Brighter Choice Charter Schools
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday November 14, 2024 at 9:30 AM
Location
250 Central Ave, Albany NY 12206
Trustees Present
C. Driggs, N. Clement, N. Velilla, Z. Nelson
Trustees Absent
M. Snyder, T. Hanmer
Guests Present
L. Licygiewicz
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Z. Nelson called a meeting of the board of trustees of Brighter Choice Charter Schools to order on Thursday Nov 14, 2024 at 10:02 AM.
C.
Approve Minutes
N. Velilla made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 10-24-24.
N. Clement seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Governance Report Out- Martha
E.
Revised Budget- Vote
N. Velilla made a motion to adopt the revised Fiscal '25 budget.
C. Driggs seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
Incentive Plan- Vote
C. Driggs made a motion to adopt the incentive plan for teacher and staff retention and merit pay over 3 years.
N. Velilla seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
G.
HVAC- Vote
N. Clement made a motion to accept the bid from Carrier to replace the Boys' school HVAC system. This will be a capitalized expense.
N. Velilla seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
H.
403b Plan- Vote
N. Velilla made a motion to accept the proposal from Mutual of America to administer the schools' 403B retirement plan.
C. Driggs seconded the motion.
Noah Clement abstained from the vote citing a conflict of interest.
II. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Z. Nelson made a motion to adjourn.
N. Clement 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 10:25 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Z. Nelson
Zoe reported that the Governance committee discussed the school updates that included enrollment, staffing and the NYSED liaison visit to the schools. The committee discussed the revised budget after hearing from Paul Augello, and recommended the incentive plan and merit plan be voted on in the full board meeting. The revised budget also includes a school contribution to each staff member's Health Savings Account to help reduce the health care burden. Luke reported on the reviewed bids from HVAC contractors to replace the system at the Boys' school as well as the recommendation to go with Mutual of America as our new 403B administrator.