Paul Robeson Charter School
Minutes
Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday October 1, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Location
Remote only
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), E. Deprez (remote), K. Somberg (remote), T. Rebar (remote), V. Aggarwal (remote)
Trustees Absent
None
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
B. Blount, B. Englezos
Guests Present
B. Falkowski (remote), C. Freyer (remote), J. Amenda (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 Oct 1, 2024 at 4:02 PM.
B.
Record Attendance
C.
To approve the following term renewals:
K. Somberg made a motion to approve the following term renewals
- To reappoint Vijay Aggarwal as Board Trustee for an additional 3 year term, 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2027
- To reappoint Thomas Rebar as Board Trustee for an additional 3 year term, 8/1/2024 to 7/30/2027
- To reappoint Bryant Blount as Board Trustee for an additional 3 year term, 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2027.
E. Deprez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
II. Discussion
A.
Dashboard
B. Blount arrived at 4:06 PM.
B.
NJSLA 2023-2024 Science Results
John provided Science results to the Board
C.
Student Categorial Designations Fall 2024
John explained Categorical Aide to the Board
V. Aggarwal made a motion to Adjourn Public Session and Open Executive Session.
B. Blount seconded the motion.
4:21 PM
Executive Session discussion - HIB
T. Rebar made a motion to Adjourn Executive Session and Open Public Session.
V. Aggarwal seconded the motion.
4:41 PM
B. Englezos arrived at 4:49 PM.
D.
Level Field / Aegis Update
Shelby provides building update to the board.
Setbacks also presented to the board
E.
K_1 Implementation and Support Planning
F.
Executive Session
T. Rebar made a motion to Adjourn Public Session and Open Executive Session.
V. Aggarwal seconded the motion.
5:30 PM
Personnel Matter discussed
K. Somberg made a motion to Adjourn Executive Session and Open Public Session.
T. Rebar seconded the motion.
5:52 PM
G.
Development Committee/Fundraising Update
III. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes
A.
Motion for Paul Robeson Charter School, Board of Trustees to accept the minutes from the August 20, 2024 board meeting.
B. Blount made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 08-20-24.
B. Englezos seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
IV. Motions for Approval
A.
Finance
V. Aggarwal made a motion to approve the following Finance items:
1. To approve the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports for June, July and August 2024 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, July and August 2024, 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 August 21, 2024 through October 1, 2024.
3. To approve the following payrolls:
8/15/24 Payroll $ 63,777.97
8/30/24 payroll $ 263,535.09
9/15/24 payroll $ 249,307.65
9/30/24 payroll $ 255,983.34
4. BE IT RESOLVED, that Paul Robeson Charter School held a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Strategic Planning on Thursday, August 1, 2024; and WHEREAS, four (4) proposals were received, NOW LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the PRCS Board of Trustees approves the proposal for Empire Charter Consultants for Strategic Planning at Paul Robeson Charter School per the rubric results as attached.
B. Blount seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Student Field Trips
T. Rebar made a motion to approve the following Field Trip:
1. To approve the following student field trips:
Location: Venture Out; Princeton, NJ
Type: Honors
Costs: Free
Number of Students: 40
Date: Nov 18 or 19.
E. Deprez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
C.
Personnel
K. Somberg made a motion to approve the following Personnel items:
1. To approve the following new hire:
Name- Michelle Hayes
Title- Operations, IT Manager 12 Month
Start date- Sept 23, 2024
Salary- $--,---
2. To approve the following staff travel and PD reimbursements:
Name: Gabby Magwood
Cost: $109
Description: NJ School Counseling Association Conference
Date: Oct 11, 2024
Name: Suleymi Ostolaza
Cost: $410
Description: NJ AHPERD Annual Conference
Date: Feb 24-Feb 25, 2025
Name: Melissa Scordo
Cost: Conf $218; Hotel $189; Total: $404
Description: AENJ Art Teacher Conference
Date: Oct 17-18, 2024
Name: Tara Quinlan
Cost: $295
Description: BER: Strengthening the Executive Functioning of your Students with Special Needs
Date: Dec 19, 2024
3. To approve the following staff stipends:
Name: Dana Skillman and Joshua Saar
Position: Work with students and staff throughout the year to create a yearbook. Hold after school club for students to support with yearbook. Attend school events to take pictures.
Stipend: $2,500
. To approve the following staff resignation:
Name: Ajanae Davis
Position: Teacher (5th/6th Special Education)
Resignation Date: 11/1/2024.
B. Englezos seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Somberg |
Aye
|
| B. Englezos |
Aye
|
| T. Rebar |
Aye
|
| V. Aggarwal |
Aye
|
| B. Blount |
Aye
|
| E. Deprez |
Aye
|
D.
Curriculum & Special Education
V. Aggarwal made a motion to approve the following curriculum purchases:
Pear Deck $2,700
Go Guardian $7,924.14
Edulastic $2,174.64
Xello 3-5 $1,263.75, 6-8 $1,700.
B. Blount seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
E.
Buildings & Grounds
F.
Policy/Miscellaneous
K. Somberg made a motion to approve the following:
1. 2024-2025 NJSLA Science Goal
2. Empire Charter Consulting MOU.
T. Rebar seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
V. Closing Items
A.
New Business
Board Members provided comments concerning the new construction:
Ken Somberg commented on the building setbacks and provided suggestions for a more formal process for potential future changes to the other members of the board.
Vijay Aggarwal seconded the building and finance points that Ken suggested. Vijay also
commented on the comprehension of John and his team. Ken seconded.
B.
Public Comment
None
C.
Important Dates
D.
Adjourn Meeting
K. Somberg made a motion to Adjourn Meeting.
E. Deprez 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 6:06 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
S. Spuhler
John provides update to the Board