Bronx Charter School for the Arts
Minutes
Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday September 10, 2019 at 6:30 PM
Location
Bronx Arts 950 Longfellow Avenue
Trustees Present
Aisha Bell, Charles Whites, Dan Vislocky (remote), Denise Brecher (remote), Graham Powis, Katherine Trager, Lori Biancamano (remote), Susan Geisenheimer
Trustees Absent
Ahmad Sheikh, Arlene Bascom, Barbara H. Scott, Eric Osorio, Patricia Kennedy
Guests Present
Amy Cohen, Andrew Stein, David Sweeney, Jonea Thomas, Karlene Cowan, Miriam Raccah, Monik Walters, Phillip Gardner, Richard Gonzalez, Tatiana Nadal
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Charles Whites called a meeting of the board of trustees of Bronx Charter School for the Arts to order on Tuesday Sep 10, 2019 at 6:37 PM.
C.
Public Session
D.
Approve Minutes
Susan Geisenheimer made a motion to approve minutes from the Board of Trustees Meeting on 08-13-19 Board of Trustees Meeting on 08-13-19.
Katherine Trager seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Nominating Committee
A.
Update from Nominating Committee
III. Finance
A.
July Financials and Audit Update
Tatiana Nadal presented the July financials and gave an update on the audit for fiscal year 2018-19 which is on schedule.
IV. Principals Report
A.
2018-19 NYS Assessment Results
Miriam and the principals presented the 2018-19 NYS Assessment results. On average school-wide proficiency was 36.7% for ELA and 44.9% for math and 72% for Science. We consistently outperformed District 8 in ELA and Math. Our returning 6th graders were 60% proficient in math and 45% proficient in ELA. Our subgroups out performed the City and State in every group with the exception of ELL students in ELA.
Miriam stated the dis-satisfaction with performance last year and anticipating that performance would not be strong, we have put several things in place: hiring more experienced teachers in the middle school, curricular changes in the elementary school for Math and ELA, working with ANet for coaching and assessments and adding RTI for Math in both schools. With these changes we are confident that our student's performance will improve significantly.
Miriam stated the dis-satisfaction with performance last year and anticipating that performance would not be strong, we have put several things in place: hiring more experienced teachers in the middle school, curricular changes in the elementary school for Math and ELA, working with ANet for coaching and assessments and adding RTI for Math in both schools. With these changes we are confident that our student's performance will improve significantly.
V. Executive Director Presentation
A.
Renewal Visit and Board Meeting
SED will visit both schools on the 17th and 18th of October. They will also join the board meeting in the month of October.
B.
Enrollment Resolution
Susan Geisenheimer made a motion to Adopt a resolution to increase enrollment at Bronx Charter School for the Arts from 624 to 648 at capacity.
Graham Powis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Facilities
Vicus Partners, represented by Andrew Stein, Philip Gardner and David Sweeney presented new facility possibilities.
VI. Vote for Executive Session (only if Needed)
A.
Executive Session
Katherine Trager made a motion to Enter Executive Session.
Graham Powis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Miriam Raccah
Susan Geisenheimer made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Graham Powis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Susan urged the rest of the board to look within their networks to find people who might be strong board members.