"Tell me about the work" presentation on following the child by Nell Franchek.

• Excited to be able to present about the magic of Montessori. 
• Presented  multimedia look at child driven bird unit/project
• Explain the story telling, writing and conversation development that can happen from block building material in the classroom.

Review of the new visual RVCS Board of Trustees Member Expectations 

Developed in February 2023.

Denise lead brief discussion prior to reading the member expectation around the table by each members. 

EC desires to introduce the post board meeting survey  that each board member will be tasks with completing prior to leaving, brief but will allow us to have more productive meetings.  

This will allow for the EC to have data about how to adjust agenda.

Denise read outload the  brief 

JLE-- makes suggesting that we consider adding "Did we abide by meeting expectation?"

AF-- Excited that we are doing this. 

Link to Lydia's slide show here:

https://app2.boardontrack.com/eventFile/other/68949#

Parts of the project highlighted-- 

• Grounds Redesign Scope 
• Constituents and Professional Services Involved in Project 

Significant work was done in the Fall-- reviewed that work which involved the foundation, development, middle school, staff, RVCS students. Mayor was here last week.

This month will focus on better understand of our space.

Ended with review of project priorities (see slide) and shared some of the examples students paired 

Erin Seaton--  Wanted to highlight that we remain mindful of accessibility. 

Lydia-- This is on the forefront of why we are utilizing a landscape architecture. Kimberly (school nurse) has been involved to ensure this as well. Additionally it will make this very clear on the RFP, we are a public school and need and want to be ADA compliment with a look to not only what that means now  but also ensure we are foreword thinking. 

Erin Seaton-- Rec'd looking at Temple University resource "Urban Think Tanks".

Catherine Martin-- Asked about timeline and where priority is being given? 

Lydia-- The Detention ponds, the playground, parking.. there will many phases. 

Chris Getz-- Ask about the impact of flooding? 

JLE-- Confirmed there is flooding in her office. Neighboring business has admitted that there property has encroached on the drainage system 

DH--   So has impacted our properties flooding? 

JLE-- Likely yes, but there is no proof

CM-- Are grants available for environmental based education? 

EB-- Asked about how the impact of properties around us no doing annual upkeep has impacted the RCVS property?

JLE/Lydia-- It is unclear given the number of variable and  changes in landscape but making it a priority that all understand 

Erin Seaton and several members echo'd- gratitude for involving so many stakeholders   

No one had questions regarding 

DH-- Executive Committee description has been updated, shared on screen 

Shared this felt critical because w/ the expectation of Accountability Committee descriptions have not been updated since 2011/2012. 

This midyear review will be completed by EC and will utilize  questions generated and tailor

JLE and DH reviewed question, edited slightly to tailor Montessori then EC reviewed them and what we see in front of us in a product of those customization 

Why did we change  This was a priority goal for chair as when she took on the leadership position, the evaluations were Inconsistent in approach and in timeliness 

Tanya Murdy-- Applauded Denise for creating this mid year review tool, director eval-- recognizing this has been a source of contention and distraction for BOT. 

Small BOT discussion-- Expressing gratitude to Denise for the work and many hours she has invested into implementing  board on track and re-vamping out dated system that previously existed and made the less effective in their practice. 

JLE wanted to highlight--

Cat the art teacher will be doing a mural project  in Amesbury 

2% on tuition.

CW--  Finance perspective 

Accountability- This school has been ID'd as a school w/ higher absentee rates.  

Flu policy referenced by JLE-- we require  kids diagnosed with the flu to be out for 4 - 5 days. 

Meeting with the commissioner recently highlighted that this be examined closer. 

This has the potential to be a charter renewal topic years to come. 

Revisited committee description-- a few discrepancies identified and are being rectified and 

Renewal summary was reviewed and discussed 

Call for volunteers to work on the BOT dashboard. 

EB-- Asked about the area on our renewal report where we (the Board) needed to strengthen our look at disaggregated and aggregated data  

JLE highlighted that our review was excellent. 

IT hiccups that need to be resolved 

Total amount raised to date-- $31,150 

Notified recently Private family foundation donation $50,000

$29,000 coming in from RVCS community (surpassed end of year amount already)

$2,000 effortless giving 

Big News-- 

Ground Re-design has been most of what has been discussed and energy. 

Continue emphasis on 8's and our 25th year. 

Read-o-thon-- Let's explore giving this a try.

AF-- Can I share info and ideas I have on this with you

TM-- Of course! JLE-- I can bring it fourth to you. 

JLE-- Wondering if we will this interfere with raising money for ground re-design

JLE-- Clarified that Lydia has been hired and pay rolled by RVCS for. 

JLE-- would like a clear go ahead from the BOT 

AT-- We need numbers and timeline for the Ground Re-design project.

DH-- Lydia is ballpark 750K but a million would be great for the whole project

JLE- I really would like a nod from BOT and Foundation on this project, at least the detention ponds. 

DH-- We need a number then? 

DH-- There a lot  of things that are important work-- policy updates, 

ES-- An itemized plan and priority would be helpful 

We have completed our committee updates and all members feel good about this 

Holiday/Project dates for Doodle Pool-- 

Wednesday 1/24 

5:30 - 8:30 

Saturday 1/27 

10 - 12 

Wednesday 1/31

5:30 - 8:30 

Saturday 2/3

10 - 12 

** Adult community members invited as well