Pharos Academy Charter School
Minutes
PHACS Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday April 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Location
https://pharosbx.zoom.us/j/5239033349?pwd=2WLTisGPjTdftRJ9m7yHYDr1je2xYw.1
1005 Intervale Avenue
Bronx, NY 10459
4th Floor
All meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Pharos Academy Charter School are held in compliance with New York State Open Meeting Law.
Date: April 23, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: 1005 Intervale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459
Other Location(s): https://bronxlighthouse.zoom.us/j/5239033349
863 Home Street, Bronx, NY 10459
3 2nd Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!
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PHAROS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
DE LA JUNTA ADMINISTRATIVA
Realizamos todas las reuniones de la Junta Administrativa de la escuela Pharos Academy Charter School conforme a la Ley de Reuniones Abiertas del Estado de Nueva York.
Día: 23 de abril, 2026
Hora: 6:30 pm
Lugar: 1005 Intervale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459
Otros Lugares: https://bronxlighthouse.zoom.us/j/5239033349
863 Home Street, Bronx, NY 10459
3 2nd Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Trustees Present
J. Lopez-Molina (remote), J. Rivera (remote), J. Sowell (remote), P. Wesonga (remote), T. Perez, T. South (remote), V. Angeles
Trustees Absent
G. Garcia, K. Shah
Guests Present
C. Russell, M. Dorsey, T. Brown
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Board Governance
A.
Approve Minutes
B.
2026 - 2027 Calendar
C.
PHACS Scholarship
The scholarship package for the upcoming 2026 submissions was reviewed with the Board. The membership of the scholarship committee was verified and confirmed.
The overall process was discussed, and funding availability was confirmed.
These funds were recorded as unrestricted revenue in the year they were received.
The Board will continue to review scholarship funding and other possible financial considerations.
III. Finance Committee Review
A.
Finance Committee Report
All financials are progressing as planned, with no concerns to report to the Board. There are no issues with expenditures or the overall financial position.
The Togetherhood summer program was presented to the Board. This initiative will extend the school day during Summer School, with academics scheduled in the morning and Togetherhood programming in the afternoon.
Summer Boost funding will support the four-week Summer School program.
Last year, student participation declined due to the half-day schedule. This year, offering a full day of summer programming is expected to improve engagement and attendance.
Enrollment efforts continued during Spring Break hours. The enrollment dashboard was reviewed, showing 85 new enrollments and a projected total of 705 students for the 2026–2027 school year. The target remains 745 students, and the team is confident in reaching this goal. Currently, 10% of enrolled students have IEPs, with continued efforts to meet or exceed the overall enrollment target.
Across the New York landscape, with approximately 175,000–200,000 students, schools are experiencing a general decline in enrollment. The traditional concept of a waitlist is no longer as viable; the focus is on promptly enrolling students rather than maintaining a list, to avoid losing families to other options. A key strategy is early commitment—once families purchase uniforms and commit to a school, they are significantly less likely to change direction.
B.
Investment Account Update
C.
Items Over 50K
Togetherhood Proposal presented for approval with the cooking option to remain.
IV. Executive Director's Report
A.
Executive Director's Report
Testing season is currently underway and progressing as scheduled, including SATs, AP exams, and end-of-year state assessments. A College Commitment event is planned for May, and the Board will be informed of upcoming events, including graduation ceremonies.
Test preparation efforts were also discussed with the Board, highlighting the strategies the school uses to support students during this period. Scholars are engaged and motivated, with a positive and energetic atmosphere surrounding testing. Grade levels are participating in friendly competitions for prizes, trips, and other school-based incentives to encourage strong performance.
V. Facilities
A.
Facilities Update
Nothing to discuss all facility activities are in good standing and operating accordingly
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Reminder: The May 2026 Board Meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2026. Scholars will be presenting for the support Scholarship fund, and Board members are strongly encouraged to attend.
Highlights- Closely aligned with DOE calendar with Holidays and Break Periods
Overview of Key Differences
1. First Day of School: August 31, 2026 (Proposed) vs. September 10, 2026 (NYC DOE)
2. Last Day of School: June 28, 2027 (Both)
3. Total Aidable Days: 183 (Proposed) vs. ~177–180 (NYC DOE)
4. Regents Administration: June 15–25 (Both)