A. Garg called this meeting to order at 5:00 PM on October 15, 2025.

No one was present for a public comment.

Susan Ertle provided an update on FOB activities, including:

• Noting that Key Bank will serve as the presenting sponsor for the Bash;
• Announced that Cathy Lincoln will provide a $1MM challenge grant to fund libraries at each campus; and,
• Noted that the library projects will be the focus of the Bash and believes that matches the $1MM from CL is achievable.

Aditi Garg noted that she attended the FOB Annual Meeting and that it went very well. 

Andrew McRae reviewed where the organization was at the end of the first quarter, provided an update on the implementation of the academic strategy, and reviewed progress to goals. Included in AM’s remarks was commentary on progress on the Arcs of the year, including the launch of Arc 2 in early October.

Jim LeMay questioned whether transitioning to Arc 2 was possible if Arc 1 was off track. AM noted that schools do not move into Arc 2 without being ready, indicating that there are some items that permit schools to move forward, while noting that there were things that required more intense support.

McRae then reviewed IReady results, indicating that we did not see enough growth during School Year 2024-2025, but also noting that students that were enrolled with Breakthrough longer saw better results. Aditi Garg asked that Andrew share how BPS is using data differently this year. McRae noted that BPS has invested in specialized curriculum and staffing for SPED scholars and retooled staffing to address underlying variables. Dr. Day also noted that we know when scholars spend 30-45 minutes per week and receive passing scores on IReady, they see growth.

Cecil Lipscomb asked what BPS was doing during the summer to keep kids engaged. McRae noted that engagement was primarily done through ODA and that while there was opportunity there, the current focus was on getting the core functions correct. 

Michelle Harris and Jim LeMay asked why longevity translated to better scores and questioned how we can do better to retain students.  McRae noted that dosage over time allows BPS to get scholars caught up and that we have our Family Experience and schools teams work directly with families to retain them. McRae also noted that there is an opportunity to do better, with most families that leaving citing school culture, climate, and discipline as the primary drivers for exiting. 

McRae then reviewed state report cards. Annemarie Amefia asked how our report cards compared to CMSD and neighboring schools. McRae and Juliet Keye noted that while some schools outperformed neighboring schools, others underperformed the peers.

McRae then reviewed scholar retention data, nothing that while many scholars show and go early, they often return.

Michelle Harris provided an update on the committee’s work, including:

• The Committee is interested in hearing if schools are not performing, how/when will they, noting that McRae’s presentation included this;
• MH noted that the most important constituency is faculty and that considerable work is happening with principals and teachers to improve their performance. MH noted that she observed internalization among staff on strategy and tactics.

Celeste Farmer provided an update on YTD financials, including:

• Noting that the board should see improvements in subsequent months as things are trued up;
• Presented the forecast, indicating that there are no major changes;
• Reviewed credit card holders and associated limits

Sam Steinhouse questioned Jen Padlan’s report on progress to goals. Padlan indicated that significant progress has been made on strategic priorities, including powerschool integration and the benefits plan selection. Others are moving slower due to a key vacancy on the team that has been filled.

Cecil Lipscomb provided an update indicating the key goals were: integrating people into the culture of the board, providing a pipeline to membership and leadership, supporting the CEO’s leadership team, supporting the organization’s strategic planning efforts, and creating a board scorecard to help hold members accountable. 

Jen Howard asked about how board members can be engaged during Showcases and requested that there are sign up sheets for future showcases. Alan Kopit suggested that some board meetings take place in schools, during the school day.

Sanjay Vyas noted that the committee met in September and highlighted that the key takeaway was that the board wanted to hear from Andrew McRae on how/why the organization was headed in the right direction, including the data to indicate that direction. 

Matt Rado provided two updates:

• Site visits are scheduled to begin on 10/16 and continue through November. More time on the agenda will be needed in December to review the results;
• CMSD will complete its analysis on BPS report cards by year-end and report back to the board

Emily Puterbaugh noted that the end of year report was shared, showing some slight growth at Woodland Hills. She also noted that she is scheduled to visit the school on Friday and report back on her findings in December. 

Motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters. 

The board VOTED to approve the motion. 

Roll Call

A. Garg - Aye

C. Lipscomb - Aye

G. Burrows - Aye

M. Harris - Aye

R. Novak - Aye

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Garg