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Paul Robeson Charter School

Regular Board Meeting

Published on May 30, 2025 at 4:33 PM EDT

Date and Time

Tuesday June 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM EDT

Location

Virtual 

This meeting is being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and is open to the public. Notices were duly posted and the meeting was advertised in The Trentonian and The Times of Trenton. Formal action will be taken.

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter
I. Opening Items
  A. Call the Meeting to Order
  B. Record Attendance
  C. Board Business Vote
   

A. Motion to reappoint Beth Englezos as Board Trustee for an additional 3 year term, April 1, 2025 to April 1, 2028. 

B. Motion to reappoint Ken Somberg as Board Trustee for an additional 3 year term, July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2028. 
II. Discussion
  A. Dashboard Discuss John Amenda
  B. Level Field and Aegis Update Discuss
III. Updates
  A. Enrollment Discuss Freya Lund
  B. Emergency Drill Log Discuss Freya Lund
   

Drill Log
  C. Talent and Certification Discuss Aniyah Wright
   

Talent Update
  D. Special Education Files Audit Update Discuss Freya Lund
  E. HIB Report- Elementary & Middle School Discuss
   

Middle School HIB Report

Elementary- None

 
IV. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes
  A. Motion for Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees to accept the minutes from the April 15, 2025 board meeting. Approve Minutes Brian Falkowski
   
V. Nominations and Election of Board Officers
  A. Board President Nomination - Nominee, Nominated By, Seconded By Vote
  B. Board Vice-President Nomination - Nominee, Nominated By, Seconded By Vote
VI. Reorganization Motions
  A. Regular Board Meeting Dates for 2025-2026 School Year Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, approves the Resolution to adopt the Annual Board Meeting Schedule for the 2025/2026 school year in accordance with 18A:10-6. Meetings will be held in a 1st floor classroom and/or virtually.


August 19, 2025: 4:00–6:00pm
September 30, 2025: 4:00–6:00pm
November 20, 2025: 4:00–6:00pm
January 15, 2026: 4:00–6:00pm
March 3, 2026: 4:00–6:00pm
April 28, 2026: 4:00–6:00pm
June 2, 2026: 4:00–6:00pm
  B. Special Meetings Vote
   

RESOLVED, that in accordance with Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, Special Meetings of the Board of Trustees for the 2025/2026 school year, may be called 48 hours or more prior to the meeting by giving written notice of the date, time, location and agenda (if known) of the special meeting, and also whether formal action may or may not be taken. 
  C. Appoint Head of School Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees approves the Resolution to appoint Freya Lund as the Head of School for the 2025/2026 school year.
  D. Appoint School Business Administrator/Board Secretary Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees approves the Resolution to appoint Brian Falkowski as the Business Administrator/Board Secretary for the 2025/2026 school year for $0.00. In Dr. Brian Falkowski’s absence, Ms. Sarah Spuhler will serve as the Acting Board Secretary for $0.00.
  E. Adoption of Code of Ethics Vote
   

RESOLVED, that the Paul Robeson Charter School Board of Trustees hereby adopts the New Jersey School Boards Code of Ethics, as attached, for its members, for the 2025/2026 school year.
  F. Adoption of Policies Vote
   

RESOLVED, that the current board policies adopted by the Paul Robeson Charter School Board of Trustees, either by code, number, resolution, motion or inference of intent, be re-adopted completely for the 2025/2026 school year.
  G. Appoint Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO) and Custodian of School Records Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees approves the Resolution to appoint Brian Falkowski as the Public Agency Compliance Officer(PACO) and Custodian of School Records for the 2025/2026 school year. 
  H. Appoint Asbestos Management/PEOSA Officer, Safety & Health Coordinator, Indoor Air Quality, Integrated Pest Management, Right to Know and Chemical Hygiene Coordinator Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees approves the Resolution to appoint Simone Rose as Asbestos Management/PEOSA Officer, Safety & Health Coordinator, Indoor Air Quality, Integrated Pest Management, Right to Know and Chemical Hygiene Coordinator for the 2025/2026 school year.
  I. Depository of Funds Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Head of School, approves PNC Bank and M&T Bank as the depository of funds for the 2025/2026 school year.
  J. Newspaper of Record Vote
   

