Brian Moore reviewed current enrollment numbers--165 with 58 applicants for next year.  Ideally, our number for next year will be at least 315 total across four grades, 6-9.  We are recruiting for a whole new sixth grade class as well as for some students in each of the other grades, 7th, 8th and 9th.

Students, parents and teachers continue to recruit students for next year. Recruitment efforts include school tours, increased social media presence, and scheduling opportunities to meet with different groups.  We need to follow up with the videos that were created as part of the publicity about the school.  The school is moving forward in exciting ways.  We still need to get the word out that we are here and open for more students.

A suggestion was made that perhaps the Board can assist and/or come up with some incentives for staff who bring in folks to learn about the school.

Student numbers are related to budget, and if there are less students, then we have to do more fundraising.  

In other news of the school, offer letters are going out to a new science teacher, a new ELA teacher and a new social studies teacher.

DOE visited on Day 1 of testing and Jackie and staff did a great job as did students and things went well.

Discussions with DOE included interacting with kids, learning about the greenhouse project, and suggestions about shared instructional services and fundraising ideas. 

With the support of the Parent Advissory Committee, there are three field trips coming up over the next several weeks, including a trip to Cape Henlopen State Park, and a Shorebirds game. 

There will be  ceremony commemorating the eight grade class moving up to night grade, the first official year of high school.  Dr. Berry suggested perhaps Christy Taylor could be a speaker at this event.

Dr. Kim reminded us that the Golf Fundraiser is scheduled for August 4 at Peninsula Golf Club.

Dr. Kim has done this before and is guiding us informally in the planning process.

We need assistance from the board to get sponsorships and golfers--much work to be done in May and June and then a bit of a break until closer to the event.

The next planning committee meeting is May 5th at 5:00--let Dr. Kim know if you would like to come to the meeting.

Kate reported that there are a number of grant deadlines coming up and BASSE will be pursuing grant funding in a number of areas including building and physical plant, computers and supplies and special programming.

Close to $20,000 was made on the Gala in April, which was well attended and everyone had a great time.  Dr. Kim was an excellent bartender and the silent auction went very well.  The venue, Hopkins Farm, Covered Bridge worked out very well despite the pouring rain and high winds of the evening.  Thank you to everyone who was involved in the planning and execution of the event.

The CBOC meeting was held too close to the Board meeting this month, so the March 2025 financial report will be posted as draft until the Board can vote to approve at the May 27, 2025 Board meeting.  Additionally, CBOC meeting minutes for April will be reviewed prior to the May 27, 2025 Board meeting for approval at the meeting.