Excel Academy Rhode Island
Minutes
Board of Trustees - Building Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday February 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Location
Excel Academy Rhode Island
622 Woonasquatucket Ave
North Providence, RI 02911
Meeting notice posted publicly on 1/30/26.
Please note: All items listed on the agenda are subject to a possible vote by the Board of Trustees or its subcommittees.
Committee Members Present
A. Kaynor (remote), B. Smiley (remote), C. Chhay (remote), C. Heng (remote), C. Reed (remote), J. Greenthal (remote), O. Stearns (remote)
Committee Members Absent
J. Lewin, K. Ring
Guests Present
William Trimble (RIDE SBA) (remote), Y. Dubon (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Public Comment
D.
Approve Prior Building Committee Meeting Minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Heng |
Aye
|
| J. Lewin |
Absent
|
| B. Smiley |
Abstain
|
| O. Stearns |
Aye
|
| K. Ring |
Absent
|
| J. Greenthal |
Aye
|
| A. Kaynor |
Aye
|
| C. Reed |
Aye
|
| C. Chhay |
Aye
|
II. Real Estate
A.
Update on current and prospective facilities
C. Reed presented reminded the Board of the role of the Building Committee and updated the Board on current and upcoming real estate projects, including the following highlights:
- We completed renovations at 622 Woonasquatucket Ave in North Providence to add classroom capacity. We are now serving 450 students at this facility. We do not anticipate adding any more capacity at this site. We are also working on improvements to the HVAC system.
- We entered into a lease-to-purchase agreement with Johnson & Wales University for a 291 Westminster Street property where we plan to locate our high school campus. We are making progress identifying prospective sites for a gym to complement the 291 Westminster Street property.
Committee members asked clarifying questions which C. Reed answered.
B.
SBA Presentation
W. Trimble presented to the Building Committee on the School Building Authority Necessity of School Construction approval process and timeline. W. Trimble reviewed the steps and requirements in the process and intricacies of the timeline with the Building Committee and provided the Committee with a Local and State Approvals Timeline overview document, which is enclosed with the meeting packet.
C. Reed asked for clarification on the definition of a "project" with respect to reimbursement. W. Trimble clarified and explained the difference between school safety and other purposes.
W. Trimble reviewed the Design Review Process with the Committee as the stage that comes after Necessity of School Construction.
C. Reed asked for more context about the possibility of future additional bonus opportunities, which W. Trimble provided.
C. Heng asked for more information about the Green Ribbon program, which W. Trimble provided.
O. Stearns thanked W. Trimble and the SBA for supporting us in the process and joining our meeting today and asked whether there is advice he would share to a Building Committee just starting this important process. W. Trimble provided advice and encouraged regular community outreach to ensure continued community support for projects.
III. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
List of documents used in the meeting:
- Meeting agenda
- Prior meeting minutes
- Necessity of School Construction Process Overview
No members of the public provided comments at this meeting.