A parent shared concerns regarding:
 

• Communication and responsiveness from school leadership;
• Ongoing staff turnover;
• Lack of consistent middle and high school administration leadership;
• Concerns about who families should contact regarding student matters.

Board leadership thanked the speaker for the comments and stated that the concerns would be noted and shared with school leadership.

Upcoming Events and Student Activities
 

Presented by:Li'Esha Garcia, CFOO
 

• New Heights Honors – June 1;
• High School Pep Rally and Middle School Prom – June 5;
• Middle School End-of-Year Assessments and High School Regents Exams – week of June 8;
• Eighth Grade Senior Trip – June 18;
• Senior Breakfast – June 22;
• Middle School and High School Graduation – June 25.

Additional family and community engagement activities included:

• Kindness Closet reopening and registration event – June 13;
• Family Zoom meeting – June 13;
• Caregiver Appreciation Breakfast – June 18;
• Juneteenth school closure – June 19;
• Middle School Field Day – June 4;
• School exchange event – June 17.

Executive Director Report

Presented by Dr. Karen Valbrun  
 

Key updates included:

• Ongoing interviews for the 6–12 Principal position, with finalists being identified;
• Recruitment efforts underway to fill staffing vacancies for the 2026–2027 school year;
• Continued focus on improving parent communication, responsiveness, and family partnerships;
• Plans to strengthen school culture, student engagement, and academic supports;
• Recognition that the school’s upcoming year marks the school’s 20th anniversary.

Enrollment and attendance updates:

• Current enrollment: 592 students;
• Projected enrollment for next year: 605 students;
• April attendance rate: 92.3%.

Financial Update

Presented by: Li’Esha Garcia, CFOO
 

Highlights included:

• School finances continue to be significantly impacted by enrollment levels;
• Total assets were reported at approximately $29 million, reflecting a decrease from the prior year;
• Cash reserves and accounts receivable decreased due to lower enrollment and the reduction of prior COVID-related funding;
• Overall equity was reported at approximately $2.46 million;
• Revenue decreased approximately $405,000 compared to the prior year;
• Expenses were reduced through cost-saving measures, including reductions in salaries, professional services, and fundraising expenses;
• Leadership stated the school continues to meet financial obligations while operating with reduced liquidity.

Middle School Update

Presented by: Li’Esha Garcia, CFOO

Key updates included:

• Completion of computer-based state testing with minimal disruptions;
• Recognition of students with strong attendance, including 63 students achieving 100% attendance during the reporting period;
• Discipline data was reviewed, including in-school and out-of-school suspensions;
• No student expulsions during the reporting period;
• A student vaping awareness workshop was conducted in partnership with the social worker and school nurse, with participation from high school students.

Board discussion included:

• Plans for Chromebook/device collection and maintenance;
• Collection procedures for Yondr pouches;
• Locker clean-out procedures;
• Requests for families to receive student physical forms before the end of the school year.

Administration stated communication regarding collection dates and procedures would be sent to families.
 

High School Update and Student Feedback Review

FPresented by: Fred Givens, HS Principal  
 

• Completion of AP testing and NYSESLAT testing;
• Ongoing student community meetings conducted throughout the year;
• Student feedback themes centered on:
  • Communication;
  • Fairness in discipline implementation;
  • Leadership and staffing concerns;
  • Student voice and engagement;
  • School culture and morale;
  • Transparency regarding school decisions.

Planned next steps discussed included:

• Reinstating the Honor Roll trip;
• Reviewing the student handbook with input from students, staff, and families;
• Increasing opportunities for student voice and communication;
• Providing additional clarity regarding school operations within legal limitations.

Board members discussed:

• Concerns regarding consistency in discipline implementation;
• Student perceptions around safety and supervision;
• Opportunities to strengthen advisory programming and social-emotional supports;
• The importance of creating spaces for students to process staff departures and school changes appropriately.

Dr. Valbrun stated that staff training and planning for the upcoming year would include guidance on facilitating student conversations appropriately and implementing the Teach Like a Champion framework consistently across grades 6–12.
 

Legal counsel reminded attendees that personnel matters should remain confidential and discussed only in executive session.