MM  reminded Trustees that the Annual Report is a doc created every year and submitted to DESE.  Its an opportunity for charter schools to provide an update on the work that has been done this past year based on promises in the charter.   

MM  noted that a finial scrub for grammatical errors, granular details etc. needs to take place thus is asking for conditional approval with a final doc - fully scrubbed - to be emailed by EOD Tuesday 7/27.   FYI - Sue Walsh has also reviewed these documents.    

MM noted this report differs from Annual Reports in past years in two ways:  1) the impact COVID has had on our program  and  2) Accountability Plan - community service & reading diagnostics - couldn't do full program as these elements had to take place in person.  This explanation noted on the document.  

NB: Has DESE indicated how they are going to evaluate us this year ? MM -  not directly although they've discussed in general terms.

DB :  Did COVID impact reading progress negatively?  MM - yes, our students certainly read less this year vs. past years due to limitations being remote. Hired a director of literacy for upcoming year to close the gap.  

Hector: Motion to conditionally approve the annual report and charter application. With the understanding that the management team is doing a final scrub for grammar and formatting before 7/30 submission.  (Final Draft to trustees by 5 pm Tuesday.  Questions from Trustees by 5 pm Thursday .  Document submitted Friday 7/30. 

MM reviewed to the group that the Charter Renewal App is a similar but longer document in comparison to Annual Report.  Charter Apps talks through the last 4 years vs. last year (as in Annual report).  As a school, we submit this doc to inform DESE that we want to be renewed.  In Fall DESE will do an onsite visit with various focus groups etc.  This document sets up that visit.  

MM  noted that a finial scrub for grammatical errors, granular details etc. needs to take place thus is asking for conditional approval with a final doc - fully scrubbed - to be emailed by EOD Tuesday 7/27.  
FYI - Sue Walsh has also reviewed these documents. 

MM highlights from the Charter App & review of past 4 years = Governance and Financial Mgt. continue to be a strong point.  
MM : Biggest threat to the work we are doing - 1) student achievement (tricky bc we only have 2 real years worth of MCAs data.  Unclear how DESE will handle this )   2)  Access and Equity - we have been "dinged" on this at past site visits, specifically :
    a) Discipline numbers from year 1 (suspensions rates were too high )
    b) attendance rates in past years . 

Hectors : "Suspensions rates have gone down but still higher than state average".  MM: we've hired onsite counselors , suspension rates are an absolute last resort , and have put other systems in place to rectify and continue to improve these percentages. 

Tony asked from a reminder on the 4 levels of renewal : 
MM : 1) Clean renewal (schools in a strong place ),  2) Conditional approval (doings pretty good but here are the things you need to work on), 3) Renewal with Probation (renewing you but here are some serious concerns , with timelines)  4) Non-renewal 

Hector: Motion to conditionally approve the annual report and charter application. With the understanding that the management team is doing a final scrub for grammar and formatting before 7/30 submission.  (Final Draft to trustees by 5 pm Tuesday.  Questions from Trustees by 5 pm Thursday .  Document submitted Friday 7/30.