Veritas Preparatory Charter School

Minutes

Board of Trustees Meeting

In Person

Date and Time

Thursday July 23, 2026 at 4:30 PM

Location

In Person at the High School: 225 Carando Drive Springfield, MA 01104

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Trustees Present

A. Errichetti (remote), A. Hickson-Martin (remote), D. Ford (remote), D. Fuller (remote), M. Freeman (remote), M. Landon (remote), R. Sela (remote)

Trustees Absent

A. Gomez, A. Martínez, L. Doherty, R. Martin

Guests Present

A. Mendelson (remote), N. Gauthier

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

M. Landon called a meeting of the board of trustees of Veritas Preparatory Charter School to order on Thursday Jul 23, 2026 at 4:32 PM.

B.

Approve minutes

II. Board Chair Report

A.

Board Chair Updates

Matt provided an overview of the annual CEO evaluation process. He shared the evaluation timeline and expectations for trustee participation, noting that Rachel had completed her self-evaluation and that Board members should complete their evaluations in Board on Track by August 15. The Board will review the results and consider approval of the evaluation at the September meeting. Matt also noted that Rachel's employment agreement will be brought to the August meeting for approval of revisions adding a defined term and renewal clause, consistent with DESE guidance.

III. CEO Report

A.

Annual Report 2025-2026

A. Hickson-Martin made a motion to to approve the FY25 Annual Report, authorizing management to make any non-substantive edits, including formatting, page-length adjustments, and other administrative revisions necessary prior to submission, provided such changes do not materially alter the content approved by the Board.
A. Errichetti seconded the motion.

Rachel presented the FY2025-2026 Annual Report, reviewing the school's progress toward its charter accountability measures, academic outcomes, organizational viability, and strategic priorities. She highlighted areas of strength, including scholar academic performance and early college outcomes, while also discussing measures that were not met, including student survey results, incentive tracking, and teacher perceptions of professional development. Rachel noted that several accountability measures will be revisited during the next charter term to better align with the school's strategic priorities and DESE requirements.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Errichetti
Aye
A. Hickson-Martin
Aye
M. Freeman
Aye
D. Fuller
Aye
D. Ford
Aye
A. Gomez
Absent
L. Doherty
Absent
M. Landon
Aye
R. Martin
Absent
A. Martínez
Absent
R. Sela
Aye

B.

Charter Renewal Application

M. Landon made a motion to to approve the Charter Renewal Application, authorizing management to make any non-substantive edits, including formatting, page-length adjustments, and other administrative revisions necessary prior to submission, provided such changes do not materially alter the content approved by the Board.
D. Ford seconded the motion.

Rachel presented the final draft of Veritas Prep's Charter Renewal Application, which summarizes the school's performance throughout the current charter term and outlines priorities for the next five years. She reflected on the significant progress the organization has made since the beginning of the charter term, including improvements in teacher retention, staffing stability, and organizational systems. The Board discussed accountability data, teacher qualification requirements, and post-secondary outcomes, including the importance of providing additional context regarding graduates who pursue career, military, or workforce pathways rather than immediate college enrollment.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. Sela
Aye
R. Martin
Absent
A. Errichetti
Aye
A. Hickson-Martin
Aye
L. Doherty
Absent
D. Fuller
Aye
M. Landon
Aye
M. Freeman
Aye
A. Martínez
Absent
D. Ford
Aye
A. Gomez
Absent

C.

Strategic Planning

Rachel facilitated a discussion of the Strategic Planning Discussion Framework developed from the July Board Retreat. Trustees reviewed the synthesized themes and strategic questions intended to guide the upcoming strategic planning process and the work of the strategic planning consultant. The Board discussed enrollment trends, teacher retention, organizational growth, post-secondary outcomes, and long-term priorities. Rachel shared updates on preparations for the upcoming school year, including strong teacher retention, staffing, and current enrollment challenges in fifth grade. She outlined ongoing recruitment efforts and noted that a final enrollment decision would be made following the July 31 lottery.

IV. Finance Committee

A.

Monthly Financial Report, Audit Update, and Quarterly Investment Subcommittee Report

Denise presented the June financial statements and reported that the school's financial position remains strong, with healthy liquidity and a positive year-end outlook. She shared that the FY2025 audit is progressing on schedule with no significant concerns identified and is expected to be completed in early August before returning to the Finance Committee and Board for approval in the fall.

 

Matt provided an update from the Quarterly Investment Subcommittee. The committee reviewed portfolio performance, which has generated approximately a 6% year-to-date return while maintaining a diversified investment strategy designed to balance long-term growth with downside protection. The committee discussed current market conditions, portfolio allocation, and a recommendation to consider maintaining a modest cash reserve for future investment opportunities. The investment advisor will continue monitoring market conditions and determine whether to opportunistically raise cash based on market indicators rather than predetermined timing. The committee also reviewed long-term investment performance and reaffirmed its commitment to a disciplined investment strategy aligned with the school's long-term financial goals.

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:01 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
M. Landon
Documents used during the meeting
  • VPCS 2025-26 Annual Report.docx
  • VPCS Application for Renewal 2026 and Appendix A.docx
  • Strategic Planning Discussion Framework.docx
  • Financial Reports to the Board July.pdf
  • VERITAS YTD Portfolio Monitor July.pdf