Mr. Sciame noted that Mr. Charriez and Ms. Theodore-Green had contacted him to advise that they would not be able to attend. Mr. Sciame had not heard from Mr. Nesbitt.

Mr. Tishuk presented the Board with part of the 2016/17 Budget for consideration and approval. Mr. Tishuk noted that the School had never gone below the 600 official number of students and currently stood at 606 students.  Due to the expanded 6th grade, the school enrollment is expected to be 625 next year.  Mr. Tishuk lauded Ms. Morales for her help with the enrollment.  

Mr. Rivera asked about the allocation of money for special needs students, given the increase in the number of students.  Mr. Tishuk advised that the numbers were conservative and would be revised when harder numbers came in.

Mr. Tishuk advised that the projected that the School Budget would be no less than $11.4 million for the next school year.

Mr. Tishuk reported to the Board on the State Exams of the last two weeks. He advised that open-time tested resulted in all students finishing in all classes.  This supported anecdotal evidence that classes in the last year had been unable to complete the tests, meaning that scores were lowered because of the limit.

Ms. Russo asked about opt-outs and Mr. Tishuk advised that only 3 students opted out.  This was substantially lower than the District and the City scores.

Ms. Morales advised the Board about last week's lottery.  She reported that we had about 950 applications for the lottery for approximately 100 spots.

Mr. Sciame noted his concern about attendance of Trustees at the Board meetings.

In Mr. Charriez's absence, Ms. Brown advised the Board regarding the update of 401(k) and advised that Mr. Charriez had been in touch with her.

Mr. Sciame asked about whether Ms. Brown was comfortable with regard new processes.  She responded that financial controls were being improved and that she was still working with Mr. Tishuk regarding the systems to go into place.  She noted that she was comfortable with the progress made.  

Mr. Tishuk  advised that an improved Financial Team would result from Ms. Brown's work.  He noted that he expected hiring a bookkeeper/HR person to help relieve some of Ms. Brown's burden dealing with HR issues. Ms. Russo asked if there was a need for an HR-dedicated employee.  Mr. Tishuk advised that a financial person would be hired to aid Ms. Brown with HR issues.  Ms. Russo wondered if that was enough.  Ms. D'Anjou-Pomerleau advised that Mr. Charriez was the head of both committees that might deal with these issues:  Finance and Operations.  Mr. Rivera, the only other person on both committees, advised that certain HR issues had been addressed with him by Mr. Tishuk. Mr. Sciame said that for 2016-17 the committees would be separated.

Ms. Oberlander asked if there was a protocol to advise the School regarding partnership possibilities.  Mr. Tishuk noted that the Development Committee of the Board and the Development-oriented members of the Senior Management Team could both be looped in.    

Ms. Russo noted that she was reluctant to present her Mission Statement due to semantics regarding the use of the terms "students" vs. "scholars."  

Ms. Mondesir delivered to the Board a proposed Mission Statement for the Committee.

Ms. Mondesir noted that she, Mr. Nesbitt and Ms. Julien (a parent) attended a workshop regarding effecting PAs.  

Ms. Mondesir said that the focus on populating an effective PA would be delayed to June to incorporate potential new parents.

Mr. Tishuk noted that parents were an important part of the campaign to let people become aware of the School's proposed item in the participatory budget process.  He noted that a successful campaign this year would result in a $248,000 grant to the School. This would make to one of the most effective Parent Organizations in the City.  Parents advised about the need to have things for the PA to do. Mr. Sciame and Ms. Bramwell spoke regarding the need for the parents to let us know what they want our help with.  Mr. Rivera noted that a good policy to follow would be for the parents to brain storm as to events and things that they would like to done, but then to narrow the focus to three items that they can bring to the Board for consideration.

Some parents asked about the lack of monthly events that were traditionally held.  Ms. Morales noted that the Parent Breakfast had been replaced by regular family activities, but parents advised that they did not appear to be getting calls to notify them of the events.  Mr. Tishuk noted that they should check with Ms. Morales to ensure that they are receiving the robot-calls.

The Councilman advised that the school should appear at the announcement of the decision on the participatory budget vote.  The school was advised to bring students and parents. 

Ms. Theodore-Green was unable to attend. Ms. D'Anjou-Pomerleau advised that Ms. Theodore-Green had attended the Tribeca Film event

Ms. D'Anjou-Pomerleau also advised about her efforts for Project 11.
 

A parent noted that there should be more advance notice of major school events.  Ms. Morales advised tat a document would be going out and stated that generally such notices would go out about two weeks in advance.  

Mr. Sciame noted that the next meeting was scheduled for 5/24.

The Board discussed personnel and legal issues.

Ms. D'Anjou-Pomerleau was invited by the Board to stay for part of the meeting.

Ms. Mondesir asked about the Retreat.  Possibility suggested was June 29th.