1.  To review and advance the work of multiple committees

2.  To review and advance the work of the 2024-2029 Strategic Planning Committee

3.  To review and vote on the FY25 Budget

1. RVSP through Board on Track

2. Read the agenda, Head of School Report, budget slides and Strategic Planning materials

Brian Harrigan shared Parker hosted successful basketball clinics at the Boys and Girls club.

Brian stated that the NEASC visit went well and their recommended priority areas are detailed in the Head of School Report (attached).  He said the main recommendations were around facilities improvements.  Brian said this was a terrific experience for self study and added that he is proud of the outcome.

Brian shared that Senator John Cronin visited yesterday and it was a good visit.  

Katrina said he expressed interest in coming back for Senior Exhibitions.

Brian said students from the country of Georgia are currently visiting and the visit is going well.

Brian invited Board members to the Looking at Student and Teacher Work workshop scheduled for  March 27 from 12:45-3:45pm.

Stefanie Reinhorn shared that she saw State data showing that Parker students are scoring in the top 20% in the State on AP exams.

Brian shared that application numbers were up from last year and Parent and Student Ambassadors were helpful to increase lottery numbers.

Pam Gordon shared that the newly formed Enrollment Committee had a successful first year and there is a lot of energy to continue this work in future years.

Mara asked if increased promotional activity had more of an impact than moving the lottery to March.  Pam said there were a number of events and a lot of promotion in the extra month.

Brian said the next step is to increase the acceptance rate and offers are being overextended with the hope this will result in higher sustained enrollment.  Brian said reducing withdrawals is another focus and work is being done around onboarding and orientation.  He added that Accepted Students Days will be focused on connection and fun.  

Brian shared a document with the working Vision Statement and strategic priorities and asked Trustees to reflect on the direction of these.

Working Vision Statement

"Parker has leveraged its transformative student-centered learning design to forge relationships and develop partnerships that provide sustained access to knowledge and funding sources."

Strategic Priorities 

(general categories - details on the shared document)

• Sustainable Development Program
• Professional Marketing
• Proven Outcomes
• Outstanding Faculty and Staff

Brian asked the Trustees to discuss in small groups and then invited the groups to share what had come up in their discussions.

Michelle McKenna presented the Budget Proposal materials in the meeting packet (attached).

Glenn asked if increasing resources to Assessment is a result of NEASC recommendations. Brian said it has been a need and it was also a NEASC recommendation.

Nicole asked if the Assessment resources are people.  Brian said they are testing resources that can be done in house but can also be done by outside contractors.  Matt Lindsey said it is difficult to get testing done in house on the timeline required.

Mara asked when the school becomes aware of the special needs of incoming students.  Brian said these needs are disclosed upon enrollment and receipt of school records.

Brian said that bringing NTC back is a goal because it is central to the internal and external work of Parker.

Christina Soderman reported that the Finance Committee sees conservatism built into this budget and they voted unanimously to endorse it.  She added the committee sees this budget as a one year response to declining enrollment and they are optimistic for next year.

Development Committee

Katrina said the Annual Fund is slightly ahead of where it was in the past two years.

Katrina is working with a donor who is interested in matching gifts at upcoming community events.  Katrina shared the Development Dashboard showing donations by alums, current families, friends of Parker, and Trustees and she shared a calendar of coming events.  

Stefanie Reinhorn encouraged Trustees to check on whether or not they've donated to the fund this year.  Stef also encouraged Trustees to recruit people to help with organizing and running events.  

Brian and Katrina said the DevComm is an energetic group doing good work.

Facilities Committee

Martin Turnbull said the committee met last week and the final design for the Sumner Sidewalk has gone out to bid.  Martin said bids will likely be more expensive than originally expected.

Michelle McKenna said the Board vote at this meeting is identical to the previous vote to approve funds with the exception of the adjusted amount - $300K original to $450K to allow room for cost increases. 

Glenn asked about funding and why another vote is required.  Michelle said the money is coming from Sizer and reserves and requires Board approval.

Mara asked about the increase in the cost of the project from the $125K fundraised to $450K especially in the current budget situation.  Michelle said though $125K was fundraised, the project cost was originally estimated at $300K and some reserves would be needed. Martin said foundation work needed underneath the library and the Todd Sumner sidewalk project are combined and the delay in beginning the project and rising materials costs have contributed to the increase in cost.  

Board members expressed concern about the cost increase and raised the need for fundraising on top of an increased capital campaign for future work.

Governance Committee

Nicole Odekirk Hatlevig and Matt Lindsey reported that GovComm continues to reach out to potential Board members.

Evaluation Committee 

The Evaluation Committee is moving into evaluation of Brian Harrigan, Head of School.  The process will begin with his self evaluation and the survey to stakeholders will follow.

The Committee is determining if the survey will be consistent with the Board on Track format provided or if they will make adjustments.

DEI Committee

Tiffany Testa shared a video of a graduation speech by a student speaking of her experience as a BIPOC student at Parker.  

Tiff shared that members of the DEI Committee met with BIPOC students for conversations about their experiences at Parker.   Together, they determined that a BIPOC affinity group could be a valuable source of support for BIPOC students.

The group would work for equity in

• advocacy/activism
• education
• safe space

Amy Jolly asked if the State has best practices around this type of work.

There were no comments from the public.

Glenn Penna said the Board will vote on this at the April meeting.