No privilege of the floor.

Mr. Romer reviewed his Executive Director Board update including the following highlights:

• Recent school events.
• International travel success.
• FRCS strategic planning update.
• Academic goals for 2025-26 school year.
• Federal and local policies.
  • Ms. Berkowitz clarified the impact of the present issue before the Supreme Court, i.e. that if religious schools are recognized as charter schools, there is no separation of church and state and would be recognized as private schools. In this case funding as a public school would be lost and would undermine the eligibility of all charter schools for state funding. The matter will be closely followed and the Board updated.

Bridget Lemeux and Neal McDonald gave the following update on FRCS Charter School Activities including the following highlights:

• The journey.
• Current teams.
• The impact.

Discussion ensued. School athletic directors network with phone calls and engage in an established website portal. Mr. McDonald attended a MISADO state conference with a good representation of charter schools and provided an opportunity to network, talk about needs both within athletics and in school culture and participate in trainings and be advised of rule changes. Participation in athletics provides the opportunity to build leadership qualities, teamwork and integrity values in athletes amongst themselves and other school teams.

Mr. Martin committed the support of the Board to build the athletic department to develop the demand for participation and increase engagement across the school.

Mr. Michelot introduced Tom Philbin to present his proposal for the solar project, including the following highlights:

• Solar panels for both the elementary and high school; at 360Kw for elementary and 570Kw for high school represents 60% of present consumption.
• Two options for solar supply:
  • Power purchase contract by FRCS; own system and pay monthly fixed income for twenty years; own system outright with 30% federal rebate.
  • Purchase power agreement (PPA): no out-of-pocket cost - save $2M over life of project; all costs for installation including upgrade of electrical equipment included.

In light of the present uncertainty of continuation of the IRA federal program, Mr. Philbin recommended the "far more flexible - no brainer" option of the purchase power agreement, which avoids the high risk of the purchase route and reserves capital for future use. Mr. Philbin added that of his ten clients, nine out of ten have taken the purchase power option.

Discussion ensued including the following highlights:

• PPA provider - Soltek is selected by the state (no bid required) based on its competency, reputation and quality of service; state agency has reviewed and approved contractual maters and has set the standard for contract.
  • Backed by banks with no risk to client and no obligation beyond ownership (lose all rights to payment.)
  • Buyout clause in five years; at end of twenty years the buyout will be minimal as the system has degraded as much as 10%, however with 90% of capacity of system left.
  • Technology improving as cost of panels has decreased from 2006 from $8.00/panel to $1.75/panel.
  • Net saving of present cost of $.16/perKw vs. $.11-12/perKw; wth cost of electricity escalating, approximate savings in first year $40-50K with $100K in final year.
  • First phase of installation completed in September with final phase by May 2026.

Mr. Yezekuvich stated that following the FinCom's review, it was decided to present the options to the Board for explanation of the contract terms. 

He explained the position of the FinCom in favor of the leasing option. In light of the present uncertainty of federal programs and recent increase in salaries in the amount of $1M due to union negotiations, there was reluctance to invest $2M in a purchase agreement, thereby depleting capital reserves for unknown future needs. 

Mr. Romer added that the implementation of the strategic planning process would also result in putting forward other capital needs.

Following discussion, Mr. Philbin agreed to providing a twenty-year side-by-side cost analysis of leasing vs. purchase.

It was the consensus of the Board to authorize the Executive Director to begin negotiations on the leasing option with detailed information from Mr. Philbin as requested with no obligations. After successful FinCom review, the final contract will be referred to the Board to vote to authorize the Executive Director to execute the final leasing contract.

Mr. Yezukevich began the FY26 budget overview PowerPoint presentation as follows:

• High level overview - FinCom report out.

Mr. Romer:

• Overview of budget and major components.

Ms. Calvert:

• Revenue summary - significant assumptions and changes.

Mr. Michelot:

• Fee proposal update.

Mr. Romer:

• Staffing and expense summary by department.
  • Overall compensation.
  • Administration and finance.
  • Teaching/Learning and student activities.
  • Operations.
  • Benefits.
  • Capital projects.
• Additional needs considered and not funded.

Discussion ensued on adequately funding the budget in light of federal policy uncertainties, including the defunding of the Department of Education. Based on tuition numbers, a conservative, but not overly conservative, approach was taken. Mr. Yezukevich added that, in light of the strong cash position of FRCS, there was confidence to "fill the gaps if necessary" during the few years of uncertainty. Also discussed was the ability to roll over grant funding from year to year.

Facilities

Mr. Michelot reported that the FinCom had voted to approve the replacement/ installation of the video projector for the high school gym in time for graduation in the FY25 operating budget, and delay the installation of the audio system until FY26. Projector: $36K and audio $38K.

Second readings

Background Checks

Mr. Martin asked that the introduction be edited into one or two sentences summarizing what the policy addresses. Ms. Berkowitz will re-edit and present at the June meeting for a second reading.

Discussion ensued including the following highlights

• HR tracks renewal of staff background checks of CORI's for state and fingerprinting for federal and maintains protection of sensitive information.
• Third parties providing services in the school are CORI checked.
• Employee files are technologically secured and physically locked.
• Charter renewal cycle assesses governance overall and looks at Board functions, OML compliance and maintenance of policies and contributes to positive overall rating.

The Board reviewed the remaining policies as second readings. Discussion ensued on School Building Administration. Mr. Martin suggested moving the second paragraph to the first paragraph. With regard to the Student Handbook, Mr. Romer noted that a more specific AI policy will be developed to guide students on the use thereof

First readings

The Board approved the following policies as first readings and advanced them to second readings at the June meeting.

• Directors and Officers Liability
• Board of Trustees Member Resignation
• Charter Amendments and Renewal
• District Curriculum Accommodation Plan

Mr. Romer reviewed his PowerPoint presentation on his annual strategic action goals and the status thereof.

Mr. Yezukevich reported that there was no additional information to share with the Board.

Ms. Foley reported that the FEA showed its appreciation for staff and teachers with a lovely breakfast buffet.

No further updates for the Foundation, ELPAC and SEPAC.

Two international field trips are proposed for April next year for high schoolers to Spain and middle schoolers to Belize. Ms. Espiritusanto expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to accompany students on these field trips. Support from EF coverage is provided at all times including immediate response to emergencies and travel protection services at a cost of $190/student.

Tabled to next meeting.

No executive session.