Nuasin Next Generation Charter School

Minutes

Special Meeting of the Board

Date and Time

Thursday May 2, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Location

180 West 165th Street, Bx, NY 10452

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 (remote), E. Chen (remote), J. Boulet, K. Brisseau (remote), K. Shabazz (remote), M. Dorrie (remote), S. Huda, S. Pressley (remote), T. Bryan (remote)

Trustees Absent

J. Scott

Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened

A. Khanyile, J. Boulet, S. Huda

Guests Present

C. Polanco, K. Davidson, M. Alston, S. Kochar, S. Rasheed (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

A. Khanyile arrived at 6:42 PM.
S. Huda arrived at 6:50 PM.
S. Huda arrived at 6:50 PM.
J. Boulet arrived at 7:39 PM.

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

A. Bothner called a meeting of the board of trustees of Nuasin Next Generation Charter School to order on Thursday May 2, 2024 at 6:39 PM.

C.

Review the Agenda

AB discussed that main topic this evening will be the salaries for SY24-25. 

 

AB discussed that routine votes will be done as well. 

 

AB mentioned that there will be executive session for the purpose of acquisition sale and , MA confirmed. 

A. Bothner made a motion to Hold executive session.
K. Shabazz seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Boulet
Absent
E. Chen
Aye
A. Khanyile
Absent
M. Dorrie
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
J. Scott
Absent
S. Huda
Absent
A. Bothner
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye

D.

Board Meeting Updates

II. Finance Committee Updates

A.

March Financials

B.

'24-'25 Budget Salary Approval

SR discussed that the proposed increase for SY24-25 for a 3.8%. 

 

SR stated that the average salary is $93,000, last year's salary was $88,000

 

SR stated due to COVID, there was a large increase in NYC of salaries

 

The salary analysis was 67% for our school, which AR if this was average amongst the schools  that SR works for, SR stated that yes. 

 

MR stated that we will be a bit more conservative this year due to expansion. 

 

AR asked if this Nuasin only or including everything? MR stated that it is inclusive of all. 

 

MR stated that we will be doubling the size of 6th grade and the size of 9th grade and that the focus should be on alternative 3. 

 

AB identified that there was a savings of at least $500,000; there is currently a deficit of $560,000. 

 

AB asked what caused this savings?

 

MA stated that we will have one director of college counseling instead of the two we had at the beginning of the 23-24 SY. 

 

MR stated that, in summary, we have made changes around instructional, leadership, and operational teams. 

 

SP stated that we need to think about adding someone to do HR exclusively 

 

MR discussed that due to us receiving a better deal on the rental assistance, we were also able to cut some costs around there. 

 

AB reviewed the FY25 proposal for the budget along with SP. 

 

AB will do the background, stated that he will review the backgrounds, want to ensure that for future purposes we understand the reason behind his specific questions. 

 

Session will now move into executive session at 7:40PM

 

S. Pressley made a motion to Approve the Budget Salary.
A. Bothner seconded the motion.

Agreeing to 3.8%, increasing 6th/9th grade classes and the appropriate changes to the budget. 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Chen
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
A. Khanyile
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye
A. Bothner
Aye
M. Dorrie
Aye
J. Scott
Absent
J. Boulet
Absent
S. Pressley
Aye
S. Huda
Aye

III. Governance Committee Update

A.

Approve March Board Minutes

A. Bothner made a motion to approve the minutes from Monthly Nuasin Board Meeting on 03-21-24.
K. Shabazz seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. 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.

A. Bothner made a motion to Move to Executive Session.
K. Shabazz seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Executive Session Proposed for the discussion of the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;

V. 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 8:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Bothner