Brighter Choice Charter Schools
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday February 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Location
250 Central Ave., Albany, NY
Trustees Present
C. Driggs, M. Snyder (remote), N. Velilla (remote), S. Jahn, Z. Nelson
Trustees Absent
T. Hanmer
Guests Present
Albert Schnide, Haroon Sarwer, K. Ford, L. Licygiewicz, Salah Harris (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Committee Reports
A.
Governance Report Out-
B.
Approve New Board Member- Haroon Sarwer
The Brighter Choice Charter School Board of Trustees, having conducted a thorough criminal history record check via fingerprinting which is deemed acceptable by NYSED, and having discovered no State or federal criminal history, or having provided information regarding such history to NYSED, if found, and having verified that any academic and/or professional credential or qualification presented by the proposed member is genuine, and having reviewed the application in its entirety, has voted to select Haroon Sarwer as a member to its Board of Trustees, with a term expiring on March 2029, pending approval by NYSED. The resolution approving Haroon Sarwer is adopted upon NYSED’s approval.
C.
Approve New Board Member- Salah Harris
The Brighter Choice Charter School Board of Trustees, having conducted a thorough criminal history record check via fingerprinting which is deemed acceptable by NYSED, and having discovered no State or federal criminal history, or having provided information regarding such history to NYSED, if found, and having verified that any academic and/or professional credential or qualification presented by the proposed member is genuine, and having reviewed the application in its entirety, has voted to select Salah Harris as a member to its Board of Trustees, with a term expiring on March 2029, pending approval by NYSED. The resolution approving Salah Harris is adopted upon NYSED’s approval.
D.
Approve New Board Member-Albert Schnide
The Brighter Choice Charter School Board of Trustees, having conducted a thorough criminal history record check via fingerprinting which is deemed acceptable by NYSED, and having discovered no State or federal criminal history, or having provided information regarding such history to NYSED, if found, and having verified that any academic and/or professional credential or qualification presented by the proposed member is genuine, and having reviewed the application in its entirety, has voted to select Albert Schnide as a member to its Board of Trustees, with a term expiring on March 2029, pending approval by NYSED. The resolution approving Albert Schnide is adopted upon NYSED’s approval.
Martha gave an overview of the Governance committee. The committee hear reports from Kristina Ford and Luke Lycigiewicz about enrollment, re-registrations and possible lottery, staffing, and upcoming events. IReady assessment data was shared for the committee and growth is being celebrated. For the Boys' school enrollment changes will require NYSED change to charter enrollment. Staffing changes and transitions are creating a challenge for the Boy's school, but instructional coaches are doing a good job offering consistency and stability. The NYS test scores were shared for the Boy's school and the committee celebrated the high performance which outpaced the district, the state and KIPP.
Luke reported on some building issues that required evacuations which went smoothly, but will encourage the team to have a new procedure for extreme weather. There was check fraud caught by the bank and appropriate steps are being taken to prevent future fraud.