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

Adjourn Meeting

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:05 am

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:

To our Bricolage Family:

I am reaching out today to the Bricolage community in my role as Board Chair of Bricolage Academy Charter School. I have served on the Board of Directors since August 2018 and began my service as Board Chair August 2025. During my time on the Board, I have been able to see and work with every CEO, principal and nearly all board members that have served the Bricolage community. 

As such, I want to state emphatically that recent media articles mischaracterizing our CEO, Dr. Brown, as an authoritarian leader and the Bricolage Board of Directors as engaged in governance policies in violation of public meeting laws are completely without merit. To be very clear, we have complied with every public records request, vetted and investigated, through outside counsel, all allegations directed to the Board no matter how outlandish or trivial they may have been, and protected the privacy rights of all parties involved, including those making the allegations. 

I know firsthand that concerns mentioned in last week’s news article reflect the beliefs of a small, coordinated group within the Bricolage Community that did not support Dr. Brown's candidacy and hiring as our CEO, and are intent on driving a change in that regard. This is the first time during my Bricolage journey I have felt our core values being challenged. I can state without hesitation or reservation that the Bricolage Board of Directors fully supports Dr. Brown as our CEO and that our governance will not be influenced by those who have their own motives and motivations. 

Bricolage remains one of the most sought-after K-8 Schools in our district. We have continued to excel academically, strengthened our financial position in challenging times and have an exciting future ahead of us. I look forward to interacting with all of you during the school year and embracing this moment of change. Thank you in advance for allowing me to address the above issues in candid and transparent manner.

Respectfully,

Norman E Barnum IV

Board Chair Bricolage Academy Charter School

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.

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

Over the past year, Bricolage Academy has undergone significant transformation. When I accepted the responsibility of serving as CEO, I knew meaningful change would require difficult decisions, greater accountability, and the courage to confront longstanding challenges. Every decision I have made has been guided by one fundamental principle: children come first.

When I arrived, Bricolage faced significant organizational challenges. The school had approximately 13 days of cash on hand, Human Resources and compliance systems required substantial improvement, longstanding policies had not been consistently enforced, and serious inequities existed within student discipline and academic outcomes. These were challenges that could not be ignored.

Today, Bricolage is stronger. We have increased our financial position from approximately 13 days to 64 days cash on hand, strengthened our Human Resources and compliance systems, implemented greater fiscal controls, established clearer expectations for employees, and raised academic expectations for every student. We have also confronted discipline practices that disproportionately impacted Black and Brown students and strengthened our commitment to ensuring that students with disabilities and other historically underserved children receive support rather than exclusion.

Transformation is rarely comfortable. When systems change, expectations increase, and accountability becomes consistent, disagreement and resistance can follow. I understand that. However, leadership cannot be driven by popularity or the desire to avoid criticism. It must be driven by purpose. Recent public narratives about my leadership do not fully reflect the complexity of the challenges Bricolage faced or the context surrounding many of the decisions made during this period of transformation. Because many of these matters involve current or former employees, there are details I cannot responsibly discuss publicly. What I can say unequivocally is that I stand behind decisions made to protect students, strengthen this organization, ensure fiscal responsibility, uphold professional standards, and advance educational equity.

Every employee deserves fairness and due process. Every member of our community deserves respect. But our responsibility to children must remain paramount. I will never apologize for insisting that students are safe, adults are accountable, resources are managed responsibly, and expectations remain high for every child. I recognize that controversy often receives more attention than the quiet, difficult work required to transform an organization. I cannot control every headline or accusation. I can control how I lead.

My focus remains exactly where it has been since my first day: protecting children, strengthening Bricolage Academy, supporting our educators, and ensuring that every student, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance, has access to an excellent education.

I am proud of the progress our school has made, grateful for a Board that continues to provide thoughtful governance and accountability, and confident about where Bricolage is headed.

The work is not finished. Neither is my commitment.

Children came first when I accepted this responsibility. Children come first today. And children will continue to come first in every decision I make.

Dr. Edward Brown

Chief Executive Officer

Bricolage Academy

Dr. Brown acknowledged that organizational change could 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.

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.