N/A - No members of the public provided comments at this meeting.

N. Keough, S. Patton, and F. Reyes presented updates on SY23-24 academic results as summarized in the Academic Oversight Committee update slides and the quarterly data dashboard that were provided to the Board in advance of the meeting.

R. Lytle asked a clarifying question about SGP (Student Growth Percentile) which N. Keough answered.

N. Keough summarized the SY23-24 performance of the schools and highlighted bright spots and challenges that we are seeing in the data, which was reviewed in detail by the Academic Oversight Committee on Sept. 26, 2024.

R. Lytle asked a clarifying question about the way state assessment results trend from 4th to 5th grade, which F. Reyes answered.

D. Sachs asked a clarifying question about whether the trends we're observing in 5th grade Math are specific to Excel or if they may be statewide trends, which F. Reyes answered. S. Patton provided additional context about teacher development at each middle school campus.

M. Colaylat asked a clarifying question about growth trends in 6th grade, which N. Keough answered.

N. Keough updated the Board on the continued implementation of the organizational priority framework and a new Instructional Observation Rubric.

D. Stolow asked a clarifying question about the work being done to deepen support for high-quality curriculum, school culture, and targeted interventions (MTSS), which N. Keough answered. N. Keough provided additional context about the adoption of the new Instructional Observation Rubric among staff and the ways the team is supporting school leaders with implementation on each campus.

S. Patton updated the Board on the progress of the Heads of School at each campus, including the two new Heads of School at Excel East Boston and Excel Chelsea. S. Patton summarized the encouraging work we are seeing at each campus in Arc 1 and thorough, shared investment in growth and development.

C. Brumme asked there are areas of concern or risk for the team in the implementation of the new Rubric. S. Patton and N. Keough provided additional context about the status of change management and implementation at each campus. N. Keough added that we have also hired a leadership coach to support individual leadership teams on the ground this year. N. Keough also commented that we will have quantitative information once we have staff survey results.

S. Zrike commented that the growth rates are impressive, particularly in the context of challenges statewide, and thanked the Academic Team for the thorough presentation.

S. Zrike asked a clarifying question about Excel's subgroup performance relative to statewide benchmarks, which F. Reyes and N. Keough answered.

A. Kaynor provided an update and reminder about the FY24 annual audit meeting schedule, as summarized on the agenda.

A. Kaynor and A. Solomon provided the Board with a summary of updates to the Title IX Policy and a training on the Board's role with respect to the Policy, as detailed in the materials provided to the Board in advance.

A. Kaynor provided the Board with a summary of updates to school policies, manuals, and handbooks, which were provided to the Board in advance, and answered clarifying questions from the Board about the policies.

O. Stearns and C. Brumme presented and summarized the SY24-25 Board Goals that were provided to the Board in advance. C. Brumme highlighted the goals related to fundraising and advocacy in particular and outlined the vision for successful Board engagement with these goals.