Bill reviewed the Executive Director report. He discussed COVID case trends, the upcoming vaccine clinic, and an update on our school basketball teams.

Bill discussed a minor change to the school calendar due to weather days and to align to SPS calendar.

Bill shared gratitude from the staff and the Board to Tricia for 7 years of dedicated service to the school, helping set the finance and accounting policies and best practices for years to come, as well as helping to set the strategy for the school overall.

Bill discussed the COVID testing update memo. He shared the benefits and rationale for implementing the new at-home testing program and ending the Test & Stay program, per DPH and DESE recommendations. The Board discussed any potential risks to this transition, including errors in at-home tests vs. those conducted at school.

Meghan reviewed the December financial reports with the board. She shared that there are some expenses that were higher or lower than expected, but there has been no major change in Overall Change in Net Position at this point in the year. She noted that the school is on-track to end the fiscal year with cash on hand at an industry-average and state-recommended level.

Meghan shared that the school is planning its budget for the upcoming year and the next several years and will be reviewing the FY23 proposed budget, as well as 5-year projections, with the Finance committee and the board.  These budgets will include detail about which program areas are supported by ESSER funds.  

• Bill and Meghan presented the final building budget, reflecting that the project was approximately $350k under budget, though the school and committee are still confirming there are no additional project costs. 
• Jason described a known potential additional expense for a commissioning agent who will ensure the building was built according to specifications and functioning as intended, and who will recommend any improvements or fixes. He recommends hiring a commissioning agent based on his experience with new construction and given the value of the building. The school has received 2 proposals for this work and has reviewed these with the Owner's Project Manager.  The school is finalizing terms with its preferred agent and intends to proceed.  School management seeks a vote to authorize contract approval so that it can move ahead once the terms are finalized. 

Founding High School Success Counselor Rebecca Sela joined to present plans for our new High School Success (HSS) program.

• Bill introduced Rebecca, who was previously a high school teacher, is a Board member at Veritas Prep Charter School, and has extensive experience  working with Springfield schools as the former Executive Director of ANet-Western Massachusetts.
• Rebecca introduced the goals of the HSSC role and the HSS program and focused her presentation on the high school selection process. She introduced the metrics and data she has reviewed and will share with families, as well as the ways in which the school will support students and families in the selection, application, interview, and financial aid processes (if needed). She also shared the timeline for the HSS program overall.
• The Board discussed the program and some of the recommendations and data that Rebecca shared. They also commented on the data and outcomes they hope to see from Rebecca and the HSS program going forward.

The next scheduled board meeting is on Wednesday, 3/2/22 at 5:45 PM