C. Holley asked for a correction to the minutes to accurately reflect that he was present at the meeting.

T. DeLoach highlighted the intent to return conversations that school leaders have conducted and that Alma's Director of Talent will be training leaders on interviews for the upcoming school year.

T. DeLoach announced that Alma del Mar's charter has been renewed for another five years! 

T. DeLoach reported that four Alma educators became newly qualified this winter,  one of whom also earned their teacher license. In addition, seven teachers passed at least one MTEL this winter. This progress is critical to ensuring all scholars have a highly-skilled and qualified teacher in their classroom. 

Math Q2 progress:

- Over 80% of K-2 scholars across the network are passing their quarterly math exams.

- In 3rd-8th grade math at Douglass, there was a 9% increase in overall percentage of scholars passing their exams from this time last year.

Early Literacy:

- From the beginning of year to middle of year, early reading proficiency increased from 30% to 52% of scholars in K (+22), 36% to 52% of 1st grade scholars (+16), and 54% to 69% in second grade (+15).

The dominant trends in our academic data persist: Our strongest math results are in the lower grades, Ottiwell consistently outperforms Douglass in almost all grades and content areas, and network passing rates in our MCAS tested grades hover around 30% . We have both short and long term initiatives aimed at increasing performance: - MCAS preparation plans include targeted small group tutoring and data-driven review units planned for all grades in March and April. - In Math, there is a pilot happening in 6th grade to more closely monitor and address fluency gaps that are hindering scholars from applying higher order concepts. - Network leaders are monitoring weekly mastery of new content in math with digitally administered exit tickets and targeted weekly re-teach lessons. - In ELA, specific gaps in Language standards and Writing that have been identified on MCAS are driving a project to increase explicit writing instruction.

J. Wallace presented the FY26 Q2 financials to the board. 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

FinComm is working with C. Fisher on a draft FY27 budget that will be ready to share with the board at the next meeting. 

D. Prentiss stated that Governance Committee is prioritizing new board member recruitment this spring. Trustees were asked to share any leads with D. Prentiss and L. Wood.