Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools

Minutes

August Monthly Board Meeting - Wednesday, 8/17 at 6PM

Date and Time

Wednesday August 17, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Location

82 Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Trustees Present

Cecelia Russo, Doris Givens, Joseph Sciame, Josue De Paz, Shawn Carson, Victor Rivera

Trustees Absent

Kevin Nesbitt, Mikhael Edouard

Ex Officio Members Present

Nicholas Tishuk

Non Voting Members Present

Nicholas Tishuk

Guests Present

Patricia Bramwell

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 Wednesday Aug 17, 2022 at 6:01 PM.

C.

Approve 7-29-22 Minutes

Joseph Sciame made a motion to approve the minutes from July Board Meeting on 07-29-22.
Shawn Carson seconded the motion.

All present approved minutes with any corrections

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

Chair Victor Rivera commented about committee assignments.

Executive Committee – Chair Victor Rivera, Vice Chair is Kevin Nesbitt, Treasurer is Doris Givens, Secretary Josue De Paz, At large member Cecila, Joseph Sciame

Academic Committee – Chair is Cecila, Kevin Nesbitt, Josue De Paz

Finance Committee – Chair is Doris, Mikhael, Shawn

Governance Committee- Chair is Doris, Joe, Victor


 

II. Academic and Family Life Committee

A.

Committee Update

Cecelia M. Russo sent an email about upcoming events on school year. Patience Brown commented that the team welcomed the staff back this past Monday and new staff the week previous, some from NYU program through our partnership. Leadership and staff are very excited about the new school year. August 29th is the first day of school. Bloomberg funding allowed us to provide an intensive summer academy for students to ensure their continued success in ELA and Math. Patience also spoke about our reading curriculum, which was sent to our board members, including explaining Wilson’s Foundations. 


 

Patience shared that the PFO committee is being rejuvenated and revamped - new staff member taking over parent engagement. We also welcomed a new assistant principal, Amber Ball, who began this month.


 

Nick just returned from Jackson, MS, after taking part with 14 students and 4 staff members in the Civil Rights practicum, students got strong feedback from many community members and partners and were able to visit several historical sites. Lisa Renee gave an update on the Brooklyn to Alaska trip – the school sent 2 girls and 2 boys, including a student who went last year, as a leader. 


 

Nick gave an update on the renewal application – there will be a board interview in December as a part of the renewal process. 


 

III. Governance Committee

A.

Committee Update

No meeting this month. Doris provided an update on Trustee recruitment – we are close to moving forward with one candidate after a school tour. Shawn is an official Board member after being approved. Cecilia asked for Josue to recirculate the Onboarding Document shared with the board at the retreat. 

IV. Finance Committee

A.

Finance Committee Update

Committee met on August 16th– our cash flow has improved as we’ve received grant income. Balances have been shared with the Board.  Mikhael has drafted an investment policy for the Board to review, which will be shared shortly. 

B.

Approval of Annual Safety Plan

Doris Givens made a motion to approve the 2022-23 BSNBCS Safety Plan.
Cecelia Russo seconded the motion.

Nick shared an update on the safety plan; which was circulated and unanimously approved by the Board.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Public Comments

A.

Public comments

There were no public comments.

The board discussed changing the date of the board meeting from Third Tuesdays to third Wednesdays. The Board will have the September meeting on the third Wednesday, September 21st and will finalize the 2022-23 calendar shortly. 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Josue De Paz made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Joseph Sciame 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 7:09 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Josue De Paz