Chair Cecelia Russo asked CAO Patience Brown to provide an update to the Board. Ms. Brown shared updates of the school's Brain Camp program that occurred in February during Mid Winter Recess. On Friday, we will have K-8 parent conferences, with meetings, report cards and updates with families. We target 80% in person attendance for these family engagement events. We are recruiting students for our incoming 9th grade class, both currently attending our 8th grade as well as students at other schools.

We have entered State testing season, with grades 5 and 8 taking science, and 3-8 taking ELA and Mathematics. This is the first year that students will predominately take their NYS 3-8 Assessments via computer based testing.  This is a new statewide initiative, which has required multiple years of training in keyboarding, or typing, to be able to effectively complete an online assessment.

In grades 3-8, students attended the Brain Camp program. Students in 8th grade are studying for their advanced work, leading to Regents exams in June.  On the last day of Brain Camp, there was a zoological program, with various animals (snakes, turtles, various birds) being shared with students which was a great celebration with our students.

HS Principal Blough described the school's recruitment efforts for 9th grade, including visits to other Brooklyn middle schools. Our own students are recruiting in the community, we are recruiting actively across Brooklyn and seeking to broaden the number of students who apply to the school. Trustees asked clarifying questions on how the school will enculturate new students joining from other schools and Ms. Brown explained our summer programming and academic framework will facilitate that process for newly enrolled students for 2024-25.

Chair Doris Givens updated the board on Governance work. She shared the need of the Board to examine our Board terms, succession planning and recruitment in the coming months. She and Mr. Tishuk met to discuss our plans for recruitment. Mr. Tishuk has been in touch with the non-profit organization Boardstrong regarding sourcing new charter schools. 

Doris shared her sentiment that the Board should consider adding more members with our upcoming 15th anniversary, its authorizer change with the merger and the overall expansion plans of the school. Mr. Sciame suggested that we host an Open House for potential Trustees to visit the school, Mr. Tishuk and Ms. Givens agreed to help facilitate this idea. The Board discussed the importance of making the work of the Board accessible to parents and families at the school.

CFO Lisa-Renee Brown provided an update of the school's Finance Committee call.  Balances are in line with the previous month.  Our Friends Of has established a bank account and will be doing work in the upcoming months.  

The school is currently earning an interest rate of 4.19% of the school savings account. Enrollment for special education students is 151; current overall enrollment is 725. The school is meeting its expected

The Development Committee had a call to debrief the Board's Gala in November.  The Committee discussed the importance of an acknowledgement of the 15th anniversary of the school in 2025.

There were no public comments.