Academic Data, Instruction, and Student Support

Assessment results and instructional response

• Mr. Price said the school had received iReady data and beginning-of-quarter assessments across content areas.
• He explained that teachers entered the results into the master tracker, completed initial data analysis, and began planning interventions for scholars.
• The school is using a wider range of assessments, including projects, exams, and quizzes, to measure learning more comprehensively.

iReady diagnostic findings

• Mr. Barger reported that the iReady diagnostic measures grade-level equivalency in ELA and math for middle and high school students.
• For high school ELA, 6% tested above grade level, 5% on grade level, 16% one grade below, 10% two grades below, and 63% three grades below.
• For high school math, 0% tested above grade level, 7% on grade level, 1% one grade below, 12% two grades below, and 80% three grades below.
• For middle school ELA, 3% tested above grade level, 14% on grade level, 27% one grade below, 14% two grades below, and 42% three grades below.
• For middle school math, 2% tested above grade level, 5% on grade level, 24% one grade below, 24% two grades below, and 46% three grades below.

Data analysis protocol and follow-up cycle

• Mr. Barger described the school’s data analysis protocol as a repeatable cycle of assessing, identifying needs, planning instruction, teaching, monitoring, addressing gaps, and reassessing.
• Teachers reviewed assessment data, defined success criteria, compared performance by class, and identified strengths, weaknesses, and subgroup patterns.
• He said teachers then developed action plans, intervention timelines, progress checks, and targeted support plans for scholars needing extra help.
• He also noted that iReady will be administered again in January and May to track growth.

Coaching and classroom observation

• Mr. Price said the instructional leadership team is serving as internal coaches across major content areas and electives.
• Informal observations began with a focus on planning/preparation and classroom environment.
• Feedback is being shared through Teachboost and coaching meetings.
• Support is emphasizing classroom procedures, differentiation, pacing, and co-teaching, with Samantha continuing to assist, especially in math and ELA.

School Climate, Attendance, and Family Engagement

• Mr. Price reported an increase in scholar misbehavior linked to mental health challenges at school and at home.
• He said some incidents included bringing drug paraphernalia into the school and other erratic behavior.
• Leadership and staff are responding by reviewing the scholar-family handbook and reinforcing expectations and consequences.
• The school plans a town hall with parents and school leadership, along with mental health training support from the Department of Mental Health.

Attendance, discipline, and enrollment

• The average daily attendance was reported at 74%, with year-to-date attendance at 77.7%.
• In-school suspensions increased from 3 to 5, and out-of-school suspensions increased from 4 to 6.
• Billable enrollment stood at 266 out of a projected 300, or 88.5% of target.
• Long-term absences remained at 34, and the school sent certified letters as part of attendance follow-up and documentation efforts.

Family outreach, recruitment, and compliance

• Mr. Price said parent engagement has been strong, with families volunteering at events such as the smoothie bar and Hispanic Heritage activities.
• He reported that the immunization rate reached 90.7%, supported in part by work with the NYU Langone Clinic in the building.
• The school continues recruitment through online inquiries, Facebook leads, and video marketing, and enrolled a new scholar on October 7, 2026.
• A recruitment event was also scheduled for October 27.

Upcoming school events

• The school highlighted recent and upcoming community events, including Hispanic Heritage Month, Unity Day, a Great Adventure trip, Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a Safe Halloween event, and remote learning days for Election Day and Veterans Day.
• Mr. Price said these activities are intended to strengthen culture, student engagement, and community involvement.

Charter Renewal and Board Reconstitution

Renewal submission and DOE correspondence

• Toni reported that the renewal and board reconstitution committee submitted a revised charter renewal application on October 19 in response to the DOE’s October 9 clarification request.
• She said the application reflects the board reconstitution pathway and a distinct educational advisory relationship with Next Generation.
• The DOE also confirmed that its October 15 informal meeting with Next Generation did not change the October 9 requirements or the October 19 deadline.

Trustee process and governance review

• Toni said prospective trustees identified through Next Generation were invited for introductions and initial discussion of Summit’s mission, priorities, and board responsibilities.
• She stated that candidate interviews, eligibility checks, conflict-of-interest review, and transition steps will follow established board procedures.
• The committee will continue coordinating with counsel on trustee process requirements and any further authorizer correspondence.
• She emphasized that no appointment, advisory agreement, merger, or renewal determination should be treated as approved or complete.

Charter Renewal and Board Reconstitution

Renewal submission and DOE correspondence

• Toni reported that the renewal and board reconstitution committee submitted a revised charter renewal application on October 19 in response to the DOE’s October 9 clarification request.
• She said the application reflects the board reconstitution pathway and a distinct educational advisory relationship with Next Generation.
• The DOE also confirmed that its October 15 informal meeting with Next Generation did not change the October 9 requirements or the October 19 deadline.

Trustee process and governance review

• Toni said prospective trustees identified through Next Generation were invited for introductions and initial discussion of Summit’s mission, priorities, and board responsibilities.
• She stated that candidate interviews, eligibility checks, conflict-of-interest review, and transition steps will follow established board procedures.
• The committee will continue coordinating with counsel on trustee process requirements and any further authorizer correspondence.
• She emphasized that no appointment, advisory agreement, merger, or renewal determination should be treated as approved or complete.

Audited Financial Statements

Clean audit opinion and reported results

• Juned reported that the 2025–26 audited statements received a clean audit opinion, with no material issues found in the records or estimates.
• He noted that the statements were consistent with the version previously presented to the board.
• Revenue totaled a little over $8 million, expenses were about $7.9 million, and the year ended with a surplus of $151,000.
• Expense allocation and financial statement contents
• Juned explained that program services accounted for about 91% of expenses, with the remaining 9% split between management/general and fundraising.
• He said the cash flow statement and notes were standard, with no new accounting pronouncements or rule changes.
• Mr. Bernard added that the auditors were impressed with the quality and clarity of the work provided.

Year-to-Date Financial Performance

Balance sheet and cash position

• Juned reviewed the 2026–27 year-to-date statement through September 30, 2026.
• Cash and cash equivalents included about $1.27 million in the operating account and $1.48 million in another cash account.
• He said two of six DOE deposits had been received, with the third expected by month-end and the fourth by the end of December.
• Prepaid expenses were about $67,000, mainly for insurance, and deferred revenue was $539,000 tied to a deposit received in August.

Surplus and budget comparison

• Juned reported a year-to-date surplus of $413,000, which increased net assets from a little over $2 million to $2.4 million.
• Revenue was about $1.7 million and expenses were about $1.28 million.
• He explained that early revenue is partly based on estimated DOE invoices, so it can appear higher until enrollment-based corrections are made later in the year.
• Compared with the board-approved budget, revenue was slightly above target at about 26%, while expenses were at 19%, with timing differences expected to balance out later.

Cash flow forecast

• Juned said the cash projection covered the next three months using expected DEU deposits and budget-based outflow estimates.
• He noted that December would likely be the school’s strongest liquidity point because four of six deposits would have been received by then.
• He also said the lowest cash position occurs near the end of the fiscal year when only two deposits have been received.