The Ranches Academy
School Board Meeting Minutes
Date
07/08/26
Attendees
Stephanie Colson, Josh Marsh, Preston Griffin, Michelle Bennett, Amy Harrison, Claire Anderson
Guests
Aaron Garrett
Start time
6:30 PM
End time
8:08 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 5/18/2026.
MOTION: A motion by Claire Anderson and a second by Preston Griffin to approve the previous meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Preston Griffin
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
Claire Anderson
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Morgan Call
Parker Hatt
Review and approve Goals for Mental Health Grant
The Director presented and reviewed the School-based Mental Health Qualifying Grant Program with the Board.
The program is a three-year initiative extending through the 2028-2029 school year and is designed to strengthen students' social-emotional development and mental health supports through targeted interventions and instruction.
Program Goals:
Grades K-3: Tier 2 Social Skills Intervention Program
Ranches Academy will implement an annual Tier 2 Social Skills Intervention program for identified students in grades K-3. Each year, a new cohort of students will participate in targeted small-group social skills instruction to address specific social-emotional learning needs.
Student progress will be measured through Beginning-of-Year (BOY) and End-of-Year (EOY) teacher surveys to evaluate growth in social skills proficiency.
Grades 4-6: Life Skills Academy and Emotional Health Instruction
Ranches Academy will implement a comprehensive Life Skills Academy and Emotional Health Instruction program for all students in grades 4-6.
Instruction will be delivered in a classroom setting by contracted behavioral support professionals and will focus on strengthening students' social-emotional competencies, emotional regulation, communication skills, self-awareness, and overall well-being.
Program effectiveness will be assessed through annual pre- and post-assessments administered to each student cohort.
Funding
The Board was informed that the School-Based Mental Health Qualifying Grant Program is expected to provide approximately $35,000 in annual funding, based on current student enrollment levels, to support implementation of the program and associated behavioral health services.
MOTION: A motion by Preston Griffin and a second by Claire Anderson to approve Goals for Mental Health Grant Program. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Preston Griffin
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
Claire Anderson
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Morgan Call
Parker Hatt
Review and approve quotes for new Phone System
The Director requested that this agenda item be tabled to allow additional time to obtain and evaluate supplemental bids for the proposed Phone system replacement. The item will be brought back to the Board for consideration once the bid review process has been completed and additional information is available.
Review and approved PA System
The Director requested that this agenda item be tabled to allow additional time to obtain and evaluate supplemental bids for the proposed PA system. The item will be brought back to the Board for consideration once the bid review process has been completed and additional information is available.
Motion to Enter Into Closed Session for the Purchase, Exchange, or Lease of Property; Pending or Reasonably Imminent Litigation; the Character, Professional Competence, or the Physical or Mental Health of an Individual; or the Deployment of Security or Security Personnel, Devices, or Systems
MOTION: A motion by Claire Anderson and a second by Amy Harrison to enter into closed session for pending reasonable imminent litigation. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Preston Griffin
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
Claire Anderson
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Morgan Call
Parker Hatt
Motion to leave the Closed Session for the Purchase, Exchange, or Lease of Property; Pending or Reasonably Imminent Litigation; the Character, Professional Competence, or the Physical or Mental Health of an Individual; or the Deployment of Security or Security Personnel, Devices, or Systems
MOTION: A motion by Preston Griffin and a second by Claire Anderson to leave the closed session. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Preston Griffin
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
Claire Anderson
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Morgan Call
Parker Hatt
New Business
ACTION:
Review and approval quotes for new Phone system
Review and approve PA System
Review and approve Blinds quotes
Next Meeting:
July 20th at 12:00PM at the Ranches Academy
Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 8:08 PM
A motion by Claire Anderson and second by Michelle Bennett to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
FOR:
Josh Marsh
Preston Griffin
Michelle Bennett
Amy Harrison
Claire Anderson
AGAINST:
None
ABSENT:
Morgan Call
Parker Hatt
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.