Boston Preparatory Charter Public School

Minutes

Additional Board Meeting

Succession Planning Follow Up Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday March 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM

The public is welcome to attend any meeting of Boston Prep’s Board of Trustees or its subcommittees. If communication assistance or any other accommodations are needed to ensure equal participation, please contact Lily Jewell at ljewell@bostonprep.org at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting.  Any changes in the agenda will be posted on Boston Prep's website and will be electronically filed with the secretary of state at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting.

 

Boston Prep does not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, country of ancestral origin, or veteran status in administration of its admissions or educational policies, curricular programs, other school-administered programs, or in its hiring and employment practices in accordance with applicable Federal and Massachusetts laws and regulations

Trustees Present

B. Jones (remote), C. Newton (remote), J. Beck (remote), J. Nobles (remote), J. Ripert (remote), K. Dumornay (remote), S. James (remote), S. Laberis (remote), T. Huff (remote), V. Centeio (remote), V. Lipschitz (remote)

Trustees Absent

D. Russell, J. Johnson, K. Borchert, M. Gametchu, N. Branch-Lewis

Guests Present

L. Jewell

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

S. James called a meeting of the board of trustees of Boston Preparatory Charter Public School to order on Wednesday Mar 18, 2026 at 8:02 AM.

C.

Approve Minutes

D.

Approve 3/11 Extra Board Meeting Minutes

II. Governance

A.

Succession Planning

Bryant and Kim shared their recommendation to appoint VH as the interim executive director, with the plan to conduct a search in the fall. 

 

S. James made a motion to Appoint Valonda Harris as Interim Executive Director, with the plan to conduct a search in the Fall.
C. Newton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Beck
Aye
S. Laberis
Aye
J. Johnson
Absent
C. Newton
Aye
V. Lipschitz
Aye
M. Gametchu
Absent
N. Branch-Lewis
Absent
D. Russell
Absent
K. Borchert
Absent
J. Nobles
Aye
K. Dumornay
Aye
B. Jones
Aye
V. Centeio
Aye
S. James
Aye
J. Ripert
Aye
T. Huff
Aye
C. Newton made a motion to Appoint VaLonda Harris as a board advisor for the remainder of this school year to facilitate her making decision for next year.
J. Beck seconded the motion.

Kim and Bryant further recommended appointing VH as a board advisor for the remainder of this school year to facilitate her making decision for next year. Board discussed how to split tasks between Meekerley and VaLonda (this year to MS, next year to VH). 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
V. Lipschitz
Aye
J. Johnson
Absent
C. Newton
Aye
B. Jones
Aye
J. Ripert
Aye
K. Dumornay
Aye
V. Centeio
Aye
K. Borchert
Absent
N. Branch-Lewis
Absent
S. Laberis
Aye
M. Gametchu
Absent
J. Beck
Aye
D. Russell
Absent
T. Huff
Aye
S. James
Aye
J. Nobles
Aye
T. Huff made a motion to Voted to approve Contract term for interim executive director would officially start August 1, 2026.
C. Newton seconded the motion.

Discussed that VaLonda’s contact term for Interim exec director would officially start Aug 1 2026 and go until July 31 2027. We empowered Kim and Bryant to finalize negotiations with VaLonda. 

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
N. Branch-Lewis
Absent
J. Beck
Aye
C. Newton
Aye
J. Ripert
Aye
D. Russell
Absent
V. Lipschitz
Aye
V. Centeio
Aye
B. Jones
Aye
S. James
Aye
T. Huff
Aye
J. Nobles
Aye
M. Gametchu
Absent
K. Borchert
Absent
K. Dumornay
Aye
S. Laberis
Aye
J. Johnson
Absent

III. 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 9:25 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
K. Borchert