BE IT REOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Head of School, herewith designates the Trenton Times and The Trentonian as the official Newspapers of Record; be it resolved the official website is http://paulrobesoncs.org for the 2025/2026 school year.
  K. Authorize the School Business Administrator to Audit and Head of School to Approve Bill Payments Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Head of School, here with designates the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary with the approval of Head of School, in accordance with N.J.S.A 18A:19-1, as the person designated to audit accounts and demands and to approve accounts and demands prior to presentation to the Board of Trustees for the 2025/2026 school year.
  L. Authorize Payment of Bills Between Meetings Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, authorizes the Business Administrator to approve the Payment of Bills, as may be necessary between Board meetings and present the aforementioned payments to the Board for approval at the next regularly scheduled meeting for the 2025/2026 school year.
  M. Appoint an Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Compliance Officer and Substance Awareness Coordinator Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby appoints Simone Rose as the Affirmative Action Officer, pursuant to N.J.A.C 6:4-1.4 and Title IX Officer and Substance Awareness Coordinator for the 2025/2026 school year.
  N. Appoint a Section 504 Administrator, Homeless Liaison & SEMI Coordinator Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby appoints Ashanti Waters as the Section504 Administrator, pursuant to N.J.A.C 6:4 1.4and Homeless Liaison and SEMI Coordinator for the 2025/2026 school year.
  O. Appoint a Section 504 Compliance Officer Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby appoints Ashanti Waters as the 504 Compliance Officer, pursuant to Section 504 1973 Rehabilitation Act, for the 2025/2026 school year.
  P. Appoint a HIB/Anti-Bully Coordinator & School Safety Team Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby appoints Regina Bell (Elementary School) and Gabrielle Magwood (Middle School) as the HIB/Anti-Bully Coordinators for the 2025/2026 school year. The PRCS School Safety Team consists of Freya Lund, Lisa Hall, Regina Bell, and Ashanti Waters.
  Q. Appoint a District Purchasing Agent Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby appoints Dr. Brian Falkowski as Qualified Purchasing Agent with a Bid and Quotation Threshold to $44,000 and $6,600 respectively pursuant to Local Public Contract Laws and Public School Contract Law N.J.S.A 40A:11-3(c), N.J.S.A 40A:11-9 (b), N.J.S.A 40A11- 6.1 (a) and N.J.S.A18A:18A-2, N.J.S.A 18A:18A-3 (a), N.J.S.A 18A:18A-37 (a), for the 2025/2026 school year.
  R. Authorize purchases below 15% of the Bid Threshold without competitive quotations Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby approves the authorization of purchases below 15% of the Bid Threshold may be made without competitive quotations for the 2025/2026 school year.
  S. Approve the Business Administrator to purchase from current and valid State Contract Vendors under their applicable state contract titles Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby approves the Business Administrator to purchase from current and valid State Contract Vendors under their applicable state contract titles for the 2025/2026 school year.
  T. Resolution to authorize the Head of School and Business Administrator to make line item budget transfers between board meetings and all transfers to be ratified at the next regular board meeting. Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby authorizes the Head of School and Business Administrator to make line item budget transfers between board meetings and all transfers to be ratified at the next regular board meeting for the 2025/2026 school year.
  U. Appoint External Audit Firm Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, herby approves the appointment of Scott Loeffler, CPA to prepare the district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report & Auditors Management Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $64,000.
  V. Appoint Board Attorney Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, herby approves the appointment of Johnston Law Firm, LLC as vendor to provide legal services to the school for the 2025/2026 school year.
  W. Approve Occupational & Physical Therapy Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, herby approves the professional services contract with Delta-T and Kaleidoscope Education Solutions for the 2025/2026 school year at a cost not to exceed $96,000.
  X. Approve Voluntary Payroll Deduction Companies Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby approves the following voluntary deduction companies for the 2025/2026 school year: 403B - Equitable; Voluntary Insurance - AFLAC
  Y. Approve NJ Uniform Chart of Accounts Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, hereby approves the NJ Uniform Chart of Accounts for the 2025/2026 school year.
  Z. Resolution to Appoint Medical Consultants (School Doctor) Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, herby approves the appointment of Dr. Kia Grundy for the 2025/2026 school year a cost not to exceed $5,000.
  AA. Cooperative Purchasing Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, to participate with National Cooperative Pricing System with PEPPM National Cooperative Contracts, Approved County Educational Services Commissions, EdData Services, Middlesex County Cooperative, & Hunterdon County Cooperative for 2025/2026 school year.
  AB. Approve the Medical Broker of record for Medical, Dental and RX Insurance Coverage Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, to Contract with Exude as the Medical Broker of record for Medical, Dental and RX Insurance Coverage for 2025/2026.
  AC. Approve the Insurance Broker of Record for Property and Casualty, and Workers Compensation Insurance Vote
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, to approve ECBM as the Insurance Broker of Record for Property and Casualty, and Workers Compensation for the 2025/2026 school year.
  AD. AD. Professional Services/EUS Services
   

