Bronx Charter School for the Arts

Minutes

Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday August 10, 2021 at 6:30 PM

Trustees Present

Arlene Bascom (remote), Barbara H. Scott (remote), Charles Whites (remote), Denise Brecher (remote), Eric Osorio (remote), Katherine Trager (remote), Susan Geisenheimer (remote)

Trustees Absent

Ahmad Sheikh, Aisha Bell, Dan Vislocky, Lori Biancamano

Guests Present

Andrea Zayas (remote), David Barnard (remote), Erica Jones (remote), Jonea Thomas (remote), Karlene Cowan (remote), Melanie Hok (remote), Miriam Raccah (remote), Ryan McCabe (remote), Sara Villagio (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Arlene Bascom called a meeting of the board of trustees of Bronx Charter School for the Arts to order on Tuesday Aug 10, 2021 at 6:38 PM.

C.

Approve the minutes for May 2021

Susan Geisenheimer made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Board Meeting on 05-11-21.
Denise Brecher seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Approve Minutes for June 2021

Susan Geisenheimer made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Board Meeting on 06-08-21.
Denise Brecher seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Executive Director Report

A.

Operations

Karlene Cowan shared the processes of the transition to in-person learning, and what was learned from the Contact Tracing Course training by Johns Hopkins Hospital, the process of tracing and impact on how we run school. 

Miriam Raccah requested input from the board regarding a vaccine mandate for all staff.

A discussion ensued about the merits and conversation around a vaccine mandate. 

Barbara Scott stated that next steps are per the ELT to determine what the policy will be and present to the board. 
 

B.

Board Equity Work

Barbara Scott summarized the last sessions fo equity work with ReImagine Education Group (REG) and advised a debrief will happen in September. 

C.

Strategic Planning Update

III. Finance

A.

Payroll Protection Program Loan Forgiveness

Melanie Hok advised that the PPP loan was forgiven. 

B.

Audit Update

Based on preliminary review, we will undergo a federal audit. This will be subject to additional fee from audit preparers.

C.

ESSER Grants

HVAC is eligible for ESSER Grant, though we are still reviewing how we want to move forward with HVAC installation. 

D.

CSP Monitoring Visit

Melanie Hok advised today is Day 1 of a working site visit for our $1M USDOE grant. More updates to come. 

IV. Closing Items

A.

Upcoming Events

B.

Executive Session

Board went into executive session at 7:45pm

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