It is noted that quorum for this meeting held on May 13, 2025 was not met.

Ms. Kathy Ortiz provided an update on the progress of the 2025-26 enrollment, noting that majority of open seats have been offered and accepted. She mentioned that to better accommodate working families, the School has offered Saturday registration days. 

Based on the recent teacher survey, the School is pleased to report 92% of our teachers are planning to return for the upcoming academic year. Offers of continued employment are scheduled for distribution on May 23rd.

End of year internal assessments are scheduled for the upcoming month to help determine and finalize student promotion as well as serve as a recommendation to participate in the 2025 Summer Boost program. Planning for Summer Boost continues to progress well with 212 students already registered. Notably, Ms. Parris will serve as the 2025 Summer Boost Coordinator.

Mr. David Barnard shared that the Facilities and Real Estate committee has partnered with Ps Wrx for building management services. Ps Wrx is a non-profit organization that has experience working with charter schools to secure facility and finance solutions. Ps Wrx has already done walkthroughs of the facility and will share their findings and proposal. Additionally, Barbara Scott and Kathy Ortiz are engaging with some legal firms for guidance on lease terms.

Ms. Melanie Hok presented the proposed budget for FY25-26, highlighting the main drivers for revenue and expense assumptions. Notably, the budget reflects less federal grant funding, no change to private revenue, and a 4.5% increase to the per pupil funding rate.

Personnel costs reflects an adjustment to total staff FTEs, with a continual focus on prioritizing student facing roles, in-classroom instruction, and student support.  Staffing model demonstrate a plan to replace Response to Intervention (RTI) teachers with Instructional Coaches at each campus to enhance instruction and development of teachers.

Other expenses such as non-personnel costs reflect assumed inflation, with an increase in student support programs & initiatives such as student uniforms and extended afterschool programming.

Mr. Joseph Chiofalo shared that the School has met its' fundraising goal. Additionally Lori Biancamano niece, S. Coppola, independently and successfully spearheaded a fundraising campaign aimed at providing a free book fair for the middle school. Not only did Ms. Coppola meet her goal, she also doubled it. The free book fair is scheduled for mid June.

-Summer Boost Underway

Kathy Ortiz shared information on upcoming May events, such as an author book signing at the middle school,  the "Jazz on Longfellow" event at the elementary school, and the Aladdin Jr musical scheduled for June.