Tarik Cranston

The meeting included a Public Comment session where a parent raised concerns about barriers to parental involvement. The Executive Director's report covered enrollment confirmation (100% accepted), academic updates showing positive trends for elementary schools but the Middle School being designated for Targeted Support and Improvement, and progress on the Back to Basics Campaign fundraising goal. The update on Goal 3 of the Strategic Plan focused on building sustainable operational and financial systems, including knowledge management, living within means, and developing a comprehensive development plan. Key financial discussions involved the unanimous approval to contract with Playground Specialist for $107,000 to replace the playground surface at Young Elementary School using surplus A/V upgrade funds, and confirmation that the independent audit was received with no findings. Academically, the Board unanimously voted to approve the ASPIRE Framework as a replacement for the Performance Management Framework (PMF). Governance actions included the unanimous vote to add Raj Thomas as a new Trustee to ensure the Board maintains an odd number of members. The Board also convened in and subsequently adjourned from a closed session regarding a personnel matter.

The meeting addressed an Executive Director Report noting successful Hispanic Heritage Month activities, enrollment figures slightly below budget at 1,035, and an increase in the Special Education population, requiring staffing adjustments. The report also detailed Beginning of Year Data, showing slight proficiency decreases in elementary literacy areas, but significant growth for Hispanic students in ELA. Fall MAP scores showed mixed results across campuses for ELA, though math proficiency saw a network-wide increase. The Board discussed the distinction between student growth and proficiency relative to the 60th percentile cut score. Discussions also covered the Strategic Plan goals focusing on accelerating achievement, strengthening culture, and building sustainable systems, with a focus on family engagement and data use. Finance items required a re-vote due to procurement processes and included recommendations for contracting W.L. Gary for RTU replacement and HVAC maintenance, contracting Digital Masons for audiovisual integration, contracting District Construction for acoustic panel installation, approving a sole-source contract with EmpowerK12 for data analysis services, and reviewing employee benefits renewals, including a slight premium increase for health insurance and switching dental/disability providers. In Governance, vetting was completed for a new finance committee trustee, and the Board noted the upcoming mandatory annual training.

The meeting included reports and discussions on several operational and academic areas. The Executive Director reported on Hispanic Heritage Month activities, enrollment figures which are projected to meet or exceed the budgeted goal despite a slight drop in overall enrollment, and a significant increase in the Special Education (SPED) population. Academic data review covered initial circle data and Fall MAP scores for ELA and Math, noting areas of concern such as a decrease in proficiency for some subgroups and investigations into performance drops at Young Elementary. Key discussion points in academics centered on the tension between student growth and proficiency levels. The Chief of Staff provided an overview of the Strategic Plan's second year goals, focusing on accelerating achievement, strengthening culture, and building sustainable systems, with specific metrics related to family engagement and data use. The Finance Committee presented several items for re-vote or approval, including contracts for RTU replacement, HVAC service maintenance, audiovisual integration services, acoustic panel installation, and a sole-source contract for data analysis services with EmpowerK12. Recommendations were made regarding employee benefits renewal, including a switch in dental, vision, and disability providers to Guardian and Principal, while managing a slight increase in health insurance premiums. In Governance, the vetting of a new finance committee trustee was noted, and in Development, the departure of a Board member and the kick-off of the Beyond the Basics Fall Campaign were discussed.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and approval of the agenda. The Executive Director reported that Two Rivers is fully staffed and provided updates on the Strategic Plan, including achievements in early literacy student growth, retention rates, and net income goals. Enrollment figures were reviewed, with final counts pending on the October count day. DC CAPE Data from Spring 2025 was presented, showing performance in ELA and Math, prompting discussion on strategies for accelerating student progress, which include data triangulation and personalized support through 'sailing time'. In Finance, the failure of a rooftop HVAC unit at 4th St necessitated a procurement action. The Board recommended and approved two major expenditure items: the FY26 contract for EL Education curricular materials from Open Up Resources ($45,000) and the sole-source contract for Data Analysis Services with EmpowerK12 ($44,000). The Governance section focused on approving updates to the Staff Handbook, which involved creating a supplemental Procedures Guide, language revisions concerning employee evaluations, remote work eligibility, social media policies, religious holiday leave (updated to 3 days), and incorporating PUMP Act changes into the Pregnancy and Lactation Accommodation policy. The meeting concluded with an update on development activities and adjournment.

The meeting commenced with the Chair calling the session to order and explaining compliance with the Open Meetings Act, followed by an Opening Circle where the Two Rivers Mission, Goal, and Core Values were read, and Trustees shared insights from their summer reading. A key action item was the vote for the Secretary position, resulting in the unanimous election of Mike Jacobs Jr. The Board subsequently convened in a Closed Session to discuss personnel matters, including training/development and the performance/compensation of charter school personnel, before adjourning.