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

N. Keough, F. Reyes, S. Patton, and members of the Academic Oversight Committee presented a proposal to update local competency determinations and add the MCAS to Excel's graduation requirements.

N. Keough presented a summary of the proposal for graduation requirements and competency determination that was provided to the Board in advance and is detailed in the Academic Update Slides and enclosed proposal document.

R. Lytle asked a clarifying question on the data, which N. Keough confirmed, that 89% of families approve of the MCAS being used as a local graduation requirement.

R. Lytle asked a clarifying question to understand the specifics of the proposal, and N. Keough confirmed that, before the November ballot initiative, MCAS was the competency determination and coursework was the graduation requirement.

C. Brumme asked a clarifying question regarding alternate structures that peers are considering, which N. Keough provided. We are aware of more complex structures that some peers are adopting (for example, with levels of diplomas based on achievement), and the team has opted to propose a more straightforward structure for Excel.

N. Keough provided a summary of the academic update slides and latest quarterly board data dashboard report, with the following highlights:

• Our academic performance is largely on track to meet our goals, with some specific bright spots and some continued areas of concern.
  • Bright spots include HS MCAS-course performance and MS ELA proficiency.
  • Areas of concern include 5th grade Math and performance of the most struggling students.
• Our stability measures (attendance, discipline) are improved from last year and we are optimistic we will reach our goals (or get quite close).
• Staff retention is improved, and our team is aligned with the overall direction of the organization, but we need to address gaps in leader development and leading through change.
• Our top focuses for the spring are responding to our student academic data (particularly for priority courses) and leveraging the planning process for next year to engage our teams and demonstrate our learning and growth based on feedback.

C. Brumme asked for additional context regarding gaps in leader development, and N. Keough provided additional information about the robust 360 feedback process that every staff member participates in and the follow-up coaching that occurs based on 360 feedback. N. Keough added that there are sometimes gaps in communication when leaders are doing the work to follow up on feedback but not always communicating about it consistently enough.

D. Sachs thanked the team for leading so effectively through an incredibly challenging time.

R. Lytle noted appreciation of the depth of data and understanding of where we were with our discipline data and the path we have taken in growth and post-pandemic recovery.

C. Brumme noted that challenges we are seeing are common across the sector and expressed gratitude that our team is consistently doing such thoughtful work and seeing real progress.

A. Kaynor updated the Board that the Finance Committee will be meeting on April 11th, 10-11am via Microsoft Teams to review a draft budget for FY26 (School Year 25-26). Non-Committee Board members are welcome to participate each year in the school's budget planning process. Please reach out to A. Kaynor if you would like to be invited to attend the Finance Committee meeting and/or would like to meet with a member of the Finance Team to learn more about the budget. Following the Finance Committee meeting, a budget proposal memo will be circulated to Excel's three Boards in advance of their May and June meetings when each Board will vote to approve its respective budget for FY26.

O. Stearns provided an update on the impacts the schools are experiencing as a result of federal disruptions and the contingency planning that is underway to plan for possible impacts on federal funding.

D. Stolow asked a clarifying question about the fungibility of funds that could be impacted by major federal impacts, which O. Stearns provided. O Stearns and A. Kaynor noted that we will revisit this topic in the upcoming 4.11.25 Finance Committee meeting and are engaged in strategic risk management planning and welcomed non-Committee Board members to join that conversation.

A. Kaynor and O. Stearns presented a progress report on FY25 goals and then led a deeper discussion of specific goals related to fundraising, Board engagement, and Board recruitment.

The Governance & Nominating Committee and staff reported on efforts to vet candidates in the pipeline for known/anticipated vacancies over the next couple years and asked all Board members to provide 2-3 names to help refresh the pipeline as we continue to vet candidates.

A. Kaynor will send out a summary of recruitment needs and will also schedule end-of-year 1:1 check-ins with each Board member in advance of the annual meeting in June to confirm terms, roles, and committee assignments for next year and to check in on fundraising and engagement goals.

A. Kaynor provided an overview of upcoming opportunities to visit the school and encouraged Board members to attend Signing Day Ceremony and Graduation and to bring guests.

List of documents used in the meeting:

- Agenda

- Prior minutes

- Academic update slides

- Academic data dashboard

- Proposal re: competency determination and graduation requirements

- FY25 goals progress report