A+ Schools has given the city school board a B- for its performance in March, April and May, up from the C+ grade given in mid-March.

The Downtown education group released its second board report card yesterday.

A+ Schools said the board impvoved in "transparency" -- by putting agenda items online before a meeting, for example -- but regressed in "conduct" because of contentious meetings.

The group, which trained a cadre of volunteers to observe meetings, started its Board Watch program in January.