Ms. Romano explained that this budget accounts for any changes of shifts for the year and that we want to make the budget reflect more of the actual. Mr. Fuller asked a clarifying question about the rate used in the memo given previous discussions about the rate changes. Ms. Romano confirmed that the rate included in the memo is the correct rate. Ms. Ford and Mr. G clarified that aligning the projected budget and the approved budget and the actual budget is something we do almost every year.

Ms. Ford and Ms. Romano reported that the development team has raised almost $25,000 of our $75,000 challenge match grant from Strategic Grant Partners. Our deadline for this is the end of the year. Ms. Ford shared that most recently our letter campaign generated $15,000. She then shared information about planning for an upcoming development event in the spring. She discussed partnering with the music teacher to have some students perform and to have a student panel of speakers. Ms. Romano suggested that we needed to focus on generating some larger individual donations and then use an event to try to get the last $10,000. The board then discussed ideas for an event: outside speakers, student performances, spelling bee, teams do a good deed and raise money (Raise Craze), basketball tournament. As a priority, a list of businesses and vendors would be the initial push and then an event. Mr. Janes said we need to get clear about our outcome. Would sponsorship of the event be significant. 
 

The Commissioner has officially recommended in his memo to the board of education to approve our high school seats. The ESE board meeting is Tuesday, January 28 at 8:30 in Malden.  Ms. Romano discussed some of the different enrollment scenarios with a total of 766 students in grades 5-12. The goal is to open in 2023. Several adjustments are needed with delaying the opening a year. This includes our talent search for school leaders and some of our funding supports. We would likely wait a year to hire leaders for the school. Ms. Romano will continue to talk to funders around timelines.  This would mean our current 6th graders would be eligible for the high school. Another adjustment would be around facilities. Mr. Sweet and Mr. Janes named that our launch plan would need to be revised in light of this delay.

Two current Veritas parents are scheduled to speak at the board meeting on Tuesday during the public meeting.

Ms. Romano gave an update on the school in Holyoke and on the collaboration between our Springfield school and our Holyoke school. Ms. Romano shared information about the Receiver transition in Holyoke. 

Ms. Romano shared information about board recruitment and two candidates whom she and Mr. Janes have met with. She emphasized our goal around diversifying our board. Mr. Menellssohn shared another possible candidate whom he met reccently. He and the governance chair are meeting with this person.