MCCPS Board of Trustees
Minutes
Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday June 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Location
Hybrid Format:
- in person at MCCPS
- via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/98355446062?pwd=bVg2VzE4bEZUVXJqY0R4UlJnVmZ1dz09
Trustees Present
Carly McIver, Carol McEnaney (remote), Chris Re, Ellen Lodgen, Emily Promise, Eric Neagle (remote), Ian Hunt, Karen Kagan, Katie Holt (remote), Kimberly Nothnagel (remote), Lindsay Smith, Rachel March, Stephanie Brant
Trustees Absent
Polly Titcomb
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
Kimberly Nothnagel
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Public Comment
II. Head of School Report
A.
June 2026 HOS report
HoS provided an update on ongoing enrollment and filing of a potential amendment to broaden the school sending districts.
Enrollment — the school is projected to realize the target number of 230 students for the next school year. Key headline includes strong numbers of returning students entering 7th. Overall, very positive numbers with strong wait lists at all grades. The breakdown for key districts is as follows:
- 30% Lynn
- 20% Peabody
- 17% Marblehead
- 13% Salem
- 9.5% Swampscott
DESE Admentment - School sending districts are still very low and significantly below the DESE target of 80%. HoS shared insight into the ongoing thinking behind the possibility of seeking an amendment to DESE for the broadening of MCCPS sending districts. This includes continuing to build MCAS data sets to support the request and potential timing (i.e., 2026 or waiting for 2027). The board explored potential timing scenarios with the HoS.
Updates on Staff Hiring — Contract renewals ongoing with some key positions filled. Some staff departures will result in a need to redefine some roles (e.g. IT/ Tech Lead). Open potions are currently being posted.
EOY Staff Meeting - HoS used the final staff meeting to review key accomplishments for 2025/2026. This included highlighting major rollouts of new curriculum and general progress made by students. Other major accomplishments included broadening of data analysis and personal development with the staff. HoS was also looking forward to the MCCPS LT retreat in August to continue development of key strategic priorities.
III. HOS Contract Renewal Approval
A.
HOS Contract Renewal
Emily Promise shared a compensation review of the proposed contract renewal for the HoS which would see an increase in annual compensation from $160,000 to $200,000, effective July 1, 2026. The proposed early renewal of the contract is intended to provide leadership continuity and organizational stability. The presentation also included a rationale of FINCOM's proposal using a benchmarking analysis of comparable schools and roles.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Karen Kagan |
Aye
|
| Kimberly Nothnagel |
Aye
|
| Carly McIver |
Aye
|
| Rachel March |
Aye
|
| Eric Neagle |
Abstain
|
| Lindsay Smith |
Aye
|
| Polly Titcomb |
Absent
|
| Ian Hunt |
Abstain
|
| Ellen Lodgen |
Aye
|
| Chris Re |
Aye
|
| Emily Promise |
Aye
|
| Katie Holt |
Aye
|
| Stephanie Brant |
Abstain
|
| Carol McEnaney |
Abstain
|
IV. Board Action Items:
A.
Approve Special May meeting 2026 minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Carol McEnaney |
Aye
|
| Eric Neagle |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Abstain
|
| Katie Holt |
Aye
|
| Rachel March |
Aye
|
| Chris Re |
Aye
|
| Carly McIver |
Aye
|
| Stephanie Brant |
Aye
|
| Ellen Lodgen |
Abstain
|
| Polly Titcomb |
Absent
|
| Kimberly Nothnagel |
Aye
|
| Lindsay Smith |
Aye
|
| Karen Kagan |
Aye
|
| Emily Promise |
Aye
|
B.
Approve May 2026 regular Board meeting minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Polly Titcomb |
Absent
|
| Lindsay Smith |
Aye
|
| Carly McIver |
Aye
|
| Karen Kagan |
Aye
|
| Kimberly Nothnagel |
Aye
|
| Katie Holt |
Aye
|
| Stephanie Brant |
Aye
|
| Ellen Lodgen |
Aye
|
| Carol McEnaney |
Aye
|
| Emily Promise |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Abstain
|
| Rachel March |
Aye
|
| Eric Neagle |
Aye
|
| Chris Re |
Aye
|
C.
Approve June Retreat minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Emily Promise |
Aye
|
| Stephanie Brant |
Aye
|
| Kimberly Nothnagel |
Aye
|
| Lindsay Smith |
Aye
|
| Chris Re |
Aye
|
| Eric Neagle |
Aye
|
| Ellen Lodgen |
Abstain
|
| Karen Kagan |
Aye
|
| Carol McEnaney |
Aye
|
| Katie Holt |
Aye
|
| Polly Titcomb |
Absent
|
| Rachel March |
Aye
|
| Ian Hunt |
Aye
|
| Carly McIver |
Aye
|
V. Board Annual Items
A.
Upcoming Agenda Items
CoB reviewed upcoming key goals including voting on board potions (e.g CoB, vCOB, Clerk etc).
B.
MCPSA plug for board development
Board encouraged to engage and use the MCPSA for board development.
C.
Board Retreat feedback
Board reflected on the recent MCCPS board retreat - including use of team building and data deep-dive.
VI. Committee Updates
A.
Finance Committee
See notes adobe - FINCOM has been working on a preparion of new HoS contract.
B.
Governance Committee
No meeting. Next meeting in July.
C.
Academic Excellence
No meeting.
D.
Development & Communications
No meeting.
E.
DEI Committee
DEI met and shared stories of inclusion. Meeting also included reflections of 2-3 guests.
F.
Personnel Committee
No meeting.
VII. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
- Bord completed HoS / LT on progress in advancing the math capabilities of students. A difficult and challenging topic, which the school has nevertheless been advancing.
- Graduation was well received.
- The board thanked Lyndsay Smith for her support and engagement as she steps down as CoB.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- June 2026 Head of School Report.pdf
- MCCPS June 2026.pdf
- 2026 Renewal S BRANT HOS CONTRACT_v3_Clean.docx.pdf
Jeff Barry shared perspectives on the ongoing negotiations with the HoS with a new contract. Board thanked Jeff for his input.