The Ranches Academy
School Board Meeting Minutes
Date
04/20/26
Attendees
Stephanie Colson, Levi Anderson, Josh Marsh, Preston Griffin, Michelle Bennett, Amy Harrison, Morgan Call, Parker Hatt
Guests
Haydn Stender, Jeff Biesinger
Start time
6:30 PM
End time
9:00 PM
Location
The Ranches Academy
Agenda Topic
Discussion
Motions/Actions
Roll Call & Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda and Previous Meeting Minutes
The Board approved minutes from 3/16/2026.
MOTION: A motion by Michelle Bennett and a second by Amy Harrison to approve the previous meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Claire Anderson
Preston Griffin
Vote to approve new Board Member
The Board approved new Board Member:
Morgan Call
MOTION: A motion by Michelle Bennett and a second by Amy Harrison to approve the new Board Member. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Preston Griffin
Claire Anderson
Vote to approve new Board Member
The Board approved new Board Member:
Parker Hatt
MOTION: A motion by Amy Harrison and a second by Michelle Bennett to approve the new Board Member. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Preston Griffin
Claire Anderson
Update on School Expansion
Jeff reviewed and discussed the school expansion with the Board.
Change Orders are being tracked and recorded in the Project Plan.
The project timeline is on track.
Teachers (4th - 6th graders) will begin moving furniture into the new classrooms on May 11th.
Delayed funds with Alta Bank are cleared and paid to Stout.
A letter to Eagle Mountain City has been submitted. The Directors will provide an update to the Board if there is an Impact fee from the City.
ACTION:
Keep on Agenda for Monthly updates after financial reports.
Budget Review
FY26 Budget Overview
Haydn discussed the current budget and expenses.
Current Enrollment 365 students
The PTIF balance has been updated with the following figures:
Actual YTD: $1,770,000.00
Forecast: $1,799,552.00
Net Operations less Construction cost: $355,864.00
Forecasted Net Operations minus construction costs: 208,698.00
First look at FY27 Budget
Haydn reviewed and discussed FY27 Budget with the Board.
Fraud Risk Assessment
The Ranches Academy scored 375 out of 395 (very low risk).
We missed 20 points on question #8 - formal internal audit function as we do not have an internal audit team. However, this is not required by the state due to the size of the school.
ACTION:
The Board to vote on the final number for FY26 and FY27 budget in the next meeting.
The Board to discuss Internal format audit in the next meeting.
Review Salary Schedule, Benefits, and 401K
The Directors discussed Salary schedule, Benefits, and 401K with the Board.
The Directors explained base salary increases and yearly increases. Salary increase to not exceed the 3% within FY27 budget.
Review of Emergency Preparedness and Electronic Use Policies
The Directors reviewed and discussed the revised Safety Plan with the Board.
The Revised plan will be posted on the school website.
Review and Discuss Stakeholder Survey Comments
The Directors shared parents survey comments with the Board.
Review Truancy and Attendance Data
The Directors shared attendance percentage data with the Board.
Overall Totals:
Attendance: 94.25%
Absent: 5.75%
Review Staff Survey Results
The Directors shared staff survey results with the Board.
Review and Approve Chromebook quotes
The Board reviewed Chromebook quotes sent from Onward Technology.
QTY: 20
Total: $7,493.40 (including perpetual license for 20 Chromebooks)
MOTION: A motion by Morgan Call and a second by Parker Hatt to approve the purchase of 20 Chromebooks given the quote. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Preston Griffin
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
Morgan Call
Parker Hatt
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Claire Anderson
Training for School Board Members Reminder
The Board to complete training and attach the Certification to a shared Folder.
https://training.auditor.utah.gov/courses/introductory-training-for-school-board-members-2026
School Safety Update and Safety Grant
The Director reported on the School Safety plan.
Training and safety drills -
drills once a month
The Director verified that the retention period and cloud storage with ETS from the quotes exceeds the state requirement.
The camera system will be installed in the next few weeks.
PA system bids are pending.
ACTION:
Keep School Safety Update on Agenda for Monthly Updates.
New Business
ACTION:
Vote final number for FY26 and FY27 in the next meeting.
Internal formal audit discussion in the next meeting.
Board Training reminder
AI Framework
Next Meeting:
May 18th at 6:30PM at the Ranches Academy
Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM
A motion by Parker Hatt and second by Michelle Bennett to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Preston Griffin
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
Morgan Call
Parker Hatt
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Claire Anderson
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Kammi Pyles at 801-400-3932.