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Nuasin Next Generation Charter School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday September 26, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Location

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

Trustees Absent

A. Bothner, J. Scott, M. Dorrie

Trustees who arrived after the meeting opened

J. Boulet, S. Huda

Guests Present

C. Polanco, K. Davidson, M. Alston, R. Johnson, S. Kochar

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

K. Shabazz called a meeting of the board of trustees of Nuasin Next Generation Charter School to order on Thursday Sep 26, 2024 at 6:39 PM.

C.

Review the Agenda

D.

Board Meeting Updates

II. School Updates

A.

Update from the Executive DIrector

MR went over the 30 Days in Updates, tying them to the '24-'25 priorities that were mentioned at last month's meeting: 

  1. Independent Thinkers 
  2. We Are All Readers 
  3. Family and Community Partnership
J. Boulet arrived at 7:08 PM.

B.

Update from the K-8 Principal

KD reviewed some highlights from the first 4 weeks of PDI. 

 

KD followed-up on some key points from last month's Board meeting: 

  • How did scholars new to Nuasin perform compared to avg.? 
    • Little difference, aside from ELL scholars
  • How aligned are our IA and F&P reading levels? 
    • Overall aligned by grade level
  • Third grade ELA deep dive in practices, scholar work and pacing
    • Clarity on what makes a complete response, and planning for teaching pacing and stamina earlier in the year

Questions, Comments, etc

 

Q:Leading up to the state exam, did you have any mock exams? 

A: One. 

 

Q: How many IAs did you have? 

A: two IAs and one mock

 

Did you see any compliance between the IAs and the mock exams?

There were some misdiagnosis between timing and pacing. We started timing scholars to see how they would do. Mocks were separated between writing and multiple choice. 

 

Q: How are you thinking about writing now so that it doesn't become a barrier during the exam? 

A: We are at the short responses already in the year, we are looking at how students are putting their thoughts to paper. As opposed to the depth of the question. What we are trying to do first is prioritize their independent thought. "What do YOU think about this?" Throwing away the procedural element, heavy on what conclusions they are coming to. 

C.

Update from the 9-12 Principal

D.

Update from K-12 Operations

MA reviewed 

Capital expenses

Recruitment events 

Compliance reports that are due 

S. Huda arrived at 7:15 PM.

E.

Annual Safety Plan

K. Shabazz made a motion to Approve the new Safety plan with the addition of the Secondary location at 1366 Cromwell.
S. Huda seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Chen
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
A. Bothner
Absent
K. Shabazz
Aye
M. Dorrie
Absent
K. Brisseau
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
T. Bryan
Aye
A. Khanyile
Aye
J. Scott
Absent

III. Finance Committee Updates

A.

General Updates

SP stated that JK and MA will go over the finance committee meeting and the August financials.

B.

August Financials

JK discussed the August financials. JK stated that we are showing a positive revenue in the per pupil and a negative revenue in SpEd, but that is subject to change as scholar's needs change through out the year. 

IV. External Relations Committee Update

A.

External Relations Update

AK attended a Viva Broadway event on Sunday and there is a Hispanic Heritage Parade happening on 37th ave in Queens this Sunday, 9/29. 

V. Nominating Committee Update

A.

Nominating Committee Update

KB stated that there is a potential new member that seems promising. KB stated that we are working on increasing our recruitment pool; possibly using the Nuasin social media handles. 

 

KB also reminded the Board to vote on their committee chair. 

B.

Committee Annual Plan

VI. Education Committee Update

A.

Education Committee Update

There are no current updates. 

VII. Governance Committee Update

A.

Governance Committee Update

JB stated that it is very important and fundamental piece, voting for the committee chair, however JB emphasizes the importance of committee work and having functioning committees. 

 

JB stated that she will communicating with the board with a survey in order to see how committee's are functioning

B.

Trustee Goal Setting Reflection

C.

August Board Meeting Minutes

J. Boulet made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 08-22-24.
K. Shabazz seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
K. Shabazz
Aye
M. Dorrie
Absent
K. Brisseau
Aye
J. Boulet
Aye
A. Bothner
Absent
T. Bryan
Aye
J. Scott
Absent
A. Khanyile
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
E. Chen
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
K. Shabazz made a motion to Executive Session with MR and MA as invitees.
J. Boulet seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Boulet
Aye
M. Dorrie
Absent
A. Khanyile
Aye
J. Scott
Absent
T. Bryan
Aye
K. Brisseau
Aye
S. Pressley
Aye
A. Bothner
Absent
E. Chen
Aye
S. Huda
Aye
K. Shabazz
Aye

D.

Board Succession Plan

E.

Annual Bylaw Review

VIII. 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 8:43 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
K. Shabazz