RISE Prep Academies
Minutes
Standing Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday January 7, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Location
30 Cumberland Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895
A vote may be taken on any agenda item.
Directors Present
C. Dias, G. Gassey, J. Egan, J. Leveille, P. Hamilton, T. Calouro
Directors Absent
J. O'Rourke, M. Beauchamp
Ex Officio Members Present
S. Izzi
Non Voting Members Present
S. Izzi
Guests Present
C. Colarusso, K. Waller, R. DaCruz
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve December Special Board Meeting Minutes
II. Executive Director Updates
A.
Major Amendment Vote Debrief
B.
Board of Directors Code of Conduct [Draft]
Ms. Hamilton reviewed the draft and emphasized the pros and cons of board members using responding to social media misinformation and false claims, asking the board members to use caution with that.
C.
RISE Prep January Happenings
Ms. DaCruz presented the Lower Academy and Upper Academy Athletics Schedules.
Ms. DaCruz informed the board that Wardwell Foundation will visit the school on January 13th, 2025, at 9:30 am.
Ms. DaCruz stated the school will be closed on January 20th, 2025, in observance of MLK Day.
III. Finance Committee Update
A.
Audit, ERC, Financial Statement Updates
Ms. Waller informed the board that she filled for the extension for the audit and everything went well, with the draft being reviewed by the end of next week.
Ms. Waller stated that there were no updates regarding ERC, but it was anticipated that there would be more information to share with the board members at the next meeting in February.
Ms. Waller plans to present the board at the meeting in February a report of the budget vs actual expenses.
IV. Executive Session: Consideration of Matters Related to Real Estate and Facilities
A.
Consideration of Matters Related to Real Estate and Facilities
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
S Izzi made the announcement that a vote was taken.
Ms. DaCruz provided a summary of the RIDE Council of Education vote on the Major Amendment request held on Wednesday January 22nd, 2025. She emphasized that RISE followed all the guidelines and procedures established by RIDE and expressed disappointment with what appeared like a lack of information that the council was given on the process and guidance from RIDE to RISE. Multiple board members expressed their displeasure with the comments made by the Woonsocket State Reps and members of the School Committee.
Ms. Dacruz emphasized that RISE will continue to explore all the legal options and efforts that will lead to the best outcome for the school in the best interest of the children/students.