Nuasin Next Generation Charter School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday August 22, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Location
180 West 165th Street
Bronx, New York 10452
ID: 96370544823
Passcode: 569498
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Passcode: 569498
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
E. Chen (remote), J. Boulet (remote), J. Scott (remote), K. Brisseau (remote), K. Shabazz (remote), M. Dorrie (remote), T. Bryan
Trustees Absent
A. Bothner, A. Khanyile, S. Huda, S. Pressley
Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened
E. Chen, J. Boulet, T. Bryan
Guests Present
A. Brown, C. Polanco, J. Keeney (remote), K. Davidson, M. Alston, P. Paulino, S. Kochar
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Review the Agenda
D.
Board Meeting Updates
II. Mission and Pillars Board Reflection
A.
Self-Advocacy
JS stated that self advocacy means that people should be able to speak-up for themselves, because when you don't, you are then pushed to do things you may not want to do - especially for students. It is important to know yourself, owning your destiny and your future, and know how to get what you need.
JS spoke on his experience in college and how he was not the most diligent student and was asked to take the semester off due to being on academic probation. This posed a huge issue, it was a non-starter. JS advocated for himself and spoke to his college advisor, spoke up for how he would apply himself and how taking a semester off would not be an option and ultimately complete his goal of graduating as quickly as possible.
III. School Updates
A.
Update from the Executive DIrector
MR reviewed the three priorities for Nuasin for 2024-2025:
- Independent Thinkers (Rigor)
- We Are all readers (Self-Advocacy)
- Family +Community Partnerships (Community)
MR discussed where we are in terms of the expansion:
- 1366 Cromwell (temporary space for at least 2 years)
- 180 W 165th St
- Next Generation District 12
- Choice Merger Opportunity in Mott Haven
B.
Update from the K-8 Principal
KD discussed the State Exam Takeaways:
- Headline: Nuasin outpaces state growth rates; ELA performance now 9 points above state average pass and Math at 14 points above state average.
- Questions: How did scholars new to Nuasin perform compare to average? How aligned are our internal assessments and F&P levels?
- Further Discovery: Third grade ELA deep dive in practices, scholar work, and pacing. Fifth grade dip is consistent year at a rate greater than the state.
Nuasin State Exam Data 2023->2024:
- ELA: 52.3% -> 56%
- Math: 61.4% -> 68.1%
Pass Rates in ELA:
- 3rd Grade: 41.2%
- 4th Grade: 61.5%
- 5th Grade: 48.1%
- 6th Grade: 64.8%
- 7th Grade: 57.4%
- 8th Grade: 63.0%
Pass Rates in Math:
- 3rd Grade: 60.4%
- 4th Grade: 88.5%
- 5th Grade: 52.8%
- 6th Grade: 72.2%
- 7th Grade: 66.7%
Q: JS asked if we (Nuasin) is providing additional supports and interventions for scholars
A: KD responded by mentioning how scholars have SOAR blocks, which are enrichment periods, especially now that it is incorporated into our daily schedule aside from taking away from our elective periods.
Q: KS asked if the same teacher(s) in 4th grade teach ELA and Math
A: KD answered with yes
Q: KS asked if we enter the testing season with goals
A: KD answered that yes, each scholar enters the season with a goal and individual goals per scholars
Q: KS would love to see the aggregate numbers for new to nuasin scholars data. KS also stated that KD mentioned that he is "proud" of being above the state data, where does that pride come from?
A: KD stated that Nuasin already started above the state, the pride comes from being able to see from all demographics, all counties, all districts - when you put a Nuasin scholar against a scholar from the Hamptons, not only can they match, but they outperform. Nuasin is growing at a rate that higher than others at the state level, especially for our community. It is a raw data points, we know our scholars have that talent, but not we are showing them.
Q: KS is it possible to outperform the state next year by 20% points?
A: KD it would be more so probable in Math. For ELA, it is still at probable but we will continue the work to make it more possible.
C: MR discussed how we continue to push in ELA, that reading is key priority because we are all readers.
C: KS in subsequent months, its a gift and a curse, we are a providing, what we think is a world-class education, we need to continue to look at the numbers and look at the impact.
Key:
Q: Question
A: Answer
C: Comment
MR lost wifi service, MA asked if we want to wait for Malik. Board mentioned that we can continue on.
C.
Update from the 9-12 Principal
D.
Update from K-12 Operations
MA discussed the operations Goal for enrollment
- Kindergarten: 60
- 1st Grade: 54
- 2nd Grade: 54
- 3rd Grade: 54
- 4th Grade: 54
- 5th Grade: 54
- 6th Grade: 108
- 7th Grade:54
- 8th Grade: 54
- 9th Grade: 106
- 10th Grade: 54
- 11th Grade: 54
- 12th Grade:54
Total: 814
MA Discussed hiring needs:
- Kindergarten Teacher
- K-12 Special Projects
- K-12 Manager of Data
MA Discussed the new staff hires and Nuasin going to Edith Macy for our all-staff retreat.
MA Discussed the Capital Expense Details:
- Furniture: $159,407.47
- Furniture Rental: $20,175.64
- Smart Board: $39,713.37
- Other FFE: $35,017.14
- Sign and Permit: $7,985.00
Total Approved: $813,000.00
Capital Utilized: $262,298.87
Remaining Capital: $550,701.13
MA discussed the compliance report and Upcoming events at Nuasin
IV. Finance Committee Updates
A.
General Updates
B.
June Financials
JK reviewed the June financials which were also reviewed during last week's Finance Committee.
V. External Relations Committee Update
A.
External Relations Update
There are no current updates.
VI. Nominating Committee Update
A.
Nominating Committee Update
There are no current updates.
VII. Education Committee Update
A.
Education Committee Update
There are no current updates.
VIII. Governance Committee Update
A.
Governance Committee Update
There are no current updates.
Reminder: Votes on committees must be completed and email JB once done. Committee goals will be shared next month.
B.
Trustee Goal Setting Reflection
C.
July Board Meeting Minutes
IX. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
There are no current updates
KB motioned to move to executive session with MR as a guest.
KB read through the agenda.