Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools
Minutes
Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday August 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Location
82 Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Trustees Present
Cecelia Russo, Cynthia Aker, Doris Givens, Kevin Nesbitt, Shawn Carson, Simone Pratt, Victor Rivera
Trustees Absent
John Matos
Ex Officio Members Present
Nicholas Tishuk
Non Voting Members Present
Nicholas Tishuk
Guests Present
Lamar Renee Garcia, Lisa-Renée Brown, Michael Taylor, Muhammed Bilal, Patience Brown, Patricia Bramwell
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Appoint Trustee for Additional Term
D.
Approve July Meeting Minutes
E.
Approve Update to District Safety Plan
F.
Resignation of Trustee
II. Academic and Family Life Committee
A.
Committee Update
Chair Cecelia Russo updated the Board on the work of the Academic and Family Life Committee; she met with Chief Academic Officer, K-8 Principal and HS Principal to discuss summer progress in Grades K-11. She discussed the work of the High School team, including the new Assistant Principals at the high school.
CAO Patience Brown discussed the launch of the new school year. Principal Garcia discussed the initial staff training for new staff, which started in earnest last week and the returning staff, who returned this week. We are getting ready for open houses next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for our older elementary and middle school students, for our Kindergarten students.
Trustee Victor asked for an update of high school staff. Principal Bilal described the onboarding of new staff members at the high school, including the scope and sequence of core courses, project based learning and the framework for our our College and Careers program. Regents exams were administered yesterday and today. We have open houses scheduled for next week. Principal Bilal described the work of the returning staff, addressing any curiosity or questions about his program, including new structures such as the academics.
CAO Brown encouraged trustees to join our open house events and other school events that are open to the public or schedule visits to the school at their convenience.
III. Finance Committee
A.
Finance Committee Update
Chief Operating Officer Michael Taylor updated the Board on the school's Finances. There are no extraordinary expenses or revenues during this time period. The school's per pupil numbers will be clear by the upcoming September meeting, following the start of the academic school year on August 31st.
IV. Governance Committee
A.
Committee Update
Chair Doris Givens updated the Board on the work on the Development Committee. The Board Assessment has been completed and the Committee will work on next steps with the rest of the Board. Board recruitment for new trustees is also a priority. The Committee also discussed next KPIs and trends to be further developed through the school year.
V. Development Committee
A.
Committee Update
Chair Simone Pratt updated the Board on the work of the development committee. She discussed the planning of a Trustee Engagement Open House to support the recruitment of new Trustees and the expansion of the Board. Trustees are encouraged to
VI. Public Comments
A.
Public comments
There were no public comments.
The Board thanks Joe for his service to the Board for last 17 years and reluctantly accepts his resignation.