C. Brumme welcomed the members of Excel's RI and Friends Boards who are in attendance to participate in the CAPS Update discussion.

No members of the public provided comment.

A. Kaynor noted that we have a prospective new Board member candidate who may be nominated at the next meeting, pending availability.

L. Goldworm presented updates on the school's College Access and Post-Secondary Success (CAPS) Program, as detailed in the CAPS Update slides that were provided to the Board in advance.

R. Lytle asked a clarifying question regarding military enrollment rates, which L. Goldworm answered.

D. Sachs asked a clarifying question about how we define affordability when working with students to set goal-aligned plans, which L. Goldworm clarified. It is ultimately a calculation about the outcome of how much debt the student will likely end up with by the end of college. D. Sachs asked a follow-up question regarding family levels of comfort with affordability conversations, which L. Goldworm clarified. D. Sachs thanked L. Goldworm and the CAPS Team for going above and beyond to support families in navigating these complex decisions.

F. Rojas, a member of the Excel RI Board who also works for a college (Rhode Island College), thanked the team for their great work.

S. Reynolds asked to hear reflections on patterns since having our own high school relative to when we were supporting students through their other high school options when we only had middle school. L. Goldworm responded that we are seeing a % of students choosing 4 year vs 2 year options and also higher rates of post-secondary persistence and success.

S. Reynolds also asked, if cost were not a concern, how would we balance thinking about school selectivity and finding a “best fit” school. What is the best long-run approach for a student’s success in your experience? L. Goldworm noted that the team prioritizes ensuring students make decisions with clear information and understanding of their choices, both the benefits and downsides.

C. Brumme and O. Stearns thanked L. Goldworm and the CAPS team for their excellent work on behalf of Excel students and alumni.

The Board reconvened into open session at 9:25am, and C. Brumme provided the following report as the presiding councilperson:

• The Excel Academy Charter School Board convened into executive session pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws c. 30A, s. 21(4) exclusively to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices, or strategies with respect thereto and invited the following staff to attend the executive session: Owen Stearns and Arthur Kaynor.
• During the executive session, the Excel Academy Charter School Board took the following actions:
  • Voted unanimously to approve the guidelines titled: “Resolutions regarding Excel Academy’s commitment to serve all students equally regardless of citizenship status.”
  • Voted unanimously to seal the minutes of this executive session and to keep these minutes sealed from meeting to meeting, unless and until unsealed by a vote of the board, because disclosure would jeopardize the school’s safety, pursuant to discussions conducted under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 30A, s. 21(4).
  • Voted unanimously to close executive session and reconvene in open session.

A. Kaynor provided the Board with reminders about upcoming events and Board engagement goals, as detailed on the agenda.

List of documents used at the meeting:

• Agenda
• Meeting minutes
• CAPS Update slides
• Executive session resolutions (sealed & confidential)