MICS Board

MICS Board of Directors 2026-2027

Erica Blackson
Katie Blixt
Kelly Dempsey
Dawne Dowdy
Rodward Hewlin
Mike Ladd
Eric LaForce
Jeremy Russell
Stephanie Sherer
Garrett Tryon
Kevin Wiley
 
Alternate: Kayla Pierce
 
Board Meetings
Monthly meetings are typically held on the second Monday of each month in the Middle/High School C Building Atrium at 5:30 pm.  Please check this webpage for any meeting changes or alterations (i.e. date or location changes, call-ins, etc.). 
 
Public comments are allowed at Board meetings within MICS guidelines (see below*). If you would like to address the Board at any meeting, please contact the Board Secretary at [email protected].
 
July 11, 2026, 10:00 am - Special Virtual Meeting.  
August 10, 2026
September 14, 2026
October 12, 2026
November 9, 2026
December 14, 2026
January 11, 2027
February 8, 2027
March 8, 2027
April 12, 2027
May 10, 2027
June 14, 2027
 
2026-2027 Committee Meetings
Meetings of Academics, Finance, Strategic Planning, HR and Governance committees are scheduled as needed. Meetings occur between monthly board meetings to do initial work for consideration or approval by the full board as needed. Committee Meetings are typically held in the A Building conference room unless otherwise noted.  
 
Thursday, July 9, 2026, 8:30 am - Governance Committee
Friday, August 7, 2026, 8:30 am - Strategic Planning Committee
Friday, September 11, 2026, 8:30am - HR Committee 
Friday, September 18, 2026, 8:00am - Finance Committee 
Friday, September 17, 2026, 8:30 am - Strategic Planning Committee
Friday, November 6, 2026, 8:30am - HR Committee
Friday, November 20, 2026, 8:00am - Finance Committee
Friday, January 15, 2027, 8:30am - HR Committee 
Friday, January 22, 2027, 8:00am - Finance Committee 
Friday, February 26, 2027, 8:00am - Finance Committee 
Friday, April 23, 2027, 8:00am - Finance Committee
Friday, May 7, 2027, 8:30am - HR Committee 
Friday, May 21, 2027, 8:00am - Finance Committee 
 

Public Comment Policy - MICS Board Meetings

The agenda of every regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting will include a designated time for public comment by those in attendance. Individuals may address the Board on any subject that falls within the purview of Mountain Island Charter School (MICS); provided that speakers (i) may only address the board with their comments (and not other attendees) and (ii) may not speak specifically about any individual teacher, staff member or board member or engage in personal attacks. The agenda placement for public comment will be at the discretion of the Board Chair. A maximum of seven individuals will be allowed to speak. Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to speak. Each individual wishing to speak must sign up at least 24 hours in advance of the board meeting by submitting their name, organization (if applicable) and topic to be discussed in an email addressed to the Board Secretary ([email protected]). If a speaker desires to provide materials to the Board such materials must be provided to the Board Secretary ([email protected]) at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Distribution of materials by speakers at a Board meeting will not be permitted. Speakers will be assigned spots on a first come, first served basis. In the event fewer than 7 speakers are registered, the board chair may allow unregistered speakers to provide comment at the board meeting in his or her sole discretion and subject to the other requirements set forth in this policy.
 
Members of the Board are free to ask questions of, and respond to, speakers; however, members are not required to respond or directly address speaker comments.  Communication should be respectful and in a conversational tone at all times.  Sharing or granting speaking time to others is not permitted.  Speakers and attendees are welcome to be present for the entire board meeting; however, they may not participate or comment. 
 
The Board of Directors complies with the NC Open Meetings Law (NC Statutes Article 33C). Details on this law can be found at this link: http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_143/Article_33C.html
 
The Open Meeting Law allows public comments at Board meetings at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The law specifically states that there are specific protocols that should be followed. The following North Carolina General Statute, N.C.G.S. § 143-318.17, addresses the consequences for individuals who do not adhere to public meeting protocol: “A person who willfully interrupts, disturbs, or disrupts an official meeting and who, upon being directed to leave the meeting by the presiding officer, willfully refuses to leave the meeting is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.” (1979, c.655, s.1; 1993, c.539, s.1028; 1994, Ex. Sess., c.24, s.14(c).)
 
2026-2027 Board Meeting Minutes