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Alma del Mar

Alma del Mar Board of Trustees

Board Retreat and Board Meeting (In Person)
Published on January 26, 2026 at 9:19 AM EST
Amended on January 28, 2026 at 2:02 PM EST

Date and Time

Wednesday January 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST

Location

Alma del Mar Administrative Office, 777 Church St., New Bedford, MA 02745

Anti-Racism Statement: Alma del Mar strives to be an anti-racist institution. We seek to dismantle racist and white supremacist structures in pursuit of justice and racial equity. We will fight against racism when we encounter it both within and outside of our school community. We will actively work to ensure that all of our community members, including scholars, families, and staff, feel included, celebrated and empowered. By resisting racism and white supremacy, we will lay the foundation to challenge all forms of oppression. Please read the Equity Lens Guidelines in the Opening Items below before the meeting.

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 11:00 AM
  A. Equity Lens Guidelines   Dave Prentiss 1 m
   

Please read the attached Guidelines before every Alma board and committee meeting.

  
  B. Record Attendance   Dave Prentiss 1 m
  C. Call the Meeting to Order   Dave Prentiss 1 m
  D. Approve Board Meeting Minutes Approve Minutes Dave Prentiss 2 m
    Approve minutes for Alma del Mar Board of Trustees on November 19, 2025  
  E. Vote to Accept Alicia Cabral Resignation Vote Dave Prentiss 2 m
  F. Advisory Council Nominations Vote Dave Prentiss 5 m
   
  • Gail Fortes
  • Alicia Cabral
  
II. Executive Director Report 11:12 AM
  A. January 2026 Board Dashboard Discuss Taylor DeLoach 5 m
  B. Executive Director's Report Discuss Taylor DeLoach 10 m
  C. Charter Renewal Update Discuss Taylor DeLoach 10 m
III. Academic Excellence 11:37 AM
  A. Update on Teacher Qualifications Project - Accountability Discuss John Korn 10 m
IV. Development 11:47 AM
  A. Board Giving - Thank You! Discuss Becca Kurie 5 m
   
  • Currently 6 of 13 Trustees have donated - thank you!!
  • Trustees contributed nearly $1000 in grocery gift cards!
  • We've exceeded 70% donor retention this fiscal year - highest it's been in several years!
  
V. Finance 11:52 AM
  A. FY26 Q2 Financials Discuss Taylor DeLoach 10 m
   

There were two significant changes to the forecast, an increase in fringe of $315k and an increase in transportation of $165k.  These increases in expenditures are offset by savings on the salary lines at Ottiwell and Douglass from unfilled positions and from savings from new hire offers that were below the budgeted amount for the position.

 

Salaries appear significantly under budget at the end of Q2, however it is due to a change in payroll cycles.  In prior years, staff were paid on a bi-monthly basis and this fiscal year, they are being paid on a bi-weekly basis.  Because of the shift in payroll and how the calendar aligns, at the end of Q2, wages are being reported for 12 payroll cycles.  In Q3 and Q4, there will be 14 payroll cycles.  The forecast of $12.1 reflects the expenditures that will be incurred at year end.

  
VI. Governance 12:02 PM
  A. New Board Member Recruitment Discuss Chauneen Wood 10 m
  B. Board Document Review Discuss Chauneen Wood 10 m
   
  • REDI Plan
  • Handbook
  • Bylaws
  • Updating website
  
VII. Other Business 12:22 PM
  A. MCSPA Fair Funding Week Discuss Taylor DeLoach 10 m
   
 
VIII. Closing Items 12:32 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Dave Prentiss