Forte Preparatory Academy

Minutes

Board Meeting

Forte Prep Full Board Monthly Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday March 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Location

In Person Meeting location: Bridgespan Offices (333 Seventh Ave, Manhattan and Forte Prep executive offices, Queen)

 

Join Zoom Meeting:  https://zoom.us/j/94001336885?pwd=K1AvOWN4MWM3U3VoSytQNkU5U1NDZz09

Directors Present

A. Espinosa, E. Winn, J. Cordero, J. Schilling (remote), K. Mullen, L. Rodriguez (remote), V. Abrams, W. Yip

Directors Absent

F. Lin, L. Mendez, S. Song

Ex Officio Members Present

G. Browne (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

G. Browne (remote)

Guests Present

C. Mojica (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

E. Winn called a meeting of the board of directors of Forte Preparatory Academy to order on Wednesday Mar 19, 2025 at 6:40 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approve February 2025 Board minutes

V. Abrams made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 02-19-25.
J. Cordero seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Approve January2025 Board minutes

V. Abrams made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 01-15-25.
J. Cordero seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Finance Committee

A.

Review January budget actuals (EdTec)

Janeye from EdTech shared Forte Prep’s latest financial position, including student enrollment, funding and budgeting.

 

ACADEMIC COMMITTEE

 

Laura shared academic testing results and preparation for important middle and high school exams, including fifth grade biology scores and preparation for AP testing in World History and Spanish.

III. Governance Committee

A.

Prospecting

Katie shared there are two prospects for the board treasurer position. There will be in-person meetings with prospects over the next month.

IV. Fund/Dev Committee

A.

Update: Capital Campaign progress

Wai Lin shared that FPA has engaged a consultant to help with the capital campaign. The board will also be receiving training to help with the campaign.

V. CEO updates

A.

SY 24-25 progress updates

Graham shared a feature about FPA on PIX11 television channel. This is a great way to share the FPA story with the broader community. FPA applications are trending 5% higher compared to last year's pool.

 

There were several recent school activities that engaged students, staff and the community, including a student v. staff basketball game, an auction, and a Lunar New Year parade. College week begins on April 7 and will include trips to top universities.

 

Administrative updates include progress with 2025-26 hiring and a RFP for a new audit firm. In addition, regarding the new facilities, FPA is making progress with the build.

 

Graham also introduced Carlos Mojica, the new FPA COO, who has served the charter school industry for over 15 years, with previous experience at Success Academy and Democracy Prep.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Cordero