Heidi Berkowitz presented the FY23 Enrollment Recommendation with additional details and rationale based on a meeting held on Friday with Kathleen Crawford and Susanna Girard. The plan is different from previous years with a focus on the current challenges at the Middle/High Schools where trauma-informed behaviors are being more dramatically impacting daily interactions. 

The Board discussed the financial impact of reducing the number of students and staffing positions for the upcoming year and those impacts in future years. This plan would impact nine staff members in the Middle School. It should be noted that the Board can adjust this plan.

The Board asked about the difference between having one less section per grade in Middle School versus a possible reduction in student to teacher ratio. Dana Benton-Johnson expressed the students and teachers wish to have additional space of higher value than lowering the ratio. They believe this will be more impactful.

The Board and Administrative staff reviewed the proposed plan. They decided that we should increase the proposed project by ten student positions in the 9th grade to support a balanced budget and continue providing needed support to the Middle School. Karen Calvert expressed concern about the number of students to use in the upcoming budgeting process.

Possible unintended consequences could include a family who is offered a position in the Elementary School may not choose to attend our school if the older sibling cannot join because there are no open positions in the Middle/High School. Although this is not ideal, the school does have a larger than average waitlist this year and can absorb a possible increase in families not enrolling when offers are made.

Annie Azarloza informed the Board that several students are interested in having student representation on the Board of Trustees. One student has reached out to their local elected official to change the law around student representation on Charter School Boards nationally.

This is in line with the school prioritizing student service and leadership experiences. However, the Bylaws for FRCS would need to be updated to support a change to include student representation. This will take some time to update and review with the legal counsel. It would then need to come to the Board for approval on at least two regular board meetings to accept the proposed changes. Finally, changes to the Bylaws required final approval from DESE before implementing any change.  

This topic was brought up at a recent meeting; Susanna Girard reached out to Board on Track for guidance on different ways to implement student participation in the Board. The conference is planned for this week, and Heidi Berkowitz and Annie Azarloza expressed interest in attending the meeting.  

The Board agreed to have Annie, Heidi and Susie meet with Board on Track and report back to the Board at the next regular Board meeting in April.

In the meantime, the Board would encourage any student to participate in the process by joining Board meetings when they are held as well as addressing the Board during the Privilege of the Floor portion of Board meetings. 

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