Foxborough Regional Charter School
Minutes
Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 6:15 PM
Location
Edwards Conference Room
https://foxboroughrcs-org.zoom.us/j/84392661113?pwd=bENlWVYySWxKZXNNUldVRU9UZXpTQT09
Meeting Format
Whether in person or online, the public is welcome to attend Board/Committee Meetings and have access to meeting minutes. Meetings are held once a month and additionally, as determined by the Board/Committee Chair. All meeting Agendas are posted on the school website at least 48 hours in advance of each public meeting.
During the meeting, the Board and its committees follow the published agenda. Gallery members are not part of the formal discussion or deliberations. Those wishing to speak at a meeting are asked to follow our Privilege of the Floor Policy. To request to speak at a meeting, please complete the following google form before the start of the meeting.
Trustees Present
Anissia Vixamar (remote), Badawi Dweik (remote), Kathleen Crawford, Todd Tetreault
Trustees Absent
Matthew Yezukevich, Sergio Martin
Guests Present
Dana Benton-Johnson (remote), Eddie Ingram, Heidi Berkowitz, Karen Calvert, Lesly Michelot, Mallory St Brice (remote), Nicole Ouimet, Saanvi Kumar
I. Opening Items
A.
Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Privilege of the Floor
II. Leadership Report
A.
Leadership Report
B.
Personnel Update
- Mallory St. Brice reviewed the material in the packet
- She confirmed that a revision to the employee handbook would be distributed to the board for our May 11th meeting
C.
Enrollment Update
- Heidi Berkowitz (HB) reviewed the enrollment update contained in the packet
- HB noted that a second lottery will be held to fill grades K and 9, as well as buffer the waitlist for other grades (to backfill attrition)
- HB noted that it's difficult to predict attrition rates this year; 25-30% is typical at 8th grade, but 8th grade has already hit the 30% level.
- HB also noted that Taunton is represented in enrollment at a higher than usual rate.
III. Board Business
A.
Administrative / Housekeeping Items
Todd Tetreault and Heidi Berkowitz noted that Christine Barraford had been hired and was moving through training.
B.
Board Training - Document any training Board Members Attended this month
No trainings noted
C.
Executive Director Search
Anissia Vixamar requested an executive discussion to provide an update and discuss next steps in the Executive Director search.
D.
Review of Board Committees
Todd Tetreault requested scheduling of a focused discussion for the board re: board committees. He also noted Matt Yezukevich's request to follow up on the committee process for releasing members in June.
E.
Board Planning Meeting
Todd Tetreault requested that the Board schedule a focused session for long-range planning and follow-ups on operating model.
IV. Community Group Updates
A.
Advisory Groups
No updates for this session
B.
English Language Parent Advisory Committee (ELPAC)
No updates for this session
C.
Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC)
No updates for this session
D.
Partners in Education (PIE)
No updates for this session
V. Policy Review
A.
First Reading
No policies up for first reading
B.
Second Reading
No policies up for first reading
VI. Committees
A.
Finance
- Updates provided by Karen Calvert
- FY23-24 planning has started
- 2nd revision coming in late April; currently showing 243K negative, will be revising
- Special Education transportation costs up $17K
- Operating Expense for Admin/Finance are up due to dues, legal fees, Charter Assoc. dues
- Anticipate revenue and expenses will stay in line; reduction in revenue is offset by lower-than-planned staffing at start of year
B.
Facilities
- Updates provided by Lesly Michelot
- Roofing RFP is one week ahead of schedule
- Cost estimate 4.5-4.7 million
- Lesly made a point to recognize Kevin for his work through the Request for Proposal process
- Noted that this is the final year of our current contract with the transportation provider - Vendetti, working through the renewal process
- Lesly noted that transportation cost will increase by 6%; recommended passing one third of the increase to families, with two thirds of the cost to be borne by FRCS. The Board agreed.
- We will be going from 15 to 16 buses
- Synergy upgrades were reviewed with Foxborough Police Department
C.
Governance
No updates
D.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
- Anissia VIxamar provided updates
- DEI survey is being moved to an internal initiative (vs. board committee)
- Next meeting will select a new project since survey has moved out of committee
E.
Appeals
No appeals heard since last meeting
F.
Staff Recruitment & Retention
No updates, committee has not met
G.
Student Recruitment & Retention
No updates
No requests received