February Board of Ed: opening remarks

The agenda is here 
Sagan "I am optimistic that we will not use all of the time today"
"hopeful we will get everyone on the road a little early"
Riley: reminder that there is a state education conference in March 19 at UMass Amherst "as we plot our way forward"
email coming out in the next week or so for sign ups

Public comments:
panel of employees at Excel Academy East Boston
speaker was one of first graduating class, now works there
one of eleven children raised in East Boston
youngest brother on the waiting list; was being mistreated at his middle school
"our staff works hard...to build culture"
"have test scores, college acceptance rates...a community of people who will always be there for you"
alum of Excel '08, now PE teacher: "really would love the opportunity to tell you that Excel Academy gave me something to believe in"
went to a private boarding school for high school
giving students opportunity that I didn't have
"the emotional support" provided to students and employees
alum, class of 2007, now teachers there
supportive teachers and staff
homelife made it hard to focus on academics
teachers assisted in keeping her on track
show students they have someone they can trust, someone who has their back
mission does not fall short
want more students to have the experience that I did
Paulo Freire Charter speakers 
executive director, member of the board speaking
thank for renewal of charter for the next five years
"committed and confident that we will be successful"
"believe the recommendations will continue to stabilize our enrollment, our finances, and our management"
moving to new facilities
will be contracting with outside accounting firm, adding accounts payable
review and revise financial policies
partnering with SchoolWorks for PD supported by data
students have performed well in other areas
member of board, was founding member
division and disfunction on board prior
leadership comprised of much stronger team now
critical that the community needs other high school options
arts framework
speaker from MassCreative: important component of a well-rounded education
thanks for dedicating resources of department for updating standards for first time in twenty years
field has come to rely on national standards, as state standards have not been updated; alignment with those thus welcome
75 volunteer framework review panelists work appreciated
"very inclusive process by staff"
very interested in strengthening the frameworks during the public comment process, will encourage feedback on draft standards
speaker on non-agenda item
speaker on treatment of child in her district
"ask that I be placed on agenda at upcoming meeting...to go into depth" on daughter's experience
Sagan notes that this outside the purview of the Board
staff allows for confidential process