RVCS Executive Committee Committee Meeting

The Executive Committee met on September 10, 2025 with two committee members present and three guests. The committee approved the prior meeting minutes and then received a Director update covering the start of the school year, classroom environment improvements (notably in E1), an after-school event that boosted ticket sales, and near-full staffing (with only 1.5 hours/week of part-time support remaining). Director logistics included an upcoming meeting with Blue Lion HR to explore packaged HR services (potentially replacing Hilbie for HR while retaining payroll), outreach about a culture/climate survey in coordination with Mass Charter, and playground site work: a new fence is installed, old equipment removed, landscaping to follow, and planned donor and media outreach about the playground project.

The committee discussed Director goals and board governance work: a timeline to finalize Director goals by March/April and to define River Valley’s organizational structure by Thanksgiving, with Karen to revise a draft document for the Executive Committee. Director goal priorities include strengthening caregiver community engagement (SEPAC, parent education series, Coffee with the Executive Director, Parents Alliance meetings) and creating a teacher evaluation plan with an evaluation rubric (planned to be in hand before year-end) aligned to the DERS tool. Board business items covered policy posting and handbook review, an upcoming DESI accountability visit focused on special education and IEP compliance, and finance updates: audit field work for 2025 is complete, the final FY statement is estimated approximately $65K more favorable, and about $200K has been spent so far on the grounds redesign. The committee also discussed consolidating board goals across committees, adding 10–15 minute board education segments to meetings, and set an upcoming board agenda including OML review, a Director update, a vote on Director goals, and board member norms. No public comments were recorded in the minutes.