Foxborough Regional Charter School
Minutes
Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday April 14, 2020 at 7:30 AM
Location
Virtual
Board meetings are open to the public. Members of the audience who wish to address the board may do so during the “Privilege of the Floor” portion of the monthly Board meeting. Forms for Privilege of Floor, for items other than those on the agenda, must be submitted by noon the day before the Board meeting in order to be heard during the meeting. Forms may be obtained from and submitted to the school’s central office.
Trustees Present
Badawi Dweik (remote), Kathleen Crawford (remote), Matthew Yezukevich (remote), Sergio Martin (remote), Susanna Girard (remote)
Trustees Absent
Reem Ozone
Guests Present
Ben Dyer (remote), Christiana Benson (remote), Dave Elsner, Karen Calvert (remote), Kayla Leary (remote), Mark Logan (remote), Matt Harrington (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Kathleen Crawford called a meeting of the board of trustees of Foxborough Regional Charter School to order on Tuesday Apr 14, 2020 at 7:33 AM.
The meeting kicked off by confirming all board members were able to hear and respond using the features of the zoom meeting.
II. Leadership Report
A.
Remote Learning Update
We are still awaiting word from the Legislature on what sort of discretion they will give the Commissioner on 2020 MCAS exams.
Councilors are working on supporting Juniors & Seniors whom are in a different spot given the switch to virtual learning. Teachers are constantly reviewing and assessing based on feedback from families. We are finding some families struggling with technology. Families are finding it difficult to help their children while working themselves. Teachers are recalculating assignment times as assignments appear to be taking longer than estimated. Families are finding the number of sites being visited overwhelming. There is feedback from some families that there are not enough assignments while others feel there are to many.
The school is working on moving to Google Hangouts in stead of Zoom.
Councilors are working on supporting Juniors & Seniors whom are in a different spot given the switch to virtual learning. Teachers are constantly reviewing and assessing based on feedback from families. We are finding some families struggling with technology. Families are finding it difficult to help their children while working themselves. Teachers are recalculating assignment times as assignments appear to be taking longer than estimated. Families are finding the number of sites being visited overwhelming. There is feedback from some families that there are not enough assignments while others feel there are to many.
The school is working on moving to Google Hangouts in stead of Zoom.
B.
FRCS College and Career Programming
Dave Elsner explained the program which is included in the board packet.
- Thanks to Deb Hilton, Juliet Cotsworth, Nancy Lebronk & Megan Monahan for all of their efforts
- We have added a position to the High School to support the program which has been very helpful.
- The FRCS mission statement is supported by this program
- The target is to get ready for career development whether that leads students to college or vocational/military paths in life.
- The class of 2021 will be our leading cohort for this program.
III. Committees
A.
Enrollment
On boarding the new kindergarten class has been delayed due to the pandemic. We have remotely registered 151 students for grade k.
B.
Facility
There is an agenda item to highlight FY21 capital project priorities. However, given the state of the budget, we are still adjusting how much investment we can commit for the upcoming year. This will be an ongoing report and Mark will provide additional info in the coming weeks.
One project that is moving forward this spring is completing the playground. This includes removing all elements at the MS/HS and reinstalling in the new ES area. New surfacing and additional general area improvements. Expected completion date is mid/late June.
One project that is moving forward this spring is completing the playground. This includes removing all elements at the MS/HS and reinstalling in the new ES area. New surfacing and additional general area improvements. Expected completion date is mid/late June.
The SAN Server: The new cost was $298,000 and the order has been placed.
C.
Finance
Monthly Financials: We have seen a slight reduction in our per pupil comparing Q3 to Q2. This is pre-Coronavirus impact, directly related to a decrease in some districts’ Above Foundation Rate contributions. We do not expect any additional adjustments through the end of the year.
FY21 Draft Budget: We have made several adjustments from the previously-submitted budget to propose a balanced budget. These adjustments include:
· Special Education FTE (41,800)
· HS Textbooks & Instructional Materials (5,000)
· Grounds Maintenance & Snow Plowing (30,000)
· Operations Office Supplies (1,000)
· IT Licenses (40,000)
· Capital - HVAC (100,000)
· Parking/Exterior Improvements (200,000)
· Building Security (13,200)
A revised budget overview spreadsheet is included in the packet. However, we are not proposing a vote on this budget.
We are also developing a draft budget that reflects no increase in state revenue. This level-funded budget requires $1.4M in adjustments over our most recently developed balanced budget. We have identified several areas and will be finalizing this budget version next week. Some of the items on the table:
· Increase student enrollment
· Increase transportation reimbursement based upon current year expenditures
· Eliminate several new positions requests
· Maintain the 65% health insurance contribution
· Reduce average salary increases
· Reduce capital by eliminating and/or reducing the scope of projects
· Several others being discussed
Mark will send the level-funded budget with specific adjustments once complete.
FY21 Draft Budget: We have made several adjustments from the previously-submitted budget to propose a balanced budget. These adjustments include:
· Special Education FTE (41,800)
· HS Textbooks & Instructional Materials (5,000)
· Grounds Maintenance & Snow Plowing (30,000)
· Operations Office Supplies (1,000)
· IT Licenses (40,000)
· Capital - HVAC (100,000)
· Parking/Exterior Improvements (200,000)
· Building Security (13,200)
A revised budget overview spreadsheet is included in the packet. However, we are not proposing a vote on this budget.
We are also developing a draft budget that reflects no increase in state revenue. This level-funded budget requires $1.4M in adjustments over our most recently developed balanced budget. We have identified several areas and will be finalizing this budget version next week. Some of the items on the table:
· Increase student enrollment
· Increase transportation reimbursement based upon current year expenditures
· Eliminate several new positions requests
· Maintain the 65% health insurance contribution
· Reduce average salary increases
· Reduce capital by eliminating and/or reducing the scope of projects
· Several others being discussed
Mark will send the level-funded budget with specific adjustments once complete.
The Bus Service is requesting that we pay 82.5% against the contract. The school is requesting confirmation that they will not be laying off employees if we make this payment.
D.
Governance
Mark Logan's contract is coming to an end in June. Reem and Kathleen will work with him on a new contract.
E.
Foxborough Regional Charter School Foundation
The status of the Golf Tournament & Carnival are unknown at this time due to the pandemic.
IV. Community Reports
A.
Partners In Education (PIE) Report
Nothing to report at this time.
B.
English Learner Parent Advisory Committee (ELPAC) Report
Nothing to report at this time.
C.
Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) Report
Nothing to report at this time.
V. New Business
A.
New Business
Nothing at this time
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susanna Girard
The motion to adjourn was made by Sergio Martin and seconded by Badawi Dweik which passed unanimously by a roll call vote.