Todd Sumner said that much has changed since he had prepared his written Principal's Report a week ago.

Todd said DESE and the Governor are pushing schools to open.  He said clear planning work needs to occur.  Todd said there will be a full faculty meeting a week from tomorrow (November 18) to start a conversation about what the expansion of students on campus would look like and to create a timeline for this. Todd said the planning will be approached in a thoughtful way.  Todd said there will be an interim communication to families at the end of the week and that Parker will communicate to families the process and plans for the pivot to in-person learning in the next couple of weeks. 

George Clancy asked Todd to share the new DESE guidance.  Todd provided a link to the guidance in the chat:  https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/interpreting-dph-metrics.html

Todd said that he, the staff, and the Board will need to collaborate to manage the crisis together and that the pandemic was not in view when the FY21 budget was built.   Todd said that the academic program needs to succeed and resources need to be allocated to ensure this.   Todd said this is what a rainy day looks like and it is possible that reserve funds may need to be used.

Todd said the Board annual retreat will be in January and asked for volunteers from the Board to help with planning.

Martin Turnbull said the last of the Climate Control project construction work is nearly finished.  Martin said that the Facilities Committee would soon start a list of new priorities.

Glenn Penna and Michelle McKenna reviewed the FY21 Q1 Dashboard.
Glenn said the budget is still a moving target.  Michelle said the legislature passed an interim FY21 state budget covering through the end of October. The interim budget provides “level funds” from FY20, but also provides a 1.99% increase for inflation. The inflation increase is not guaranteed.  The Legislature has extended their session into December 2020 to finalize their budget, which will impact tuition funding.   Michelle said that above-foundation tuition is tied to districts and it is unclear what towns will decide to do.  
Michelle said that DESE has advised districts to track COVID expenses.  Michelle said she has been doing this and detailed expenses are ready for submission in the event that additional grant money becomes available.  
Michelle said it is possible that reserve funds will be needed to support operations in FY21.   She said TD Bank is aware of this and drawing down reserves would be done with the approval of the Board.
 

Katrina Tedstone said that given the importance of conversation around the DESE news this evening, the development activity planned for tonight will be postponed to the December meeting. 

Katrina presented highlights from the Development report:

• The 2000-2001 Zoom reunion was successful.  There were over 60 participants and the feedback was positive.  The next reunion will be a 10 year reunion for the classes of 2010-2011.
• A communication is being planned for Giving Tuesday.
• The Essential Commitment Fund just passed $80k.  At this time last year, it was $29K
• Currently, there is $75K in grant applications submitted.
• Outreach to area businesses is yielding good feedback.  This may translate to future support.

Zayna Basma said there was a meeting of the Steering Committee for the Alumni Council.  Zayna said that subcommittees are forming and Chairs and Co-Chairs have been named.  

Katrina reminded the Board to make thank you calls and said she would love to hear feedback from the calls.

Mary-Wren VanderWilden invited Board members to consider their support of Parker.

Mario Silva-Rosa said there were no updates.

George Clancy said the Governance Committee is meeting on November 17.  
Christine Regan-Davi said that the Committee is working on due diligence in regard to their recruitment work for new Board members.
Christine said she will resend a link to the Board Assessment as there still members who have not responded.  

There were no comments from the public.