There was no privilege of the floor.

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

• Recent school events
• Strategic planning plans
• Academic goal setting for 2025-26 school year
• Federal and local policy updates
• 2025-26 calendar

Mr. Romer reviewed his PowerPoint presentation on the policy for competency determination for graduation. The policy will adjust and allow for students coming to FRCS from other states or countries in order to apply the law of the policy.

In response to Mr. Martin's suggestion to add a personal finance class to the requirements for graduation, Mr. Romer stated that a process will be needed to see how it may fit into or complement other requirements in the schedule in terms of staffing.

Board Trainings

Ms. Ortiz participated in the webinar on Defending Charter Schools. Members are encouraged to reach out to legislators with concerns on possible changes in the Department of Education.

FY26

Mr. Romer reviewed the FY26 summary of budget changes as follows:

• DESE tuition projected at 1,460 enrollment at $19,541.
• Grants level funded.
• Rental revenue updated to include weekend gym rental.
• Athletic fees – no changes to revenue family caps made explicit.
• Bus fee - pro-rated scale for multiple children in family.
• A number of positions in teaching and learning and students services were removed.
• Turnover savings @ 2.5% of teaching and learning personnel.
• Insofar as insurance companies declined to give a quote, FRCS will remain with Harvard Pilgrim at a 22% increase.
• Employer/employee split remains at 70/30%.

Field Trip Policy

Mr. Martin expressed concern that the policy allows students eighteen years of age to drive themselves to a field trip event without signed parental consent.

While a student eighteen years of age is considered an adult by law and can sign a field trip consent form, discussion ensued regarding the school's acting out of care for the parents of children regardless of age and keeping the parents informed in a line of communication. Following discussion, it was agreed that a parent must sign the consent form for a student to be allowed to go on a field trip.

Following discussion, it was also agreed that if a parent decides to transport a student to a field trip in their own vehicle, the school is not liable for any accident or injuries caused while in the vehicle. Also, the words "trip chaperone" will be changed to "trip adviser."

Trustee Ethics and Disclosure Policy

Following review, the Board voted as follows.

New Board of Trustee Member Orientation

Following review, the Board voted as follows.

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Policy

Background Check Policy

Open Meeting Acts Policy

Student Records Retention and Directory

Ms. Albama stated the above policies have language legal in nature and reviewed by the legal team to be in compliance with state law.

Following discussion, it was agreed that the background check policy will be revised to be more reader-friendly, and the Student Records and Retention be revised to remove "must" and replace with "may" - that temporary files "may" be destroyed after seven years.

Following review, the Board voted as follows.

Employee Handbook

Tabled to next meeting.

Mr.. Yezukevich gave the following update on the FY25 budget as follows:

• Changes in revenue offset for changes in personnel with unfilled positions, etc.
• On track to meet our debt service ratio requirements.
• Capital projects that need to move forward are the replacement of the cafeteria chiller and elementary school boiler not budgeted to FY25; another project to be discussed is solar.

The final FY26 budget will be presented at the May meeting.

Mr. Romer stated that Board policies will be assembled into one packet for easy access by Board members, including the policy on student participation on Boards and Committees.

Mr. Martin will circulate the Self-Assessment survey to members.

No update.

• Approve FY26 budget.
• Approve Policy second readings.
• Executive Director Goals update.
• Athletics Department inclusion in MIA.

No Executive Session.