Nakita Packer

The meeting included a mission moment sharing photos and videos from the summer school program and the start of the school year, including professional development activities. The Assistant Principal presented the 2025-2026 SY DC CAPE Data, highlighting strengths in specific areas but noting that student performance in ELA and Math is below district peers, leading to adjustments such as increasing instructional minutes, redesigning the MTSS process, and making all 1st through 5th grade classrooms co-taught. Committee updates covered governance plans for a board retreat, the facilitation selection process, and forthcoming leadership role fillings; school performance discussions centered on implementing staff Exit Interviews to support teacher retention; and finance/development discussed using the school's 20th anniversary to support fundraising. The Director's Report provided enrollment updates, noting current enrollment is 364 with waitlists for several grades, and addressed concerns regarding federal law enforcement presence and the impact on the school community. The board also discussed the UDL partnership with CAST and the DC Special Education Coop, featuring the school's UDL model at a conference.

The Board Meeting included a Mission Moment sharing highlights from Hispanic Heritage Month activities, such as a door decoration contest and classroom celebrations. A presentation was delivered on the Bridges' Data Ecosystem, covering academic, attendance, behavior, and progress monitoring data systems, and how this data informs instruction and campus priorities. Committee updates were provided, noting the focus for the November 2025 Board Retreat, discussion on Exit versus Stay interviews for teacher retention, and planning for the Finance Committee meeting. The Director's Report addressed staffing updates, including efforts to fill various instructional assistant roles and supporting ParaPro exam costs. Budget discussions noted that projections for special education enrollment levels were being redone following enrollment processing, but the budget remains in the black. Furthermore, the impact of immigration enforcement on school attendance and enrollment was discussed, prompting plans for the school social worker/counselor to conduct sessions on loss and separation for students.

The Board Meeting focused on key updates and committee matters. The Head of School provided an update on the development of the Strategic Plan, illustrating how the three-year School Improvement Plan (SIP) is embedded within the five-year Strategic Plan. Key SIP goals include improving student attendance, increasing literacy growth, and teacher retention. The Board was advised that the formal sharing of the Strategic Plan is delayed until winter of the 25-26 school year. Committee discussions included reflections on a recent retreat and a general discussion regarding voting on Board Leadership roles (Treasurer and Secretary) via email. The Development/Finance Committee requested that all board members make an unrestricted donation by December 31, 2025. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss personnel matters concerning school staff, as permitted by the Open Meetings Act.

The general meeting of the Board of Trustees for Bridges Public Charter School will cover opening items, including recording attendance and calling the meeting to order. Key agenda items include a Mission Moment, a summary of Committee Work & Retreat, voting on Board Positions, the Head of School's Report, and the Consent Agenda which includes the approval of meeting minutes for a previous session. The meeting will conclude with adjournment.