Bronx Charter School for the Arts
Minutes
Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Trustees Present
Arlene Bascom (remote), Barbara H. Scott (remote), Charles Whites (remote), Dan Vislocky (remote), Denise Brecher (remote), Katherine Trager (remote), Lori Biancamano (remote), Susan Geisenheimer (remote)
Trustees Absent
Ahmad Sheikh, Aisha Bell, Eric Osorio
Guests Present
Andrea Zayas (remote), David Barnard (remote), Jasmin Abbatiello (remote), Jonea Thomas (remote), Karlene Cowan (remote), Melanie Hok (remote), Melanie Hok (remote), Miriam Raccah (remote), Ryan McCabe (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
Katherine Trager called a meeting of the board of trustees of Bronx Charter School for the Arts to order on Tuesday Jun 8, 2021 at 6:36 PM.
C.
Approve the minutes for April 2021
Arlene Bascom made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Board Meeting on 04-13-21.
Susan Geisenheimer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Nominating Committee
A.
Andrea Zayas
Andrea Zayas was welcomed by Miriam Raccah. She spoke of her experiences as a teacher at Bronx Arts the founder of La Cima. Susan shared that Andrea is being modest about her accomplishments. Over 20 years doing the work.
Denise Brecher made a motion to have Andrea Zayas join the Bronx Charter School for the Arts Board of Trustees.
Arlene Bascom seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Executive Director Report
A.
Operations
Karlene Cowan reviewed the SED Corrective Action Plan sent to Laura Hill on May 28th. This was a layout of the plan to get teachers certified. We curenly have 30 teachers who are uncertifed and have developed a plan to have 19 of those 30 certified in the next 12 months.
IV. Program Committee
A.
Proactively Addressing Student Learning
Jonea Thomas presented this plan for the elementary school to proactively address learning loss.
Ryan McCabe presented this plan for the middle school to proactively address learning loss.
- Additional intervention
- Increased use of small groups
- ELA.Math programs in grades 3-5
Ryan McCabe presented this plan for the middle school to proactively address learning loss.
- Additional intervention
- Increased use of small groups
- Addition of 2 teachers in ELA and Math
- Additional Lexia licenses
B.
High School Placements
Ryan McCabe went over the high school placements.
- Once student going to Bronx High School of Science
- 73% got into their 1st choice
- 33% in screened schools
- 28% going to an Arts High School
C.
Program Meetings and Reporting Cadence
V. Development
A.
Development Report
Jasmin Abbatiello presented the development report.
Development target goal is 450K. Jasmin is very optimistic that it can be reached with targeted individual giving.
A Perfect Pairing Art and Wine event has raised 38K with $5,389K to go! Shout out to Susan Geisenheimer and Arlene Bascom for taking lead in this event.
Development target goal is 450K. Jasmin is very optimistic that it can be reached with targeted individual giving.
A Perfect Pairing Art and Wine event has raised 38K with $5,389K to go! Shout out to Susan Geisenheimer and Arlene Bascom for taking lead in this event.
VI. Finance
A.
Budget FY 2021-22
Barbara Scott begins by saying this budget has been reviewed by many and in many ways.
Melanie Hok reviewed the goals for the budget
Used ESSER
What is best for students
Address learning loss
Melanie then reviewed the proposed 2021-2022 budget revenue and expense projections.
See the finance slide.
Melanie reviewed the HVAC replacement cost and how it will be offset by ESSER, our reserves and grant from Civic Builders.
Dan Vislocky suggests amortizing the cost of the HVAC repair over the life of the lease extension which would give us 12 years vs 3 years to absorb the cost.
Charles Whites wants outside counsel to review the Cross Island proposal because it is flawed in a few ways.
Denise Beecher asked Dan Vislocky to suggest construction counsel. Barbara Scott will also join in the effort to seek a lawyer to review the Cross Island contract.
Melanie Hok reviewed the goals for the budget
Used ESSER
What is best for students
Address learning loss
Melanie then reviewed the proposed 2021-2022 budget revenue and expense projections.
See the finance slide.
Melanie reviewed the HVAC replacement cost and how it will be offset by ESSER, our reserves and grant from Civic Builders.
Dan Vislocky suggests amortizing the cost of the HVAC repair over the life of the lease extension which would give us 12 years vs 3 years to absorb the cost.
Charles Whites wants outside counsel to review the Cross Island proposal because it is flawed in a few ways.
Denise Beecher asked Dan Vislocky to suggest construction counsel. Barbara Scott will also join in the effort to seek a lawyer to review the Cross Island contract.
Arlene Bascom made a motion to Approve the proposed 2021-2022 budget.
Susan Geisenheimer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Financial Disclosures
C.
FY20-21 Audit Engagement (NCheng LLC)
Arlene Bascom made a motion to Use NCheng LLC as our auditors for the 2020-2021 budget.
Denise Brecher seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Upcoming Events
Miriam reviewed the upcoming events at Bronx Arts and dates.
B.
Executive Session
Executove session begain at 7:44pm
C.
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,
Katherine Trager