Report of Regents P-12 Education Committee to The Board of Regents

Regents Committee on P-12 Education Members

Vice Chancellor Chin, Chair, Regent Tilles, Regent Cea, Regent Norwood, Regent Wills, Regent Ferrer, Regent Tanikawa, Regent Catania, and Regent Rivera

The P-12 Education Committee held its scheduled meeting on May 5, 2025. All members were present with the exception of Regent Christine D. Cea and Regent Shino Tanikawa who were both excused.

Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., Regent Susan W. Mittler, Regent Adrian I. Hale, Regent Hasoni L. Pratts, Regent Patrick A. Manion, Regent Brian Krist, Regent Keith B. Wiley, and Regent Felicia Thomas-Williams also attended the meeting but did not vote on any action.

ACTION ITEMS

Revisions to Charters Authorized by the Board of Regents  [P12 (A) 1] -  Department staff presented recommendations for charter revisions for Board of Regents-authorized charter schools.

NYSED is recommending that the Board of Regents approve charter revisions for the following charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents pursuant to Article 56 of the Education Law (the NYS Charter Schools Act): 

Bronx (2):

• Rosalyn Yalow Charter School (NYC CSD 7): Revisions to increase the school’s grade span to add Grades 6 – 8 to its current K – Grade 5 configuration and make a corresponding increase to its authorized enrollment from 470 to 600 students by the 2027-2028 school year; and to amend its Key Design Elements;
• South Bronx Classical Charter School VI f.k.a. Stradford Preparatory Charter School for Boys (NYC CSD 11): Revision to change the school’s grade span from its current Grade 5 – 8 configuration to K – Grade 5; and to amend the Key Design Elements;

Brooklyn (1): 

• Compass Charter School (NYC CSD 13): Revision to increase the school’s grade span to add Grades 6 – 8 to its current K – Grade 5 configuration and make a corresponding increase to its authorized enrollment from 324 to 534 students by the 2027-2028 school year; and

Mount Vernon City School District (1):

• Amani Public Charter School (Mount Vernon CSD): Revision to increase the school’s grade span to add K – Grade 4 to its current Grade 5 – 8 configuration and make a corresponding increase to the school’s authorized enrollment from 355 to 554 students by the 2028-2029 school year.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that (1) Rosalyn Yalow Charter School meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the charter school can demonstrate the ability to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the request to amend the charter is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) granting the request to amend the charter will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the charter revisions for Rosalyn Yalow Charter School and amends the provisional charter accordingly.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that (1) South Bronx Classical Charter School VI meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the charter school can demonstrate the ability to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the request to amend the charter is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) granting the request to amend the charter will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the charter revision for South Bronx Classical Charter School VI and amends the provisional charter accordingly.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that (1) Compass Charter School meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the charter school can demonstrate the ability to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the request to amend the charter is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) granting the request to amend the charter will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the charter revision for Compass Charter School and amends the provisional charter accordingly.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that (1) Amani Public Charter School meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the charter school can demonstrate the ability to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the request to amend the charter is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of Article 56 of the Education Law; and (4) granting the request to amend the charter will have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the charter revision for Amani Public Charter School and amends the provisional charter accordingly.

The motion passed unanimously.

Merger Revision Recommendation for Charter Schools Authorized by the New York City Department of Education Chancellor and the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York [P12 (A) 2] - Department and NYC DOE staff presented recommendations for charter revisions.

The NYC DOE Chancellor is recommending that the Board of Regents approve a charter revision for the following charter school authorized by the NYC DOE Chancellor pursuant to Article 56 of the Education Law (the NYS Charter Schools Act):

Bronx (1)

• Nuasin Next Generation Charter School (NYCDOE-authorized), in the Bronx NYC CSD 9 and Next Generation Charter School (SUNY-authorized), in the Bronx NYC CSD 12 are seeking to merge with the surviving education corporation being SUNY-authorized.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that pursuant to the authority contained in Education Law §§ 223 and 2853(1)(b-1):

Nuasin Next Generation Charter School will be and hereby is merged with Next Generation Charter School, with Next Generation Charter School as the surviving education corporation under the amended name of “Next Generation Charter Schools.”

Next Generation Charter School, the surviving corporation under the amended name of “Next Generation Charter Schools,” shall continue to administer the educational operations and purposes of the constituent corporations in the same manner as they presently exist.

The separate existence of Nuasin Next Generation Charter School and Next Generation Charter School hereby ceases, and Next Generation Charter School, the surviving corporation under the amended name of “Next Generation Charter Schools,” is hereby vested with all the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and authority possessed by or granted by law to each of the constituent corporations. All assets and liabilities of the respective constituent corporations are hereby assets and liabilities of such surviving corporation. All property, real, personal, and mixed, and all debts to each of the corporations on whatever account are hereby attached to Next Generation Charter School, the surviving corporation under the amended name of “Next Generation Charter Schools,” and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities, and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

The merged corporation shall operate under the provisional charter granted to Next Generation Charter School under the amended name of “Next Generation Charter Schools.”

