LFDCS Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

June 18, 2025, 5:30-6:30 PM

Minutes Draft

Lawrence Family Development Charter School

Minutes

LFDCS Board of Trustees Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday June 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Location

Zoom

Trustees Present

C. Needham (remote), D. DeFillippo (remote), E. Nolberto (remote), G. Lopez (remote), J. Henriquez (remote), L. McRae, L. Perez (remote), R. Almanzar (remote)

Trustees Absent

J. Cedeno, J. Tejada

Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened

L. McRae

Trustees who left before the meeting adjourned

J. Henriquez, R. Almanzar

Guests Present

Anthony Cichello (remote), D. Thakkar (remote), M. Ventre (remote), Y. Rodriguez (remote)

I. Opening Items

A. Record Attendance

B. Call the Meeting to Order

G. Lopez called a meeting of the board of trustees of Lawrence Family Development Charter School to order on Wednesday Jun 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM.

C. Pledge of Allegiance

II. Executive Session

A. Enter Executive Session

C. Needham made a motion to enter exectuvie session to discuss the superintendents contract and discuss the lease.

D. DeFillippo seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
G. Lopez	Aye
C. Needham	Aye
E. Nolberto	Aye
J. Cedeno	Absent
R. Almanzar	Aye
D. DeFillippo	Aye
J. Henriquez	Aye
L. McRae	Absent
J. Tejada	Absent
L. Perez	Aye

Darshan Thakkar was asked to recuse himself during the discussion of his contract.

L. McRae arrived at 6:00 PM.

B. Superintendent's Contract for SY 2025-2026

This agenda item was discussed in executive session.

J. Henriquez left at 6:15 PM.

C. Lease

Darshan T., Mark Ventre, and Anthony C. joined the meeting in executive session to discuss lease.

C. Needham made a motion to exit executive session and enter open session.

L. McRae seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
J. Henriquez	Aye
G. Lopez	Aye
J. Tejada	Absent
L. Perez	Aye
E. Nolberto	Aye
L. McRae	Aye
D. DeFillippo	Aye
J. Cedeno	Absent
C. Needham	Aye
R. Almanzar	Aye

D. Open Session

R. Almanzar left at 6:30 PM.

C. Needham made a motion to enter a contract with Darshan Thakkar as Superintendent for 3 years starting July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, with a initial slary in the first year of $216,800. With terms of 20 days vacation days per year with the ability to roll over 10 vacation days into the next fiscal year with that carry over starting from fiscal year 2025 to 2026.

D. DeFillippo seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
J. Cedeno	Absent
L. McRae	Aye
E. Nolberto	Aye
J. Henriquez	Absent
J. Tejada	Absent
C. Needham	Aye
D. DeFillippo	Aye
G. Lopez	Aye
R. Almanzar	Absent
L. Perez	Aye

Darshan T. stated that he is in agreement with the terms of his new contract. He also expressed his gratitude to the Superintendent's Contract Committee and the full board for the opportunity to continue serving as Superintendent of LFCS.

Dave D. provided an update on the board grievance investigation, noting that it is expected to be completed by July 14. Once finalized, a meeting will need to be scheduled to review the findings and formulate a response.

Chris N. requested that Dave D. follow up with legal counsel to obtain an estimate of the total cost of the investigation.

Chris N. recommended scheduling another board meeting on June 25 at 5:00 p.m., noting the importance of having at least seven members in attendance as the end of the month approaches.

III. Closing Items

A. Adjourn Meeting

C. Needham made a motion to adjourn.

E. Nolberto seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
J. Cedeno	Absent
J. Tejada	Absent
J. Henriquez	Absent
R. Almanzar	Absent
D. DeFillippo	Aye
E. Nolberto	Aye
L. McRae	Aye
G. Lopez	Aye
C. Needham	Aye
L. Perez	Aye

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:49 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Y. Rodriguez

Documents used during the meeting

None