T. DeLoach wanted to touch base on the board dashboard for the year. She discussed how it is identical to the previous year and highlighted data compared to last year.

She continued to discuss staff demographic data and how it's not currently available until the next board meeting.

J. Wallace asked about the homeless status this year compared to last year, which T. DeLoach answered, indicating that it had gone down. Jim asked if we could work with an agency to help them, and T. DeLoach responded that we are currently dealing with a few agencies.

D. Melo joined the meeting at this time, 5:46 pm.

T. DeLoach discussed the strong start to the year and discussed the launch of our strategic plan and the PD that has been going on with the staff. 

T. DeLoach discussed our accountability data, which assesses our growth across a number of factors. She mentioned that we lost some ground from last year, but are still somewhat comparable. We are still listed as Substantially Making Progress by DESE.

T. DeLoach presented our MCAS 2026 data.

She discussed some stagnation as well as some areas where Alma is exceeding. We have a few areas where ELA and Math are not close to the numbers we are looking for, and the school is continuing to adjust based on this data to bring those numbers up.

Alma outperformed the state in 5th grade ELA and 3rd grade math. We are also required to compare to New Bedford Public Schools, but we also need to make sure that we don't position ourselves as competitors.

Ottiwell EE/ME average exceeded the state average in numerous areas. It shows that we are approaching pre-pandemic proficiency rates.

T. DeLoach showed a graphic comparing Ottiwell, Douglass, New Bedford, and the State.

T. DeLoach described how we will analyze the data and use it to improve achievement.

J. Korn complimented the stories that came out of the MCAS data.

D. Prentiss said that the results are encouraging.  He then asked about the strategic plan initiatives and whether they will have an impact immediately or whether it will have an effect over a longer term.  T. DeLoach said that Alexa is best equipped to answer that question, and she will ask her and bring the answer back.

J. Wallace talked about the previous week's meeting. 

J. Wallace mentioned C. Fisher did well with the audit update and that the finance committee will get the final numbers on Oct. 13th. On 10/21, the board will approve the report, and it will be submitted to DESE.

He felt there were a lot of positives. He mentioned that there is a $2M surplus. He mentioned that student transportation was over budget.  

On the real estate side, they are looking at the second lot for purchase, but the cost is significantly more. He asked T. DeLoach if we are going back to them with a different offer. T. DeLoach responded that we are entering the due diligence part of the process, and they will go back with another offer if it comes to that. 

T. DeLoach gave this update in the last section.

D. Prentiss said the committee met last week. The biggest priority is recruiting additional trustees. 

M. Rosario will be cycling off because of term limits.

D. Prentiss covered different areas of priority for the experience that a new trustee would have. 

He mentioned the dormant Development Committee and said someone with experience there would be helpful.

D. Prentiss said he would summarize the priorities in an email and send it out to the trustees, and asked that they think hard and submit at least one person for consideration.

J. Korn asked if anyone would be rotating off because of term limits in 2027. T. DeLoach said C. Bator will be rotating off, so additional members would be needed.

J. Wallace asked if he counts as a representative of New Bedford, given that he works in the community. D. Prentiss said yes.

D. Prentiss talked about how DESE reached out and asked us to update our bylaws. The attorney reviewed it and made the suggested changes. The Governance Committee has reviewed it once and will do so again before bringing it to the board.

D. Prentiss mentioned that all committees are required to provide goals, and urged each committee to review the goals of the previous year and make sure they're current.

D. Prentiss emailed out the meeting calendar to make sure we're all in attendance. 

He is looking for guidance for the annual board retreat. The retreat would be Wednesday, January 27th, from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Attendance has been difficult, so David asked if we should consider changes.

D. Melo suggested changing it to a Tuesday or Thursday, or to a different week when she would be able to attend. She cannot attend on a Wednesday.

J. Fox said that she would like to do it on a Saturday.

J. Wallace said he can do it anytime but Saturdays in January.

J. Korn asked if we would be able to do a Tuesday or a Thursday at 4 pm and run from 4-8 pm.

D. Prentiss said he would email out these suggestions and take a poll from the trustees.