Soaring Heights Charter School
Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2025
6:30 p.m.
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 Jersey Journal online and NJ.com
Roll Call:
Present Absent
Joann D’Auria
Mary Golden
Lisa McConagly
Jane Mercante
Irene Roberts
Natasha Persaud
Stephanie Miller
Motions:
1. Approval of Minutes:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Minutes for April 28, 2025.
Moved: J. Mercante Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
2. Approval of Board Secretary’s and Board Treasurer’s Reports of April
2025:
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 April 30, 2025, showing a cash balance of $9,040,238.64 in the general
account and $290,576.91 in the payroll agency account be approved.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: M. Golden
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
3. Approval of the Additional pay for April’s Home Practice as attached:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the additional salaries for the
April’s Home Practice Help as attached.
Moved: M. Golden Second: L. McConagly
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
4. Approval of the Additional pay for April’s Enrichment Program as attached:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the additional salaries for the
April’s Enrichment as attached.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
5. Approval of the Additional pay for the second half of tutoring as attached:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the additional salaries for the
second half of tutoring for the 2024-2025 school year as attached.
Moved: I. Roberts Second: J. Mercante Recused: J. D’Auria
Motion carried by majority roll call
6. Approval of the listed Staff to the Affirmative Action Team:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the following staff to the
Affirmative Action Team: Jacqueline Quagliana, Hilary Bowden, Renata Bigbie,
Stephanie Vargas, Frank Chelbian, and Joanna D’Auria.
Moved: J. Mercante Second: S. Miller
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
7. Approval of the 2025-2026 through 2027-2028 Comprehensive Equity Plan:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the submission of the
Comprehensive Equity Plan for the 2025 – 2026 school year through 2027 –
2028.
Moved: M. Golden Second: L. McConagly
Motion carried by unanimous roll call.
8. Approval of the Hiring of Stefani Venegas-Greczylo as Special Education Teacher:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the emergent hiring of
Stefania Vanegas-Greczylo as a Special Education Teacher for the 2025-2026
school year at a salary of $70,945, effective September 1 st , 2025. The Board
accepts the applicant’s attestation that she has not been convicted of any crimes
pursuant to New Jersey statutes.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: J. Mercante
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
9. Approval of the Emergent Hiring of Alexis Borbon, Part Time Teacher Assistant:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the hiring of Alexis Borbon as
a part-time teacher assistant at a per diem rate of $125 effective May 19, 2025,
for the remainder of the 2024 - 2025 school year.
Moved: M. Golden Second: S. Miller
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
10. Approval of the Emergent Hiring of Julianne Wisniewski, Part Time Teacher Assistant:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the hiring of Julianne
Wisniewski as a part-time teacher assistant at a per diem rate of $125 effective
May 19, 2025, for the remainder of the 2024 - 2025 school year.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: I. Roberts
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
11. Approval of the Emergent Hiring of Jennah Awadallah, Part Time Teacher Assistant:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the hiring of Jennah
Awadallah as a part-time teacher assistant at a per diem rate of $125 effective
May 19, 2025, for the remainder of the 2024 - 2025 school year.
Moved: J. Mecante Second: S. Miller
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
12. Approval of the Board of Trustees Self-Evaluation:
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees undertakes its annual self-evaluation using the
Board Self-Evaluation Rubric.
Moved: L. McConagly 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 7:24 p.m.
Moved: L. McConagly Second: S. Miller
Motion carried by unanimous roll call
Submitted by:
Irene Roberts Angelo Vilardi
Irene Roberts, Recording Secretary Angelo Vilardi, Board Secretary