T. DeLoach reported that leaders are tracking suspension data closely as ISS have increased.

T. DeLoach shared a recap of the Full Staff Retreat earlier this month. She also highlighted the anticipated retention of staff for the upcoming school year. 

J. Korn presented the 2023 accountability report and shared that academic performance has not returned to pre-pandemic data, but that we are seeing progress and positive trends.

Positives

• Reading growth for K-3 scholars continues to be a strength. This is the second quarter that scholars grew one reading level on average. This quarter had the highest average growth since we’ve been using this tool, originally adopted in January 2021. 
• Ottiwell 5th-8th grade ELA data continues to be very strong, with 72% of scholars passing their exams. This is an increase from 65% in Quarter 2. This bodes well for MCAS performance in those classrooms. 3 of those 4 ELA teachers are returning next year.
• Early elementary math data also remains very strong, with 71% of K-3 scholars passing their math exams. 
• It continues to be true that teachers who stay at Alma the longest produce the best results, so our key strategy around talent remains the correct priority. 

Areas for Improvement

• Middle School math data across the network continues to be our area of most significant concern. We have been working with Jamie Morrison to identity shifts to curriculum and instruction in Q4. These shifts will likely lead to some discrete curriculum redesign for next school year.
• Broadly, Douglass MS scholars perform lower than Ottiwell MS scholars across the board. This is likely due to several factors, including the different make-up of the student bodies (i.e. half of the Douglass MS scholars each year enter in 6th grade), the more novice teachers and leaders at that campus, and the more demanding schedule. We are continually considering programmatic shifts and supports to differentiate for this context. 
• 3rd and 4th graders across the network are the scholars who experienced Kindergarten and 1st grade remotely. They continue to demonstrate significant gaps in reading and writing, which shows up in both their STEP and ELA interim data. We are seeing the most progress in their STEP data, but interim results continue to lag.

M. Bride remarked about the correlation between more experienced teachers and the results of their scholars, and the importance of retaining great teachers. She asked about how Alma salaries compare to the local district. T. DeLoach reported that a small gap remains, but we have made progress on closing that gap.

C. Bator noted that teacher salary and other efforts to retain teachers should be a priority with Alma's fundraising efforts. 

B. Kurie will send information about the donuts and coffee activity for teachers, that trustees are welcome to attend!

Trustees should connect with B. Kurie regarding raffle basket items they would like to contribute, or if they need suggestions for what to include!

No updates to this draft as we are awaiting updated numbers from DESE. Those should be coming soon.

D. Prentiss reported that Monday has been identified as a preference for most trustees.

10 am or 5/5:30 pm start time - D. Prentiss will connect with trustees one more time to determine which is preferred.

No meetings in July, August or December

M. Bride raised the question about how to know whether all voices are truly being included and who is at the table when decisions are being made.

Trustees discussed the importance of trust and open communication, while recognizing this work is ongoing and difficult, but everyone must agree to continue to prioritize the equity lens in all decisions. 

T. DeLoach presented a slide deck overview of the process for launching our strategic plan. 

M. Bride asked whether the plan would include Board Engagement measures.

T. DeLoach shared that a committee may be created as one way to engage stakeholders in the strategic planning process. This could include trustees and other advisors.

D. Prentiss expressed appreciation for T. DeLoach's vision and commitment to this project.

This item was moved to Executive Session as it pertained to:

To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body

T. DeLoach shared information about how Alma supports and serves scholars experiencing homelessness.

Draft calendar for SY 2024-2025 presented to the Board

190 days scheduled (187 days by Alma's charter) which means 3 built-in snow days

Election Day will be a day off for Alma this year, but not future years.