Paul Robeson Charter School
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday August 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Location
1289 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Trenton, NJ 08638
Trustees Present
B. Blount (remote), B. Englezos, J. Cassimatis, K. Somberg (remote), T. Rebar (remote), V. Aggarwal
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
B. Falkowski (remote), F. Lund, I. Dillon (remote), J. Amenda, K. Lamilla (remote), K. Tini (remote), S. Smith, Tyler Baier (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
II. Discussion
A.
Goal Setting and Data Review
B.
Facility Update
John, Tyler Baier and Brian Falkowski led the discussion around project affordability and approval for the final draw from Equitable.
Brian recommended the wording for the working / cash flow loan to be up $1.5M as the increase in enrollment from approx. 675 to estimated 736 should address ability to repay. Per Brian documents are in hand so recommendation is to try to close loan by around 8/26. Duly noted that the item has been placed for board vote and approval on this agenda (Item 8 in Policy & Miscellaneous)
Ken's opinion is no urgency on exploring refi on current 5 year loan but he will follow up on John's request to advocate for the project close-out prioritization by the contractor.
C.
Strategic Planning Status Report
John walked through a short recap on strategic planning.
D.
Board Retreat
Ken suggested this is tabled for executive session or polling via email that he will send to the board.
E.
Draft Renewal Application Review
Renewal application is due and drafted so on track for submission (15th?). John A mentioned that NJ is now allowing for a 10 year application.
F.
Fundraising Update
The fundraising target of $175 still stands with $91 raised to date, a new grant has been identified - details are in the board package slides . Board pledges will be spearheaded by Ken and directed to the "Friends of PRCS" foundation.
G.
Board Self Evaluation
Katherine will send emails to the board.
III. Updates
A.
Enrollment
Kindergarden wait list has grown (insert #). Total waitlist documented in board package slides (to add).
B.
Emergency Drill Log
Speaker system is now fully functional.
C.
Talent and Certification
The program was reviewed with discussion around referrals and while welcomed, however the number of open positions is low / PRCS is almost fully staffed. refer to board pack for slides.
D.
Special Education Files Audit Update
E.
HIB Report- Elementary & Middle School
Reviewed slide in board pack.
IV. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes
A.
Motion for Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees to accept the minutes from the June 2, 2026 board meeting.
All in favor - motion passed.
V. Motions for Approval
A.
Finance
A.
Finance
Vote
1. To approve the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports for May and June 2026 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 June 2026, 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 June 2, 2026 through August 17, 2026.
3. To approve the following payrolls:
6/15/26 Payroll $ 353,265.00
6/30/26 Payroll $ 366,455.14
7/15/26 Payroll $ 102,544.26
7/30/26 Payroll $ 107,124.63
8/15/26 Payroll $ 73,094.22
4. To approve FY27 IDEA Application:
i. Basic - $166,894.00
ii. Preschool - $2,512.00
5. To approve FY27 ESEA Application:
i. Title I-A- $545,286.00
ii. Title II-A- $47,763.00 Reallocated to Title I
iii. Title III - $14,578.00
iv. Title IV Part A- $32,344.00 Reallocated to Title I
6. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Paul Robeson Charter School for The Humanities Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the School Leader to submit to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools in the County of Mercer an appropriate waiver of the requirements of N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-5.3 for the 2026-2027 school year.
12. Preliminary Board Secretary Report - June 2026.pdf
12. Preliminary June 2026 - Paul Robeson 2026 Treasurer Report.pdf
11. May 2026 - Paul Robeson 2026 Treasurer Report.pdf
11. Board Secretary Report - May 2026.pdf
Item 6 noted and agreed as the Semi-waiver.
B.
Personnel
Discussion to highlight that the Lunch and recess Aide individual noted as resignation is actually a termination.
C.
Student Field Trips
D.
Curriculum
E.
Policy/Miscellaneous
Noted item for approval of loan includes wording of up to $1.5M. Items listed on agenda are:
E. Policy/Miscellaneous Vote 1. To approve the 2026-2027 HR Handbook 2. To approve the updated 2026-2027 School Calendar 3. To approve the updated Cell Phone Ban policy and AI policy 4. To approve 26/27 Instructional Coaching Services Agreement between Paul Robeson Charter School and Nadia Bennett/When Brown Girls Lead 5. To approve 26/27 Jounce Coaching Partners Agreement 6. To approve 26/27 MACCS Health Compliance Services Agreement 7. To approve Membership in a Voluntary Association Regulating Interscholastic Student Activities policy 8. To the approve the resolution of Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities a NJ Nonprofit Corporation for the Working Loan from Community Loan Fund of NJ, Inc. for up to $1,500,000
VI. Executive Session
A.
It is expected that the Board will go into Executive Session.
Ken suggested this session is deferred and an email poll on the board retreat and other items be circulated. No executive session held.
VII. Adjourn Executive Session and Reconvene Regular Session
A.
Adjourn Executive Session and Reconvene Regular Session
Not applicable.
VIII. Closing Items
A.
New Business
None.
B.
Public Comment
None.
C.
Important Dates
D.
Adjourn Meeting
- PRCS August 2026 Board Slides.pdf
- August 2026 Board Dashboard PRCS Final.pdf
- PRCS Strategic Playbook .pdf
- PRCS_Operations_Manual_July 2026.pdf
- 2026 PRCS Renewal Application Final Draft 8.18.pdf
- 2026-08-18_PRCS Fundraising Update (1).pdf
- 20260818_Enrollment Update.docx.pdf
- 2026-08-18_PRCS_2026-27 Certification_Tracker.xlsx
- PRCS Board Talent Update Meeting 8.18.pdf
- PRCS (Detailed) Spec Ed. Compliance (August 2026).pdf
- 12. Preliminary Board Secretary Report - June 2026.pdf
- 12. Preliminary June 2026 - Paul Robeson 2026 Treasurer Report.pdf
- 11. May 2026 - Paul Robeson 2026 Treasurer Report.pdf
- 11. Board Secretary Report - May 2026.pdf
- V.A.2. Check Journal 6.2.26-6.30.26.pdf
- V.A.2. Check Journal 7.1.26-8.17.26.pdf
- 2026-08-18_PRCS New Hires - Sheet1.pdf
- Final 26_27 Calendar PRCS.pdf
- PRCS_Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence.pdf
- Contract- Nadia Bennett - WBGL.pdf
- Jounce - PRCS Agreement_encrypted_.pdf
- PRCS HR Handbook 2026-27 _vdraft.pdf
- Compliance Contract - PRCS 2026-27.pdf
- PRCS Cell Phone Policy 8.18 Final.pdf
- Interscholastic Student Activities.pdf
- PRCS Resolution to Approve Loan and Signatories.pdf
Discussion led by John Amenda on goal setting and year end results. John walked through presentation (see attached pdf) with one slide presented by Kristen Tini. Highlights on the 2 standout grades K & 8th and especially the progress in Kindergarden and plans to address the screentime concerns by moving away from IReady to Dibles.
John reviewed the draft dashboard and asked the board to affirm that the indicators selected were still the appropriate measure.
Some discussion around adding HIB, using performance frameworks to assess High School acceptance as well as newly added compliance items.