August 19, 2026 Meeting Agenda

August Meeting Agenda-PDF.pdf

 

The meeting focused on launching the 2026–2027 SGC year, including confirming membership, electing officers, assigning committee roles, and outlining priorities such as strategic planning and budgeting.

Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School Governance Council (SGC)

Meeting Minutes

School Year: 2026-2027
Date: 8/19/2026
Location: Virtual Meeting
Facilitator: Gina Foster, Governance Facilitator

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Call to Order

The Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School Governance Council convened to begin the 2026-2027 school year. The meeting focused on leadership elections, committee assignments, operational updates, budget discussions, and strategic planning.

Agenda Approval

• Motion to approve the agenda made by Rolanda Penn.
• Motion approved.

Previous Meeting Minutes

• Approval of previous meeting minutes was tabled until the next meeting.

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Member Introductions

Council members introduced themselves:

• Gina Foster - Governance Facilitator
• Sheralyn Shepherd - Principal
• Yolanda Polk - Parent Representative
• LaShonda Bland - Teacher Representative
• Rolanda Penn - EIP Representative
• Taylor Lane - Communities In Schools Representative
• Lysandra Fields - Teacher Representative
• Daliah Smith-Boney - Principal Secretary

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Governance and Leadership

Community Representative Appointment

• Taylor Lane was approved to continue serving as the Community Member Representative.
• One community member vacancy remains open.

Officer Elections

Gina Foster reviewed the responsibilities of each officer position and encouraged all members, including first-year members, to consider serving in leadership roles.

Chairperson Responsibilities

• Facilitate meetings.
• Develop meeting agendas in collaboration with the principal.
• Serve as the primary liaison and communicator for the council.
• Coordinate meeting reminders and council communications.

Vice Chair Responsibilities

• Assist the Chairperson.
• Preside over meetings in the Chairperson's absence.

Parliamentarian Responsibilities

• Monitor meeting procedures and time management.
• Record meeting minutes.
• Ensure agendas, meeting minutes, and summary actions are uploaded to the SGC website in compliance with public meeting requirements.

Election Results

Chairperson

• Nominee: Rolanda Penn
• Elected unanimously.

Vice Chairperson

• Nominee: Lysandra Fields
• Elected unanimously.

Parliamentarian

• Nominee: Taylor Lane
• Elected unanimously.

Superintendent Advisory Council Representative

• Yolanda Polk volunteered to serve as Bethune's representative on the Parent/Community Superintendent Advisory Council.

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Committee Assignments

Principal Selection Committee

Members:

• Rolanda Penn
• Lysandra Fields
• Yolanda Polk
• Potentially Ms. Heath

Budget and Finance Committee

Members:

• Yolanda Polk
• LaShonda Bland
• Daliah Smith-Boney

Responsibilities:

• Monitor and review charter budget expenditures.
• Evaluate funding requests and recommendations.

Communication and Outreach Committee

Lead:

• Taylor Lane

Responsibilities:

• Community engagement
• Public relations
• SGC recruitment efforts

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Fiscal and Operational Updates

Budget Report

• Bethune Elementary received $40,000 in charter funds for the current school year.
• This represents a $3,000 increase from the previous year.
• Budget proposals and spending priorities will be reviewed beginning next month.

Building Update

Principal Shepherd reported:

• A successful transition into the new school facility.
• Kindergarten through second-grade playground installation remains delayed.
• Students are currently utilizing the school's field space.

Compliance Requirements

• New council members must complete required Canvas Governance Training.
• Parent and community representatives must complete background checks every two years.

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Strategic Planning Update

Multi-Year Strategic Plan

• The district is currently reviewing and updating division-level strategic plans.
• Schools will begin work on a new three-year strategic plan following district guidance.
• Strategic planning activities will occur primarily during the second semester.

Timeline

• Council members will participate in strategic planning discussions throughout the second semester.
• The council will review and vote on the finalized three-year strategic plan by the end of the school year.
• Implementation is expected at the start of the following school year.

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Upcoming Events and Key Dates

August 26, 2026

PTA Kickoff Event

• Location: Zaxby's
• Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Purpose: Election of PTA officers

Monthly SGC Meetings

• Held virtually on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM.

Spring 2027

• SGC recruitment and election process begins for new council members.

End of School Year

• Council vote on the new three-year Strategic Plan.

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Decisions Made

• Approved the meeting agenda.
• Approved Taylor Lane's reappointment as Community Representative.
• Elected:
  • Rolanda Penn as Chairperson
  • Lysandra Phillips as Vice Chairperson
  • Taylor Lane as Parliamentarian
• Appointed Yolanda Polk as the Parent/Community Superintendent Advisory Council representative.
• Established committee memberships for Principal Selection, Budget & Finance, and Communication & Outreach.
• Confirmed monthly SGC meetings will continue on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM.

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Action Items

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Action Item	Responsible Party
Complete Canvas Governance Training	New SGC Members
Complete required background checks	Parent & Community Representatives
Review tabled previous meeting minutes	Full Council
Begin review of charter budget spending proposals	Budget & Finance Committee
Recruit additional community member representative	Communication & Outreach Committee
Participate in second-semester strategic planning process	All Council Members
Develop and vote on new three-year strategic plan	SGC

Meeting Adjourned.

 

 

September Meeting Agenda

 

 

April Agenda.pdf