The motion passed unanimously.

Renewal Recommendations for Charter Schools Authorized by the Board of Regents [P12 (A) 3] - Department staff presented recommendations for charter renewals (some with revisions).

NYSED is recommending that the Board of Regents approve charter renewals for the following charter schools authorized by the Board of Regents pursuant to Article 56 of the Education Law (the NYS Charter Schools Act):

Brooklyn (3):

• Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School (NYC CSD 13): Four-year renewal;
• La Cima Charter School (NYC CSD 16): Four-year renewal and a revision to amend the school’s Key Design Elements;
• New American Academy Charter School (The) (NYC CSD 18): Five-year renewal;

Buffalo City School District (3):

• Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School (Buffalo CSD): Five-year renewal;
• West Buffalo Charter School (Buffalo CSD): Five-year renewal;
• Western New York Maritime Charter School (Buffalo CSD): Two-year renewal;

Hempstead (1):

• Evergreen Charter School (Hempstead UFSD): Five-year renewal and a revision to increase the school’s authorized enrollment from the currently approved 1175 students to 1225 students by year five of the renewal charter term;

Queens (1):

• United Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science IV (NYC CSD 27): Five-year renewal; and

Staten Island (1):

• New Ventures Charter School (NYC CSD 31): Four-year renewal.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2029.  

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that La Cima Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of La Cima Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2029.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that New American Academy Charter School (The): (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of New American Academy Charter School (The) and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that West Buffalo Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of West Buffalo Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Western New York Maritime Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of Western New York Maritime Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2027.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Evergreen Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of Evergreen Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that United Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science IV: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of United Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science IV and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that New Ventures Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents therefore approves the renewal application of New Ventures Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2029.

The motion passed unanimously.

Renewal Recommendations for Charter Schools Authorized by the New York City Department of Education Chancellor [P12 (A) 4] - Department and NYC DOE staff presented recommendations for charter renewals from the NYC DOE Chancellor.

The NYC DOE Chancellor is recommending that the Board of Regents approve charter renewals for the following charter schools authorized by the NYC DOE Chancellor pursuant to Article 56 of the Education Law (the NYS Charter Schools Act):

Bronx (3):

• Bronx Community Charter School (NYC CSD 10) – Five-year renewal;
• Equality Charter School (NYC CSD 11) – Five-year renewal with a revision to add grades 3 and 4 to the current K – Grade 2, Grade 5-12 configuration;
• Mott Haven Academy Charter School (NYC CSD 7) – Five-year renewal with a revision to amend the school’s mission statement;

Brooklyn (5):

• Brooklyn Charter School (The) (NYC CSD 14) – Five-year renewal;
• Brooklyn Scholars Charter School (NYC CSD 19) – Five-year renewal;
• Community Roots Charter School (NYC CSD 13) – Five-year renewal;
• Ember Charter School for Mindful Education, Innovation, and Transformation ;(NYC CSD 16) – Five-year renewal;
• Hebrew Language Academy Charter School (NYC CSD 22) – Five-year renewal;

Manhattan (3):

• Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School (NYC CSD 6) – Four-year renewal;
• New Heights Academy Charter School (NYC CSD 6) – Five-year renewal and revision to remove Grade 5 from the school’s current Grade 5-12 configuration; and
• New York French-American Charter School (NYC CSD 3) – Two-year renewal.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Bronx Community Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Bronx Community Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Equality Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Equality Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Mott Haven Academy Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Mott Haven Academy Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Brooklyn Charter School (The): (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Brooklyn Charter School (The) and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Brooklyn Scholars Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Brooklyn Scholars Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Community Roots Charter School (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Community Roots Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Ember Charter School for Mindful Education, Innovation and Transformation: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Ember Charter School for Mindful Education, Innovation and Transformation and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Hebrew Language Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Hebrew Language Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2029.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that New Heights Academy Charter School: (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of New Heights Academy Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2030.

The Committee recommends that the Board of Regents finds that New York French-American Charter School (1) meets the requirements set out in Article 56 of the Education Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; (2) the applicant can demonstrate the ability to operate the school in an educationally and fiscally sound manner; (3) granting the application is likely to improve student learning and achievement and materially further the purposes set out in subdivision two of Section twenty-eight hundred fifty of this article; and (4) granting the application would have a significant educational benefit to the students expected to attend the charter school, and the Board of Regents, therefore, approves the renewal application of New York French-American Charter School and that a renewal charter be issued, and that its provisional charter be extended for a term up through and including June 30, 2027.

The motion passed unanimously.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Supports and Updates for Religious and Independent Schools in New York State - NYSED staff discussed the supports provided to Religious and Independent Schools through the Office of Religious and Independent School Support (ORISS) and provided an update on the implementation of Substantial Equivalence requirements.  

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

The P-12 Education Committee recommends, and we move, that the Board of Regents act affirmatively upon each recommendation in the report of the Committee’s deliberations at its meeting on May 6, 2025.

Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson-Dingle reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda.