Padmaja Bandaru

The meeting included the review of bylaws regarding governance committee revisions and the approval of the fiscal year 2027 budget. Updates were provided concerning fundraising efforts, parent and faculty representation, and the Executive Director's report. Board business involved follow-ups from a strategic planning session, board member gifts, committee changes, and a review of proposed bylaw amendments. Additionally, the board discussed the Executive Director's evaluation and received reports from the development, finance, governance, and education committees. Discussion also focused on incorporating more substantive topics into future agendas, with a particular emphasis on advocacy planning.

The board discussed several topics, including updates on grant applications, the status of the PTO, and fundraising efforts for athletics. The Executive Director provided a report on professional development goals related to the Student Opportunity Act, the implementation of career and academic planning curricula, and student intervention programs. Additionally, the board reviewed the agenda for an upcoming strategic planning meeting, received reports from various committees regarding finance, development, governance, and education initiatives, and reviewed action item procedures to improve board efficiency.

The board meeting covered a wide range of topics, including updates on fundraising initiatives, community outreach efforts such as legislative engagement, and a detailed review of student academic performance data from the first semester. Discussions also addressed faculty concerns regarding professional development, athletic department changes, and the implementation of digital payment systems for school activities. The board focused on improving teacher-family communication through new standardized processes and reviewed strategies for academic support, including potential ability-based leveling in middle school English. Additionally, the meeting included a summary of a recent strategic planning session, reports from various committees regarding bylaw revisions and upcoming admissions outreach, and a discussion on future board governance and advocacy priorities.

The committee reviewed an updated financial assistance policy for FY2027, determining it to be operational in nature. Financial drafts for the period spanning July 2025 through January 2027 were analyzed and found to be consistent with the current budget. Discussions also addressed updated state tuition projections and the established timeline for the review and approval of the FY 2026 budget.

The Finance Committee reviewed and approved the purchase of a new boiler for the upper school building, noting that the expenditure was accounted for in the long-term capital plan. The committee also evaluated the short- and long-term capital plans and the first draft of the upcoming fiscal year budget. Key discussion items included tuition projections, salary-related expenses, and health insurance costs, the latter of which requiring further investigation and follow-up discussions.