Shared video from MCPSA about what charter schools are which was released during Advocacy week. Packed agenda and 3 votes tonight. 

Gala: 94 tickets left. Plans are looking great. Raffle items coming in. Speakers lined up.

LGBTQ: Shout out to students presenting at Partnership for Youth. One of first schools with GSA. Students say this is a safe place to be yourself. Executive order against trans girls playing girls sports. Waiting for action at state level and guidance. Lawsuit against MIAA. Will follow and do right by our students.

Ethics Review: Brian should not be directly involved in discussions or votes with regards to Executive Director position. Brian resigned from Board as of 2/12 and must not be member for a minimum of 30 days before he can be eligible for position.

Letter to file - Brian Harrigan BOT 2.12.25.pdf

Enrollment: currently 388, minus 4, plus 2, from last month. Deadline may be different than past for final enrollment number for funding. Some students tentatively leaving but working hard to retain. 

Applications for next year: low 200s after COVID, high 200s pre-COVID. 262 total last year. 228 as of today. 2.5 weeks to deadline, multiple info sessions, basketball clinic. Would like 160-170 7th grade applications so we can maintain a waitlist next year. Shared positive feedback about information sessions. Shared survey data from post info session survey, and families are providing positive feedback. Last year with 262 applications we backfilled senior class and lower overall enrollment so feeling positive.

Development plan: Draft of plan ready in March. Finalized in April with training and growth session. Consultant will join Development Committee meeting. Excited to see what they bring.

Supporting immigrant students: Obligation to educate all students. Superintendent is primary contact for any request for access to students. Schools are no longer safe places from immigration authorities. Must determine if judicial warrant is being provided. Policies must apply to all visitors. Be informed and prepared. Must protect student data under FERPA. No specific concerns raised by students. Discussed potential loss of federal funds. CLEE lost funds and programs closed.

Calendar for 2025-2026: will vote on at end of meeting. 185 days is 6/23. 180 is 6/15. Allows for a few snow days without making year end too late. Planning for early holiday break with faculty return on 1/2. Includes March holiday which could be given up if many snow days.

Draft School Calendar 2025-2026.pdf

30 year quilt: Pam visited Meghan and Brian's Div 1 advisory who would like the Trustees to contribute to the quilt by designing a fabric square to represent the group. Will draw board and chair based on suggestions from students.

Quarterly dashboard shared. Enrollment was at 390. FTE is one over but still under budget. Per pupil tuition rate is favorable and additional 20ish students. Allowed for bonuses at end of January. Year end projection includes money given out as bonuses. Trending on track. Bottom line is we expect to end year in favorable position. Potential $170K surplus. Initial look at state budget for next year looks favorable for charter schools.

Front walkway: Bids came in. Contracts pulled together and will be signed soon. Total cost under $400K. Construction begins after graduation and will finish after start of school but will minimize disruption as much as possible. Hoping should not affect Fun Run in October. Most heavy work should be done.

Bylaw language needs to be updated but will keep simple. Change Head of School to Executive Director. Change required make up of the board. Delineate between bylaw and policy. Governance Committee will bring this to board in March. Will email DESE to inform of change in organization. Bylaws change is more formal process. Will send to DESE for approval and then board will approve.

Strategic Plan need for funds. Draw down from reserves to cover costs. By FY29 should be self-sustaining. Total cost $530K. Committee discussed 3 year plan and is behind plan. Cost is all head count. Looked at other schools and charters to determine costs.

Head of School becomes Executive Director. Addition of Principal position. Dean of Students becomes Assistant Principal. Academic Dean role phases out over 3 years.

With board approval will post Principal position tomorrow. Will create search committee. Will solicit input from stakeholders. Follow very similar process from when Head of School was hired. Search Committee will narrow pool of candidates to put forward. Believe we will find person for position through our network. Students will play a role in process.

None.