Executive Session - HR Matters were discussed privately.

• Empire Charter Consultants - Visiting (Board Welcome to Join) 
  • December 2nd High School
  • December 3rd Middle School

• Marathon Share
  • Thank you, Patricia, for the donation!
  • Fiesta for Firsts - Do we realistically think we can get this off the ground this year?
    • We skipped the fiesta last year and would like to bring it back. 
    • AC- Has resources but has exhausted them with other events.
      • But suggested St. Barts Church on 52nd and 2nd Avenue. 5k to 7K with catering  included.

• Account balances
  • Account balances given by - NG

• Annual Report Submitted
  • Submitted as of November 3rd, no feedback has been received yet.

• Uncertified Teachers Update:
  • Certification plans
  • Supports (i.e, charter center 1:1 consultations and pathway review)
  • Uncertified salaries 
    • Salaries will be increased as teachers get certified. 
    • ADS is working with teachers to help them obtain certification, providing resources and tools to assist them in preparing for their certification. 

• 6th grade enrollment - 63
  • Working with a consultant, UnderDog, to assist with recruitment. If we don't get numbers back up, we'll submit an enrollment revision in December for 26.
• SY2627 Application numbers
  • 6th grade - 14
  • 7th grade - 0
  • 8th grade - 0
  • 9th grade - 21
  • 10th grade - 2
  • 11th grade - 3
  • 12th grade - 2
• Current Enrollment Update
  • Sixth grade remains significantly under-enrolled at 63 students.
  • All other grade levels currently have healthy enrollment numbers.
  • The school is still actively accepting sixth-grade students, though recruitment has been challenging.
• Enrollment Trends
  • This year reflects the first time ADS is experiencing challenges other charter schools have already reported, including:
  • Higher numbers of late enrollments.
  • Mid-year student departures offset gains.
• Plan Moving Forward
  • Leadership wants one more year to attempt to return sixth-grade enrollment to normal levels before submitting a revision to NYSED.
  • The school has partnered with Underdog, a group that supports charter-school enrollment through:
  • Social-media advertising. In-person canvassing. Additional targeted recruitment strategies. Underdog’s work will take place December through early spring, focusing on rebuilding sixth-grade numbers.

• Termination of employee for chronic attendance issues. The employee was placed on an improvement plan and warned prior to termination.
  • PS - Asked if the employee gave a reason for the unexcused absences. 
  • NG - Replied that no reasons were given.