Catherine Bain

This document outlines City Gardens Charter School's efforts to maintain its founding vision of diversity and equity in student enrollment, particularly in response to demographic shifts within its target catchment area. The plan focuses on strategic initiatives to increase representation of low-income and African-American students. Key actions include leveraging new state legislation to provide enrollment preference for students eligible for free or reduced lunch, intensifying recruitment and outreach efforts, and initiating a process to review and potentially revise the school's neighborhood catchment area.

The agenda for the board meeting primarily focused on financial and strategic planning items. Key discussion points included the approval of the 2026-29 Strategic Plan Overview, associated documents, metrics, financial model, and management framework. A major item was the vote to approve the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget. Detailed budget presentations covered revenue sources (State, Federal, Prop C, Philanthropy), expenditure categories (Salaries, Benefits, Services, Supplies, Occupancy), and projections, highlighting a forecasted deficit for FY27 based on revised state funding estimates and historical under-enrollment challenges. Discussions also addressed commitments, such as implementing Phase 2 of lead and assistant guide salary scales, hiring a Chief of Learning, and challenges related to special education expenses and increased pension contribution rates. Future action items included developing strategies to maximize fundraising revenue and advocating for continued MOQPK funding.

The 2018-2023 Strategic Plan for City Garden Montessori School outlines a strategy to expand its impact through academic excellence and anti-biased, anti-racist (ABAR) practices. The plan focuses on four primary priorities: refining the ABAR Montessori education program and supporting teachers, launching a training institute for ABAR Montessori educators, growing the current school and establishing new ones to serve more students, and creating a Center for Equity for community organizing and policy advocacy. The strategic approach aims to foster a sustainable model, enhance educational quality, increase access to public Montessori education, and drive racial and economic equity.

This document outlines City Garden Montessori School's foundational principles, strategic growth initiatives, and commitment to social change. It details the integration of the Montessori Method in its learning programs, the establishment of a Center for Equity to dismantle racism and foster social justice, and an active anti-bias, antiracism (ABAR) education model. The plan also addresses the institution's response to the challenges of COVID-19, emphasizing immediate needs, equitable support, and distance learning. The overarching vision is to cultivate a world of racial equity and empower future generations to realize their full potential and effect positive societal transformation.

This document outlines the vision and strategic approach of City Garden Montessori School, aiming to redefine education by fostering purposeful classrooms and an inclusive community where every child is nurtured, seen, supported, and celebrated. Key strategic pillars include embedding Anti-Bias, Antiracist principles, providing a comprehensive Family Support Program, and utilizing a Strategic Framework to achieve inclusive excellence and equitable outcomes. The overarching vision is to "Redefine Education, Reimagine Community, Reinvigorate our World."