Levy provided a summary about the meeting with parents and some of the topics that important to them.  It was a lively conversation and helped enhance the importance of keeping parents involved in the process for their students. 

We discussed strategies about how to get more parents involved.  Also, students have just begun Regents.  Vertus staff volunteered to help and we had a great turnout.  

Enrollment is strong.  Our 10th grade enrollment is very high and recruitment from other charter schools with students looking to transfer to Vertus.  

Schoolwide open house was a great event and we had a lot of buzz about the possibility of a middle school for Vertus. We have 38 overall applications for next year (10 of them are for middle school, so we are tracking that information for future use).  

Budget remains strong.  Cash is also looking strong.  We are still down a few preceptors, but continuing to recruit to fill these positions.  

A. Bell discussed conversations with a variety of banks to understand the fee structure to identify the best one to use for Vertus to allow cash reserves to gain the best interest possible.  We are reviewing the investment policies to ensure that we remain compliant. A formal one-pager and vote will take place at the next meeting. 

E. Gallina provided an update regarding our least and shared that we have a formal notice that we expect to extend our lease for 5-years.  We are requesting a formal response in writing.

J. Locey shared that we are waiting for the construction cost for the build-out of Vertus to accommodate for a middle school.  We hope to have that information soon. 

Statewide advocacy day for Charters Schools in Albany is scheduled for March 4, 2026.  More information will be forthcoming.  We were also informed that the per pupil aid for students is scheduled to go up (we still lack significantly behind other cities)

M. Sydor is interested in serving on the Vertus Board.  He has taken a tour and met with T. Van Voorhis.