Nuasin Next Generation Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday August 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Location
ID: 96370544823
Passcode: 569498
Passcode: 569498
Meeting host: melissa.alston@nngcs.org
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://metlcs.zoom.us/j/96370544823?pwd=5aJm4n7MmaOYbzaafKMLqpqWQBkmU0.1
launch
Mission
At Nuasin Next Generation, we believe in the unlimited talent and intellectual potential of our scholars and our community. We cultivate this talent and intellectual potential through a progressive education that focuses on deep exploration, thoughtful questioning, relentless curiosity and critical thinking. Nuasin Next Generation Charter School implements a progressive K-12 educational program and an unyielding commitment to cultivating our scholars’ innate intellectual talents to empower our graduates to achieve excellence in their postsecondary paths and make positive impacts on the broader community. Every single one of our scholars have the potential to be great and change the world, at Nuasin Next Generation we prepare our scholars for that opportunity.
3 Pillars
The Mission of Nuasin Next Generation stands firmly on the foundation of our three pillars: Rigor, Self-Advocacy, and Community. These three pillars are the guiding principles for our school and culture. Please find a deeper explanation of our pillars below.
Rigor:
We use the word “rigor” not in the stringent or inflexible sense, but in the sense of an unyielding need to challenge and push our scholars because we understand and believe in the potential, talent, and ability of our scholars and community. We challenge our scholars to build their confidence and help them realize what they can achieve.
Self-Advocacy:
Our scholars are empowered to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities. As our scholars come to understand that their voices are valued and needed, they learn to advocate for themselves. Our scholars are seen and valued; they understand that not only do they have the right to express their opinions, views, and perspectives, but it is their obligation to do so.
Community:
Our scholars will embrace community and understand that as a member of a community you have certain
inalienable rights, the right to be seen, the right to be heard, the right to be protected and the right to be loved and
cherished. Our scholars will also learn of their obligations. As a member of a community you have the obligation to
respect, listen, support and only want and assume the best in all others. Every member of our community must understand that they are active participants in the Nuasin community and the community goes as we go.
Trustees Present
A. Bothner (remote), A. Khanyile, E. Chen (remote), J. Boulet (remote), J. Scott (remote), K. Brisseau (remote), K. Shabazz (remote), M. Dorrie (remote), S. Huda (remote), T. Bryan (remote)
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
A. Brown (remote), C. Polanco (remote), J. Keeney (remote), K. Davidson (remote), M. Alston (remote), M. Russell (remote), R. Johnson, S. Kochar (remote), joi.culler@nngcs.org (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Review the Agenda
II. School Update
A.
Update from Executive Director
B.
Update from K-4 Principal
- 100% of scholars took Computer Based Tests with over 98% participation rate on all exams (including Regents)
- Nuasin’s Highest performance ever in both ELA and Math
- 85% of 8th graders passed the Algebra 1 Regents Exam
- Increased number of top level 4 scores (over 120 individual scholars) and decreased number of level 1 scores
- Double digit proficiency increases in 3rd, 5th, 7th, and Living Environment along with MLL subgroups
- Maintained high levels of performance in 4th grade
- Exceeded expectations in 6th grade
- Nuasin is growing at a higher rate than the state, but on par with District 9.
- Nuasin’s pass rate remains above state, city, and District 9
- First year of computer based testing
- ELA State Exam
- 3rd Grade investment in close reading showing progress. (Ms. Mendoza)
- 4th grade cohort growth is significant (Mr. Wagner)
- Next Steps (3&4th Grade)
- Independent Reading and Thinking
- Leveling up 2nd grade
- Transition from weekly planning meetings to PLC’s
- Embedded “WIN” block to support RTI and centers.
- After initial rollout of new ELA curriculum, teachers have gained a deeper understand to elevate execution of daily lesson.
C.
Update fom 5-8 Principal
- ELA State Exam
- Strong growth in grades 5, 7, 8, particularly by cohort to cohort
- Overall flat performance 5th-6th grade, despite increased enrollment
- Math State Exam(Math Comparison Data 3-8)
- Nuasin is growing at a higher rate than the state, but on par with District 9.
- Nuasin continues to be significantly above city, state, and District 9 performance.
