Chair
Colleen Combs
Retired, National Labor Relations Board (GS-15)
Southport, NC
Governance
Board of Trustees
Classical Charter Schools of America, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that holds the charters for four tuition-free public schools. It is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees.
Meet the trustees
Trustees serve without compensation. Their contact details are published so families and the public can reach them directly.
Trustee
Robert P. Spencer
Retired, AT&T
Wilmington, NC
Trustee
Ted Bodenschatz
Retired, BB&T Senior Vice President
Oak Island, NC
Trustee
Patricia Skyes
Brunswick County Commissioner
Southport, NC
Trustee
Howard Talley III
Owner, Family Tax Service
Wilmington, NC
What the board is responsible for
The board oversees the schools so that students reach the highest possible achievement, consistent with sound financial management. It adopts the educational program and the policies that govern it, approves the budget, and appoints and oversees the management arrangement.
Governance and management are different
The board governs: it holds the charters and sets policy. Day-to-day management is contracted to The Roger Bacon Academy under a management agreement approved by the board, the State Board of Education and the IRS.
Meetings are public
Board meetings are public, and the published record goes back to 2008. Board minutes
Interested in serving?
The board welcomes new trustees with relevant experience who live in the region. Write to the Chair at ccombs@ccsam.net.
Board meeting schedule · 2026–2027
July 23, 2026 — Leland · 1:30 p.m.
School start; public hearing to address CIPA compliance; enrollment; approve 2026–2027 revised budget.
August 27, 2026 — Leland · 1:30 p.m.
Approve 2025–2026 revised budgets; preliminary EOG results; initial 2026–2027 ADM; approve new payroll scale (if state approved).
September 24, 2026 — Southport · 1:30 p.m.
Approve final 2025–2026 budgets; final 2026–2027 ADM; audit brief for the 401K plan for FYE 12/31/25; EOG results.
October 29, 2026 — Leland · 1:30 p.m.
Annual CCS-A, Inc. audit brief for FYE 6/30/26; approve 2027–2028 school calendar.
December 17, 2026 — Leland · 1:30 p.m.
2026–2027 budget update; general update.
January 21, 2027 — Wilmington · 1:30 p.m.
General update; preliminary lottery information.
February 25, 2027 — Whiteville · 1:30 p.m.
2026–2027 budget update; 2027–2028 initial budget discussions; approve tax return for FYE 6/30/26.
April 22, 2027 — Leland · 1:30 p.m.
2026–2027 budget update; 2027–2028 preliminary budget; enrollment; approve Headmasters as authorized signers; approve grant writing contracts; approval of audit company; approval of 401K audit company.
June 24, 2027 — Leland · 1:30 p.m.
Approve 2027–2028 budget; election of Board and Officers; enrollment; discussion of EOG testing; approve 2027–2028 board meeting schedule.
