The committee reviews the FY2023 goals to determine progress, current status, and what is still relevant. 

Goal #1

Build our committee and the Board’s capacity around Veritas Prep’s early college and career focused high school and create a strategy for how we can build employer partnerships related to this coursework and these experiences that will inform our recruitment strategy. 

David asks if we have current partnerships (i.e. with a local hospital)? 

Rachel says we are developing them now - we have not gotten to the stage of work-based learning experiences yet but we are working on it. With our partnerships with STCC and West Springfield High School, we will work with Baystate related to our healthcare pathway. In addition, we are working with David Cruise and YouthWorks to create other work based opportunities related to other pathways. We are looking to build out more partnerships moving forward. 

Aaron asks who takes the lead to build these partnerships?

Rachel says there is a slight gap in singular ownership over this right now. There are several people working on it. Rachel is the leader and owner in the establishment of the partnerships and others will manage and facilitate those partnerships. This is a nice compliment to our primary program of early college but it is a secondary priority. This will be an opportunity for some students, not all students. Great for students who:

1.) Students who aren't taking as many early college classes and may not get a four year degree but want that career exposure that can also prepare them for a successful future (15-20%).

2.) Students in maximum early college classes - these students will have exceeded all of the HS requirements and will need extra learning and resume building opportunities  (initially 15-20% but will grow). 

Aaron and Rachel discuss a potential partnership with Michael Tremble from Valley Communications Systems, Inc. and other Springfield organizations (i.e. MassMutual) related to work-based experiences. 

Rachel talks about the College and Career Advisory Board and some of their work over the past year and a half in discussing and developing community partnerships. Bob Bolduc, who is a member of this Board, is helping to fill school needs - one of those needs is the coordination of work-based learning experiences. Bob is trying to start up an organization that helps schools organize these opportunities. 

David asks about a student who wants to go into a trade rather than pursue a four year degree - are we developing partnerships with these trades? Should be try to be developing this?

Rachel says no because we can't develop programs for each student - our primary focus is early college. We can assist students on a case by case basis but we can't develop a whole program around it because of the reality of the capacity in our organization, This is where Bob's vision could potentially help. 

The committee talks more about our approach to establishing partnerships and how these will relate to our chosen pathways. The committee also discusses expanding our development strategy to include the creation and importance of these employer partnerships.

What do need to accomplish in terms of goals for FY2024?:

Consider what is on the synthesis from from the MCPSA Diagnostic Survey as opportunities:

1. Recruit new trustees with targeted professional expertise (HR, Legal & Fundraising) - keep
2. Regular review of student achievement data - consistent access to a data dashboard (Academic Achievement Committee working on this - remove)
3. ED goals and progress monitoring - lives with the Board chair + ad hoc committee - keep but change (see below)
4. Annual board self-assessment - remove

FY2024 Proposed Goals:

1. Recruit new trustees with targeted professional expertise (HR, Legal & Fundraising) 
2. Oversee board of trustees strategic priorities, goals, committee goals, and CEO goals and progress monitoring. 
   1. 3-5 year plan
   2. 5-10 year vision 
3. Oversee trustee attendance and engagement policy, monitor, and report progress
4. Adopt and conduct an annual board self-assessment

Aaron talks about creating a strategic planning committee - set broad goals that they should address. 

Rachel says since the Board is small maybe we just need a strategic planning session with the whole Board to review our previously set strategic priorities.