MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF 

THE ROSS GLOBAL ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL 

HELD ON NOVEMBER 13, 2008 

A meeting of the Board of Trustees (the "Board" or the "Trustees") of the Ross 

Global Academy Charter School ("RGA" or the "School") was held on November 13, 2008 in 

the conference room of the 5th floor of the Ross Global Academy Middle School located at 55 

East 25th Street, New York, New York, commencing at 4:30 p.m. 

I. CALL TO ORDER 

Courtney Sale Ross called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.  In accordance with the New 

York Open Meetings Law, notices of meeting time and place were posted more than 72 

hours prior to the meeting at the New York City Police Department First Precinct, 16 

Ericsson Place New York, New York; on the RGA Website; and at Emigrants Savings 

Bank Building Community Board #1, 49-51 Chambers Street, New York, New York. 

II. ATTENDANCE REPORT 

Board Members Present:  Courtney Sale Ross, Nick Combemale, Robert Torres, Martin 

Payson, and Mary Brabeck. 

Board Members Absent:  Jennifer Chidsey Pizzo 

Others Present:  Julie Johnson, RGA Principal; Bryan Rosenberg, Ross Institute; Raj 

Thakkar, Charter School Business Management (CSBM); Nikket Locario, Yolanda Sykes, 

Valerie Guzman, Christine Rivera, Cynthia Arroyo, M. Patton, Ida Pearce, Madeline 

Sper, Sherrill Collins, and Margaux Wilson, RGA Parents; Max Garfield, Esq., Schulte 

Roth & Zabel LLP Pro Bono Counsel; and Adam Gartner, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP 

Pro Bono Paralegal. 

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the Board of Trustees 

approved the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Trustees held on October 16, 2008. 

IV. FINANCIAL REPORT 

Raj Thakkar from Charter School Business Management ("CSBM") presented to the 

Board the School's financial statements for June 30, 2008 and 2007.  Mr. Thakkar 

explained that the auditors issued an unqualified opinion.  Mr. Thakkar distributed the 

School's auditor's report, entitled a "Management Letter," which listed observations and 

recommendations for strengthening the School's efficiency.  Nick Combemale noted that 

he spoke with the School's auditors, who were complimentary about the report.  The 

letter specified three current year observations: (1) the School's inventory listing of 

property and equipment did not contain sufficient details; (2) in assessing the School's 

cash disbursement process, one check in excess of $1,000 reviewed by the auditors did 

SRZ-10791974.2 

 - 1 - 

not contain a dual signature as required under the School's policy; and, (3) some of the 

student files were incomplete.  Julie Johnson explained that the School is currently in the 

process of addressing the issue with student files and that it should be completed by 

November 21, 2008.  Ms. Johnson said that some of the issues with student files were due 

to the fact that the School never received the files of incoming students who transferred.  

Mr. Combemale asked Mr. Thakkar and Ms. Johnson to prepare a follow-up letter once 

concerns regarding student files have been addressed.  The auditor's letter also noted that 

the prior year observations regarding the problems with the competitive bidding process 

and the Fixed Assets Capitalization process have been resolved. 

Mr. Thakkar distributed to the Trustees the Enrollment and Special Education student 

breakdown, and the 2008-2009 Operating Budget.  He explained that the budget was 

based on a predicted enrollment of 336 students and, further, that the budget could be 

balanced with 322 students.  Mr. Thakkar noted, however, that currently there are 

currently only 312 students in the School.  The budget contains a variance analysis and 

projection for the rest of the year.  Mr. Thakkar reported that expenses are largely 

consistent with budget projections.  Mr. Thakkar said that he is most concerned with the 

revenue stream, as his projections show approximately $200,000 less revenue than 

expected.  Ms. Johnson also noted that the School receives greater income for students 

who receive IEPs, and stated that it is important for the School to actually provide such 

services to those students who qualify.  Courtney Ross commented on the importance of 

educating parents as to the positive effect that may result from IEPs.  Regarding the 

budget, Mr. Thakkar said the key is to recruit more students to increase revenue.  Mrs. 

Ross said the School plans to place ads in the newspapers and on the radio to advertise 

the School.  Mrs. Ross also encouraged parents to publicize the open slots at the School. 

V. PTA UPDATE & PARENT CONCERNS 

Parents Nikket Locario and Quanda Sykes reported on the PTA meeting held the prior 

night on November 12, 2008.  The parents explained that during the meeting, a 

nominating committee and by-laws committee were formed.  They explained that the 

new PTA by-laws will presented to the PTA in December for approval.  Julie Johnson 

explained that the teachers are very excited about this initiative and look forward to 

working with the parents. 

Several parents in attendance expressed their concerns with RGA.  One parent explained 

that she feels that most of the classes are geared towards students with special needs and 

do not provide an environment geared towards stimulating learning.  Another parent 

agreed with this statement, explaining further that student behavior is a problem in the 

classroom and that whole classes may suffer because of the actions of a few individuals.  

One additional concern expressed was that the School does not provide a good social 

environment to students.  One parent explained that her daughter, who is in the 8th grade, 

is forced to sit in assigned seats for lunch.  Another parent expressed concern that the 

good students are not learning, and instead are forced to observe students with behavior 

issues be disciplined.  One parent noted that he believes it is important to engage parents 

so they can talk to their children and help encourage better behavior. 

