Pam Gordon welcomed student ambassadors: Jaiya, Kai, and Lindsay. Ambassadors will be going to CLEE conference the next day to share Parker's approach to student leadership. The same students recently led a PD session on student engagement at the Newton Public Schools PD day. Members of the Board praised Parker for our dissemination efforts.

Trustees broke into three groups to meet with student ambassadors to share a portfolio piece, what you love about Parker, and what could we do better. Trustees participated in two rounds of discussions with Parker students. 

Michelle McKenna presented to quarterly July - Sep financial dashboard. Based on current enrollment and a healthy waitlist, we project yearly enrollment of 394 students.

Michelle provided an update on the RFP for a new audit firm. We received proposals from seven firms, three of whom seem compelling. Michelle and Ellen are doing reference checks on two at the direction of the finance committee. New firm will be on 3 year term.

Brian Harrigan presented the executive director report

XC State championship is this weekend. Everyone invited.

Parker Fun Run 5K Nov 22

Finance 101 1/22

Looking at Student Work 3/25

Joint Committee on Education/Thrive Act - testimony on Beacon Hill resulted in anti-charter language is being removed from the bill. Act seeks to eliminate state receivership and create a more robust assessment and accountability system the includes more than standardized test scores.

Diverse Teacher Pipeline Taskforce - how can we grow a diverse teacher pipeline in MA? DESE grant proposal: hire a partner to launch and manage the Diverse Teacher Pipeline Taskforce, pilot the new teacher mentorship program providing stipends to mentors and CFG coaches, pilot BIPOC recruiting program focused on paraprofessionals of color and pre-practicum students at Fitchburg State

Community Handbook Monique Beganski explained changes o community handboook process thru DESE

Katrina Tedstone presented progress on the development plan 

Completed tasks include hiring a development associate, and Chair and Executive Director meetings with Trustees. 94% of board have made a fundraising commitment. Case statement and BoT training with an emphasis on fundraising.

Year 1 tasks focus on how we ask, cultivating/stewardship, recording/organizing data, professional development for faculty staff and DevCom

Year 2 will move to online platforms that compile nonprofit information, Sizer Foundation Board, business outreach for sponsorship, data analytics, CRM evaluation, planned giving, alumni plan.  

Deb Merriam led a detailed overview of Parker's 2025 MCAS scores. Deb compared our students' performance to sending districts, highlighting strengths and opportunities for improvement. Deb presented Parker's growth over time and disaggregated performance among students with disabilities and students with high needs.

Trustees engaged in a detailed discussion of the data and additional questions we hope to answer. For example, how do Parker students from a particular town compare to students who attend the traditional middle/high school in that town.

Passing MCAS scores are no longer a DESE requirement for diploma eligibility

Therefore, each school district is required to determine its own measure for competency determination that show evidence in English, math, and science and US History. Students have shown 1) mastery of skills, 2) satisfactory completion of relevant coursework aligned to DESE frameworks.

Trustees discussed our Division 2 Gateway requirements as our Competency Determination. To earn a Parker diploma, students must successfully complete the Div 2 AH and Div 2 MST gateway requirements, typically at the end of 10th grade.