The Trustees watched the MCPSA Fair Funding Week video which included some Parker board and staff members. 

The Trustees returned to the public meeting at 7:15

Michelle McKenna presented Parker Finance 101 to explain how public charters are funded by the state and the mechanisms Parker uses for additional funding.  Topics included the Chapter 70 state funding formula, state facilities aid, and Parker fundraising efforts. 

Fletcher Fernau asked about retention of mid-career teachers given the retirement of senior teachers and the salary gap with surrounding towns. Michelle answered that Parker's efforts towards closing the salary gap - specifically as it applies to 'new to Parker' teachers has made a difference in hiring and retaining talent. 

Michelle presented opportunities and concerns for the FY26 budget. 

A state-level study is currently underway to perhaps increase Chapter 70 funding.

The Student Opportunity Act is coming to an end.

Parker is still using the reserves voted on by the Trustees in 2024 to support implementation of the strategic plan.

Facilities aid from the state will hopefully increase given the proposal from the Governor.

The Governor's budget matches a 4% increase in tuition.

Health insurance renewal and participation increases may be challenging.

Fletcher asked what the administration is using as a firm enrollment number for the current year budget. Michelle answered 394. 

Marie Beam asked if the Facilities Reserve Fund are restricted funds or can be used for general needs. Michelle answered that the fund cannot go above a certain amount due to state requirements but that the fund is not in danger now of getting to that amount. The Trustees can vote to move funds from one fund to another but Parker administration cannot spend funds that are currently dedicated for one use to another without a vote. 

Michelle presented preliminary information of the FY27 budget. Preliminary drivers include:

Keeping enrollment at 396

There will be a need for additional staffing

The step and COLA increases on all salaries

Additional health insurance costs

Tiffany Testa commented that health insurance costs and needs are a concern across many industries.

Nicole Odekirk noted that the FY27 budget will be presented to the Board of Trustees at the March 19th meeting for a possible vote. If Trustees see that they will be unable to attend the March 19th meeting, she recommended trying to attend the March 5th Finance Committee meeting instead. 

Michelle updated on the work of the Facilities Committee which has reprioritized projects and identified additional capital needs projects. The committee continues to plan for the courtyard revitalization set for summer 2027 and will use their updated timeline as guidance for the next two years. The committee would like to see capital projects addressed in the next strategic plan. 

Michelle presented an ideas diagram of the courtyard project which was generally received favorably by various Trustees.

Deb Merriam presented a draft of the Academic Dashboard to receive feedback on the tool and what the Trustees liked and/or what could be improved for reporting. 

The dashboard is currently three pages. 

The first page is a high level look at quarterly progress, well-being ratings, and the 'Red, Yellow, Green' status of current students and how that data compares to prior years at the same point in the school calendar. 

The second page is a high level look at Gateway progress, attendance data, and revision rates.

The third page is an enrollment dashboard that includes application data and current year demographics including sending districts. 

Stefanie Reinhorn asked if the tool is for exclusively an internal audience. Deb answered  currently, yes, but that it will act as a foundational pillar for future marketing work.

Luciana Hayner asked if demographic data is available for each statistic. Deb answered yes but that the representation of the data in a simple dashboard might be too much information on one page or in one box. When looking at the dashboard a user may be able to eventually click on a box to receive breakout information by demographics. 

Marie Beam asked why the Gateway year over year information might be useful. Deb answered that Parker is interested in Gateway pacing and how that compares year to year. 

Caroline Beasley noted that once the tool could be broken into demographic information, that would help see patterns in retention. Deb agreed and and suggested that maybe each page has a headline and the user could breakout to various demographics from there. 

Fletcher Fernau asked if the dashboard should include student goal data or if the administration sees this only as a measurement tool. Deb answered that right now, it will only be used to measure current academic data.

Ellen Sturgis and Sonia Razzettie both noted that as 'non-Parker' Trustees, they appreciate seeing the data and that it is helpful in understanding Parker's academic vision and work. Sonia noted that a description of why the administration is measuring particular pieces of data might be more helpful. 

Deb concluded that the dashboard has been a useful exercise in deciding what aggregated data is meaningful to a school like Parker that places all the emphasis on the student and their individual progress. 

Brian Harrigan summarized the current student application numbers. The numbers are identical to pre-covid levels and if the applications continue on the same trajectory, that would be sufficient for full enrollment for the coming school year. 

The NEASC visit to the school will be March 2- 4. Trustees are needed for a remote meeting with the NEASC representative on the evening of the 2nd. Brian asked that any Trustees who might be interested in being part of the meeting contact him. Brian explained that after NEASC read over Parker's material and updates, the representatives asked for a truncated 2-day visit and expects that Parker will be once again accredited. 

Brian updated the Trustees on the progress of convening at Diverse Teacher Pipeline taskforce. The total budget for the taskforce will be $15,000 taken from the operating budget and includes a stipend for the chairs. 

Upcoming dates the Trustees should be aware of include 'Looking at Student Work' on March 25th, senior exhibitions in May, and Graduation in June.