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
C.
To accept the board resignation of Emily Ashe effective May 6, 2025
II. Board Discussion Topics
A.
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.
Mr. Amenda gave the standard review of year-to-date performance on the school's dashboard.