Young Scholars Charter School

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday September 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM

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

B. Young (remote), K. Jayne (remote), L. Umbrecht (remote), R. Halpern (remote), S. Piltch (remote), S. Schwartz (remote), W. Churchill (remote), W. Weisman (remote)

Trustees Absent

A. Wang, G. Singer, J. Brown, T. Grosswald

Guests Present

A. Wright (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 Tuesday Sep 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

C.

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

R. Halpern made a motion to Accepted the resignations of Aubrey Wang and Gail Singer, effective immediately.
B. Young seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Board Discussion Topics

A.

YSCS Goal Setting and Data Review

Kristen Tini presented student achievement data showing 93% completion of beginning-of-year testing, with 49% of students performing at or above national average in at least one subject. Reading emerged as the strongest subject, while mathematics and science showed lower performance, particularly affecting 7th and 8th grade students who had limited growth in previous years. The team discussed plans to address these challenges through expanded high-impact tutoring, new curricula including Foundations and Wilson programs, and increased coaching partnerships, with expectations to achieve 10% gains in both math and reading this year.

B.

Enrollment Update

Shakira Smith shared that multiple enrollment strategies are being implemented, including reaching out to previously declined applicants, advertising with SEPTA, hosting a K-12 fair for on-the-spot applications, and utilizing enrollment ambassadors to boost the school's visibility in the community.

C.

Facility Update

D.

Committee Updates Where Applicable

Kevin Corcoran presented on behalf of the Finance Committee. He reported that funding rates increased significantly, providing financial cushion if enrollment goals aren't met. The Finance Committee will conduct their first end-of-year projection after September data collection.

E.

Talent Update

Aniyah Wright presented a talent update showing the school is fully staffed for the start of the school year with 48 total staff members, including 14 new hires. The board approved the HR handbook updates, which included new AI policies and critical attendance days changes.

III. Approval of Minutes

A.

Resolved that the Board approve the Regular session minutes from the June 16, 2025 meeting.

R. Halpern made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 16, 2025 meeting Regular Board Meeting on 06-16-26.
S. Piltch seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Motions for Approval

A.

To approve the 2026/2027 HR Handbook

R. Halpern made a motion to approve the 2026/2027 HR Handbook.
K. Jayne seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

To approve the authorization of the Friends of Young Scholars Board to execute an architect agreement with KSS Architects and a preconstruction agreement with TN Ward Builders for the 727 Cecil B. Moore facility project.

R. Halpern made a motion to approve the authorization of the Friends of Young Scholars Board to execute an architect agreement with KSS Architects and a preconstruction agreement with TN Ward Builders for the 727 Cecil B. Moore facility project.
W. Churchill 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