Bronx Charter School for the Arts

Minutes

Monthly Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 6:00 PM

Location

Location TBD, contact Ms. Kathy Ortiz at kortiz@bronxarts.net

 

Trustees Present

Arlene Bascom (remote), Dan Vislocky (remote), David Barnard (remote), Denise Brecher (remote), Eric Osorio (remote), Evette Stair- Radlein (remote), Katherine Trager (remote), Susan Geisenheimer (remote)

Trustees Absent

Andrea Zayas, Barbara H. Scott, Charles Whites, Lori Biancamano

Guests Present

Jasmin Abbatiello (remote), Kathy Ortiz, Melanie Hok (remote), Patricia Rooney, Ryan McCabe (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Susan Geisenheimer called a meeting of the board of trustees of Bronx Charter School for the Arts to order on Tuesday Apr 11, 2023 at 6:05 AM.

C.

Approve Minutes

Denise Brecher made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Board Meeting on 03-14-23.
Arlene Bascom seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Nominating Committee

A.

Renewal of Terms

Denise Brecher made a motion to to vote and approve an additional two year term for the following board members with terms ending in the 2023 calendar year: Barbara H. Scott, Katherine Trager, David Barnard, Dan Vislocky, Charles Whites, and Arlene Bascom; AND to vote and approve the following board members who are officers for an additional two year term: Barbara H. Scott (Chairperson), Katherine Trager (Secretary), Arlene Bascom (Treasurer), Charles Whites (Vice co-chairperson), and new term for David Barnard (Vice co-chairperson).
Dan Vislocky seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

III. Interim Executive Director Report

A.

Lottery Results

Ms. Ortiz shared that the lottery was held on April 3rd and that it was successful. She provided an update on current student enrollment and application totals for the upcoming school year, noting that the percentage of students returning to the school was very high in each grade. 

B.

Academic Report

Ms. Ortiz reported that attendance at both campuses has improved. She shared that students are prepping for the statewide tests. Preparation includes two mock exams twice a week for the elementary school and four mock exams three times a week for the middle school. 

 

Ms. Ortiz provided a staffing update, sharing that Patricia Rooney has accepted a new role in the leadership team for the upcoming school year. Discussion ensued regarding the process of hiring for the open principal position as well as the new candidate identified for the role.

IV. Finance

A.

Budget and Financial Update

Ms. Hok provided an update on current financials as of March 2023, noting a projected surplus due to unfilled positions and other underspent line items. She also discussed the current cash position for the school and that the proposed budget for next fiscal year will be presented at the next board meeting in May.

V. Development and Communications

A.

Development Update

Ms. Abbatiello reported that the school is only approx. $58k away from reaching its' fundraising goal. She also shared that student participation in the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Summer Boost program has increased, to include an estimated 150 students in grades 3,4, and 5.

B.

Communications Update

Ms. Abbatiello shared that CitizenRacecar is scheduled to visit both campuses on April 25th and 26th to film both a recruitment and fundraising video.

VI. 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 7:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Katherine Trager