BE IT RESOLVED: that the Paul Robeson Charter School Board of Trustees has approved the following awarded contracts without competitive bidding as a professional and/or extraordinary unspecifiable service pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-5 retroactively from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026. Approve renewal of the contract with Cigna Healthcare, for medical insurance, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at an amount of $83,342 monthly. Approve renewal of the contract with Young Scholars Charter School, for charter management services, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at a rate of 8% of revenue. Approve renewal of the contract with Gerald Longo, for School Board Auditor services, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at an amount of $53,000. Approve renewal of the contract with The Munshine Group LLC, for fundraising consultant services, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at an amount of $8,000 monthly. Approve renewal of the contract with KFS, Inc., for OT/PT/Speech services for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at an amount of $80 hourly. Approve renewal of the contract with Selective Insurance Company for liability insurance, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at an amount of $72,771. Approve renewal of the contract with SBO Management LLC, for school business administrator services, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at an amount of $11,000 monthly. Approve renewal of the contract with Delta T, for professional staffing services, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at an amount of $63 hourly. Approve renewal of the contract with Tom Johnston, for legal services, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded at an amount of $327 hourly. Approve renewal of the contract with Exude, for liability insurance broker of record, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded commission rate payable by insurer. Approve renewal of the contract with Exude, for medical insurance broker of record, for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, awarded commission rate payable by insurer.
VII. Motions for Approval
  A. Finance Vote Brian Falkowski
   
  1. To approve the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports for April 2025 & May 2025 as per the attached. 
    1. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:232.11(a), the Paul Robeson Charter School Board of Trustees acknowledges receipt of the secretary’s certification, and after review of the monthly financial report (appropriations section) certifies that, to the best of its knowledge, as of May 2025, no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of N.J.A.C. 6A:232.11(b), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the school’s financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year.
  2. To approve the Bills/Check List from April 16, 2025 through June 3, 2025.
  3. To approve the following payrolls:
    1. 4/15/25 $259,498.13
    2. 4/30/25 $278,322.98
    3. 5/15/25 $265,172.24
    4. 5/30/25 $265,303.57
  4. Vended Meals Renewal: BE IT RESOLVED: that Paul Robeson Charter School, upon the recommendation of the School Director, hereby approves the 1-year renewal of the Commercial Vendor Contract with Karson Food Service for the 2025-2026 school year. The total estimated cost of the contract is $243,900.00. Per meal prices listed below:
    1. Breakfast: $2.12
    2. Lunch: $3.31
    3. Snack: $0.97
  5. To approve the contract with SBO Management LLC for School Business Administrative Services for the 2025-2026 School Year, as attached. 
  6. To approve the following staff being applied under grants for the 2024-2025 School Year:
    1. ESEA Title I
      1. Frank Howard
      2. Victoria Paz
      3. Regina Howell
      4. Donte Jefferson

