Kathy Russo, Parker Special Education Coordinator, presented on the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC).  Kathy said SEPAC meets to fulfill duties and responsibilities required by State and Federal regulations.  Kathy said the group meets at least four times a year on matters that pertain to special education and meetings are open to all parents of children with disabilities and interested parties.  Kathy said the group continues to meet virtually.

Kathy said this year's meeting topics were:

• Meet and Greet with Parker Special Education staff
• Understanding Basic Rights in special education
• Parker special education program overview
• Introduction to transition planning

Christine Regan-Davi asked how large attendance is and Kathy said there are about a handul of individuals at each meeting.  Kathy said they include meeting announcements in the Friday newsletter and will send reminders to increase attendance.

Tiffany Testa asked if the meetings were for families with students on 504s or IEPs.  Kathy said for meetings are open to families with students in both of the groups.

Kathy Russo left the meeting.

Todd Sumner led the Board through the Board Norms Reflection Activity included in the meeting packet.

Todd asked the Board to reflect on Norms Before the Meeting and invited responses to discussion prompts:

• What routines have you developed in preparing for meetings?
• When have you experienced challenges in preparing for meetings?

Board members shared their thoughts.

Todd asked Board members to reflect on Norms During the Meeting and invited members form dyads to address the discussion prompts:

• Which norms are easiest for you as an individual
• Which norms you find to be a stretch
• Which norms you appreciate when others observe
• Which norms are important to the functioning of the Group

Board members shared from their conversations.

Todd asked the Board to reflect on Norms After the Meeting and invited responses to discussion prompts:

• When have you felt trusted to follow through on a task?
• Why is it important for the Board to speak with one voice?

Board members shared their thoughts.

Brian Harrigan, incoming Head of School, presented his entry plan reflections.  Brian said the theme of his reflection is "Opportunities for Growth".

Brian said that he is impressed by the spirit of generosity at Parker and he thanked Deb Merriam and the Parker staff fo welcoming and educating him.   He said it is extraordinary to see Parker operating so true to its mission and to the vision of Ted Sizer.

Brian said he has seen authentic alignment to the the Ten Common Principles and shared ways he has seen the principles in action.

Brian said it has been harder to pull out areas of concern.  He said some he has heard are:

• desire for more diversity
• some conflicts go unresolved
• funding for clubs and sports
• the Div 3 workload is intense

Brian said he is asking different constituencies and will continue to ask:

• What do you love about Parker?
• What would you like to improve?
• What stands in the way?
• What can I do to help you?

Brian invited questions.

Tiff Testa said it is nice to hear the perspective and feedback of what Brian has observed at Parker.

Matt Lindsey said that students are sharing with him how impressed they are with Brian.

Todd Sumner said the full Principal's Report is in the meeting packet.  

Todd said he would circulate a poll to ask which Board members will be attending graduation and if members would like to sit with Board members or with their families.

Todd said the Trustees farewell celebration was a nice event and thanked those who took part.

Todd said that as the year wraps up, he will compile a list of ongoing projects and status of those projects.

Todd invited questions.

Katrina asked Todd to talk about the duct tape Todd to the wall fundraiser.  Todd described the event.

Stefanie Reinhorn said she was disappointed Parker was not the vendor selected for the DEA Alternate Assessment Model competitive grant.

Christine Regan-Davi expressed appreciation for all those supporting the work of Parker and for strong leadership.

Martin Turnbull said there is nothing to report from Facilities.

There were no comments from the Board.

Katrina said the full Development report is included in the meeting packet and she highlighted the following:

• Teacher Appreciation Week was successful
• The Essential Commitment Fund is currently at $203K
• Fundraising for the Sumner fund is currently the central focus and the hope is to reach the fundraising goal by June 30th
• The ECO-sponsored 5K road race has been rescheduled to the fall
• The Massachusetts Public Charter School Association chose a Parker alum to highlight as a charter school graduate

Jennifer Saxe thanked the Board for the generosity of their time during the thank-a-thon and community conversations.

Matt Lindsey said the Governance Committee will be putting together a slate of new potential Trustees at their upcoming May meeting.  Matt said the slate will be ready for the Board at the June meeting.

There were no comments from the Board.

Tiff Testa said the following initiatives are being discussed in the DEI Committee:

• Creating a support core group for families of color
• How to invite more diversity in students and faculty 
• Ways to support families once they are here

There were no comments from the Board.

Glenn said Fiscal Policies and Procedures with FinCom recommended changes are in the meeting packet.  Glenn asked Board members to read through them in preparation for a vote at the June Board meeting.

Glenn said the third quarter financial dashboard is included in the packet. 

There were no comments from the Board.

There were no comments from the public.

There were no questions or comments from the Board.

There were no questions or comments from the Board.

This vote has been postponed to the June meeting.