No Public Comments for the April 2024 Board Meeting 

Elementary School Teacher - Jeremy Forbes 

Presentation to the Board regarding the educational experience, background and staffing support and opportunities at Pharos Academy Charter School. 

There were no known follow up matters for the April 2024 Board Meeting.

Brief summary of the Finance Commiteee meeting that took place on  April 15, 2024: 

Financials are all in order and moving as expected.

Brief discussion related to scholar enrollment provided to explain the recent enrollment changes and the result of the current financials. 

School financially can withstand a maximum of (10) additional scholars, if this should occur. 

Investment report discussed briefly with the Board.  4th Sector will provide details reports related to the interest rates to provide a clearly review of the investment activities. 

All investments are operating as expected with no major information to report.

Principal- Dr. Travis Brown presented to the Board with the following highlights: 

Pharos Academy Charter School received "Excellent" school rating in the most recent school rating report. 

Principal Brown, thankful to the Board for the continued support to the school, scholars and leadership team. 

Principal Brown, entering into his 10th Year at Pharos Academy Charter School. Presented the recommendation for a Board Retreat. 

Principal Brown has had the opportunity recently to visit several Catholic and Private Schools. 

Parents are bringing their children to the school with a desire to enroll them here at Pharos Academy.  This is encouraging and an indication that the school is moving in the right direction.  The Board has been asked to consider the Board Retreat as a great time to regroup and strategically plan for the schools future education levels. 

PTA activities will be rescheduled for the month of May.  Due to vacation and spring break activities the PTA events were delayed.  Principal Brown will keep the Board informed as he continues to work with the PTA to plan for future events to engage with the Board members and meetings.  

End of Year Activities that the Board have been invited to attend: 

May 15, 2024  at 6:00 PM - College Commitment Day 

June 26, 2024  Graduation Day 

8th Grade - 11:00 AM 

12th Grade - 2:00 PM 

Key Note Speaker - Ms Chinedo, a former teaching staff member, currently employed at Apple has agreed and is excited to speak at the FY24 High School Graduation service. 

Hiring Update: 

As per the teacher surveys received the majority academic staff have presented a desire to return for the FY25 School Year. 

Elementary School - 37 Teaching Positions with 8 to be filled for the FY25 Year.

High School - 25 Teaching Positions with 4 to be filled for the FY25 Year. 

Attendance Levels:

Scholar absences exceeds 10% of school days = Chronic.  All absences are considered, including suspensions and excused absences. 

Chronically absent students are usually consistent which can be reflection of home, personal  and parent life activities. The most chronic absenteeism occurs in K-2 Grades.  Parents often do not consider the importance of attendance for the early grades. 

Pharos Academy Charter School currently at 16% Chronic Absence 

National Average is 30% and NYC national Average 37% 

Principal Brown will consider extending the Winter Break to possibly reduce the absences during this season of the school year. Parents often take the scholars away for extended periods of time to various locations in and out of the country.  This has caused a slight uptick in absences. 

Board recommendations presented in relations to Alumni activities - 5 year reunion activities. 

Principal Brown agreed to having more alumni activities along with the most recent activities held last year. Alumni's attended and participated with current scholars.  Barclays Center engagement and gifts presented to Alumni's who participated in the 2023 December activities. 

Principal Brown will be working with ambassadors from each grade to reach students who attended the school when it was Bronx Light house Charter School .  Data based will be created for the alumni project. 

Did not meet 

No update to report for the April 2024 Board Meeting. Culture Committee did not meet. 

Facility activities are moving along as expected.  No major items or concerns to report at this time. 

Executive Session requested to discuss the proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property or proposed acquisition of securities or sale or exchange of securities held by such a public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof..

Everyone invited in to the Executive Session at 7:35 PM - Recording Stopped 

Executive Session ended at 7: 42 PM - Recording Resumed