Azizah read the mission statement

A time period of 15 minutes for public comment was opened with each individual being given 1 minute each to make a public comment.

Brent made opening statements regarding it being a difficult time for everyone at PVPA and that in his role, he needs to give updates on important things. 

Please be mindful of upcoming show dates.

He's been working on a multi-step transportation plan a few years ago to amend the charter to decrease the size of the region to access regional reimbursement funds. This will provide every student who wants it with a bus stop within a mile of their home at no cost. Brent and Marcy will be meeting with the Dept of Ed. and Bus Co. to put together that transportation plan that supports students and costs less than current plan.

Lottery opened on February 26th. Application numbers are a bit lower than in past years. PVPA has maintained very good enrollment numbers. 

As Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching honors teachers, this year, PVPA will recognize dance teacher, Felice Santorelli, Alum and teacher at PVPA for the past 14 years. 

Brent submitted document regarding the Charter School application. We are in the 4th year of our current 5 year renewal cycle.

2025-2026 school calendar has been reviewed for DESE requirements and needs to approved by the board.

Student board member read an 11th grade student council statement regarding the safety of the students and addressing concerns moving forward. 

Latrina shared that she attended an open meeting law training for charter schools. She will share information with the board and governance committee to make sure we he clarity around rules and making sure we are complying. Especially open meeting law around responding to emails and how to engage as a board together.

We are trying to schedule our board retreat so that we can follow up on the discussions and plans we made at our last retreat. We are all extremely busy and finding a date is challenging but hopefully we can find middle ground on a date.

Marcy gave the finance committee report re: 

1. The 5 year financial review from DESE. Overall PVPA is financially healthy. 

2. A proposal for a new theater department. Working with "Friends of PVPA" to raise some needed funds.

3. FY26 Capital Budget. The Finance Committee approved the portion to make improvements

4. Vote by DESE to approve charter amendment re: the current bus contract 

Kiara shared that Friends of PVPA is working on the donation letter for needed upgrades. Kiara and Azizah are working to figure out the relationship of Friends and fundraising.

We are going through the process of head of school self evaluation. Latrina will compile everything to share out.

Azizah shared that after the advice of counsel, in an effort to expand the board, governance committee will hold board candidate interviews of all those who have expressed interest in becoming a board member. This will be a public meeting. Each candidate will have 20 minutes to be interviewed using the same questions for each. After this meeting the governance committee will vote to move candidates forward to the full board for the vote.

Azizah shared that there has been extensive work done on DESE recommended revisions. Latrina and Azizah have included language recommendations in line with our newly agreed upon board norms. Our attorney recommended language to qualify a special meeting. We also reviewed and revised our teacher/student voting status based on DESE recommendation. We have included them as Representatives with voices that matter at every meeting.

We have to be careful how we communicate with each other outside of scheduled meetings. The draft presented today is what the governance committee has approved to move the revision of the bylaws as drafted.

Neil stated that open meeting laws were created to ensure transparency, accountability and public participation, not for us to hide stuff. Prevent secrecy and encourage public trust and that is what we need to strive to do.