Veritas Preparatory Charter School
Minutes
Governance Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday January 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Location
ID: 84901910623
Passcode: 636689
Passcode: 636689
Meeting host: ngauthier@vpcs.org
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://vpcs-org.zoom.us/j/84901910623?pwd=vr9afxTKSOHINjqkf7PWZ8SmbM6J3i.1
Committee Members Present
A. Mendelson (remote), D. Fuller (remote), X. Delobato (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
N. Gauthier (remote), R. Romano (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Governance
A.
Charter School Advocacy
B.
Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying Title IX Policy Changes and Leadership Training Updates
Title IX Policy Changes
Recent federal policy changes have caused fluctuations in Title IX regulations.
- The school updated its policies and procedures based on 2024 changes, but regulations have now reverted to 2020 standards.
- The main difference is the threshold for Title IX violations; the 2020 rules require both persistent and severe behavior, while 2024 rules allow for either persistent or severe behavior to constitute a violation.
- The school is consulting with legal counsel on how to handle these policy changes and may propose a flexible approach to the board.
- The Office of Civil Rights is increasing focus on K-12 schools' Title IX compliance, including thorough investigations, training requirements, and notification procedures.
Training Program by McGrath Training Solutions
The school leadership team attended a comprehensive training program by McGrath Training Solutions, focused on handling Title IX complaints, harassment, discrimination, and bullying investigations.
- The training provided valuable tools and protocols for documenting incidents, conducting investigations, and making decisions in complex cases.
- Key takeaways include the '50% and a feather' burden of proof standard for decision-making and the importance of creating a school culture where staff and students feel empowered to report concerning behavior.
- The training emphasized the need for clear documentation trails and proper handling of complaints to protect the school from potential litigation.
- The school plans to implement these protocols and may send additional staff for training to improve overall handling of such incidents.
C.
Principal Search Update
High School Principal Candidate
The school has identified a top candidate for the high school principal position.
- The finalist will be visiting the school to meet with stakeholders.
- The leadership team plans to move forward with a decision and make an announcement the following week, coordinating communication plans with the candidate's current employer.
- The school leadership expressed enthusiasm about the quality of leadership they have been able to recruit for this important position.
III. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- Advocacy Week 2025 Email to Board Members.docx
Charter School Advocacy Week
The Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) is organizing Charter School Advocacy Week from February 3-7 to celebrate charter schools and advocate for equal funding.
Shift in Advocacy Strategy
The MCPSA has shifted its advocacy strategy in recent years from pushing for charter school growth to focusing on increasing facilities funding.