Amani Public Charter School
Minutes
Amani Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday October 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Location
Amani Public Charter School
Third Floor Conference Room
Directors Present
G. Sardi, J. Kuo (remote), K. Wigfall (remote), M. Smith (remote), P. Morenberg (remote)
Directors Absent
A. Spencer, S. WuDunn
Ex Officio Members Present
D. Marshall (remote), D. Stern
Non Voting Members Present
D. Marshall (remote), D. Stern
Guests Present
B. Tanner, C. Stern, Candace Gomez (remote), J. Ciavirella, T. Cajoux
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
II. Fundraising - Gala
A.
Gala Update
III. Executive Director Report
A.
D. Sterm provided an update on various school events.
Dr. Stern said she met with Cheyenne Belizaire on youth empowerment and mentorshiip as well as author Rita Williams-Garcia.
She also said NYSED Renewal visit would occur on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 and scheduled Board info session to discuss strategies and processes.
Stern also spoke about enrollment numbers and K-1 expansion.
IV. Instructional Report
A.
J. Ciavarelli provided an update on the school calendar.
J. Ciavarelli noted the first PTA meeting of the year on October 15, 2025 was a success with 22 parents in attendance.
J. Ciavarelli then discussed various topics of interest including WYCOFF aftercare, Kindergarten and 1st grade solutions for lunch and upcoming events. She also noted that new electives, including pickeball, were being offer this fall.
Ciavarelli said she met with the educational accountability committee to discuss Math RIT scores. And that there is a Math is ALL AROUND US initiative.
She also reported on the success of the Advisory program and the upcoming Off Beat play.
P. Morenberg gave the fundraising report, noting the fixed costs of the Gala and his alternate proposal to address ticket sales.
He welcomed the positive reaction from Gala staff and cited attendance as the priority for the Gala. Morenberg also gave financial projections and contingencies, and urged the board and staff make a major push this week.
He provided an update on the gala details and led a discussion on cost reduction ideas. G. Sardi discussed collaboration with the Art Club re: decorations. and M. Smith noted the Gala journal was being finalized.