Northwood Academy Charter School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday February 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Location

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This is a public meeting of the Board of Trustees of Northwood Academy Charter School that was properly advertised pursuant to the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. The public meeting schedule is posted at the school and on the website.

Trustees Present

J. Russell (remote), K. Fiely (remote), K. Spraga (remote), M. Spain (remote), S. Yanni (remote), W. Young (remote)

Trustees Absent

E. Williams

Non Voting Members Present

F. Viall (remote), T. Hunt (remote)

Guests Present

Alyse Weisbrod (Guest) (remote), Alyssa Yoder (Guest) (remote), Annita Johnson (Guest) (remote), Annita Johnson (Guest) (remote), Arielle (Guest) (remote), Caitlin Martin / Kevin Donely (Guest) (remote), Craig (Guest) (remote), Cris Sefransky, HFCO (Guest) (remote), Dom Harris (Guest) (remote), E. Lofton (remote), Emil Parico (Guest) (remote), Erica Peterson (Guest) (remote), Felicia (Guest) (remote), I Phone Pro 16 (Guest) (remote), Jaclyn DeVito (Guest) (remote), Jinnely Davidson (Guest) (remote), Judy DeSheilds (Guest) (remote), Kevin (Guest) (remote), Kim Coughlin (Guest) (remote), Krystal (Guest) (remote), Lauren Hamilton (Guest) (remote), Marissa Woloszczuk (Guest) (remote), Michael McLeish (Guest) (remote), Michelle Licsaur (Guest) (remote), Mrs. Smith (Guest) (remote), Ms Donohue (Guest) (remote), NACS Parent (Guest) (remote), Tapeka Robinson (Guest) (remote), Teacher (Guest) (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

W. Young called a meeting of the board of trustees of Northwood Academy Charter School to order on Wednesday Feb 18, 2026 at 5:33 PM.

B.

Roll Call

C.

Reading of the NACS Mission Statement: Northwood is a comprehensive learning sanctuary that educates and supports the whole child. We achieve this by working as a highly qualified team, that delivers collective knowledge, creativity, and real-world learning experiences required for our students to become successful lifelong learners.

II. Approval of the Agenda

A.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the agenda for the February 18, 2026 meeting.

W. Young made a motion to approve the agenda for the February 18, 2026 meeting.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. Public Participation

A.

Community Comment

The following people spoke for Community Comment.

1- Emily Parico, Kindergarten Teacher & Union Vice Chair 

2- Kevin Donley, NACS School Psychologist & Union Secretary 

IV. Minutes

A.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the minutes from the December 17, 2025 meeting.

K. Spraga made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 12-17-25.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Executive Session

A.

It is recommended that the Board of School Directors move into Executive Session for matters allowed under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

W. Young made a motion to move into Executive Session for matters allowed under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees resumes the public portion of the meeting.

C.

The Board of Trustees met in Executive Session for purposes permitted under the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act to discuss legal and HR matters.

VI. Staff Reports

A.

Chief Executive Officer's Report

Steven Yanni provided the CEO Report.

B.

Financial Report

Frank Ayata provided the Financial Report.

C.

Specialized Services Report

Frank Viall provided the Specialized Services Report.

D.

Operations Report

Steven Yanni provided the Operations Report in the absence of Chris Jones.

E.

Human Resources Report

Tracee Hunt provided the Human Resources Report.

VII. Specialized Services Recommendations

A.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the ratification/approval the Settlement and Release Agreement in the following special education litigation matter, as presented to the Board in executive session.

W. Young made a motion to approve the ratification/approval the Settlement and Release Agreement in the following special education litigation matter, as presented to the Board in executive session.
K. Fiely seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VIII. Financial Recommendations

A.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the 25-26 Audit as presented by Cris Sefransky.

W. Young made a motion to approve the 25-26 Audit as presented by Cris Sefransky.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve Finance Report and Disbursements as attached.

W. Young made a motion to approve Finance Report and Disbursements as attached.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the end of year Staff Bonuses totaling approximately $19,666.

W. Young made a motion to approve the end of year Staff Bonuses totaling approximately $19,666.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IX. Human Resources Recommendations

A.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the continuation of the PT ELL teacher being utilized for up to four days a week to support our ELL students through the end of the school year at a cost of $29,700.

W. Young made a motion to approve the continuation of the PT ELL teacher being utilized for up to four days a week to support our ELL students through the end of the school year at a cost of $29,700.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the Principal Search Agreement with Total HR at a cost of $38,720.

W. Young made a motion to approve the Principal Search Agreement with Total HR at a cost of $38,720.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees accepts and ratifies the personnel changes, modifications and additions, as presented in the attached Key Performance Indicator (KPI).

W. Young made a motion to accepts and ratifies the personnel changes, modifications and additions, as presented in the attached Key Performance Indicator (KPI).
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

It is recommended that the Board of trustees approve a Facility Condition Assessment to be completed by ICS at a cost not to exceed $12,000.

W. Young made a motion to approve a Facility Condition Assessment to be completed by ICS at a cost not to exceed $12,000.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the 2026-2027 school calendar.

W. Young made a motion to approve the 2026-2027 school calendar.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

X. Operations Recommendations

A.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the cost of the construction and installation of six fire doors at a cost of $38,400.

W. Young made a motion to approve the cost of the construction and installation of six fire doors at a cost of $38,400.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Williams
Absent
J. Russell
Aye
S. Yanni
Abstain
M. Spain
Aye
K. Fiely
Aye
W. Young
Aye
K. Spraga
Aye

XI. Policy Recommendations

A.

It is recommended that the Board of Trustees approve the NACS 100 Programs, 200 Pupils, and 800 Operations series policies. All have been reviewed by legal counsel.

W. Young made a motion to approve the NACS 100 Programs, 200 Pupils, and 800 Operations series policies. All have been reviewed by legal counsel.
J. Russell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

XII. Discussion Items

A.

Members of the Leadership Team will discuss the Staff Survey Results.

The full results will be presented in the April Board meeting.

B.

Members of the Leadership Team will discuss the Compensation Study completed by Total HR.

The study found a gender inequity in pay within a group that has been corrected. The data from the study will be good for contract negotiations in relation to the market and SDP teachers.

C.

Members of the Leadership Team will review the 2026-2027 NACS Budget Development Process.

D.

Members of the Leadership Team will discuss the replacement needs of the gymnasium HVAC system.

E.

Members of the Leadership Team will update the Board of Trustees on the status and schedule of the Dining RFP.

F.

Members of the Leadership Team will discuss the first reading of the 300, 600 and 700 series policies.

XIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

W. Young made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
K. Spraga seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:02 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
E. Lofton