Read by Mindi Winter

Required as part of the Charter conditions.  DESE did approve Mike Mizoni:  dedicated public service over decade of experience.  Chief Goverance Officer of Board on Track since 2017.  Law degree from NE Law School.  

Here today to satisfy DESE requirement.  Many charters responding to DESE conditions right now.  This training is late - considering what work has already been done in regards to conditions.  Hope is that this is valuable - this training is what he usually provides to new board members for training.  Can always continue conversation after our two hours tonight.  

House keeping:

1.  Introductions

2.  Will need to let HVAC worker in shortly.

Introductions:

Azizah - many Boards - first dealing with state open meeting laws

Brent - HOS for 6 years

Emily - into second term on Board - Parent Member - 2026-2027 Clerk.

Latrina - outgoing President.  Parent and now Community member since 2021.

Minid - returning to the Board - Past President

Marcy - 10 years to PVPA - ex officio

Anne - beginning second year - 1st experience with DESE regulations - work with non-profit boards

Mike stepped away.

PVPA Dir of Technology was setting up emails - anyone who has not received communication from Thom Vreeland?  No

Mike back

Marita - first meeting just started.  Teacher in Amherst HS.  Serve on Board for Amherst Media.

Tom - attny child welfare - some expereince working with DESE.  Second year - serving as VP

Laura - new to boards and PVPA - parent trustee.

Kezia - new this year - advisory board expereince in medical device - parent board member

Slide Show.

Roles & Responsibilities

Oversite of Academic Program

Culture & Climate

Compliance & Legal obligations

Oversight of School Leadership

From Findings to Action

What is a Charter School Board?

Are we covered by Errors & Omissions insurance?  Yes-the school carries and you are protected through your bylaws.

Roles & Responsibilitites

No questions.

Module 1 - pulse check - rate us.  Board has improved over last year in hadling Baord vs Management handling tasks.

Oversight of Academic Program

How did we arrive at this issue?  Whats working/not?  

Believe DESE thought we were asleep at the wheel - give deference to Brent at meetings - he brings the facts thoroughly - charter review by DESE viewed minutes and questioned our responses or lack of.  Brent has invited Board to different happenings at the school.  

All have different backgrounds - being multi layered is difficult to be fully participatory in all things governance.  Difficult to be all things all the time.  Don't get complicit.

No Academic Committee of the Board - should consider.

Module 2 - pulse - consider diving into this .

No questions. - aug 1st deadlin on Annual report on the accountability plan.

Culture & Climate

Retreat this Sunday is when Board will get a good look at the plan.  Dean of Students for three years - action plan is in line with work we have wanted to do.  Lays out steps the Administration wants to take and forces us to do because of DESE conditions.  Ad hock Committee worked on reviewing the survey and recommending the steps for the action plan.

Module 3 - Pulse

Standardized eval or individual questions? Yes.  Policy or approved goal - deliver annual a report on X.  Or build in something that takes place every year.  Want it to be uniform so that is measurable over several years to show progress/lack of.  Once or twice per year.  Builds towards CEO evaluation - creates cycle.

Compliance & Legal Obligations

Module 4 - Pulse - save time - review together later

Oversight of School Leadership

Module 5 - Pulse - Do a fire drill at a meeting - practice 

Allegations & Investigations

Self assessment & next steps.  

Questions & Feedback:

Offer of on-going support for the Board is appreciated and we will be taking advantage.  Help to filter through issues and how to respond.