Finance and Audit

Balance sheet and cash position

• Net assets increased about $14,000 July–September, reflecting surplus activity to be detailed in the P&L.
• Approximately 104 days of cash on hand as of late September, described as healthy.

Budget pacing and revenue recognition

• Year-to-date revenue recognized: $1.46M (about 20% of the annual board-approved budget).
• Year-to-date expenses: $1.45M (about 20% of budget); by September 30 the target pacing would typically be -25%.
• Government grants (DOE/title/other) are recognized only upon application approval; an application submitted in early September was kicked back and resubmitted today. Recognition will begin once approved.

Cash flow projection

• Cash flow projection horizon extended from 3 months to the full fiscal year through June 30, 2026, to support board/management oversight.
• End-of-year projection: -44 days of cash on hand by June 30, 2026.
• Prior-year comparison: June 30, 2025 actual ended at -84 days of cash.
• Last year’s projection near year-end (May report) estimated 86 days; actual 84, indicating close alignment.

Audit results and financial statement highlights

• Independent auditors issued a clean opinion; no material misstatements or internal control issues found. Risk-based testing focused on cash and government revenue.
• One audited adjustment: a finalized amount recalculated to -$62,000, increasing expense by -$22,000 versus the unaudited version.
• Statement of activities (FY24–25): per-pupil revenue -$5.6M; government funding -$450k (Title + remaining ESSER/ARP); in-kind facilities contribution recognized with offsetting expense; other income -$25k interest; ERTC -$68k.
• Program vs. admin mix: about 92% of total expenses for program services (regular and special education); the remainder in management/general and fundraising.
• Selected balance sheet items as of June 30, 2025: cash and equivalents -$1.8M; fixed assets net -$263k; escrow $75k. AP/other current liabilities -$145k (including audit fees and retirement match); accrued payroll -$291k (11‑month instructional staff); deferred revenue -$17,697 (summer program). Net assets decreased from -$2.16M to -$1.85M due to the FY24–25 deficit.

Instructional focus and staffing climate

• Monthly instructional priorities guide observations and walkthroughs.
• October focus: scholar discourse (mobilizing student voice and collaboration).
• Next month’s focus: effective teacher questioning (rigor, checks for understanding, and assessment alignment).
• Leadership reports stable staff morale and responsive support from instructional leadership.

Coaching and support

• H2 Practical Solutions engaged: on-site leadership coach (Olympia Haynes) two days/week for observations, instructional management, feedback, and teacher coaching; virtual mentor (Michelle Haynes) meets weekly on systems and alignment.
• Coaching underway in middle and high school, including math; integration with renewal preparation.

Assessments and data use

• i-Ready diagnostics completed for ELA and math in middle and high school; results used as baseline.
• High school: ELA 6% on/above grade level; 14% one grade level behind. Math 10% on/above; 7% one behind.
• Middle school: ELA 18% on/above; 20% one behind. Math 6% on/above; 26% one behind.
• Data informs intervention blocks (Power Hour): mixed-grade grouping by instructional level, direct instruction (e.g., vocabulary), individualized MyPath, and independent reading.
• ANet assessments: ELA this week; middle school math next week; high school ANet math in November.
• Next i-Ready diagnostic checkpoint expected in January; Regents-related rosters being finalized for the January ELA exam.

Renewal visit planning

• DOE annual renewal visit tentatively scheduled for November 19, 2025; confirmation pending.
• Preparation steps: session with Charter School Center; H2-led leadership walkthrough next week; internal leadership walkthrough the week of November 3.
• Board members are invited to participate in the internal walkthrough to prepare for DOE board interviews.

Key dates and activities

• ANet ELA testing (current week, MS and HS); MS math next week; HS ANet math in November.
• Theater/dance classes trip to “Hell’s Kitchen” (Broadway).
• October 23: Charter School Center visit and joint Breast Cancer Awareness Walk with the co-located Harbor School.
• October 29: engineering interest activity.
• October 30: picture day and Safe Halloween community event.
• November 4: Election Day remote learning.
• November 11: Veterans Day (no school).
• November 19: tentative DOE renewal visit.
• November 21: first homecoming dance.
• November 26: pre-Thanksgiving activities (Dancing with the Scholars talent show and “I’m Thankful” feast).

Other Business

• Clarification on recent eighth-grade camping trip: planning was not finalized at last meeting; intent is to make it annual based on interest.

Enrollment and Recruitment

• As of 10/21, ATS total enrollment is 277.
• October changes: three discharges (two long-term absences) and one new enrollment.

Recruitment tactics and next steps

• Ongoing tactics: Facebook lead ads; postings in Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Park Slope; open house during Health & Wellness Fair; participation in fairs (e.g., PS 249 middle school fair); Brooklyn Charter School Fair on November 1.
• New collateral and channels: updated school website launched; new brochures for outreach.
• Board direction: deliver a formal, measurable enrollment plan by November 1, including tactics, timelines, lead-source tracking (“How did you hear about us?”), channel effectiveness, KPIs, and expected outcomes.
• Interim updates: provide weekly email progress updates; target to increase enrollment above 277 toward 285–300.

DOE compliance filings

• DOE flagged three missing uploads in its compliance system; two were uploaded before notice, the final item was uploaded immediately afterward.
• DOE contact confirmed all items are now cleared.

Board composition and training

• DOE issued a no-objection letter for new trustee Ms. Tony Holmes Brown; she will be seated and attend the November meeting.
• In-person attendance emphasized; DOE monitors attendance modality and expects regular in-person board meetings.

Board training: members are encouraged to use BoardOnTrack self-directed courses and report completions; schedule board coaching/training with consultants to support renewal readiness.

Renewal visit planning

• DOE annual renewal visit tentatively scheduled for November 19, 2025; confirmation pending.
• Preparation steps: session with Charter School Center; H2-led leadership walkthrough next week; internal leadership walkthrough the week of November 3.
• Board members are invited to participate in the internal walkthrough to prepare for DOE board interviews.