Grace Howard-Donlin

The board meeting agenda includes the review of the school's mission, an open forum for public comments, and a vote regarding a proposal to adjust the grading system for grades 4-12 to a 60-point passing scale. Additional agenda items include committee reports from the Education Committee and the Facilities and Finance Committee, the Executive Director's report, and an executive session to deliberate on personnel matters and collective bargaining strategy.

The Board of Trustees held a meeting to review and discuss the proposed FY2027 budget for the school. Presentations were provided covering budget considerations, salaries and staffing, revenue, various expense categories including administration, benefits, instructional costs, operations and maintenance, and pupil services, as well as non-operating items and covenant calculations. The board received the information for consideration ahead of a future formal vote.

The board discussed trustee recruitment, the employee handbook, and an updated schedule for the executive director's review. The facilities and finance committee provided a construction project update and a financial report, noting current net income and cash positions. The board approved the fiscal year 2027 budget following a review of historical and actual data and inquiries regarding cleaning contract costs. Additionally, the executive director reported on an upcoming visit from a state representative and provided an update on the search for a new director of facilities and the oversight of ongoing construction.

The committee discussed the proposed 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 academic calendars, specifically noting the strategic alignment of start and end dates with construction plans. Writing benchmark data for grades 4-8 was reviewed, highlighting student progress and areas requiring additional support, alongside the integration of AI tools for writing prompts and the need for a formal AI citation policy. Enrollment figures were presented, showing a high volume of applications. Additionally, the committee received updates on the school's phased AI implementation, district governance, and specific reports from the high school, middle school, and the elementary school principal.

The committee discussed the construction and funding update for a school building project, including scope history, affordability, and upcoming milestones such as lender commitments and design development. The committee also held a preliminary discussion on the FY2027 budget, covering revenue expectations, staffing requests, salary adjustments, instructional costs, and administrative expenses. Additionally, the committee scheduled a future meeting for budget review and reviewed the status of monthly financial, information technology, and facilities reports.