D. Zieff states we should be on t5afck to break even.

The column that says End of March is where we stand, 176,000 it's low but it is the end of the quarter. In beginning of April we have been funded for the last few months.

The food account is at 7,000 and reserve account was on 284,000. We had a lot of receivables that we hadn't collected yet but those came in right after March with a total of 343,000 and we have SpEd funding of 145,000 and School meal is coming in with a total of 172,000. 

As of today we are at 1,808,692 in the operating account. The food account is 7,335 and the reserves account is at 284,140. Our total cash on hand is at 2,100,167. 

B. Chan went over fundraising and material expenses. The facilities are higher because we have two full security staff which is 40 Hours a week times 2 people. We have installed new cameras and phone lines so things are higher. 

The bottom line is that everything is in line at the moment and things should fall as predicted.

Budget- B. Carlson asked for B. Chan to go over the good and the bad with the budget. B. Chan reports we have DRIP. CT has realized that there is no funding for repairs. With DRIP we will be getting 75,000 this year and next year. This is a big benefit to the school. We should get those funds by end of May. 

3 new vendors as a slate. 

1. Partners for Educational Leadership-  part of Commissioners Network 

2. Custom Ink- staff appreciation

3. Perkins Eastman- Architectural plans

COO, L. Hubbard went over COO report with our board of directors.

• 100% Certification as of March of 2027
  • Retention
  • Recruitment Collaboration 
  • HR  Streamlined Process
  • CSDE Partnership
• Preparation for 2026-2027 School Year 
  • Intent to Return Survey (Over 90% plan to return next year)
  • Returning staff on temp licenses, paperwork due by the end of May
  • 8-10% New Staff Next Year  - certified or offer contingent on paperwork
• Goals 
  • All returning staff certified by August 15th 
  • All New Staff Certified by November 15th  

Today, we successfully hosted our 2026–2027 student application lottery.

• We accepted 129 new students across grades 6–11.
• Following the lottery and placement process, grades 8–11 are now fully enrolled.
• We currently have remaining openings only in grades 6 and 7.

Year-over-Year Comparison:

Compared to last year, we are in a similar position at this point in the enrollment cycle, particularly in our upper grades, which are now fully enrolled following the lottery.

This reflects continued demand for our program and positions us well heading into the new school year, with a focus on filling remaining seats in grades 6 and 7.
 

J. Scalice went over CEO report with our board members. 

Update on potential grant funding and partnership opportunities with CT AmeriCorps State Grant , Teach for America.

CT AmeriCorps State Grant Opportunity:

Great Oaks submitted an application for the Bridgeport Fellowship Corps for Academic Success on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, meeting the required timelines and submitted documentation.  Special thanks to Ben and Brian for their assistance with this application.
 

Summary

The Fellowship Corps will provide Corps members with hands-on training in the field of education through civic engagement and skill development by providing high-dosage tutoring to students directly. 
 

Award Impact - $352,000

Teach for America:

Potential Partnership

Great Oaks is currently in discussion with both TFA Connecticut and National TFA members for two opportunities:

• Using TFA CT to fill projected vacancies with certified teachers who are part of the Teach For America program
• Using Great Oaks as an intensive training site to support the New England area TFA training over the summer
   

What is Teach for America (TFA)

TFA is an AmeriCorps program that recruits college graduates looking to go directly into a teaching career. TFA provides a hands-on summer intensive program (through summer school teaching) to get candidates ready to teach full time for the upcoming fall. TFA members must pass their certification exams before their summer intensive and receive a “Resident Teacher Certification” from CSDE.

Why TFA for Great Oaks?

Completion of Our Teacher Incubator Program

The addition of Teach For America (TFA) allows Great Oaks to fully operationalize a three-tier teacher development pipeline, creating clear entry points for candidates at different stages of readiness.

Fellowship

Residency

Teach for America

Together, these pathways form a cohesive system: Explore - Engage - Immerse

Teacher Pipeline- Fellowship (Explore) - Our existing Fellowship program serves as the entry point into the profession: Low-risk, high-support exposure to teaching

• Provides hands-on experience through tutoring and small-group instruction
• Includes structured training and coaching
• Allows participants to determine interest in pursuing a career in education
   

Residency (Engage) - Our Residency program is designed for candidates committed to teaching, but not yet ready to lead a classroom independently: Build skill, confidence, and certification readiness

• Two-year model aligned to a Master’s degree pathway
• Mirrors high-quality student teaching/residency programs
• Emphasizes gradual release, coaching, and instructional development
  TFA Corps Member (Immerse) - Partnership with Teach For America adds a pathway for candidates ready to lead immediately: Immediate impact with structured external support
• Full-time classroom teaching role
• Access to TFA coaching, professional network, and AmeriCorps benefits
• Additional pipeline for high-quality, mission-aligned educators

Why This Matters

• Serves candidates from exploration to full classroom leadership
• Meets candidates where they are, rather than forcing a single entry point
• Internal development and external support systems
• Builds our own talent while leveraging national partnerships
   

----------------------------
There is a delay to the Budget Presentation- 

• Federal Impact- Potential reduction of Federal Funding due to consolidation of grant programs. Potential Impact -$85,000
• Healthcare Costs- Changes from our underwriter based on population served resulting in overall increases to expenditure. Actual Impact -$154,000
• Considerations- Reduction of $250,000 in spending with minimal to no impact on student experience
  
  Areas most likely impacted:
• Teacher support (Coaching)
• Non-Classroom Student Support aligned to grant reduction
• Non-Essential programs - non 21-CC afterschool programs

Renewal Steps-
Filing and Data Collection: CSDE filing completed under due dates assigned (typically in May), SBAC data collection and Board Presentation, Board Data (survey through Mind Trust)

Availability: Dates of visits, public hearings, and renewal hearing will be shared in advance with Board Members with urgency to attend.

B. Carlson asked for the board to keep dates in mind and the support helps. 

Expansion Details: What is currently happening?

Design- Creation of four (4) classroom spaces and additional office space using existing square footage

Construction- Two-Stage Plan: 2026 summer - room construction on floors 2 and 3; 2027 removal of lockers from floor 2

Financial Impact- Increase student population at the HS by 75 students grossong 1.1 mil in additional revenue

Restructuring- 2027 - 2028 school year. MS moves to 3rd floor, HS moves to floors 1 and 2 creating a cohesive flow and distinct separation of programs

Immediate Finance- Self-funded reducing long-term debt exposure and requiring a 51 student increase in year 1 to recoup all costs

Year Over Year- At no-debt service, this expansion nets approximately $720,000 direct to student service programs and long-term projects for 4 years. 

No new business.