Paul Robeson Charter School
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday June 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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.
Trustees Present
B. Blount (remote), B. Englezos (remote), J. Cassimatis (remote), K. Somberg (remote), T. Rebar (remote), V. Aggarwal
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
A. Wright (remote), B. Falkowski (remote), C. Freyer (remote), F. Lund (remote), J. Amenda (remote), K. Lamilla (remote), K. Tini (remote), S. Smith (remote), S. Spuhler (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
K. Somberg called a meeting of the board of trustees of Paul Robeson Charter School to order on Tuesday Jun 3, 2025 at 4:03 PM.
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Board Business
V. Aggarwal made a motion to 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.
T. Rebar seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Discussion
A.
Dashboard
B.
Enrollment
C.
Emergency Drill Log
D.
Talent and Certification
Aniyah provided update.
E.
Special Education Files Audit Update
F.
HIB Report- Elementary & Middle School
G.
Level Field and Aegis Update
Provided update on the building.
III. 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.
V. Aggarwal made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 04-15-25.
B. Blount seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IV. Nominations and Election of Board Officers
A.
Board President Nomination - Nominee, Nominated By, Seconded By
V. Aggarwal made a motion to Board President Nomination - Nominee - Ken.
T. Rebar seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Board Vice-President Nomination - Nominee, Nominated By, Seconded By
K. Somberg made a motion to Board Vice-President Nomination - Nominee - Vijay.
B. Englezos seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
V. Reorganization Motions
A.
Regular Board Meeting Dates for 2025-2026 School Year
B.
Special Meetings
C.
Appoint Head of School
D.
Appoint School Business Administrator/Board Secretary
E.
Adoption of Code of Ethics
F.
Adoption of Policies
G.
Appoint Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO) and Custodian of School Records
H.
Appoint Asbestos Management/PEOSA Officer, Safety & Health Coordinator, Indoor Air Quality, Integrated Pest Management, Right to Know and Chemical Hygiene Coordinator
I.
Depository of Funds
J.
Newspaper of Record
K.
Authorize the School Business Administrator to Audit and Head of School to Approve Bill Payments
L.
Authorize Payment of Bills Between Meetings
M.
Appoint an Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Compliance Officer and Substance Awareness Coordinator
N.
Appoint a Section 504 Administrator, Homeless Liaison & SEMI Coordinator
O.
Appoint a Section 504 Compliance Officer
P.
Appoint a HIB/Anti-Bully Coordinator & School Safety Team
Q.
Appoint a District Purchasing Agent
R.
Authorize purchases below 15% of the Bid Threshold without competitive quotations
S.
Approve the Business Administrator to purchase from current and valid State Contract Vendors under their applicable state contract titles
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.
U.
Appoint External Audit Firm
V.
Appoint Board Attorney
W.
Approve Occupational & Physical Therapy
X.
Approve Voluntary Payroll Deduction Companies
Y.
Approve NJ Uniform Chart of Accounts
Z.
Resolution to Appoint Medical Consultants (School Doctor)
AA.
Cooperative Purchasing
AB.
Approve the Medical Broker of record for Medical, Dental and RX Insurance Coverage
AC.
Approve the Insurance Broker of Record for Property and Casualty, and Workers Compensation Insurance
AD.
AD. Professional Services/EUS Services
B. Englezos made a motion to approve Reorganization motions A through AD for the 2025-2026 school year.
J. Cassimatis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VI. Motions for Approval
A.
Finance
K. Somberg made a motion to To approve the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports for April 2025 & May 2025 as per the attached.
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.
To approve the Bills/Check List from April 16, 2025 through June 3, 2025.
To approve the following payrolls:
4/15/25 $259,498.13
4/30/25 $278,322.98
5/15/25 $265,172.24
5/30/25 $265,303.57
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:
Breakfast: $2.12
Lunch: $3.31
Snack: $0.97
To approve the contract with SBO Management LLC for School Business Administrative Services for the 2025-2026 School Year, as attached.
To approve the following staff being applied under grants for the 2024-2025 School Year:
ESEA Title I
Frank Howard
Victoria Paz
Regina Howell
Donte Jefferson
To approve up to $2,000,000 in Equity Contribution contingent on final approval by the Finance Committee.
T. Rebar seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Buildings & Grounds- None
C.
Personnel
V. Aggarwal made a motion to 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
Employee- Jenna McKinney
Position- Athletic Coordinator
Stipend Reason- Coordinate practices and schedules for athletic program
Stipend Amount- $6,500
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.
B. Englezos seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D.
Contracts
T. Rebar made a motion to 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.
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.
To approve the contract with Munroe Design for recruitment campaign services, totaling $9,275.
B. Blount seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VII. Policy and Misc
A.
To approve the first reading of the following policies:
B.
To approve the 2025-2026 PRCS Emergency Virtual or Remote Instruction Program
C.
To approve the Comprehensive Equity plan and its submission to the Executive County Superintendent
D.
To approve the grant application submission for the Trees for Schools: Tree-planting Grants for New Jersey Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Program in the amount of $212,150.00 for trees to be planted at Paul Robeson Charter School, 1289 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Trenton, NJ.
E.
To approve/acknowledge list of Tenure Staff per attached
V. Aggarwal made a motion to approve Policy motions a. through e.
To approve the first reading of the following policies:
P1140 Affirmative Action Program
P1530 Equal Employment and Anti-Discrimination
P2415 Academic Standards and Accountability
P2422 Physical Education
P3240 Professional Development for Teachers
P5111 Eligibility of Resident and Nonresident Students
P5750 Equitable Educational Opportunity
P5512 Harassment Intimidation and Bullying
P5751 Sexual Harassment of Students
P2260 Equity in School and Classroom Practices
P1510 Americans with Disabilities Act
P2460 Special Education
P2411 Guidance Counseling
P2423 Bilingual Education
To approve the 2025-2026 PRCS Emergency Virtual or Remote Instruction Program
To approve the Comprehensive Equity plan and its submission to the Executive County Superintendent
To approve the grant application submission for the Trees for Schools: Tree-planting Grants for New Jersey Public Schools, Colleges, and Universities Program in the amount of $212,150.00 for trees to be planted at Paul Robeson Charter School, 1289 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Trenton, NJ.
E. To approve/acknowledge list of Tenure Staff per attached.
J. Cassimatis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
Public Comment
B.
New Business
Strategic Planning Draft
C.
Important Dates
D.
Adjourn Meeting
Vijay - makes comment to the board - wants a description of safety and security measures of the new building for next meeting. All practices of school security can be discussed.
T. Rebar made a motion to Adjourn Meeting.
B. Blount seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:47 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
S. Spuhler
John provides Dashboard update to the Board.