1. To discuss the Fundraising Plan from Changing Our World

2. To discuss and vote on student field trips

1. RVSP through Board on Track

2. Read the Head of School Report and the Executive Summary from Changing

Our World

Brian Harrigan said as work on the Strategic Plan continues, a focus on fundraising models will begin.  

Brian said there is work being done to think about how Parker will support new teachers - both new to teaching and new to Parker.

Brian said work on the compensation gap is going well.

Progress through DEI committee and school leadership

Pam Gordon said that she and Brian attended a MCPSA meeting and she and Brian have been asked to connect with Governor Healy and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll .  She said the current administration is not fond of charter schools and advocacy work is needed to appoint charter-friendly members to the Governor's Board.

Pam said Stef Renihorn sent everyone a link to a Head of School evaluation earlier in the day and the deadline is May 1.  She said not all questions align with Brian's role.  She said Board On Track provides an evaluation tool and the decision was made to keep the tool for now as it might align better with the leadership structure next year.

Brian Deb Merriam will attend the May meeting and ask for feedback on data dashboard.  He said a new version of NTC will also be discussed.

Brian invited Board members to attend student exhibitions Wednesday, April 16th - 5:30-8:30pm

Brian said the applicant pool is the highest it has been in 10 years.  He said open spots have almost been filled in the first round of offers and Parker may enter the year with 100 7th graders on the wait list.  Brian said June 1st is the date to accept/decline offers.

Brian thanked Katrina and everyone who contributed to the 30th Anniversary Gala.

Brian invited Katrina Tedstone to share about the event.  She said the goal for the 30th Fund is $75K and the total of all fundraising for the Fund is currently at $56K.

Katrina said that fundraising for the 30th Fund has had an impact on fundraising for the Parker Fund. She said Board participation is currently at 100% and there is work being done to increase other community participation.  Katrina said the goal is $225K and the YTD total is approx $148K

Brian said work is being done to increase student diversity and results won't be known until the start of the school year.  He said recruiting from communities of color is good and important work and will continue to do it.

Brian reviewed DEI goals for 2024-2025:

• Advise Enrollment Committee regarding BIPOC student recruitment, acceptance, and retention.
• Support, advise, follow progress of school leadership and faculty level Equity in Action work focused on adaptive leadership in the DEI space.
• Identify and facilitate one equity related capacity building activity for the DEI committee and Board of Trustees.

Brian said work is work is going well on bullets one and two,  work is being done on the third bullet and DEI take the lead on that.

Christina Soderman said the auditor who usually perfoms the midyear review has been acquired by a larger organization. There was a contract in place but the cost increased so it was decided to have a partial audit and any formal findings would be notified by email. Christina said there were 10 or so process items reviewed and everything looked good - there were no findings.  Christina said the end of year audit will happen as usual and a new firm will be found for next year's mid-year audit.

Brian said that Principal candidates, Bex Wilusz and Hannah Kehn, are visiting the school this week. Brian said they are very different from one another and both well qualified. Brian said it was a good search with two really good final candidates.

Tiff Testa said she and Alec are planning a student trip to Andros Island in the Bahamas for February 2026.  The trip has a marine biology focus.

Brian described the Netherlands Exchange trip led by Anna Solon and Jinee Strus.  He said Parker families will host Dutch students in October and Parker students will visit the Netherlands over April break. Brian said passports, CORI checks, and vaccinations should be done before the summer.

Martin Turnbull asked if, given the current political climate, there are any considerations for bringing international students here.  Brian said there aren't any concerns at this time.

Caroline Beasley said in her work with student international travel, she has worked with consultants to discuss best safety practices and emergency management protocol.

Tiff said she and Michelle McKenna work with a travel insurance company and the trip is through a well-established and experienced eco-travel organization. Brian said there is a thorough emergency plan and hosting families are CORI checked. Brian said he would look into further safeguards.

Mary Beth Martin and Mary Simboski of Changing our World presented the Parker Fundraising Plan.  They discussed the Foundations for Successful Fundraising, Basic Principles, and the three phases of the Annual Fund Campaign.

The full Fundraising Plan is included in the meeting packet.

Brian said that the plan will significantly change the work of the Board, Head of School, and Director of Development.  Brian invited clarifying questions.  There were no questions.

Mary invited the Board to consider "Informing the Case for Support". 

Brian said this information would be shared with the Development Committee to create information and language to use in fundraising work.

Brian asked the Board to break into three groups and consider:

• How can the Board support the fundraising goals of Parker?
• What excites you about the plan?
• What concerns you about the plan?
• Brainstorm various actions members of the Board can take to support fundraising.
• Create a case for support.

The groups returned and shared what they had discussed.  

There were no comments from the public.