SRZ-10791974.2 

 - 2 - 

Ms. Johnson explained the School administration is working to improve student behavior.  

She explained that middle school grades may be a challenging time because many 

students are entering adolescence.  The School is starting a new program to address 

character and to attempt to develop a culture of leadership within RGA.  Mary Brabeck 

suggested that the School track students' behavioral progress by documenting incidents 

that occur.  Courtney Ross stated that the Academic Committee would work with Ms. 

Johnson and the vice-principals to develop an appropriate response.  Robert Torres 

suggested the School implement a system whereby each student would receive a grade 

for behavior to measure student behavior.  Martin Payson thanked the parents for their 

thoughts and recommended that the Board hold a special meeting to concentrate on the 

issue of student behavior and ways to improve it. 

VI. ROSS INSTITUTE 

Bryan Rosenberg of the Ross Institute discussed the work he is involved with at the Ross 

Institute to assist the Ross Global Academy.  Mr. Rosenberg noted that RGA and the 

Ross Institute recently had a professional development session for teachers in November 

and has planned a weekend retreat for December.  He also noted that he has begun 

preparing charts for the School's Charter Renewal process to help the School determine 

where it is in the process.  Mrs. Ross commented that the charter, New York State, and 

New York City each require different goals to be met and noted that the Ross Institute is 

helping develop a rubric to assist the School meet these different sets of goals. 

VII. BOARD MEMBERSHIP 

Parent Representative:  Mrs. Ross reported that the Parent Teacher Association is 

currently being formed and hopes to have a Parent Representative to the Trustees in place 

by the December 18, 2008 Board meeting. 

Faculty Representative:  Mrs. Ross informed the Trustees that Jon Leizman has 

resigned as Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees.  She said that Ms. Johnson is 

currently working with the faculty to find a new representative and she hopes to have one 

for Trustee consideration by the December 18, 2008, Board meeting. 

Other Members:  Mrs. Ross said that she met with Howard Rubenstein and Philip 

Banks from the organization "100 Black Men" to discuss potential additional 

representatives to join the Board.  Mrs. Ross also plans to meet with representatives from 

"100 Black Women," and from the Asian and Hispanic communities, to help ensure that 

different groups receive representation on the Board. 

VIII. PRINCIPAL REVIEW 

Mary Brabeck distributed a handout to the Trustees detailing the process for reviewing 

the principal.  Dr. Brabeck explained that the process will be similar to the one used last 

year, with some changes to ensure that there is integration of New York state standards 

SRZ-10791974.2 

 - 3 - 

with the Ross Model.  The review process will use the Rubric for Leadership Standards, 

developed by the Board in collaboration with RGA leadership, which reflects the goals 

and mission of RGA and the RGA Board's commitment to capacity building on the part 

of RGA leaders.  The review will incorporate a self-evaluation, parent feedback, 

evaluation by the Trustees, teacher feedback, student feedback, and feedback gathered 

from observing the principal.  Martin Payson and Robert Torres agreed to spend time 

with Ms. Johnson during the school day.  Once the evaluation is completed, the Board's 

Academic Committee will prepare a report.  Dr. Brabeck and Mrs. Ross will then present 

this report to Ms. Johnson to give her a chance to respond.  After Ms. Johnson responds, 

the final report will be brought to the full Board. 

Dr. Brabeck explained that the Academic Committee hopes to have the report completed 

in January, but the process may be slightly delayed due to the lack of a parent or teacher 

representative on the Board currently.  Upon motion duly made, seconded and 

unanimously adopted, the Trustees approved the principal review procedure. 

IX. PRINCIPAL'S REPORT 

Student Data:  Julie Johnson demonstrated to the Board a new system which will help 

the School track student data and performance.  Ms. Johnson explained that this system 

will make it easier to evaluate students and pinpoint the areas where they might need help 

by tracking individual student performance.  The system will allow the School to create 

reports on student performance across all classes and respond to concerns the Department 

of Education may raise about student data. 

Special Education:  Ms. Johnson informed the Board that there are currently 35 students 

with IEPs, 13 students who received mandated counseling, 26 students who receive at- 

risk counseling, 23 who receive speech/language work, 4 who receive physical therapy, 

and 1 who receives hearing therapy. 

Agreement for Interactive Therapy:  Ms. Johnson requested the Board approve an 

Agreement for Interactive Therapy to hire a Special Education consultant for the Lower 

School at the cost of $1,200 per week.  Upon motion duly made, seconded and 

unanimously adopted, the Trustees approved the Agreement for Interactive Therapy. 

Articulation Counselor:  Ms. Johnson explained that after the last Board meeting, she 

worked with Robert Torres to locate a guidance counselor/consultant to counsel and 

assist 8th graders with the high school selection process.  Upon motion duly made, 

seconded and unanimously adopted, the Trustees approved the hiring of Madeline Perez 

as an "articulation counselor" to work with 8th grade students on High School 

Admissions. 

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION 

SRZ-10791974.2 

 - 4 - 

Upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the Board of Trustees 

moved into executive session at 6:10 p.m. to discuss issues and concerns regarding 

particular students. 

In accordance with the New York Open Meetings Law, at 6:30 p.m., upon motion duly 

made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the Trustees re-entered Open session. 

XI. ADJOURNMENT 

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 

6:30 p.m. 

SRZ-10791974.2 

 - 5 -