Jennie Williamson, Director Legislative Affairs, Massachusetts Charter Public School Association, MCPSA, presented on advocacy for Charter Public Schools.

Jennie said that state government support for charter public schools is low putting our schools at risk. She said that district schools and special interest groups are active in opposition to charter schools and funding, growth, and autonomies are at risk.

Jennie said the best way to combat anti-charter threats is to build relationships with state legislators that represent you/your school so they feel accountable. She suggested ways to build relationships...

• utilize personal network, relationships, and potential for influence
• work with school leaders to help legislators get to know your school community in person 
• participate in Advocacy Day at State House - February 13
• regularly communicate with your legislators and learn about their priorities
• fill out MCPSA contact information form 

She presented key legislative focus areas:

• increase facilities per pupil rate for charter public schools
• increase per pupil funding for ALL public school students

Targeted Fixes (if possible) - statutory permissability to weight lotteries for student with higher needs (e.g. SPED, ELL, low income, etc.) 

The MCPSA offers advocacy tools, training, and support.
Jennie invited questions from the Board.

Martin Turnbull presented an overview of the HVAC System Study prepared by VAV International.  The project is supported by the Facilities Committee.  Martin said that the new system will be all electric and will eliminate dependence on fossil fuels.  The first need will be to upgrade the electrical system infrastructure. The Facilities Committee supports the main findings, option selections, and overall shape of the master plan.  The Committee also supports the choice to break the project into three distinct phases...

• Phase 1 - "old" building (except auditorium) and electrical system infrastructure (cost - approx $1M)
• Phase 2 - "new" building (except gym)
• Phase 3 - auditorium, gym, demolition of legacy systems

The Facilities Committee recommends that...

• VAV International be authorized to proceed with design specifications, bid documents, and other process steps needed for Phase 1 of the project
• that expeditiousness be employed so Phase 1 can be executed during the summer of 2020
• Parker's Finance Committee develop a funding plan for Phase 1 for consideration by Parker Trustees and the Sizer Foundation

Glenn Penna said the Finance Committee read over the proposal and voted unanimously to support funding for Phase 1 of the project.

Todd Sumner reviewed the Charter Renewal visit by DESE.
Todd and Zayna Basma spoke about an Access and Equity Convening that they attended which was hosted by DESE.
  

Todd Sumner and George Clancy clarified questions raised at last month's Board meeting.

Michelle McKenna highlighted and commented on items from the Finance Committee report.

• student enrollment is on budget
• staff is slightly under budget
• per pupil tuition rate is projected and will be clearer as the year progresses
• grant revenue is on budget
• payroll projection should be 5.2
• Teacher Center surplus deficit line looks negative but teacher licensure program is causing this - it is budgeted to break even

Jennifer Saxe reported about the Community Conversations.  She said there have been 9 community conversations and the group is hoping to have one more after Thanksgiving in Acton.
Jennifer said her general takeaway has been positive and people enjoy hearing the history and how school and community has responded to needs in the past.  Jennifer said she is surprised that many families do not know that charter schools are public schools.

Katrina Tedstone said the conversations have been positive and that there have been different concerns in different communities.  Katrina noted that there are a large percentage of first-year families attending.  Her takeaway has been that there is a sense of pride in the Parker community.
Katrina thanked Trustees for participating in the Community Conversations.


 

Christine Regan-Davi highlighted theTrustees Learnings Wish List survey developed by the Governance Committee and distributed to Trustees at the meeting. 
The Board will be looking for individuals with expertise in development, facilities, and finance to do committee work and eventually board work.
Christine said the Governance Committee welcomed a new member, Balu Balasubramanyam.

There were no comments from the public.