Todd Sumner invited Board Members and attendees to check in about how they are and how they are managing during the pandemic.

Todd Sumner presented the Principal's Report.

Todd reported:

• The general contractor for the climate control project is making good progress while campus is closed.
• Faculty and staff are working on wrapping up the school year.  Senior Exhibitions began today and Gateways will begin in June. 
• Input from students and families informed the decision to postpone graduation.  If it is safely possible, a smaller, in-person gathering will be held in early August.
• Parker is waiting for guidance from Massachusetts and DESE on what reopening in the next school year might look like. 
• There is a social-emotional component to campus closure and Parker is working with students to help get through any sense of loss, fatigue, and sadness they may be feeling.

Todd said he is grateful for the efforts of the Parker team.

Tiffany Testa said that it has been a learning process but this has been a deep, thoughtful, reflective time and students are learning who they are as people and learners.  She said that students may come back to school needing some extra help but they are resilient.

Matt Lindsey said the experience of moving everything online has been draining.  He said he is hopeful that there will be closure and an opportunity for goodbyes before moving into summer.

Todd invited questions from Board Members.  

    Christine Regan-Davi asked what the summer workload would be like for faculty and staff.
    Todd acknowledged that there may be more work than usual.

    Mary-Wren VanderWilden asked what work the Board should be taking on during the pandemic.
    Todd said it might be a good time to explore ideas and think about enrollment.
 

Katrina Tedstone presented the Development Committee Report.
Katrina reported:

• An Essential Commitment Fund appeal was launched on May 3rd and had 16 donations within 48 hours. The fund is currently at $136K.
• Development Committee and Board members are making Caring Calls to connect with Parker families.   Calls have been well received and families appreciate Parker's response to the pandemic.
• Social media posts have helped families stay connected and build a sense of community.

Zayna Basma reported on work of the Alumni Council

• The Council is helping find volunteers for Frontline and Connections videos.
• The Council is working on a video to highlight Parker's 25th anniversary.
• There has been one in person meeting of Alums and one virtual meeting.  The virtual meeting was held in April and better attended.

Jennifer Saxe shared best practices from the fundraising community for how to manage during the pandemic.

• Keep donors and constituents close.
• Communicate early and often.

 

Mario Silva-Rosa presented the Diversity Committee Report.
Mario reported...

• He has had conversations with past Committee members about the different iterations of the charge for the Committee and what work has been done in the past.
• The Committee will develop a structure of what future work could look like and will take a closer look at three constituencies:
  • Board
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Students
• The Committee will take a closer look at the legislative options for weighted lotteries to allow for increased enrollment of underrepresented groups and children of faculty and staff.

Christine Regan-Davi suggested that the Fitchburg Community Steward program may be a good way to increase the visibility of Parker in that community.

Martin Turnbull presented the Facility Committee Report.
Martin reported that N.B. Kenney, the general contractor for the climate control project, is moving forward and making good progress while the campus is closed.

Michelle McKenna and Glenn Penna presented the Finance Committee Report.

• The Quarterly Financial Dashboard Report for Q3 was presented and discussed.
• Finances are stable and Parker should end the year favorable to budget.
• Multiple scenarios were presented for how the pandemic might impact state revenues, foundation rates, and overall per-pupil revenues for FY21 and beyond and how this could affect Parker finances.

Christine Regan-Davi presented the Governance Committee Report.
Christine reported:

• The roster of nominees for new Trustees and Officers for next year will be presented at the June Board meeting.
• Board members are invited to participate the Board Assessment in Board On Track.

Christine Regan-Davi presented the Principal Evaluation Committee Report.
Christine reported:

• There was full participation by the Board in the School Leader Evaluation and partial participation by direct reports.
• The Committee has distilled major themes from the evaluations.
• An Executive Summary Report will be presented and there will be an opportunity for discussion at the June Board meeting.

There were no comments from the public.

Steve Roach made the motion to adjourn.  The motion was seconded by Christine Regan-Davi and unanimously approved by present Board members.