No members of the public provided comments at this meeting.

A. Kaynor provided a preview of the upcoming April 24th meeting agenda and noted that the Academic Oversight Committee and School Improvement Team will meet to review the LEA Strategic Plan and that the full Board will also meet to discuss a couple topics, including updates on advocacy, fundraising, and real estate.

A. Kaynor and O. Stearns provided updates on real estate, advocacy, and fundraising, including the following topics:

• Review status and Board next steps for the Carl G. Lauro, Rhode Island College, and 225 Chapman St. real estate projects.
• Review and update the Board on the school's latest thinking regarding enrollment scenario planning for each of the following possible real estate outcomes: RIC only, Lauro only, RIC & Lauro.
• Update on Rhode Island College project and vote to approve updating the diligence budget.
• Update on Lauro project and review of advocacy timeline and Board next steps.
• Update on 225 Chapman project and letter of intent.

A. Kaynor updated the Board on progress with RI Growth Campaign fundraising and Board recruitment next steps and priorities, as detailed in the Progress Report that was provided to the Board in advance. A. Kaynor noted that we are asking each Board member to provide 2-3 prospective names for new Board members. A. Kaynor also requested volunteers to participate in the Growth Campaign Committee. A. Kaynor answered clarifying questions from the Board about the goals and next steps.

O. Stearns notified the Board of the passing of Liza Cariaga-Lo and asked for a moment of silence in her honor and then opened up for memories and reflections.

The Board and team was so lucky to have Liza deeply involved in the early years of Excel in Rhode Island. She was brilliant, thoughtful, kind, and incredibly committed to Excel’s students and mission – often coming up from New Haven for board and committee meetings, even when going through treatment. We will notify the Board when there are events and initiatives in her honor.

A. Kaynor reminded the Board about annual ethics disclosures. The RI Ethics Commission sends your annual disclosure forms via mail, and the forms are due back to the Ethics Commission by the last Friday in April (4.25.25). You can submit your disclosures online. Please contact Arthur Kaynor if you have not received your disclosure paperwork yet or have questions about completing this requirement. Thank you!

A. Kaynor encouraged non-Finance Committee Board members to stay for the Finance Committee meeting this evening from 6:15-7pm, to review a draft budget for FY26 (School Year 25-26) and to approve Excel RI's 990 tax form. Non-Committee Board members are welcome to participate each year in the school's budget planning process. Please reach out to Arthur Kaynor if you would like to meet with a member of the Finance Team to learn more about the budget. Following the 4.10.25 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.

A. Kaynor reminded the Board about upcoming events at the school and the Board's engagement goals.

List of documents used at the meeting:

• Agenda
• Prior meeting minutes
• FY25 Goals Progress Report
• Growth Campaign Committee overview