Welcome and Call to Order

The meeting will be called to the order.

Approval of Agenda

So that there is agreement between board members on the agenda, and the amount of time spent on the meeting, the board shall vote to approve an agenda for the meeting. To the best of its ability, it will follow that agenda, and allow for the chair to move the board through the agenda as specified.

Public Comment

The Board Chair opened the public comment period and reminded participants that comments would be limited to approximately two minutes due to the length of the meeting agenda.

Sari, addressed the Board regarding the May Board meeting minutes. Ms. Levy expressed concern that the minutes did not fully reflect the depth of the School Leader Report presented at that meeting. She also questioned whether the procedures used to enter executive session during the May meeting had been sufficiently documented. Ms. Levy encouraged the Board to provide greater detail in future agendas and minutes, introduce Board members for the benefit of attendees, and ensure that Board meetings remain accessible and informative to members of the public.

Andrew, a Bricolage parent of a third-grade student, thanked Board members for their service and expressed concerns regarding recent media coverage of the school and reports he had heard regarding staff morale. He stated that he had spoken with staff members who expressed concerns about the current climate and possible future turnover. He also noted that he had heard positive feedback regarding the newly hired principal. He encouraged the Board and administration to remain attentive to employee morale and retention because of the potential impact on families, enrollment, and educational quality.

Sherrie, a Bricolage staff member and Director of Student Support, spoke regarding her experience working with CEO Dr. Edward Brown. She stated that senior leaders, mid-level leaders, and teachers have been given opportunities to express both agreement and disagreement with leadership decisions. She described her interactions with Dr. Brown as collaborative and stated that she believes he has a clear vision for the future of Bricolage.

Logan, a Bricolage special education teacher and parent, discussed the CEO Advisory Committee established by Dr. Brown. Logan stated that the committee has provided teachers with direct access to the CEO and opportunities for educators from different grade levels to collaborate. Logan cited staff collaboration regarding student dress code expectations as one example of the committee’s work.

Tyrisha, Bricolage’s COO spoke regarding Dr. Brown’s accessibility and open-door approach. The speaker stated that Dr. Brown regularly solicits feedback, brings concerns to the leadership team for discussion, references the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Employee Handbook when making decisions, and maintains a focus on students and student outcomes.

With no additional public comments, the public comment portion of the meeting was closed.

Approval of Minutes from May 12, 2026

Board Chair Report

Board Chair Norman E. Barnum IV delivered remarks to the Bricolage community regarding recent public discussion and media coverage concerning Bricolage Academy, its CEO, and the Board of Directors.

Mr. Barnum stated that he has served on the Bricolage Board since August 2018 and as Board Chair since August 2025. He expressed the Board’s continued support for CEO Dr. Edward Brown and disputed recent characterizations of Dr. Brown’s leadership and the Board’s governance practices.

Mr. Barnum stated that concerns and allegations brought to the Board have been reviewed with outside legal counsel and that the Board remains committed to protecting the rights and privacy of all individuals involved. He further stated that the Board has met with representatives of NOLA Public Schools, including Superintendent Fateama Fulmore, to discuss governance and compliance matters.

Mr. Barnum emphasized that the Board’s primary responsibility is governance and the creation of conditions that support strong educational outcomes. He encouraged the Bricolage community to move forward collaboratively and to model the values expected of students.

Board member Randy Philipson also commented on the Board’s governance role, emphasizing that responsibility for the school’s day-to-day operations rests with the CEO and school administration while the Board provides governance, oversight, and support. He stated that schools and organizational practices must continue to evolve as circumstances change.

Open Meetings Compliance Procedures

The Board Chair introduced a resolution establishing formal Open Meetings Compliance Procedures.

Dr. Brown explained that the procedures were developed to codify requirements of Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law and incorporate those requirements into the Board’s regular operating procedures.

The Board discussed ongoing efforts to ensure the school’s website and public governance materials meet applicable charter school and authorizer requirements. The Board noted that a website compliance review was underway and that the target date for completion of corrective items had been extended to August 31, 2026.

·     Motion to approve and immediately adopt the Open Meetings Compliance Procedures

·     Motion: Randy Philipson

·     Second: Brittany Waiters

·     Motion carried unanimously

The Board stated that the procedures would be made publicly available through the school’s website.

Board Membership Update

The Board Chair provided an update regarding Board membership.

The Board acknowledged that two members had completed their terms, including a parent Board representative and legacy Board member Merritt Lane.

The Board Chair also reported the resignations of:

• Dr. Arnell Cossey
• Luan Dozier
• Tiffany Harvill

The Board intends to focus on Board recruitment in advance of the September meeting, including recruitment of a new parent representative and additional members to strengthen Board capacity.

CEO Report

CEO Advisory Committee

CEO Dr. Edward Brown discussed the purpose and work of the CEO Advisory Committee.

Dr. Brown explained that he created the committee shortly after joining Bricolage to maintain direct communication with classroom teachers and better understand how senior-level decisions affect classroom instruction and school operations.

The committee consists of approximately 17 teachers representing multiple grade levels and subject areas. Dr. Brown stated that feedback from the committee has significantly informed his decision-making and the work of the senior leadership team.

CEO Statement

Dr. Brown delivered prepared remarks regarding his first year of leadership, recent public criticism, and the organizational transformation underway at Bricolage Academy.

Dr. Brown stated that his leadership decisions have been guided by the principle that children come first. He described several conditions that required attention when he assumed the CEO role, including approximately 13 days of cash on hand, human resources and compliance concerns, inconsistent enforcement of longstanding policies, and inequities in student discipline and academic outcomes.

