Executive Director M. Maccera provided updates on the data dashboard. Several Tutor Corps Members who have completed hours have been moving on to their next assignments. As the school approaches the end of the year, the Smarter Balanced Assessment has started this week. GO-BPT staff is piloting a new testing schedule in which students are losing about three days per student of instructional time in total. In addition, there is a new structure for the Culture Team with a Dean at each grade level. 


 

Executive Director M. Maccera, Director of Operations and three GO eighth graders attended Charter Awareness Day at the State Capitol. The are several outstanding questions about funding for grade growth, per-pupil funding and funds for the charter school facilities grant program. The state is likely to start the fiscal year without an approved budget; Great Oaks will have to adopt a budget without knowing about grade growth. The Connecticut State Department of Education Charter School Program Office is providing on-going guidance. 

M. Maccera presented a draft school calendar for 2017-2018. Great Oaks will start four days before the host district, Bridgeport Public Schools, and continue to maintain the same holidays. 

The board discussed prospective dates for the 2017-2018 school year and placed a hold for the board retreat on August 3, 2017. 

Academic Committee Chair P. Fraser-Abder shared an update from the Academic Committee. The Academic Committee will meet in May to support the leadership transition of Great Oaks Bridgeport. 

Director of Finance R. Iandoli reminded the board plans to review the 2017-2018 budget at the June meeting. He also shared that AmeriCorps has funded equal number of Tutor Corps Members for the coming year. There are outstanding grant requests to support operating expenses, including a federal Charter Schools Program Grant that could provide $170,000 for start up and expansion-related expenses. After receipt of the final per-pupil funding installment, the April cash position was very strong. Given the uncertainty about the state's fiscal landscape, the Great Oaks Foundation will be willing to be flexible about accepting its management fee. 
 

Chief Operating Officer M. McGregor provided an update on the ninth grade wing. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of June and under budget. There continues to be challenges with financing for the long-term space. We continue to expect that the long-term facility will open for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

Chief Operating Officer M. McGregor shared an update about development. In addition to two philanthropic foundation grant applications, the Great Oaks Foundation has also submitted the grant for charter school facilities fund. The Foundation is also considering the prospect of a School Improvement Grant application. Member A. Marshall shared insights from her experience working with the State Department of Education in the two SIG grant programs. Discussion ensued.