The New American Academy Charter School
Minutes
TNAACS Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday August 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Directors Present
C. Cuellar-Lezcano (remote), C. Kelly (remote), D. Dula (remote), H. Hunt (remote), J. Beavers (remote), V. McDonald (remote)
Directors Absent
F. Monrose
Guests Present
L. Parquette Silva
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes
L. SIlva provided the board of directors with an overview of previous meeting minutes with a detailed review of the financial state of the school at the time of the previous meeting. The board was reminded of action steps and discussions of items that required a vote, before the Board began executive meeting.
II. Finance & Data
A.
Enrollment Data
B.
NYS Exam Data
L. Silva provided a detailed view of 2024/2025 state exam results. The Board acknowledged multiple successes in comparison to the state, with few weaknesses identified as areas for growth. The Board identified teachers of grades/classes who struggled, and learned that many classes will have new teachers.
C.Kelly celebrated student scores and growth during the year, and identified opportunities for a report to support media opportunities. C. Kelly considered campaigns to support retention and growth.
L. Silva confirmed that a media campaign will be created in collaboration with SCOLA.
C.
PIX11 NY Media Opportunity
Pix 11 has considered a segment on New York Living, which celebrates things that are special in New York.
L.Silva shared that Pix 11 will do a 3-5-minute section on TNAACS. Pix 11's creative team will develop a segment, and the school will decide what will be highlighted through interviews of students and staff. After the live segment, an article and other media will be highlighted for one month.
D. Dula responded, "That's awesome".
C. Kelly questioned the timeline for this media opportunity and discussed an intentional timing to capitalize on the branding and media opportunity.
L. Silva agreed to discuss with SCOLA.
As the Board continued to review the Pix 11 media opportunity, C. Kelly, D.Dula, and J.Beavers shared positive responses.
Motion to Approve Pix 11 partnership by C. Kelly
Seconded by D. Dula
III. Governance
A.
TNAACS Human Fund Revision
L. Silva discussed the benefits of the school's human fund. The fund currently has a 50 percent utility rate and is only available to full-time staff members. The human fund would be expanded to offer to part-time staff members as an additional incentive for employees who have been staff members for at least one year.
H. Hunt shared support for the change. H. Hunt acknowledged this as an opportunity to feel closer to the TNAACS community.
D. Dula shared support.
J. Beavers discussed support for an incentive for part-time staff members.
V. McDonald shared support of the change; however, V. McDonald does not agree that part-time staff members should receive the same amount of benefits as full-time staff members.
The Board continued to explore the best way to discuss the Human Fund.
Part time employees work work a minimum of 20 hours/weekly will be able to participate in the Human Fund.
B.
Staffing Updates
L. Silva informed the Board of an opening for a 3rd grade teacher for the school year. The teacher would begin as an associate (tier 4 is the highest level).
C. Kelly provided closing items.
L. Silva provided details of enrollment data and the number of sections per grade, including a new milestone of multiple grades with three sections. TNAACS expects a minimum of 257 students to start school in September, and potentially 16 additional families who may attend.
L. SIlva discussed the Bounce Back to School Bash that will occur at the end of August to allow opportunities to connect with and meet the principal and teachers. This is a retention and enrollment event. There are currently 87 families planning to attend.