A. Teevens pointed to a strong start with attendance at both campuses despite some challenges with transportation during the first few weeks of school. 

The dashboard now also includes data regarding McKinney-Vento, which is a population we have prioritized in regards to tracking and supporting. What is the McKinney-Vento Act? It is a federal law that protects the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness. Through this act:

Students who are experiencing homelessness can remain in one school (including a preschool), even if their temporary living situation is located in another school district or attendance area, if that is in their best interest. Schools must provide transportation.

Students who are experiencing homelessness can enroll in school and begin attending immediately, even if they can’t produce normally required documents, such as birth certificates, proof of guardianship, immunization records, or proof of residency, or even if they have missed application or enrollment deadlines.

Students who are experiencing homelessness must be able to participate fully in school activities and have access to all programs and services for which they are eligible, including extracurricular activities, special education services, MLL supports, afterschool activities and extended school year.

A. Teevens shared the September 2025 report, highlighting the following section: 

The Secondary Schools Guidance Team is seeking support with one-to-one interview prep, essay review, and SSAT prep over the coming months for our 8th graders applying to selective high school options. Coming up first is interview prep specifically for scholars applying to independent schools, which will be conducted during the week of October 27. 

Time: 1:00-2:00 (at Ottiwell) or 2:30-3:15 (at Douglass) Monday-Thursday. 

Dates: Week of October 27 (there will be other weeks later in the fall and winter to provide other supports)

What: Practicing interview questions and giving feedback to scholars preparing for independent school interviews

Please reach out to Nathalie directly if you are interested and willing to support (during the week of October 27, and/or later in the high school application season)!  Her email address is NathalieConcepcion@almadelmar.org 

D. Prentiss asked how the dashboard aligns with Alma's Strategic Plan priorities. The team will work to ensure that progress on those priorities is reported out to the board regularly. 

D. Prentiss also asked about how hiring compares to previous years. 

S. Furtado asked about the timeline for Alma's charter renewal and site inspection report. A. Teevens shared that we anticipate a vote on Alma's charter renewal by BESE in February 2026, and we do not know how much, if any, feedback or information we will receive before then.

S. Furtado referenced DESE's meeting about changes to graduation requirements in light of the recent decision regarding MCAS. D. Prentiss noted that while Alma is K-8 and required to have scholars take MCAS tests, it will be important as we support scholars in navigating high school preparation, to fully understand the new requirements and how it will impact our alumni.

A. Teevens shared that our preliminary MCAS results continue to show a modest rebound in both ELA and Math. Additionally, we met targets in chronic absenteeism and English proficiency, which resulted in an improved overall Accountability Percentile for 2025. The data will be publicly available on Monday, Sept. 29, at which point we will be able to analyze our data as compared to state and local averages. A more detailed analysis of our MCAS data, including next steps, will be part of the October board agenda.

J. Korn informed the Board that the approved initiative to support Alma teachers in securing their bachelor's degrees has been approved for funding by the Alma del Mar Foundation. Alma's Director of Talent, Director of Communications & Advancement, and Director of Finance, will work with the Executive Director on the agreements, policies and procedures necessary to launch the initiative later this year.

Trustees will receive their assignments for personalized notes to be written and returned to B. Kurie in October, as part of the annual appeal/report mailing, set to go out Nov. 1st.

C. Holley shared that the Finance Committee will receive a presentation from the auditors at the next committee meeting in October. C. Fisher is actively following up on items that need to be corrected/updated, including mention of the potential purchase of the Church Street property.

S. Furtado asked about reference to a balloon payment due in 2030 and the organization's preparedness for that. C. Holley shared that financials consistently been strong and that the committee is looking at investment opportunities that will have a high ROI, however, Alma's Director of Finance continues to plan conservatively. The investment policy draft will go to the Foundation in October, and then to the Board. J. Wallace shared insight on the financials and the mortgage. 

L. Wood shared that the committee is revisiting the Equity Plan and priorities, as well as reviewing board learning and capacity, and community partnerships, to identify progress to date that will then be included in a 2025-2027 plan. 

Each legislative session, bills are filed that would adversely impact charter public schools and the students and families they serve. A number of bills have been filed in the current session that seek to reduce the charter public school cap – and therefore funding and enrollment. In some cases, these reductions in funding could be so dramatic that schools would be forced to close.

The MCPSA continues to anticipate that the Education Committee hearing for bills related to charter public schools will be held on September 30th at 11 a.m., though the date and time are not yet official. As of now, we expect over 75 charter leaders, Charters SPEAK representatives, and board members to join us. Strong, visible support for our schools will be critically important.