Todd Sumner invited Board members and meeting attendees to share how they are doing.

Todd Sumner presented the Principal's Report.
Todd reported:

• Many seniors have presented their Senior Exhibitions.
• Seniors were recognized in a "Rolling Salute" on June 3.
• Gateways have begun.
• The Big End is coming up on June 18.
• Re-opening in August is a fluid situation.  DESE is working on additional guidance which is expected to be prescriptive.
• Much has been learned about Home Learning that can be applied to a better remote experience in the fall.
• Clarity on the impact of the pandemic on state revenues, foundation rates, and per-pupil revenues is not expected until August or after.
• Progress is being made on the climate control project.
• Sizer Teacher's Center Report is attached to the June Board Packet.

Todd said he will continue to support antiracism efforts at Parker. He invited Tiffany Testa to speak about the conversation and work of her Critical Friends Group (CFG) which focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Tiff said the group requests that Trustees make an explicit statement that would support a call to action and Parker's standing on these issues.  A resolution has been drafted and will be voted on by the Board at this meeting.  
Community next steps will be sustained professional development around these issues, supporting students in this work, and a common read that the community will be invited to join.

 

Katrina Tedstone presented the Development Committee Report.
Katrina reported:

• ECO's Raffle Basket Fundraiser is ending and ECO has decided that some of the money will go toward COVID-19 expense relief.  This is possible as their spring grant cycle has been deferred to fall.
• Community Connections videos have been a good way to interact with alums and stay connected to the Parker community.
• A Graduation video was released on Parker's original graduation day.  Todd Sumner, Steve Roach, and seventeen alums participated.
• Bemis outreach/philanthropy team has been furloughed.  A decision on the grant submitted for support of the heating project will be delayed.
• Essential Commitment Fund responses have been overwhelming and the median donation is higher than last year.

Zayna Basma said that an Alumni Council meeting will be held at the end of the month.  The group is working on a video to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Parker and it should be done by the end of the summer.

Mario Silva-Rosa presented the Diversity and Enrollment Committee Report.
Mario reported that the Committee will meet soon to discuss the adopted Affirmation Resolution and to reimagine ways to reach out to new families. 
 

Martin Turnbull presented the Facilities Committee Report.
Martin reported:

• Climate control project work is going well and on schedule to be completed for next year.
• Original climate control project plans were adjusted slightly to level a classroom ceiling. The change will cost a little more but will remove the distraction that the original plan's 8 inch difference in ceiling height may have caused.
• Temporary fixes will be made to the front wall as the committee is being conservative about long term decisions given budget uncertainty.

 

Glenn Penna and Michelle McKenna asked Todd Sumner to present on the Sizer Foundation Capital Investment Request.
Todd provided background on the mission of the Sizer Foundation and the relationship between the Sizer Foundation and Parker.  
Todd said eighteen months ago Sizer Foundation chair, Ed Shankle facilitated a conversation about the origin and intent of approximately $400K that is on the Foundation's books.  The money was  left over from the capital campaign launched in 2007 to purchase 49 Antietam Street and the modular building and most of it has been on the the books for about ten years.

Todd said that he had recently asked the Sizer Foundation to consider investing these funds in Phase 1 of the climate control project.  Todd stated that the rationale for this request.

• Investing the funds toward a capital project honors the intention of the original donors.
• Ten years is sufficient time to "make good" on donor intentions.
• Investing the funds now, strengthens capital reserves going forward.
• Budget uncertainty in the face of COVID-19 may necessitate a delay in Phase 2 of the project.

Michelle said that the Sizer Foundation has already voted that this move would meet the donor designated restriction for infrastructure.  Glenn said the Parker Finance Committee has voted to approve this move.

Christine Regan-Davi presented the Governance Committee Report.
Christine said that a link to the Board Assessment would be sent to all members.  She asked members to take the assessment and said that results would be presented in September.

Christine Regan-Davi presented on behalf of the Principal Evaluation Committee.
Christine reported:

• A link to the final summary has been sent to Board members.  
• The high-level summary is generous support and admiration for the work Todd is doing especially now through COVID-19.
• Future goals will be flexible for the coming year to allow Todd to be responsive to what the coming year brings.

Christine invited questions about the survey.
Christine thanked the committee for their work and for their alignment on the work ahead.  
 

Tim Wanzer said the Board was doing fantastic work.  He thanked Todd Sumner for communicating to the Parker community the importance of having and conveying an antiracist stance.

Todd Sumner thanked those that responded to the poll to determine future meeting dates.
Future Board meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month.

The Affirmation Resolution was presented by Todd Sumner. 
Todd Sumner presented information regarding the State Ethics Commission's position on permissible and impermissible political activities for schools and recent clarification of existing rules by the Commission.  George Clancy said that Commission determined that it is permissible to advocate on behalf of an issue but the use of hashtags to support specific causes could constitute political activity.   George said that determination of impermissible activity and consequences are determined by the State Ethics Commission and could result in monetary fines.

Steve Roach said that on behalf of the Board, he wanted to give a "shout out" to the Parker staff for their pivot to online learning and all they did to help alleviate the anxiety and unease of the community.  Steve said that the Board appreciates the work that has gone into Gateways and recognizing graduates.

Christine Regan-Davi said that one-on-one work toward building relationships with potential future Board members will resume in the fall.  It has been difficult but to the pandemic.

She presented the nomination slate:
Trustee leaving (1):  
Julie Bartsch
Trustees renewing terms(4):
Steve Roach
Martin Turnbull
Glenn Penna
Jennifer Saxe

Christine said this brings the Board to 14 members including Todd.  Trustee bylaws allow for as few as 9 and as many as 25.  At least three should be parents of students and at least three should be faculty, including Todd.  Jennifer Saxe said that the Board may need to review Board composition for the parents of students criteria since her child is graduating.

Todd Sumner thanked Julie Bartsch for her work on the Board and for staying on the Development Committee.

George Clancy presented the Officer Slate:
Chair:            Steve Roach
Vice Chair:    Christine Regan-Davi
Treasurer:     Glenn Penna
Secretary:     Matt Lindsey