About the Board

The business and affairs of Renaissance Charter School of the Arts are managed and controlled under the general direction of the Board of Trustees in accordance with the purposes and limitations set forth in the 2014 Charter between RA and the NYSED. The Board of Trustees are responsible for determining general, academic, financial, personnel, and related policies deemed necessary for the administration and development of Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts in accordance with its stated purposes and goals. Trustees demonstrate an interest in the welfare of children, and the Board is committed to the RA mission, improving education in the community, and effective and smooth operation of the school.

To become a Trustee, a person is nominated by the Governance Committee and guided through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) approval process. Trustees are elected by a majority vote of the Trustees present at that meeting, provided that those present constitute a quorum. The Board submits the candidate to NYSED for approval.

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Board Members

Ann Collazzo, Chair

Cheryl Hayward, Vice Chair & Secretary

Tom Merkel, Treasurer

Mark McDermott

Steven Morse

Mike Osborn

Charlton Harley

Bill Blackmon

Kristen Rogers

Nan Westervelt

Board Meetings

August 21, 2024

September 18, 2024

October 16, 2024

November 20, 2024

December 18, 2024

January 15, 2025

February 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

April 16, 2025

May 21, 2025

June 18, 2025

July 16, 2025

August 20, 2025

All Board of Trustees meetings take place at 299 Kirk Road, Rochester, N.Y. 14612.

Draft Minutes

Approved Minutes

BOARD POLICIES

CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY

Renaissance Academy implements a Positive Behavior Management Systems Approach, PBIS, to the management of student behavior. Together the staff and administration have created a PBIS system that address student academic and social behaviors in the classrooms, in the school building, and in all interpersonal relationships. Incentive programs serve to promote positive academic and behavioral expectations for students. Students are rewarded for “doing the right thing.”

DISCIPLINE CODE

The Renaissance Academy will develop self-discipline in students while creating and maintaining a safe, positive learning environment. Our code of discipline will serve as an extension of the overall education process. In order to ensure that our students are growing and developing into responsible citizens we must consistently enforce our discipline policy as well as provide students the resources necessary to learn from and change their behaviors.

CONDUCT

Students, staff, visitors, Board Members and parents at Renaissance Academy are expected to conduct themselves in keeping with their level of maturity and with proper regard for the rights and welfare of others and the school. Representatives of our school shall conduct themselves in the most appropriate way while in our school, on the school bus and on field trips.

Substantive acts for which a child may be disciplined include but are not limited to:

  • Inappropriate language

  • Touching, pushing, or hitting another student or staff member

  • Stealing

  • Cheating

  • Insubordination

  • Disorderly, violent or disruptive behavior

  • Conduct that endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of him/herself or others

The consequences or range of consequences will result from committing each such act including suspension or expulsion.

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Renaissance Academy will use progressive discipline and behavioral modification to prevent student misbehavior and decrease the chances that negative behaviors will reoccur. As an inappropriate behavior continues the levels of consequences will also increase. Discipline should and will always be age appropriate. Parents will partner with the school in addressing and working to prevent future negative behaviors.

Consequences include but may not be limited to:

  • Call home to parent

  • Student reparation (i.e., writing a letter of apology)

  • Loss of recess time

  • Lunch detention

  • Referral to the Dean of Students

  • Referral to the CEO

  • Removal from situation (i.e., time spent doing class work in a safe time-out location)

  • Mediation

  • Counseling

  • In-School Suspension

  • Out of School Suspension

  • Expulsion

In any case where a student is removed from the school he/she will be provided with all work to be completed outside of school. In the event of an extended absence, plans for individualized instruction of one hour a day for each day missed will be provided by a licensed teacher.

THE APPEAL PROCESS

Student(s) and parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may submit a written appeal to any disciplinary action resulting in a suspension up to a expulsion directly to the Chief Educational Officer (CEO) within two (2) school days of the disciplinary decision. The CEO will respond to the appeal within two (2) school days.

If the outcome of that initial appeal is unsatisfactory to the student and or parent/legal guardian, the CEO’s decision may be appealed through a formal appeal letter to the Board of Trustees within five (5) school days of the CEO’s appeal decision.

Upon receipt of the appeal, the Board of Trustees will schedule an appeal hearing within ten (10) school days of the appeal request. The family may bring counsel with them if they so desire. In all events of expulsion, the CEO will work in conjunction with the family to find the best possible alternative setting for the student.