Vertus High School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday April 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Location
Vertus
Trustees Present
A. Bell, C. Gantt, D. Paul, J. Wynn, M. Mandina, V. Van Voorhis
Trustees Absent
D. Johnson, E. Gallina, J. O'Connell, S. David-West
Guests Present
A. Brisson, J. Locey, L. Bennett
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
V. Van Voorhis called a meeting of the board of trustees of Vertus High School to order on Tuesday Apr 21, 2026 at 5:15 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
M. Mandina made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 03-17-26.
A. Bell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Consent Agenda Items
A.
Month At A Glance
B.
Recruitment Update
Lottery day. Official month for new students.
Open House recruitment event.
C.
Board Statistics
Board statistics review. Discussed trends for this month.
III. Finance
A.
Budget vs Actual & Cash Flow
Monthly review of finances. Fundraising slowed but is normal and on track for the year.
IV. Discussion Items
A.
21 Humboldt Lease Renewal Vote
Discussed the timing of lease renewal and the complications caused by the move of the junior high expansion vote.
M. Mandina made a motion to Pass resolution pending attorney approval, and giving the CEO the right to refuse to exercise the lease. See resolution below:
Vertus Charter School (“the School”) currently occupies its educational facility under a lease agreement that supports the School’s mission of developing Men of Character; and
WHEREAS, the current lease term is approaching expiration, and continued occupancy of the facility is essential to maintaining stability, continuity of operations, and the delivery of high-quality academic and character programming; and
WHEREAS, the board has reviewed the terms of the proposed lease renewal and determined that a five (5) year extension is in the best interest of the School, its students, and its long-term strategic plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of Vertus Charter School hereby approves the renewal of the School’s current lease for a term of five (5) years under substantially similar terms as presented; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board affirms this action as aligned with the School’s commitment to providing a safe, stable, and mission-aligned learning environment for all students.
V. Van Voorhis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Student & Parent Survey Data
Highlighted key takeaways for questions related to key design elements.
V. Committee Reporting
A.
Fundraising Committee
Board participation for the Seeds of Change event. Please complete the form by April 30th. Maximize the Board network.100% Board participation. Dr. Gantt to speak at the event.
B.
Governance
Board dates and committee structure for the 26–27 school year. Review before our annual meeting in May.
C.
Laura Gustin Nomination
C. Gantt made a motion to Vertus Charter School Board of Trustees, having conducted a thorough criminal history record check via fingerprinting, which is deemed acceptable by NYSED, and having discovered no State or federal criminal history, or having provided information regarding such history to NYSED, if found, and having verified that any academic and/or professional credential or qualification presented by the proposed member is genuine, and having reviewed the application in its entirety, has voted to select Laura Gustin as a member to its Board of Trustees, with a term expiring on the third anniversary of her seating pending approval by NYSED. The resolution approving Laura Gustin is adopted upon NYSED’s approval.
D. Paul seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D.
Ian Anderson Nomination
D. Paul made a motion to Vertus Charter School Board of Trustees, having conducted a thorough criminal history record check via fingerprinting, which is deemed acceptable by NYSED, and having discovered no State or federal criminal history, or having provided information regarding such history to NYSED, if found, and having verified that any academic and/or professional credential or qualification presented by the proposed member is genuine, and having reviewed the application in its entirety, has voted to select Ian Anderson as a member to its Board of Trustees, with a term expiring on the third anniversary of his seating pending approval by NYSED. The resolution approving Ian Anderson is adopted upon NYSED’s approval.
A. Bell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Board Training
Board portal, training review of the site. Board resources available.
VI. Closing Items
A.
New Action Item Review & Report Out
B.
Adjourn Meeting
D. Paul made a motion to adjourn.
M. Mandina seconded the motion.
7:01 pm
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
C. Gantt
Highlight the midterm week as an academic initiative to prepare for Regents exams.