Kiersten Gibson-Cooper

The meeting began with a statement addressing public comments from the previous meeting regarding the leadership transition at Achievement First Bushwick Middle School, clarifying that the matter falls under management scope rather than board governance. A mission moment highlighted the fully staffed and enrolled Empower program serving students with complex learning disabilities, and noted the first graduating class. The review of New York progress towards goals focused on achievement, attendance, and teacher retention, noting significant proficiency gains in elementary ELA but stagnation in middle school results, and areas needing improvement in high school consistency. Retention discussions included salary schedule adjustments and leadership development investments. The Finance Report covered an unqualified audit opinion and a discussion of Q1 financials, noting strong balance sheets despite decreased cash flow due to capital spending, and enrollment strategies focusing on marketing and addressing middle school matriculation challenges. An executive session was held to discuss new board members and a personnel matter. In Board Resolutions, the consent agenda was approved, which included affirming minutes from October 7, 2025, appointing Romy Coquillette to the Executive Committee, and electing Avril Gordon to the Board for a three-year term. A key resolution approved the termination of the principal of Legacy Elementary School effective December 10, 2025, following the executive session discussion. The meeting concluded with a debrief on board goals and recent school visits.

Key discussions included public comments requesting clarity regarding the principal transition at Bushwick Middle School, which the board agreed to address at the next meeting. The CEO provided an agenda overview, minimizing presentation time for expanded discussion. A mission moment featured a recruiting video for Legacy Elementary School. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the regionalization operating model, detailing its phases, the rationale for the regional Executive Director (ED) model emphasizing local context, accountability, and decision-making authority, and clarification on cascading roles. Dialogue with the Regional ED focused on instructional focus, growth at Aspire Elementary School, enrollment challenges, and recruitment strategies. An academic review covered K-8 ELA and Math results compared to peers, high school SAT and Regents performance, and established K-8 goals for SY 25-26. The board moved into executive session, passed the consent agenda (which included re-electing a Trustee, setting the trustee count, electing leadership slate, appointing committee members, and approving the Family Handbook and School Safety Plan), approved the appointment of several principals and numerous interim principals, and approved a resolution to increase the management fee to 13.5% effective July 1, 2025, with a further increase to 15% effective July 1, 2026. The finance report reviewed the FY 25 year-end surplus, spending on NY Initiatives, and overall school metrics, noting significant variation among individual schools.

The agenda for the meeting included standard Board Business such as a Call to Order, Public Comment, Welcome and Agenda Overview, and Board Resolutions (Decision). Key discussion topics involved a Mission Moment, an Executive Session, Talent Retention, the Finance Report, and Board Visit and Goals.

The primary discussion topic was a personnel matter at the Amistad High School, which required the committee to enter into an executive session for deliberation. Following the executive session, there were no other items of business, and the meeting was adjourned.

The meeting began with a call to order and an overview of the agenda by the CEO, indicating a pivot towards quicker highlights. A mission moment featuring Providence High School's first senior signing day was presented. The board entered an executive session to discuss Facilities and Growth updates. Upon exiting, the board passed an amended consent agenda which included the election of leadership slate for School Year 2025-26, appointments to the Personnel and Facilities Committees, approval of the 2025-2026 AF Family Handbook, and approval for serving interim principals. Following the consent agenda, a resolution authorizing the subleasing of a building and land from Marathon Construction, Inc. for the Blackstone location was approved. Discussions also covered the phases of work undertaken for the regionalization operating model, the Rhode Island Executive Director's first 100 days and priorities, and the SY 25 year-end financials which indicated an expected surplus partly due to underhiring in staffing positions.