Zach Israel shared three areas of feedback regarding his experience as an E.L. Haynes parent:

• A desire for greater transparency around the decision-making process and rationale for weather-related closures.
• Improved clarity and accuracy in attendance record-keeping, including clearer processes for families to address potential attendance errors (e.g., when a student is marked absent but was present).
• A more streamlined process for submitting required public health documentation, such as dental records and proof of immunizations.

Chief Executive Officer Toni R. Barton provided high-level updates on the following:

• Her five major strategic priorities.
• The Community Design Group process.
• Recent and upcoming external relations and stakeholder engagement efforts.
• E.L. Haynes being named a Top-10 Finalist at the ASU+GSV Education Innovation Showcase in April.

Chief Executive Officer Toni R. Barton presented mid-year academic data to the Board. She and Rob Murphy, Managing Director of Instruction, shared that the most recent data reflect significant academic gains at the middle school level.

Chief Executive Officer Toni R. Barton provided an overview of the partnership with WestEd and outlined how cross-campus leaders will collaborate to develop and begin implementation of the E.L. Haynes PK–12 STEAM+ framework. She noted that this work will unfold over multiple years, with a primary milestone of integrating key decisions into a single, coherent PK–12 STEAM+ framework by Summer 2026.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Justin Rydstrom presented the FY26 mid-year financial outlook, noting both significant increases in revenue and corresponding increases in expenditures. He shared that the organization’s approach is to remain nimble—making strategic investments when academic data and organizational priorities support doing so.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Justin Rydstrom provided an overview of the FY27 budget planning process, noting anticipated citywide funding shifts, including changes to the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) as DC revenue growth slows. 

Interim Chief Financial Officer Justin Rydstrom shared that the facilities team and the Audit, Finance, and Facilities Committee continue to monitor and evaluate facilities opportunities aligned with the organization’s strategic and academic priorities.

Governance Committee Chair Roshelle Payes provided an update on ongoing trustee recruitment efforts, including outreach to potential alumni and middle school family representatives. Senior Director of External Relations and Strategic Initiatives Katie Wynne noted upcoming board planning needs, including adding at least one trustee to the Governance Committee this year to strengthen capacity heading into next year, and identifying a new Board Secretary for SY2026–27.

Senior Director of External Relations and Strategic Initiatives Katie Wynne highlighted upcoming community engagement opportunities and encouraged trustees to participate in events and activities in support of the school’s outreach and relationship-building efforts.

The board discussed confidential personnel matters.