- Strong growth in 3rd grade year over year
- Strong cohort growth from 3rd to 4th grade
- Both grade levels hitting 80% proficiency mark
- Huge leap forward in Algebra 1 performance (Ms. Jospeh)
- Much stronger cohort maintaining performance from grade 4 to grade 5
- 6th grade performance flat from 5th grade
- Next Steps (5-8th Grade)
- Independent Reading
- Independent Thinking
- Improved academic onboarding of 6th grade scholars
- Tier 3 Academic supports in ELA
- 7th Grade Honors Algebra Pilot
- Relentless use of data with connection to teacher efficacy
D.
Update from 9-12 Principal
Highlights
- Double Digit Increase in AP Qualifying scores (3 or above)
- 67% of AP Research
- 45% of AP Language and Composition
- 40% of African American Studies Achieved a qualifying score
- 30% of AP Precalculus
- 91% Graduation Rate
- 100% Acceptance rate at 2 and 4 year college and universities
- 81% College Persistence Rate for the Class of 23-24
Challenges
- Staffing Instability
- Chronic Absenteeism
- Increase ACS support
- Supporting MLL Scholars
Attendance Plan
- Daily Outreach
GTLs, teachers, and operations staff must contact absent scholars every day. Each outreach must be documented to create a clear narrative of the school’s actions and support. - Early Intervention
Provide proactive support to families by connecting them with the Family Assistance Program (FAP) and other resources offered through ACS and community partners. - Home Visits
Initiate early home visits for scholars with consecutive absences or a pattern of semi-consecutive absences to strengthen family engagement and remove barriers to attendance.
Instruction/Academic
- Pre-AP/AP Shared Principles Across All Courses
Transferable, interdisciplinary skills are embedded and practiced consistently across every subject. - Mandatory After-School Support
Scholars who are not passing courses must attend intentional after-school sessions focused on targeted reteaching and intervention. - Intensive 8-Week Mastery Plan
Structured EOY mastery plan to accelerate scholar progress and close gap
New Roles
- LSC (Leader of School Culture)
- GTL (Grade Team Leads)
- MLL Teacher (Multi-language Learner)
- SPED (STEM and Humanities)
E.
Update from K-12 Operations
Enrollment
- 885 Authorizer
- 861 Current Enrollment
- 924 Operational Goal
Talent Hiring Needs
- 1 1st Grade SPED Teacher
- 1 HS STEM Teacher
Capital Expenses Update
- 813,000,00
- Remaining $504,541,71
Compliance Update
- Annual Report
- PD 8
- Safety Plan
- Cell Phone Policy
OML AUDIT
- RSVP'S are still challenging for the board
- February we did not meet quorum
- Important August Dates
- Monday, 8/11- 25-’26 Kick Off - Staff Professional Development Begins
- Friday, 8/15- All Staff PD - Join our K-12 staff as we collaborate on team building activities!New Scholar Orientation - We welcome our new Nuasin Families to join us for the new scholar onboarding.
- Friday, August 22: 9AM - 11AM (Kindergarten ONLY)
- Thursday, August 28: 4PM - 7PM
- Friday, August 29: 9AM - 11AM
F.
Nuasin Dispute Resolution Procedure for Homeless Student Policy
III. Finance Committee Updates
A.
Annual Plan
IV. Governance Committee Update
A.
Annual Plan
B.
Goal Setting
C.
Succession Plan
D.
Approve Minutes
E.
Vote to approve 25-26 Budget from May Board Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Bryan |
Aye
|
| A. Bothner |
Aye
|
| S. Huda |
Aye
|
| A. Khanyile |
Aye
|
| E. Chen |
Aye
|
| M. Dorrie |
Aye
|
| K. Shabazz |
Aye
|
| J. Boulet |
Aye
|
| K. Brisseau |
Aye
|
| J. Scott |
Aye
|
F.
Safety Plan Approval
V. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
AB, shared there was no public comment
VI. Executive Session
A.
Executive Session proposed for the purposes of the proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property or proposed acquisition of securities or sale or exchange of securities, held by such a public body, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.
Review of lease
K, Shabazz reviewed the agenda for 8/21