Uplift Education Board of Trustees - August 26, 2025

Uplift Education Board of Trustees meeting, August 26, 2025: The board reviewed academic performance, enrollment, finances, teacher compensation, development, and policy updates. Its principal budget-related action was approval of a revised Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) spending plan, changing the allocation from 90% for designated teachers and 10% centrally to 50% for designated teachers, 40% for other campus salaries, and 10% centrally. The change is intended to qualify Uplift for enhanced state funding beginning in 2026–27; staff said the projection is to nearly double TIA funding, with no reduction to designated teachers’ compensation. Enrollment was reported above budget by about 1,400 scholars, and the organization’s fundraising goal is $9 million.

Development staff reported a $250,000 donation to support purchasing additional equipment for the Institute program. The board also discussed possible future purchases of phone-storage pouches as campuses implement the new student-device restrictions, but made no purchasing decision or vendor selection; the transcript’s reference to a roughly $7,000 cost is unclear. The board unanimously approved the student cellphone/personal-device policy and seven additional policies, several of which were presented to address recent state legislative changes. No contract awards or competitive solicitations were identified.