 
  B. Buildings & Grounds- None Vote Freya Lund
  C. Personnel Vote Aniyah Wright
   

1. To approve/ratify the following staff stipends:

Employee- Daniel Rohe, Joshua Saar, Marissa Jenkins, Gail Somers, Madison Collabella, Hannah Rodenhaber, Lida Geraci

Position- Grade Team Lead (5-8, K-2)

Stipend Reason- 5-8 Lead Grade Team, culture initiatives, I&RS, etc.; K-2 Lead Instructional Planning for the grade team, team events, etc.

Stipend Amount- $3,000

 

Employee- Sherry Toner, Shatiika Waldron, Jennifer Penefiel (upon certification)

Position- Content Lead (3-4)

Stipend Reason- Own reading and math SAS, assessment modification, etc

Stipend Amount- $1,500

 

Employee- Joshua Saar, Urika Bashang

Position- Yearbook Coordinator

Stipend Reason- Work with students to create annual yearbook.

Stipend Amount- tbd

 

2. To approve/ratify the following new hires:

Employee- Dennis Cox

Position-  7th Grade Social Studies

Position Duration (10/12)- 10 month

 

Employee- Biji Abraham

Position-  3rd Grade Lead

Position Duration (10/12)- 10 month

 

Employee- Lori Johansson

Position-  1st Grade Lead

Position Duration (10/12)- 10 month

 

Employee- Keasia McCoy

Position-  Food and Cleaning Aid

Position Duration (10/12)- 12 month

 

Employee- Shaneice Teel

Position-  Recess and Lunch Aid

Position Duration (10/12)- 10 month

 

Employee- Jacob Schlottman

Position-  3rd Grade Lead

Position Duration (10/12)- 10 month

 

Employee- Biyonka Bradley

Position-  Kindergarten Lead

Position Duration (10/12)- 10 month

 

Employee- Karoline Green

Position-  5th/6th Grade RELA Spec.Ed. 

Position Duration (10/12)- 10 month

 

3. To approve/ratify the following resignations:

Employee- Jodi Russell

Position- K-8 Music

Resignation Date- 6/12/2025

 

5. To approve the following staff travel & PD expenses/reimbursements:

Employee- Elliott Lopez-DeJesus

Description- Trainer Update – Devereau  - train in restraints and de-escalation techniques, he will then train our staff.

Cost- $400
  D. Contracts Vote
   
  1. To approve The Munshine Group fundraising contract renewal, May 1, 2025-December 31, 2025 with total compensation of $48,000 paid in six installments, as attached.
  2. To ratify the contract with SGL Consulting for Strategic Planning for the period of May 15, 2025 to August 29, 2025, at a rate of $225.00, not to exceed $11,250.00, as attached.
  3. To approve the contract with Munroe Design  for recruitment campaign services.
VIII. Policy and Misc
  A. To approve the first reading of the following policies: Vote
   
  1. P1140 Affirmative Action Program
  2. P1530 Equal Employment and Anti-Discrimination
  3. P2415 Academic Standards and Accountability 
  4. P2422 Physical Education 
  5. P3240 Professional Development for Teachers 
  6. P5111 Eligibility of Resident and Nonresident Students 
  7. P5750 Equitable Educational Opportunity 
  8. P5512 Harassment Intimidation and Bullying
  9. P5751 Sexual Harassment of Students
  10. P2260 Equity in School and Classroom Practices 
  11. P1510 Americans with Disabilities Act 
  12. P2460 Special Education 
  13. P2411 Guidance Counseling
  14. P2423 Bilingual Education
IX. Executive Session
  A. It is expected that the Board will go into Executive Session. Vote
X. Adjourn Executive Session and Reconvene Regular Session
  A. Adjourn Executive Session and Reconvene Regular Session Vote
XI. Closing Items
  A. New Business Discuss
  B. Public Comment
  C. Important Dates FYI
  D. Adjourn Meeting Vote