Young Scholars Charter School

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday May 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM

Location

Virtual

This meeting is being held in compliance with Open Meeting requirements of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act and is open to the public.  Notices were duly posted and the meeting was advertised in The Philadelphia Daily News. Formal action will be taken.

Trustees Present

E. Kaplin, T. Rebar, W. Churchill (remote), r. Halpern

Trustees Absent

A. Wang, B. Harrison, B. Young, E. Ashe, G. Singer, J. Brown, J. Wang, S. Piltch, W. Weisman

Guests Present

A. Wright (remote), C. Freyer (remote), J. Amenda (remote), K. Corcoran (remote), K. Lamilla (remote), K. Tini (remote), L. Umbrecht (remote), S. Smith (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

W. Churchill called a meeting of the board of trustees of Young Scholars Charter School to order on Tuesday May 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM.

C.

To accept the board resignation of Emily Ashe effective May 6, 2025

W. Churchill made a motion to accept the board resignation of Emily Ashe effective May 6, 2025.
r. Halpern seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Board Discussion Topics

A.

Dashboard

Mr. Amenda gave the standard review of year-to-date performance on the school's dashboard. 

B.

Needs-based Discussion Continuation/Updates

Ms. Wright provided a talent update, sharing the list of open positions and recruitment tactics. The team discussed the new recruitment campaign created by The Munshine Group and how this initiative is supporting teacher recruitment strategies. Mr. Amenda shared an update on the school's Student Health Initiatives, sharing that the school created a Family Health Advocate position that is being filled by a current staff member. 

C.

Principal Search and Talent Update

Ms. Smith updated the Board on the Principal position search, mentioning the opportunity for Board members to meet with semi finalists. 

D.

Alumni Scholarship Discussion

Mr. Amenda shared information about a grant given to a YSCS alum through the Young Scholars Fellowship Program. The school is supporting her in attending the Shipley School's Northwestern University Summer Program. Young Scholars Fellows are selected based on student academic performance, family financial need, timely submission of high school financial aid and external scholarship documents, as well as excellent effort on, and timely submission of, the Young Scholars Fellowship application.

E.

2025-2026 Curriculum Revisions

Mr. Amenda reviewed the 2025-2026 curriculum decisions to be approved in Motions for Approval towards the end of the meeting.

F.

Committee Updates Where Applicable

Mr. Corcoran gave the standard update on the school's financial position.

III. Approval of Minutes

A.

Resolved that the Board approve the Regular session minutes from the March 18, 2025 meeting.

W. Churchill made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 18, 2025 board meeting. Regular Board Meeting on 03-18-25.
r. Halpern seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Motions for Approval

A.

To approve 25-26 curriculum reviewed during discussion

W. Churchill made a motion to Approve the 25-26 curriculum reviewed during discussion.
T. Rebar seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

To approve 2025-2026 Budget Inclusive of Staff Salaries

W. Churchill made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Budget Inclusive of Staff Salaries.
E. Kaplin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

To approve 2025-2026 Board Meeting Dates

W. Churchill made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Board Meeting Dates.
r. Halpern seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. 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 5:15 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
W. Churchill