Young Scholars Charter School

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday September 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM

Location

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

A. Wang (remote), G. Singer (remote), L. Umbrecht (remote), R. Halpern (remote), W. Churchill (remote), W. Weisman (remote)

Trustees Absent

B. Young, J. Brown, S. Piltch

Guests Present

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

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

R. Halpern called a meeting of the board of trustees of Young Scholars Charter School to order on Thursday Sep 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM.

C.

To accept the resignations of the following board members effectively immediately:

R. Halpern made a motion to accept the resignation of board members, Esther Kaplin, Broderick Harrison, Josephine Wang, and Tom Rebar, effectively immediately.
W. Churchill seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Board Discussion Topics

A.

Welcome / Frame from Chair Robin Halpern

Robin Halpern, new Board Chair, welcomed the board members and staff in attendance and expressed enthusiasm for this upcoming school year. 

B.

Charter School Programs Grant Award Announcement

John Amenda, CEO, shared the announcement of the $1.5 million grant awarded to Young Scholars Charter School to be used for the expansion of 5th grade. 

C.

YSCS Goal Setting and Data Review

Mr. Amenda shared the results from the school's 2024-2025 Evergreen Goals, including areas in Positive School Climate, Priority-Aligned Goals, Family Engagement, Average Daily Attendance, Adult Culture, Academic Achievement and Growth, High School Placement, 2025 PSSA Results and Context, 2024-25 NWEA MAP, and Fall 2025 NWEA MAP Results.

 

D.

Land Progress

Mr. Amenda gave a brief update on land progress, including turning the side lot into a usable greenspace for students. 

E.

Committee Updates Where Applicable

The following committees provided updates:

  1. Governance
    • Mr. Amenda discussed having a parent board member join. A Parent interest survey was distributed to parents and results will be shared with Governance Committee. 
    • Alum board member- Mr. Amenda presented a potential board candidate, Kerrivah Heard, a YSCS graduate who is currently working at Comcast. Robin Halpern, Board Chair, also shared the resume of potential board member, Shana Schwartz, for review. 
    • Proposed Process for Nominating Trustees- The Governance Committee will meet and discuss the next steps for electing the new trustees.
  2. Finance & Audit
    • Finance summary- Kevin Corcoran, of Vertex Education, shared the finance summary for the school. 
  3. School Performance
    • Mr. Amenda gave an overview of InSite Health and the resumes of the Clinical Therapist and License Mental Health Psychiatiric Nurse Practitioner
  4. Development
    • Fundraising for student uniforms

F.

Next board meeting will be in-person at the school.

Robin Halpern shared that the next board meeting will be held at the school to encourage board participation and to see the new renovations. 

G.

Talent Update

Aniyah Wright, HR and Recruitment Senior Associate, provided an update on new hires and current open positions. 

III. Approval of Minutes

A.

Resolved that the Board approve the Regular session minutes from the May 6, 2025 meeting.

R. Halpern made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 10, 2025 board meeting. Regular Board Meeting on 06-10-25.
W. Churchill seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Motions for Approval

A.

To approve the application submission for the PCPSA CSP grant program

R. Halpern made a motion to approve the application submission for the PCPSA CSP grant program.
L. Umbrecht seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

To approve the 2025-2026 HR Handbook

R. Halpern made a motion to Approve the 2025-2026 HR Handbook.
W. Churchill seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

WSFS Line of Credit Resolution

R. Halpern made a motion to Resolve that the Board authorizes the approval of a line of credit with WSFS bank in the amount of $500K and that CEO John Amenda and Board Secretary Wayne Weisman are authorized as signers on the school's behalf.
W. Weisman 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 5:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
R. Halpern