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RISE Prep Academies

RISE Prep April Board Meeting

Published on April 9, 2026 at 10:29 AM EDT
Amended on April 14, 2026 at 6:22 AM EDT

Date and Time

Tuesday April 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM EDT

Location

30 Cumberland Street Woonsocket, RI 02895

A vote may be taken on any agenda item.

Zoom link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8615357511?pwd=VVhWdElmLzRRWWhvOFZDQVVBZzQrZz09#success

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 10:00 AM
  A. Record Attendance   Georgeta Gassey
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Paulette Hamilton
  C. Approve Minutes - March 2026 Board Meeting Approve Minutes Georgeta Gassey
     
II. Executive Director Updates
 
  • Facilities Updates:
    • Woonsocket Planning Board Master Application Hearing 4/21 6:00PM @ Harris Hall 
    • RIDE Review: Schematic Design Approval --> Design Development Review
    • Spring Street Abutters Coffee & Connections Meeting 4/14/26
      • Invited all abutters of Upper Academy Spring Street site to Lower Academy for coffee and a presentation of our project/opportunity to have questions and concerns answered and heard
  • School Happenings
    • Lottery took place April 1, 2026
      • Projected Enrollment K-11: 840-855
        • Internal Budget Projection Enrollment Used: 794
        • RIDE Projection: 794
  • SY 26-27 Hiring Season Update
    • School Based Leaders/Teams: Colarusso
    • Network Positions: DaCruz
    • Expecting strong retention & already seeing strong candidates/accepted offers
    • If you have a referral, please tell them to find our openings on SchoolSpring or through our website
  • Network Assessments
    • RICAS (Lower Academy)
      • First window (ELA): begins week of April 6, 2026
      • Second window (Math): begins week of April 27, 2026
    • PSAT (Upper Academy)
      • April 10, 2026
  • Budget Work Update
    • Budget work has begun amongst Network Team with a goal of bringing the first draft to the Board at our May meeting
  • Grant Updates
    • Portrait of a Graduate Project (~$42,000) submitted to Wardwell Foundation in March for April review
    • Connected with Champlin Foundation regarding grants we are eligible for, currently reviewing what, if anything we have planned qualifies
    • Received confirmation of CSP full grant ~$667,000 of reimbursable expenses
  
  A. Facilities Updates Discuss Rosalind DaCruz
  B. School Happenings FYI Rosalind DaCruz
  C. SY 26-27 Hiring Season Update FYI Rosalind DaCruz
  D. Network Assessments FYI Rosalind DaCruz
  E. Budget Work Update FYI Rosalind DaCruz
  F. Grant Updates FYI Rosalind DaCruz
III. Finance Update
 
  • Audit Progress Update
  • RIHBEC Preliminary Approval + Next Steps
  • Construction Bridge Loan Discussion
  • Budget to Actuals Review
  
  A. Audit Progress Update FYI Kat Waller
  B. RIHBEC Preliminary Approval + Next Steps Discuss Kat Waller
  C. Construction Bridge Loan Discussion Discuss Kat Waller
  D. Budget to Actuals Review Discuss Kat Waller
IV. Communications Strategic Planning/DDL Proposal
  A. Communications Needs Assessment Discuss Rosalind DaCruz
  B. DDL Advertising Proposal/Conclusion of Mike Trainor Full Consulting Agreement Vote Paulette Hamilton
V. Consideration of Release of Requests for Proposals
  A. Landscaping/Snow Removal Vendor RFP Vote Rosalind DaCruz
  B. Technology Vendor RFP Vote Rosalind DaCruz
  C. Plumbing Vendor RFP Vote Rosalind DaCruz
  D. HVAC Vendor RFP Vote Rosalind DaCruz
VI. Upcoming Board of Directors Meeting - May 5, 2026
 
  • Board input for next meeting's agenda

Included Already:

  • RFP Bids/Recommendations
  • Draft FY27 Budget
  
  A. Board Agenda Item Input - May 5, 2026 Discuss Paulette Hamilton
VII. Closing Items
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Paulette Hamilton

Note: Members of the public may provide public comment virtually, but the Board of Directors must participate in the meeting in-person.