Dr. Brown reported that the school’s financial position had improved from approximately 13 days to approximately 62 days cash on hand. He also cited improvements to human resources and compliance systems, fiscal controls, employee expectations, academic expectations, and efforts to ensure equitable student discipline and appropriate support for historically underserved students.

Dr. Brown acknowledged that organizational change can produce disagreement and stated that leadership decisions must remain grounded in organizational purpose rather than popularity. He stated that confidentiality obligations prevent the public discussion of certain personnel matters but affirmed his commitment to protecting students, ensuring fiscal responsibility, maintaining professional standards, and advancing educational equity.

Dr. Brown thanked members of the Bricolage community and professional colleagues who have offered support and encouragement and reiterated his commitment to the students, staff, and future of Bricolage Academy.

VI. Introduction of New Principal – Ms. Michelle Eugene

Dr. Brown introduced Ms. Michelle Eugene as the new Principal of Bricolage Academy.

Dr. Brown reviewed the comprehensive principal search process and stated that the school received a strong pool of candidates. He described Ms. Eugene as a New Orleans native with more than 30 years of experience in education.

Ms. Eugene previously served for approximately eight years as principal of Shrevewood Elementary School in Fairfax County, Virginia, serving a highly diverse student population. She also has experience in district-level leadership, leadership development, and educational consulting.

Ms. Eugene thanked the Board and school community for the opportunity to serve Bricolage. She described the principal selection process as rigorous and said it reaffirmed her passion for children and education.

Ms. Eugene shared positive observations from Back-to-School events and the opening days of school. She praised Bricolage students and staff and stated that staff members had been welcoming and supportive as she learned the school’s systems and culture.

Ms. Eugene also discussed her collaboration with Chad Brown, Director of Culture and Community, including culture presentations provided to students in grades 5–8.

The Board welcomed Ms. Eugene to Bricolage Academy.

VII. Enrollment Update

Dr. Brown provided an enrollment update.

The school’s enrollment target is approximately 985 students, with approximately 977 students enrolled at the time of the meeting. Approximately 12–15 seats remained available.

Approximately 895 students were present, representing attendance of approximately 92%, during the opening days of school. Open enrollment remains underway, and administration expressed confidence that available seats will continue to fill before the school’s October enrollment count.

Finance Committee Report

The Board transitioned to the Finance Committee report. The Board noted that a public budget hearing had been conducted prior to the regular Board meeting.

Ross Knorr of EdOps presented the proposed final FY 2026–2027 Budget.

Key Budget Assumptions

The budget was developed with particular attention to gross margin, days cash on hand, and fund balance, which are important measures within the charter school accountability framework.

The proposed budget includes:

• Budgeted enrollment: 981 students
• Budgeted K–12 enrollment: approximately 961 students
• Budgeted Pre-K enrollment: approximately 20 students
• Estimated state and local per-pupil funding: approximately $9,440 per student
• Conservative assumption of approximately 1% growth in applicable local tax revenue
• Philanthropic revenue budgeted at approximately FY26 levels
• Approximately 2% cost-of-living adjustment incorporated into the instructional salary scale
• Approximately $166,000 reserved for state-required employee stipends
• Approximately 3% inflation assumption for applicable non-labor expenses
• Custodial services brought in-house
• Addition of a compliance position
• Strategic investment in new technology/laptops

Budgeted Financial Position

The proposed budget reflects approximately:

• $15.7 million in revenue
• $15.8 million in expenses
• Approximately $126,000 projected deficit
• Approximately 62 days cash on hand
• Approximately $2.7 million in projected cash reserves
• Approximately 15% fund balance, compared with a 10% floor

Mr. Knorr explained that the projected deficit is considered manageable given the school’s liquidity and fund balance. He also noted that revenue projections were intentionally conservative and that positive adjustments could occur based on actual enrollment, tax revenue, or year-end funding reconciliations.

The Board discussed the substantial improvement in Bricolage’s cash position and financial systems over the previous year.

State Employee Stipends

Mr. Knorr reviewed the financial impact of a state requirement providing approximately:

• $2,000 for eligible instructional staff
• $1,000 for eligible support staff

The projected impact to Bricolage is approximately $166,000.

Because the allocation is effectively being redirected from existing education funding rather than provided as new unrestricted revenue, the requirement created an additional expense pressure within the FY27 budget.

Cash Management

The Board discussed its previous decision to invest a portion of available cash reserves in a Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP) account or similar interest-bearing public investment vehicle.

The intent is to generate interest revenue on reserves rather than maintain all available cash in a non-interest-bearing operating account while preserving appropriate liquidity.

Transportation

Transportation remains a significant operational expense at approximately $1.2 million and will be monitored closely during FY27.

Finance Committee Discussion

Board members commended the work of Dr. Brown, Mr. Knorr, EdOps, and the Finance Committee in improving the school’s financial systems and establishing more reliable financial reporting.

Board members emphasized that the FY27 budget was intentionally developed conservatively following unexpected financial adjustments experienced during the prior year.

The Board reaffirmed that necessary budget adjustments during the year should, whenever possible, be made outside of the academic program so that student services and educational outcomes are protected.

The Finance Committee and administration will continue reviewing financial performance throughout the year, including a midyear review.

Adoption of FY 2026–2027 Budget

Following discussion, a motion was made to approve the FY 2026–2027 Bricolage Academy Budget as presented.

Adjourn Meeting

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:05 am