Brighter Choice Charter Schools
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday October 22, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Location
250 Central Ave., Albany, NY
Trustees Present
C. Driggs, H. Sarwer (remote), M. Snyder (remote), N. Velilla, S. Harris, S. Jahn, T. Hanmer, Z. Nelson
Trustees Absent
A. Schnide
Guests Present
G. Borum, K. Ford, L. Licygiewicz, Paul Augello
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C. Driggs called a meeting of the board of trustees of Brighter Choice Charter Schools to order on Thursday Oct 8, 2026 at 9:30 AM.
C.
Approve August Minutes
N. Velilla made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 08-13-26.
T. Hanmer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Approve September Minutes
S. Jahn made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 09-10-26.
N. Velilla seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Committee Reports
A.
Governance Report Out-
Z. Nelson made a motion to move to executive session.
N. Velilla seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
N. Velilla made a motion to exit executive session.
S. Jahn seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
S. Harris made a motion to adjourn.
S. Jahn seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Z. Nelson
Colleen Driggs reported on the Governance Committee discussions. She reported on BCCS Girls enrollment, interim assessments, and staffing updates and events.
She reported on BCCS Boys updates including enrollment goals especially K-1 new scholars. There were several staffing changes that are positive for the school. The Jump Start program has begun and families will now be incentivized to recruit new families. The partnership with the mosque is being strengthened for mutual benefit. Interim assessments and targeted interventions were discussed.
Jason Marra from Cusack gave the audit report. It was a clean audit with no misstatements or qualifications.