Washington Latin board spring retreat @ 2nd St Campus - Apr 2026 Minutes

April 21, 2026, 2:30-5:30 PM

Minutes Draft

Washington Latin

Minutes

Washington Latin board spring retreat @ 2nd St Campus - Apr 2026

@ 2nd St Campus

Date and Time

Tuesday April 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM

Location

@ 2nd St Campus

Directors Present

A. Zachariah (remote), B. Williams-Kief, E. Paisner, F. Perera, K. Merritt, L. Rucker, M. Yeager (remote), R. Brooks (remote), S. Angus (remote), Z. Berte

Directors Absent

A. Huston, C. McFadgion, P. Jayachandran

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

A. Zachariah, S. Angus

Guests Present

Anaya Rodgers, C. Gifford, D. Smith, E. Moussa, G. Izurieta, J. Kelly, Julia Toews, L. Chia, Martita Fleming, P. Anderson

I. Pre-Meeting

A. FACULTY PANEL and STUDENT PANEL

Prior to the board meeting, the board met with a faculty panel followed by a student panel. Various topics - ranging from compensation to community - were discussed.

FACULTY PANEL

Alexander Porcelli

Carl Hultgren

Elaina Barroso

Kena Allison

Khallid Love

Rachel Moussa

STUDENT PANEL

Alice Birkenhead

Esteysi Espinosa Dilone

Eve Paisner

Jonah Cohen

June Walsh

Sanaa Evans

II. Opening Items

A. Call the Meeting to Order

K. Merritt called a meeting of the board of directors of Washington Latin to order on Tuesday Apr 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM.

B. The Latin Way Moment

The board briefly discussed the feedback from the panels.

III. Business Meeting

A. 2nd St Update

Julia Toews gave an update about the work of the College Counseling Office.

James Kelly spoke about the enduring impact of Albert Edmundson on the school. Albert Edmundson, who worked at 2nd St for many years, passed away recently - and will be missed.

James Kelly highlighted the salient points of the faculty (2026) summer reading THE OPPORTUNITY MYTH.

The board was asked to vote on world language waivers for several students.

B. Williams-Kief made a motion to waive the world language requirement for several students.

L. Rucker seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
A. Zachariah	Aye
R. Brooks	Aye
K. Merritt	Aye
F. Perera	Aye
M. Yeager	Aye
E. Paisner	Aye
S. Angus	Aye
P. Jayachandran	Absent
Z. Berte	Aye
C. McFadgion	Absent
L. Rucker	Aye
A. Huston	Absent
B. Williams-Kief	Aye

B. Approve Minutes

B. Williams-Kief made a motion to approve the minutes from Washington Latin board meeting - Mar 2026 on 03-19-26.

F. Perera seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
A. Zachariah	Aye
K. Merritt	Aye
A. Huston	Absent
F. Perera	Aye
B. Williams-Kief	Aye
M. Yeager	Aye
C. McFadgion	Absent
R. Brooks	Aye
P. Jayachandran	Absent
S. Angus	Aye
L. Rucker	Aye
Z. Berte	Aye
E. Paisner	Aye

C. LEA Executive Report

Peter Anderson briefly mentioned the departure of Kate Cromwell. Anaya Rodgers, who worked closely (together with Jennifer Thorpe-Lewis and) with Kate Cromwell, was introduced to the board.

Peter Anderson informed the board that the Washington Latin 20 year charter review was approved.

There was a brief discussion about "classical" education. The board was encouraged to read the following two articles.

1. https://www.the74million.org/article/amid-the-pandemic-a-classical-education-boom-what-if-the-next-big-school-trend-is-2500-years-old/

2. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1atzvfX8VptJyj2eLQ_2RzKNdnrgrW_ZR&usp=drive_fs

Washington Latin was one of four schools chosen to share its staffing model approach FLOURISHING IN THE LATIN WAY as a case study for other schools. This case study was developed with funding and participation from NEWSCHOOLS VENTURE FUND and co-written by TRANSCEND.

D. Review of most recent financials

Geovanna Izurieta reported that financial projections are stable and have not changed much from last month. A strong net income is expected at the end of the year.

One focus of the next strategic plan is to increase teacher salaries.

E. Development and Advocacy Update

The 20th anniversary celebration gala will be at 2nd St on Jun 06 Sat. The board is encouraged to attend and to solicit sponsorship.

F. Q&A about facilities issues

Some interior finishes at AJC needs attention.

A. Zachariah left.

S. Angus left.

IV. Executive Session

A. Closed session with counsel

L. Rucker made a motion to exit the open session.

B. Williams-Kief seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
M. Yeager	Aye
B. Williams-Kief	Aye
A. Huston	Absent
L. Rucker	Aye
F. Perera	Aye
S. Angus	Absent
Z. Berte	Aye
A. Zachariah	Absent
E. Paisner	Aye
K. Merritt	Aye
C. McFadgion	Absent
R. Brooks	Aye
P. Jayachandran	Absent

The board entered into executive session to discuss a HR / labor relations matter with counsel Laurel Rimon.

The following WLPCS staff were in attendance.

Caroline Gifford

Diana Smith

Geovanna Izurieta

Peter Anderson

L. Rucker made a motion to exit the closed session.

B. Williams-Kief seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
M. Yeager	Aye
P. Jayachandran	Absent
L. Rucker	Aye
A. Zachariah	Absent
C. McFadgion	Absent
B. Williams-Kief	Aye
E. Paisner	Aye
A. Huston	Absent
F. Perera	Aye
R. Brooks	Aye
Z. Berte	Aye
K. Merritt	Aye
S. Angus	Absent

V. Closing Items

A. Adjourn Meeting

B. Williams-Kief made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

L. Rucker seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
A. Huston	Absent
L. Rucker	Aye
B. Williams-Kief	Aye
E. Paisner	Aye
R. Brooks	Aye
K. Merritt	Aye
S. Angus	Absent
Z. Berte	Aye
C. McFadgion	Absent
P. Jayachandran	Absent
F. Perera	Aye
M. Yeager	Aye
A. Zachariah	Absent

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

L. Chia

This meeting is governed by the Open Meetings Act. Please address any questions or complaints arising under this meeting to the Office of Open Government at opengovoffice@dc.gov."