Excel Academy Rhode Island
Minutes
Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Monday October 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Location
Center for Southeast Asians
270 Elmwood Ave.
Providence, RI 02907
Meeting notice posted publicly by 10/16/25.
Please note: All items listed on the agenda are subject to a possible vote by the Board of Trustees.
Trustees Present
C. Chhay, C. Heng, F. Rojas, I. Blake, J. Greenthal, L. Giordano, M. Rivera
Trustees Absent
B. Smiley, C. Lombardi
Guests Present
A. Kaynor, C. Reed, O. Stearns, Y. Dubon
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Public Comment
No members of the public provided comments at this meeting.
D.
Approve Prior Meeting Minutes
II. Real Estate
A.
Real Estate Search Updates & Votes
O. Stearns and C. Reed provided updates on the school's real estate search, the status of current and prospective projects, and progress in planning for the high school campus.
A. Kaynor presented proposed real estate and reimbursement resolutions with the Board and answered clarifying questions.
III. Governance
A.
Approve Updates to FY26 (SY25-26) Board Calendar
A. Kaynor presented the updated School Year 25-26 Board Calendar to the Board.
B.
Approve SY25-26 Board Goals
O. Stearns and A. Kaynor presented a report on the Board's SY24-25 goals and a draft report on SY24-25 CEO/CMO goals and encouraged the Board to provide any feedback to Liz Giordano, Chair of the Governance & Nominating Committee, who is representing the Excel Academy Rhode Island Board in the SY24-25 CEO/CMO evaluation process.
O. Stearns and A. Kaynor also presented draft SY25-26 Board Goals. The Board observed notable improvements across most areas, with more work to do this year on fundraising, campus visits, and new Board member recruitment. A. Kaynor emphasized the importance of reaching 100% Board participation in annual fundraising and also recognized the Board's high level of engagement in advocacy efforts over the past two years.
IV. Finance
A.
FYI - Reminder about FY25 Annual Audit
A. Kaynor reminded the Board that the annual audit meeting for Excel MA and Friends of Excel is on October 27th and the annual audit meeting for Excel RI is on December 4th. Members of all three Boards are invited to attend either or both meetings for informational and collaborative purposes and for continued financial transparency between Excel's three entities.
V. Board Engagement
A.
Upcoming Events
A. Kaynor previewed upcoming events and campus visits with the Board. J. Greenthal requested that staff send all calendar invites to the Board, and Board members can accept or reject each one, to facilitate faster scheduling.
VI. Other Business
A.
Food Security
M. Rivera discussed plans for food support for families if SNAP benefits are not continued after October as a result of the federal government shutdown. Roughly 30% of Central Falls and Providence families rely on SNAP for day-to-day food security.
Board members shared upcoming opportunities to collaborate with partner organizations and increase awareness and access for families to food banks and other resources. M. Rivera invited representatives from Excel to attend a Central Falls convening, which A. Kaynor will attend.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
List of documents used at this meeting:
- Agenda
- Prior meeting minutes
- Reimbursement resolutions
- Diligence budget resolutions
- FY26 Board Calendar
- FY26 Campus Visit Schedule
- RI Board Goals - FY26 Goals & FY25 EOY Report
- SY25-26 Board Recruitment Overview
- SY24-25 CEO/CMO Goals Report
A. Kaynor introduced a new member of the Excel Team, Yanssy Rodas Dubon, who is joining as Excel's Development & Governance Associate and is an alumna of Excel. Board members introduced themselves and welcomed Yanssy to the team.