th.
- COSLA has been awarded a state grant.
6. Added Business District Leaders Meeting
- District Leaders meeting is coming up and will include planning for the coming school year.
- Committee Work
Both the Finance Committee and the Governance Committee have work to do before our next meeting. They should plan to meet between now and then.
7. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was approved unanimously at 1:15 pm
Minutes recorded by: Sylverna Ford, Board Secretary:
COSLA Board Meeting Minutes June 2022
Members and Guests Attending: Daryl Leven, Cecelia Sawyer, Marcus Newman, Karen Dotson, Sheri Catron Cooper, Rev. Marilynn Robinson, Arlender Jones
1. President Daryl Leven called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm.
2. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved with no changes or corrections.
3. The financial report was reviewed.
- No particular anomalies were noted.
- At this point in the current school year, finances are holding steady. Awaiting some reimbursement funds from the state. The financial report was approved unanimously.
4. Board Members Updates
- Governance
- Potential New Board Members
- In-Person Meeting Updates
5. CEO School Update
- Inaugural Pre K year was a great success. Met high Brigance performance data and attendance goals.
- Pre K teacher, Mr Gregory, won Pre K Teacher of the month (April) recognition.
- All but 3 Pre K students will enroll in Kindergarten for the fall.
- Enrollment in other grades held and vacant slots are being filled by new students.
- Preliminary TCAP data indicates scores were not as high as we had hoped but reached our annual measurable objectives so we are in good standing.
- It’s time to renew our charter with the Shelby County Schools. Work is underway to prepare for that process. Pulling together relevant reports, reviews, and audits.
- COSLA is celebrating its 20th year of operation. A milestone to be recognized.
- Work is progressing to get the pieces in place for the Magnolia project. Waiting to hear from LIIF on funding matters. Significant funds will be needed to make the necessary repairs to the building.
- Litigation initiated by St Andrew is still active. Discovery questions have been submitted and there is potential for depositions to be held in July.
6. Other Business
- Decision Tree Review
Depending on what happens with the church’s lawsuit, COSLA has to consider available options which could include: seeking philanthropic funding for the purchase; giving up on the idea of the purchase and staying in St Andrew; or sunsetting COSLA.
-The options werel aid out in chart form for the board to review and consider. There will be further review and discussion of these options as we move forward. In the long run, consideration must be given to how to support the stated mission of the school while maintaining the quality standards that are the COSLA trademark.
7. Special Committee Plans The Finance Committee will continue to work with the president and the CEO to codify and address the financial matters.
8. The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm.
Minutes recorded by Sylverna Ford , Board Secretary