Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools

Minutes

Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday October 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Location

82 Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206

 

 

Remote participation open to the public at: https://meet.google.com/mka-gnwf-xzw

Trustees Present

Cynthia Aker, Doris Givens, John Matos, Kevin Nesbitt, Shawn Carson, Simone Pratt, Victor Rivera

Trustees Absent

Cecelia Russo, Joseph Sciame, Vishal Gupta

Ex Officio Members Present

Nicholas Tishuk

Non Voting Members Present

Nicholas Tishuk

Guests Present

Brian Blough, Lamar Renee Garcia, Lisa-Renée Brown, Michael Taylor, Patricia Bramwell

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Kevin Nesbitt called a meeting of the board of trustees of Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools to order on Wednesday Oct 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM.

C.

Approve September Meeting Minutes

Victor Rivera made a motion to approve the minutes from Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools Board Meeting on 09-17-25.
John Matos seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Academic and Family Life Committee

A.

Committee Update

Mr. Tishuk provided an update on the BSNBCS' academic status and enrollment, which has topped 1000 students for the first time ever. The school is operating strongly with the Fall semester fully in swing. All trustees and their families are welcome to join our Hispanic Heritage Festival on Friday October 17th at noon.

 

Principal Garcia shared that mental health awareness day was recognized last week at the lewis campus, as well as October being our anti-bullying month, which had a variety of assemblies and activities for our elementary and middle school students.  

 

Trustee Victor Rivera praised the work of the 82 News student news program.

 

Principal Blough described the Hispanic Heritage Month work at the High School including the hispanic hip hop program and tango dance lessons, a popular favorite from last year.  

III. Governance Committee

A.

Committee Update

Mr. Tishuk updated the Board on the work of the Governance Committee, including the BSNBCS' abilities to support Board engagement, if needed.

 

Vice Chair Shawn Carson updated the Board on ongoing discussions regarding Board members access to Board meetings; the value of a group of supports and associates that support the work of the Board, for further review and engagement in the coming months. Chair Kevin Nesbitt welcomed feedback from trustees on this project.

IV. Development Committee

A.

Committee Update

Chair Simone updated the Board on the Governance Committee's work, including the goal of getting additional Board generated leads for partnerships.  Trustees are encouraged to share the high school partnerships.

V. Finance Committee

A.

Finance Committee Update

Treasurer John Matos updated the Board on the work of the Finance Committee. Chief Operating Officer Michael Taylor updated the Board that all finances are in good standing and there are no extraordinary expenses or revenues in the past month. 

 

Vice Chair Shawn Carson and CPO Lisa-Renee Brown updated the Board on the new FASB rules related to auditing and their impact on the annual external audit process.

 

 

VI. Public Comments

A.

Public comments

There were no public comments.

VII. Closing Items

A.

Executive Session

The Board discussed legal matters during Executive Session.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:24 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Nicholas Tishuk