Bronx Charter School for the Arts

Minutes

Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday September 8, 2020 at 6:30 PM

Trustees Present

Aisha Bell (remote), Arlene Bascom (remote), Charles Whites (remote), Dan Vislocky (remote), Denise Brecher (remote), Eric Osorio (remote), Graham Powis (remote), Katherine Trager (remote), Lori Biancamano (remote), Susan Geisenheimer (remote)

Trustees Absent

Ahmad Sheikh, Barbara H. Scott, Patricia Kennedy

Guests Present

Karlene Cowan (remote), Miriam Raccah (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Graham Powis called a meeting of the board of trustees of Bronx Charter School for the Arts to order on Tuesday Sep 8, 2020 at 6:36 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes for Board Meeting on August 11, 2020

Susan Geisenheimer made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting August 2020 on 08-11-20.
Arlene Bascom seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Executive

A.

Re-Opening Plan Update

Miriam Raccah thanked the Board for the level of engagement on the reopening plan. Bronx Arts Leadership has decided to move the hybrid start date from September 9, 2020 to October 5, 2020. We made this choice due to lack of information on bussing and rumors of a DOE strike among other concerns

Miriam Raccah is sending the book White Fragility to all staff. This will be the book we read school wide. Miriam Raccah is sending to the Board members who do not have a copy.

B.

Dashboard

Karlene Cowan reviewed the Dashboard

C.

950 Longfellow - Update

Arlene Bascom made a motion to move forward with Fusion Heating and Cooling to replace the HVAC pending references.
Lori Biancamano seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Javel Matter

Kathy Trager announced that the School’s insurer will cover the costs and any damages incurred, subject to a deductible of $18,000. The insurance company has agreed that Richard Washington shall  continue to handle the matter for Bronx Arts.

III. Development Update

A.

Interim Development Director

Miriam Raccah informed the Board that Susan Fulwiller will work with Bronx Arts as our Interim Director of Development on a consulting basis. She will develop and implement our Development Plan and help us to find, hire and train a Director of Development. She will work 20 hours a week (2.5 days).

IV. Finance

A.

August Financials

Arlene Boscom reviewed the August financials. Miriam Raccah informed the board that we will receive $193 per pupil which is about 100K, as a one time payment from New York State. Bronx Arts is also anticipating a 20% cut in revenue. Susan   Geisenheimer asked if we get a 20% cut would Walton or CSGF step up to support us financially. Miriam Raccah replied that she thinks they would but that they would not absorb the total loss.

V. 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 7:12 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Katherine Trager
Documents used during the meeting
  • Fusion HVAC Proposal_BronxCS.pdf
  • BXCSA FY20 August 2020 Financial Narrative (9.1.20) (1).docx
  • BXCSA FY20 Financials - August 2020 (9.1.20) (1).xlsx