There was none.

Ms. Foley reported on the following student led events:

The Step Team Showcase had a tremendous performance with the audience “erupting in applause” several times throughout. 

Middle School and High Schools received several awards for their showings at the Science Fair. 

The ice bucket challenge for Special Olympics raised $600. 

MCAS 2023 will be reported at the next meeting.

Ms. St. Bruce reported that there are currently thirteen open positions. Vacant positions are being adequately covered by substitutes and hiring for next year has been put on hold. If qualified applicants are hired, they will be placed in substitute positions to transition for the next year. As of now no resignations have been submitted, but she will follow up with staff for expectations for next year. To avoid late resignations in August, staff will be advised that resignations submitted earlier will not disrupt salary payments throughout the summer months.

Discussion ensued. Although a “pulse check” was not distributed in the fall, Ms. Bruce anticipates that a culture climate survey will be distributed in the spring. She anticipates that the new Executive Director’s arrival in July will generate excitement and have a positive impact on engaging with staff.

The dashboard will be distributed for the first quarter of the year.

Ms. Berkowitz reported a current enrollment of 1,502 with one withdrawal since. The annual lottery conducted last Wednesday yielded 113 attendees on the zoom call. Kindergarten registration is March 18th with additional registrations through mid-May. Mr. Michelot is coordinating  a transportation fair after the last registration takes place as lack of transportation impacts parents’ decision to enroll.

Of the 164 Kindergarten offers, 80 appointments were made for next week. 54 registration packets have been received. Applications will be reopened April 1st and continue through May 1st. Outreach to daycare and preschool will continue in order to drive Kindergarten applications for another month.

Intent to return “once a Falcon always a Falcon” positive upbeat letters were sent out highlighting the excitement and promise of onboarding a new Executive Director. Requests for email notification for non-returns were made and will be followed up with phone calls to better gauge attrition.

Ms. Berkowitz reported that 168 applications for Kindergarten had been received, with 120 seats as the goal. Although 5 or 6 applications are usually received for 9th grade, 72 have been received to date. With consideration of impact to classroom, teachers, schedule and behaviors as well as an incoming principal and new assistant principal as the new leadership team as a whole with a new Executive Director, it was decided to make 90 seats available and not overfill the 9th grade until the building level feels solid and the new team can figure out the needs the develop its own strategic plan.

For the other grades usually at 135-140, an attrition from the current grade level enrollment using a factor of 10% attrition, i.e. if we offered 50% of applications received and we had 50% acceptance rate, this is the number we can enroll and maintain sustainability. A pre-enrollment number of 1,525 is the number the state pays or each student per diem. The leadership team thought building a budget on 1,450 was a more realistic and conservative number.

Discussion ensued. Of the 72 applications, 31 were from Brockton, 15 from Taunton and the rest from different places. Firm reasons for the increase in applications are not yet known, and to avoid bias, certain questions cannot be asked on the application. Ms. Berkowitz will conduct a survey of registrants later on that will reveal any developing trends and reasons for attraction to FRCS for sports, academics, etc. There has been a trend in volatility and a five-year plan will be developed to better understand the long-term implications.

Ms. Berkowitz stated that the goal number needs to be known before offers are extended. The acceptance rate is usually higher at this time of year rather than waiting for the summer months when the response rate is low.

Mr. Tetreault noted that the minutes listed to be approved of October 10 and November 14 had been approved at the previous meeting.

There were none.

Ms. Crawford reported that, following a vote at the last meeting to authorize her as the Chair to make an offer of employment as Executive Director to Toby Romer, he accepted the offer and has signed a contract. Ms. St. Brice reported that he has completed about half of his onboarding documents and she is working with Ms. Berkowitz to complete the onboarding plan. 

Ms. Crawford noted that the Charter School Association is putting a package of “need to know information on working in a charter school,” and will work with Mr. Romer on monthly meetings as he transitions to the charter school environment.

Ms. Berkowitz reported that she has shared a video on being a board representative with parents and students. Appointments to committees will be made at the Board’s Friday meeting.

Ms. Ortiz reported she is making headway reaching out to the group. She is planning to reach out to parents and students on how they see their role in FRCS. This will be helpful information on its face and have the benefit of providing institutional knowledge to her as a new Board member. She will reach out to the new Executive Director after his arrival in July.

Discussion ensued on the absence of a middle school library. She will reach out to the foundation board to pursue the reinstitution of an actual physical space.

Discussion also ensued on the schools generating surveys for the analysis of the data by the committee. Ms. St. Brice will contact the consultant FRCS has previously worked with on effective way forward in gaining information.

No report.

Ms. Vixamar is working on adding members.

No report.

Mr. Martin noted the importance of not treating the annual audit as a “non-event.” Ms. Calvert and her team work diligently to ensure that checks and controls are in place to monitor the financial health of FRCS. Although she reports on a regular basis to the Finance Committee, it is the responsibility of the Board to oversee sound financials, as the chief reason charter schools fail is financials.

Board members joined Mr. Martin in applauding the efforts of Ms. Calvert and her team. Ms. Crawford added that “we know her attention to detail is formidable” especially in the way of bond covenants, and the Board appreciates all that she contributes to the FRCS community.

Finance Report

Ms. Calvert presented the financial comparison from last year including the following highlights:

• Tuition is slightly higher mostly due to the increase in funding and not because of enrollment, with the same received in January and February.
• Expect to see additional adjustments but has not seen any foundation rate changes.
• Food services reimbursement higher due to both additional funding from the state and federal government; an unanticipated $59K received from the federal government.
• Transportation fees higher because of an additional bus.
• Personnel expenditures overall higher due to increase in salaries; fewer open positions.
• Lower in student activity personnel line item due to restructuring and moving staff into individual schools as in a typical school district.
• Operating expenses trended as expected.
• Administrative and finance higher with executive director search expenses.
• Student activity higher due to increase in busing and significant increase in sped transportation.
• Operations overall higher due to HVAC and regular utility, water, grounds maintenance and new phone system and IT licenses.
• Benefits higher due to increase in health insurance and payroll taxes.

Ms. Berkowitz presented the key dates calendar for next year for approval.

Field Trip Policy

Ms. Berkowitz presented the first reading of the field trip policy. Several editing suggestion were made for clarity. Mr. Tetreault will present a written summary to Ms. Berkowitz for revision and presentation for second reading.

Bullying Intervention Policy

This item is tabled for next Friday's meeting.

There were none.

Ms. Berkowitz noted that the FEA had sponsored a very successful student dance and an incentive breakfast for the sophomore class in recognition of having the lowest level of tardiness to periods.

No report.

No report.

No report.

Minutes of December 12, 2023 are tabled until next meeting.

Minutes of January 9, 2024 are tabled until next meeting.

No Executive Session.