Doris and Nancy have been approved as an official board members by our authorizer. 

Minutes were approved with corrections. 

Mr. Tishuk gave a school update. The school is preparing scholars for the school assessments in the spring. Mr. Tishuk also gave the board members a quick account of the school's financials. Mr. Tishuk advised the board that the school may conduct mid year teaching hires to give additional assistance for the scholars in addition to potential facilities. 

Ms. Russo inquired how the mid year hiring would affect the staff and the potential new hire in regards to evaluation. Mr. Tishuk informed that the new hire orientation has been simplified and the new hire will evaluated on a quarterly basis. 

Ms. Brown informed the board that the scholars conducted a trial Common Core testing to prepare students. The school will conduct Saturday classes as well as a morning academy from 7:00-7:50 to gave additional help to our scholars. Jan. 17, the school sent out promotion and doubt letters to potential students. Lower school will receive report cards in February to give parents another option to work with teachers. 

The school had a hot chocolate and a book event and will have another event on the 100th day of school.  

The upper school had their second end of the term assessment. Any student who received below 75 in ELA and Math received promotion and doubt letters to help prepare the scholar as well as the parents are aware in advance. January 25, the upper school will have their awards ceremony. Their will be a black history month assembly, the dates are different for the upper and lower schools. The upper school had their second annual three kings parade in Harlem. Most of the seventh and eighth grade scholars attended and some were interviewed by the local press. 

This Thursday, Ms. Brown and Ms. Pagan will conducted their directors' breakfasts for the parents. 

The graduation is June 17th at St. Francis College. A formal invitation will be sent out next week. 

Jemail Jones, head custodian, passed away  due to cancer early this month. The school will sponsor several event, such as a a blood drive and other events that focus on the type of cancer he passed from with his family. 

The meeting will be dedicated in his honor. A moment of silence was observed.

Chairman Sciame donated $250- $100 for seventh and eighth grade and $50 for sixth grade award' ceremonies. 

Leticia joined the meeting by phone. 

Chairman Sciame reviewed the committees list for the board and a copy was given to the board. There are openings for the finance and development committee. Chairman Sciame asked the new members to give their preferences to the board. Doris and Nancy joined the finance and development committees. 

The Chairman brought up boardontrack, and Mr. Tishuk stated we will work offline to create a list of issues and work with the team to ensure issues are resolved. 

Ms. Russo gave the update from the Education Committee. The committee inquired about the title for the new position of Talent Manager. The committee would also like to assist with the Family Life committee as needed. The committee also review the policy of the public comments. 

A formal meeting will be scheduled next month. 

After the December meeting, Mr. Rivera devised a policy for the public comments section of the board meeting. Based on the board's assessment, the public comments should be formalized in a way to ensure the board's time was utilized effectively.  Each speaker would reduced to three minutes and focused primarily related to the school but complaint of an individual or student, personnel action, student disciplinary matter and pending litigation. Written comments can also be sent to the board. 

Mr. Nesbitt gave a quick update on the family life committee. The election for the PFO will be finalized on Friday. A third party auditor will collect the ballots. The main office has candidate bios located in the office main office. Parents were informed by posting throughout the school, school messenger and paperwork was sent through backpack. 

Ms. Theodore Green gave a quick update on the development committee. 

February 1st, documents will be shared to the board. 

Ms. Julian gave positive comments for the fifth grade academic program. She also gave a suggestion for potential additional director meeting for the parents due to answer all the parents questions. 

Ms. Knight asked how the school is conducting evaluating potential new hires. Ms. Knight also addressed her concerns regarding guidelines for the public comments.  
 

The Board discussed litigation matters involving the school and employee personnel evaluation.