Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools
Minutes
Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday November 16, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Location
The meeting is open to the public
Trustees Present
Cecelia Russo, Doris Givens, Kevin Nesbitt, Tyler McConnell, Victor Rivera
Trustees Absent
Joseph Sciame, Leticia Theodore-Greene
Ex Officio Members Present
Nicholas Tishuk
Non Voting Members Present
Nicholas Tishuk
Guests Present
Lisa-Renée Brown, Marcia Maxwell, Mikhael Edouard
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Victor Rivera called a meeting of the board of trustees of Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools to order on Tuesday Nov 16, 2021 at 6:11 PM.
Chair Victor introduced and acknowledged the presence of prospective trustees. Trustees, faculty members and prospective trustees all quickly shared their backgrounds and interests in the school.
C.
Review of the minutes
No discussion. Trustees reviewed the minutes.
D.
Vote to approve minutes
Tyler McConnell made a motion to approve the minutes from the October Board Meeting.
Kevin Nesbitt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Academic and Family Life Committee
A.
Committee Update
Please see the attached committee report.
Current ELA and Math test score results were discussed. The positive results and trends are attributed to the continued efforts of the school to progressively close academic gaps for all population segments served. 60% of the school's population participated in the onsite test and was able to do so because the school remained open during the entire pandemic, without any community spread. Accolades were given to the SMT and staff for all that was done to successfully keep the school functioning effectively during the pandemic. Remotes did not have to take the test.
It was recommended that we consider comparing the current ELA and Math results to our last set of BSNBCS scores from previous years. It was also recommended that we exercise caution when comparing our scores with District 16 and the City/State, as most non-charter public schools were closed during the pandemic or fully engaged in remote learning. We have to be careful about how we message our performance externally. Our narrative needs to be crafted in a specific way.
The trustees are interested in learning more about the assessments we use to decision next steps.
A request was made for the school to share the set of academic performance metrics (drivers) that are used to identify opportunities for improvement and establish goals.
ED Nicholas indicated that action planning is occurring at the student/parent level. He and Academic Committee will follow up to fulfill request.
III. Governance Committee
A.
Committee Update
Please see the attached Governance Committee report.
Questions were raised by the public. How do we go about notifying BSNBCS parents that a board opportunity is available? What type of substantive work can we assign to a "trustee" parent that would make serving on the board more appealing?
Governance Chair Doris will discuss next steps with Governance Committee for recruitment of a parent to the Board of Trustees.
IV. Finance Committee
A.
Committee Update and Review of FY21
Please see the attached Finance Committee Report and Auditor's Report..
Our independent auditor, PKR O'Connor Davis, gave us a clean audit with no material findings. We also successfully passed two single audits. Our financials, balance sheet and reserve funds are solid and favorable. Our PPP loan has been fully forgiven.
A question was raised by the public: What is our per pupil funding? CEO Lisa-Renee said that she would get back to us with exact amounts.
.
Tyler McConnell made a motion to accept the annual audit report as submitted by the auditors.
Cecelia Russo seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. New and Old Business
A.
New Business
No new business was discussed.
B.
Old Business
No old business was discussed.
Cecelia Russo made a motion to move into Executive Session.
Tyler McConnell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Tyler McConnell made a motion to end Executive Session.
Kevin Nesbitt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
The Trustees returned. Personnel matters were discussed during executive session.
VI. Public Comments
A.
Public comments
There were no additional public comments.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Cecelia Russo made a motion to Adjourn meeting.
Kevin Nesbitt seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Doris Givens
Documents used during the meeting
- 2021_10_19_board_meeting_minutes.pdf
- BSNBCSNov92021minutes.pdf
- BSNBCSGovernanceCommittee1104021.pdf
- Fin Comm Meeting Notes - November 2021.pdf
- BSNBCS FY21 Audit PKR OConnor Davies.pdf