Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter School
Minutes
August Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday August 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Location
82 Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Trustees Present
Cynthia Aker, Doris Givens, Kevin Nesbitt, Shawn Carson
Trustees Absent
Cecelia Russo, Joseph Sciame, Josue De Paz, Victor Rivera
Ex Officio Members Present
Nicholas Tishuk, Patricia Bramwell
Non Voting Members Present
Nicholas Tishuk, Patricia Bramwell
Guests Present
John Matos
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve June minutes
D.
Introduction of Trustee Candidate
II. Academic and Family Life Committee
A.
Committee Update
Mr. Tishuk updated the Board on the school's Summer planning for staff. K-8 open houses are happening next week for our Middle School Families (August 23rd), 1st-5th grade families (August 24th) and new Kindergarten family orientations (August 25th) respectively. Students return for the beginning of the school year on August 28th, 2023. The school's instructional framework for 2023-24
The BSNBCS2 planning team has submitted the application to the SUNY Charter Schools Institute and expects to receive a full review by the SUNY Committee in October 2023.
B.
Review and Approval of 2023-24 Building-Level Emergency Response Plans and District-Wide Safety Plan
III. Governance Committee
A.
Committee Update
Ms. Givens updated the Board on the current status of the governance committee. The governance committee will be recommending new candidates in the Board in the upcoming meeting.
IV. Finance Committee
A.
Finance Committee Update
Mr. Carson updated the board on the finances of the school. He reiterated the school's strong financial position, with no unusual expenditures or changes. He discussed the school's recent receipt of a Summer grant from Bloomberg philanthropies. Mr. Tishuk discussed the school's goal of receiving additional funding from foundations and federal grants.
V. Development
A.
Development Update
The Vision 2023 Fundraiser is being planned for the Fall; the Board is seeking additional private donations as a part of this campaign to support the school's growth and operations. Ms. Givens was happy to share the event's MC will be Errol Lewis, from NY1 and the Committee is actively seeking sponsors for the event.
VI. Public Comments
A.
Public comments
Ms. Bramwell raised the state of the teaching profession and the Board and Mr. Tishuk discussed the school's commitment to its staff. Mr. Matos thanked the board for their hospitality.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Vote to Enter Executive Session
To discuss personnel matters.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
The Board discussed a personnel matter in Executive Session and returned to regular session, by unanimous vote.
Doris introduced John Matos, a Trustee candidate, who described his professional and personal background and his interest in Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings.