The Charter High School for Law and Social Justice (CHSLSJ)
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday July 15, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Location
1960 University Avenue, Bronx, New York, 10453
OR
If you would like to join by Zoom please email AMockabee@chslsj.org for more information
OR
If you would like to join by Zoom please email AMockabee@chslsj.org for more information
Directors Present
C. Bannerman (remote), D. O'Rourke (remote), D. Sang, J. Azriliant (remote), J. Callahan, J. Saunders (remote), L. Tse (remote), R. Marsico (remote), S. Fuentes (remote)
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
R. Burke, V. Soler
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
J. Callahan called a meeting of the board of directors of The Charter High School for Law and Social Justice (CHSLSJ) to order on Thursday Jul 15, 2021 at 6:10 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
J. Callahan made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 06-17-21.
R. Marsico seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Executive Director
A.
School Updates
Mr. Burke reviewwed the Dashboard. Mr. Burke reviewed how our Summer School program was doing. He reviewed hiring and the difficulty of finding good candidates.
III. Chairman Report
A.
Report
Mr. Callahan informed the Board tha Charmone Adams was now a voting member.
Mr. Marsico introduced Alice Tenney, a school supporter who may consider joining the Friends of.
Mr. Callahan introduced the idea of beginning to think of our renewal and that we need to address how to deal with the significant deficiencies of our entering students and the School Leadership idea of opening an elementary school and middle school with the desire to address that issue.
Mr. Callahan asked Mr. Burke to speak to this idea, and Mr. Burke reviewed the presentation he had sent out with the Board materials asking for the Board approved that the leadership begins investigating the possibility and come up with ideas and timelines. Mr. Burke mentioned that this is only asking the Board for direction and that he would not go to SED without their approval and guidance on this issue.
Mr. Callahan asked Mr. Burke to speak to this idea, and Mr. Burke reviewed the presentation he had sent out with the Board materials asking for the Board approved that the leadership begins investigating the possibility and come up with ideas and timelines. Mr. Burke mentioned that this is only asking the Board for direction and that he would not go to SED without their approval and guidance on this issue.
C. Bannerman made a motion to Approve Moving Forward with opening an Elementary School.
L. Tse seconded the motion.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR LAW AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Whereas, the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice has concluded that the path to success for the school is likely best pursued through the expansion of our charter to create an associated elementary school;
Whereas, an initial review has indicated that such an expansion could be viable financially
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice authorizes the Executive Director and staff to begin planning and discovery to develop a detailed plan of the proposed expansion;
Further, be it resolved that a planning structure be put in place by the Executive Director to understand that regular updates will be provided to the Board.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Whereas, the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice has concluded that the path to success for the school is likely best pursued through the expansion of our charter to create an associated elementary school;
Whereas, an initial review has indicated that such an expansion could be viable financially
Therefore, be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice authorizes the Executive Director and staff to begin planning and discovery to develop a detailed plan of the proposed expansion;
Further, be it resolved that a planning structure be put in place by the Executive Director to understand that regular updates will be provided to the Board.
Mr. Callahan then reviewed details about this summer construction.
Mr. Callahan spoke about the Board retreat on September 18th, and Mr. Saunders asked that, like last year, each Board Member talk about themselves. Mr. callahan mentioned that he and Mr. Sand would speak with Mr. Rivera, who coordinates the Retreat.
Mr. Callahan asked that everyone do the Board evaluation and the Executive Director resolution.
IV. Committe Reports
A.
Finance
Mr. Burke began reviewing the financials and shared his screen. Mr. Burke said that our finances are in good shape. Mr. Burke mentioned that there had been a finance Committee phone call earlier in the week that went into great detail on the financials. He reviewed the main points of the Financials, and there were no questions.
B.
Academic
Mr. Saunders reviewed items from the Academic Committee, which met at 5 PM earlier in the evening. Mr. Saunders stated that we would have more details from the school leadership at the August meeting on how the school plans to move our students in reading and move the STAR results.
C.
Fundraising
No Meeting. Mr. Callahan said once we are back in person there would be more planning.
D.
Governance
V. New Business
A.
Election of Officers
R. Marsico made a motion to Election of Officers of the Board of Trustees.
J. Saunders seconded the motion.
It is hereby RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice that the following individuals are elected as officers of the Board of Trustees of the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice for a term of one year from July 1st, 2021 - June 30th, 2022, except as otherwise noted:
John Callahan - Chairperson
Jumaane Saunders - Vice-Chairperson
Janine Ariliant - Secretary
Linnet Tse - Treasurer
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
John Callahan - Chairperson
Jumaane Saunders - Vice-Chairperson
Janine Ariliant - Secretary
Linnet Tse - Treasurer
B.
Appointing Committee Members
J. Saunders made a motion to Appointing Committee Members.
C. Bannerman seconded the motion.
It is hereby RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice that the following individuals are appointed as members of committees of the Board of Trustees as follows for a term of one year, from July 1st, 2021 - June 30th, 2022.
Audit Committee
Educational Accountability Committee
Executive Committee (the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and secretary serve on the Executive Committee pursuant to the school's by-laws)
Finance Committee
Fundraising Committee
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Audit Committee
Educational Accountability Committee
Executive Committee (the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and secretary serve on the Executive Committee pursuant to the school's by-laws)
Finance Committee
Fundraising Committee
C.
Board Calendar
D. O'Rourke made a motion to Approval of Board Calendar.
L. Tse seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VI. Public Statements
A.
Statements from Members of the Public
Ms. Tenny spoke on her history supporting the school.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
D. O'Rourke