No privilege of the floor.

Mr. Romer reviewed his PowerPoint presentation on the Executive Director update including the following highlights:

• Recent and upcoming school events
• Budget development 
• Strategic planning and goal setting
• FRCS Foundation
• Remote meeting participation
• Federal policy

Ms. Foley reviewed her PowerPoint presentation on FRCS mid-year data including the following highlights:

• Assessment at FRCS
• Mid-year assessments
• FRCS interim assessment
  • Dibels
  • MAP (Measures of academic progress)
    • Math
    • Reading
  • Interventions and targeted student support
  • Final thoughts

Discussion ensued including the following highlights:

• Stronger scores in math over reading with lower scores for English language learners.
• Various interventions tailored to student needs.
• Data to be displayed by grade on chart for clarity.

Mr. Romer reviewed his PowerPoint presentation on the FRCS competency determination proposal overview as a first reading including the following highlights:

• What is the competency determination
• What is the impact of the question 2 ballot initiative
• Is there state guidance on the competency determination standard
• What is the language of the state requiring the FRCS Board to create a CD standard
• FRCS proposal
• What if a student does not meet this standard in 10th grade.
• What is the impact on our current juniors and seniors
• Future plans
• What are other MA school districts and charters proposing

Discussion ensued. Mr. Romer stated that three out of four districts require just a passing grade for competency determination for graduation. A grade of 70 is proposed by FRCS in keeping with its rigorous academic standards and to provide motivation to excel beyond the baseline minimum. The seniors who are not in compliance with the requirements have been advised of the new requirements and are working with educators toward gaining achievement. In the absence of achievement, educators will work with the student on an alternative portfolio or assessment for qualification and use established performance assessments for the subject/grade. 

An approval of the policy will need to be made by April in order to be able to communicate graduation requirements with students and families.

The Board reviewed the proposed language of the policy for competency determination and were in consensus that it constitutes a first reading and made suggestions on the redraft of some language.

A second reading will be made and voted on at a special meeting of the Board in March.

The following policies were reviewed by legal and the Governance Committee for best practices and management and presented to the Board as first readings:

Board Ethics

Board Orientation

Field trip policy

A second reading of policies will take place at the next meeting.

Finance & Facilities

Mr. Higgins reported that the first draft of the FY26 budget is complete and the Committee will present it as well as an update on the FY25 budget at the April meeting of the Board.

Ms. Albama reported that changes to the Staff Handbook were needed in order to be in alignment with the language of the new collective bargaining agreement and designated throughout the handbook as union and non-union.

Ms. Albama reported that changes to the Staff Handbook were needed in order to be in alignment with the language of the new collective bargaining agreement and designated throughout the handbook as union and non-union.

Discussion ensued including the following highlights:

• Although reference is made in the student handbook with regard to AI, this topic will not be included in the staff handbook at this time until feedback is obtained from other charter schools.
• Disclosure allows changing the handbook at a later time.
• Due to the fact that AI is already being used in the workplace, addressing this topic in a timely manner is advised.
• Title IX changes to both federal and state requirement is addressed.

Following discussion, it was agreed that the Board's review constitutes the completion of a first reading.

Ms. Albama began the review of changes made to the Student Handbook.

The Board asked that the handbook be reviewed by the Governance Committee before presentation to the Board as a first reading.

No updates at this time.

Mr. Martin asked members to complete the filling out of CORI forms and send to Ms. Berkowitz.

Mr. Martin stated that the Board retreat is scheduled for May 14th from 8:00AM-1:00PM. Location to be determined. A search is being conducted for a retreat facilitator.

Items for next meeting are:

• Submsision of CORI forms to Ms. Berkowitz.
• Review of policies.
• Bird self-assessment.
• Review easy access to all programs.

Minutes tabled to next meeting.

Mr. Tetreault will work with Ms. Barraford on finalizing minutes.

No executive session.