Pharos Academy Charter School

Minutes

BLCS Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday January 29, 2019 at 6:30 PM

Location

1005 Intervale Ave. Bronx, NY 10459 - Call In # 813-967-8308 Passcode # 74216

Trustees Present

B. Thompson, F. Merine, J. Lopez-Molina (remote), N. Jones, R. Granado, S. Jean-Jacques, S. Sutherland, V. Caba

Trustees Absent

E. Kinsey

Guests Present

C. Russell, M. Dorsey, T. Brown

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

N. Jones called a meeting of the board of trustees of Pharos Academy Charter School to order on Tuesday Jan 29, 2019 at 6:45 PM.

II. Board Governance

A.

Board Governance

B.

BLCS Staff Continuing Education Opportunities

School still in partnership with NYU 
 

C.

Board Pen Pals

Program starting in February 2019- Board Members will have a pen pal student (K-12) . 
Quarterly basis scholars will update Board Member pen pals. 
 

D.

BLCS Lottery Preferences

Renewal Process successful with October 2018 submission. 
Draft renewal report, some questions around BLCS lottery design. Lottery preference expressed  around free and reduced and ELL candidates.
Board and Principal recommended to present a letter of intent to pursue a specific design around BLCS lottery.
Courtney Russell presented draft letter of intent related to BLCS lottery preferences.
 

 
N. Jones made a motion to Motion to move forward with the letter of intent.
V. Caba seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. BLCS First Annual Light and Love Campaign

A.

BLCS First Annual Light and Love Campaign

Presentation by Alexandra Katzenstein 

Pilot Fundraising Event to be held out of BLCS location.
BLCS Light and Love Event to start on 2/14/2019 and run for 100 Days. 
Funding solicited from Trustees only.
Board Members to invite friends and contacts. 
 

IV. Follow Up Items

A.

Follow Up Items from Previous Month's Meeting

Board Fund: Funding activities and how they should be collected discussed 
College Applications and Financial Aid : Application fee assistance and College Seminar activities discussed 

 

V. Principal's Report

A.

Principal's Report

Partnership with Grade Slam- unlimited access to tutoring services.
School activities report - Math Night, Dodge Ball with Dad successful with large turn of parents and scholars.
Attendance, discipline, safety, suspensions and Principal report data discussed in detail.
February 2019 full report will be ready for the Interim 2 and Regents Exams results.

Discussions presented around: 
Teacher departures and retention incentives 
Teacher continued education opportunities 
Teacher certification incentives - Charter School building their own certification training programs

 

VI. Finance

A.

Finance Report

School remains in a strong financial position 
Rental adjustments discussed in detail 
Budget reviews and amendments to be discussed in the near future 
Budget resolution recommended by next Board Meeting- February 2019 
 
N. Jones made a motion to Approve financials of December 2018.
V. Caba seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Follow-up on Adjustments to FY2019 Budget

C.

Investment Policy

3 Vendors reviewed for the Investment activities 
Decision to be discussed during the February 2019 Board Meeting 
 

VII. School Operations

A.

Approve Minutes

N. Jones made a motion to Approve Minutes from the BLCS Board Meeting on 12-20-18 BLCS Board Meeting on 12-20-18.
V. Caba seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VIII. Facilities

A.

Facilities Report

Mansoor Mustafa transition to Finance 
Monica Rivera to handle facilities and to fill in during Courtney Russell absence 
 

IX. Board Member Interview

A.

Board Member Interview

Thomas Wethington candidate interviewed 
Board Member introduction and questions presented to candidate
 

 
N. Jones made a motion to Accept the new Board Member candidate Thomas Wethington.
F. Merine seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

X. Executive Session

A.

Executive Session

8:28 PM Enter Executive Session 
9:43 PM Exit Executive Session

Personal Matters discussed 
Legal Matters discussed 
 

XI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
N. Jones