Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools

Minutes

January Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday January 18, 2023 at 6:00 PM

Location

82 Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Trustees Present

Cecelia Russo, Cynthia Aker, Doris Givens, Joseph Sciame, Josue De Paz (remote), Kevin Nesbitt, Shawn Carson

Trustees Absent

Mikhael Edouard, Victor Rivera

Ex Officio Members Present

Nicholas Tishuk

Non Voting Members Present

Nicholas Tishuk

Guests Present

Lisa-Renée Brown, Patience Brown, Patricia Bramwell

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Kevin Nesbitt called a meeting of the board of trustees of Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools to order on Wednesday Jan 18, 2023 at 6:17 PM.

Vice Chair Kevin Nesbitt opened the meeting in the absence of Board Chair. 

Doris Givens was recognized tonight on her birthday.

C.

Approve December minutes

Shawn Carson made a motion to approve the minutes from December Monthly Board Meeting on 12-21-22.
Joseph Sciame seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Academic and Family Life Committee

A.

Committee Update

Committee Chair Cecelia Russo updated the board on the work of the Academic Committee and referred the Board to the committee minutes.

 

Principal Patience Brown updated the Board on the school's return in the year 2023. The school has revoked its mandatory mask requirement for individuals in the building, due to the improvement of COVID and influenza rates in NYC.  Patience related that we have a number of events, such as parent conferences, upcoming as we enter the core of the school year, and state Assessments are upcoming in the next several months. Trustees discussed attending additional school events attended by parents and family members.

III. Governance Committee

A.

Committee Update

Committee Chair Doris Givens updated that the Committee is revisiting additional measures to reset and refresh the committee's approach towards its work, regarding assessment, recruitment and Board activities.  

 

Trustees had a discussion on the need to roll out an updated governance framework no later than the 2023 Board retreat, to be scheduled later in the school year.

 

Trustee Mikhael Edouard has notified the Board of his need to resign his position, due to a family matter.  The Board regretfully accepted his letter of resignation and wishes him the best.

IV. Finance Committee

A.

Finance Committee Update

Finance Chair Shawn Carson reported on the finance committee's meeting. The committee discussed the work on the investment policy to be reviewed by the Board at a future meeting.  

 

CFO Lisa-Renee Brown discussed the school's current enrollment numbers and bank balances. The school is in a strong position for enrollment and balances remain strong, with strong liquid assets. There was no unusual activity and no unusual outlays during the past month.

V. Public Comments

A.

Public comments

There were no public comments.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Kevin Nesbitt made a motion to Enter into Executive Session.
Cecelia Russo seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

The Board discussed real estate and legal matters during Executive Session.

Kevin Nesbitt made a motion to return to regular session.
Cecelia Russo 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 7:29 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Nicholas Tishuk