Soaring Heights Charter School
Board Minutes
April 28, 2025
Call to Order:
The Board President called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. and read the following statement: I submit that in compliance with Chapter 231 of the Laws of 1975, a notice for this meeting has been sent to the Jersey Journal online and the Newark Star-Ledger/NJ.com.
Roll Call:
Present
Joann D’Auria
Mary Golden
Lisa McConagly
Jane Mercante
Irene Roberts
Natasha Persaud
Absent
Stephanie Miller
Motions:
1. Approval of Minutes:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Minutes for March 24,
2025.
Moved: N. Persaud Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
2. Approval of Secretary’s and Board Treasurer’s Reports:
Be it resolved by the Board of Trustees that the Board acknowledges receipt of
certification from the Board Secretary that no line item account has
encumbrances and expenditures which in total exceed the line item appropriation
in violation of N.J.A.C.:6A:23-2.11(a). Further, the Board of Trustees, after
review of the Board Secretary’s and Treasurer’s monthly financial reports,
certifies that no major account or fund has been over expended in violation of
N.J.A.C.:6A:23.2.11(b), and that sufficient funds are available to meet the Board
of Trustees’ financial obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year. Therefore, it
is recommended that the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports for the month
ending March 31, 2025, showing a cash balance of $8,837,672.44 in the general
account and $236,810.79 in the payroll agency account be approved.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: N. Persaud
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
3. Approval of the Rehiring of the staff for the 2025-2026 School Year:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the rehiring of staff for the
2025 - 2026 school year as attached.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: N. Persaud Recused: J. D’Auria
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
4. Approval of the Additional Pay for March’s Enrichment Program as attached:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the additional pay for March’s
Enrichment Program as attached.
Moved: J. Mercante Second: L. McConagly
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
5. Approval of the Additional Pay for March’s Home Practice as attached:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the additional pay for March’s
Home Practice Help as attached.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
6. Approval of the Additional Salaries for May’s Stipend as attached:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the additional salaries for the
May stipend as attached.
Moved: N. Persaud Second: I. Roberts Recused: J. D’Auria
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
7. Approval of the appointment of Hilary Bowden as the Affirmative Action Officer:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees appoints Hilary Bowden as the
Affirmative Action Officer for Soaring Heights Charter School for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year and 2025-2026 school year.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
8. Approval of the NSIG Safety Grant in the amount of $2000:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the submission of the NJSIG
Safety Grant in the amount of $2,000 towards the purchase of 5 more cameras
for the interior and exterior of the building.
Moved: J. Mercante Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
9. Approval of a Field Trip to The Turtle Back Zoo for grades K-4:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the field trip to Staten Island
Zoo for grades Kindergarten – 4
th grade.
Moved: N. Persaud Second: L. McConagly
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
10. Approval of a Field Trip to the attractions at American Dream Mall for
grades 5-7:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the field trip to the attractions
at American Dream Mall for grades 5 - 7.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
Adjournment
There being no further business for the Board of Trustees, the meeting was adjourned
at 7:22 p.m.
Moved: N. Persaud Second: J. Mercante
Motion was carried by unanimous roll call.
Submitted by:
Irene Roberts Angelo Vilardi
Irene Roberts, Recording Secretary Angelo Vilardi, Board Secretary