Welcome and Call to Order

The meeting will be called to the order, beginning with the pledge of allegiance.

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

Chair Barnum reviewed the procedures governing public comment. Members of the public were provided up to two minutes to address the Board. Chair Barnum explained that the Board would receive and listen to public comments but generally would not respond during the public comment period. Attendees were also reminded that Board meetings are open to the public and constitute a public record.

Retirement Contribution Concerns

Eva Lyman, a Bricolage Academy reading interventionist, addressed the Board regarding concerns with employee retirement contributions.

Ms. Lyman stated that she had experienced multiple instances over approximately the previous 14 months in which retirement deductions were taken from her paycheck but were not reflected in her Nationwide retirement account within the timeframe she expected.

Ms. Lman stated that she had personally identified and reported the discrepancies and had followed up with administration regarding resolution. She referenced the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and expressed concerns regarding whether the timing and handling of certain contributions complied with applicable requirements.

UTNO Comments

Collette Tippy, a representative of the United Teachers of New Orleans (UTNO) addressed the Board regarding retirement matters and Board meeting procedures.

The representative stated that UTNO had requested information concerning participation in the school’s retirement plan and asserted that the requested information had remained outstanding.

The representative also stated that UTNO had not received a response regarding an arbitration request involving retirement matters. The representative raised concerns regarding the timing of the public notice for the meeting and the agenda’s treatment of executive session, asserting that these matters implicated requirements of Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law.

Parent Comments

Kenneth Vogt, a Bricolage Academy parent, expressed concern that certain current practices differed from his understanding of Bricolage’s original educational model. Mr. Vogt encouraged the Board and administration to preserve the community-centered aspects of Bricolage’s educational model and to continue considering opportunities for future expansion.

Chair Barnum thanked the speakers for their comments and stated that the Board had heard and received the concerns presented. He reiterated the Board’s commitment to operating the school at a high level and advancing Bricolage’s vision while addressing the challenges associated with operating a single-site charter school.

The public comment period was closed.

School Leader Report

Principal Eugene presented the School Leader Report.

Instructional Observations and Deep Engagement

Principal Eugene reported that members of the leadership team had begun conducting classroom observations across the school.

The leadership team is currently emphasizing Deep Engagement, one of the school’s instructional key drivers. Observations focus on student engagement, classroom expectations, student discourse, student-to-student interaction, and the quality of academic discussion.

Leadership team members are conducting observations collaboratively and calibrating their assessments of instructional practice. The information gathered through observations will be used to develop coaching and professional development supports for teachers.

School Culture and Crew

Principal Eugene reported that she had met with staff members and asked which aspects of Bricolage’s existing culture and programming they believed should be preserved. Krewe was consistently identified as an important component of the school’s culture. Principal Eugene highlighted the school’s recent schoolwide sorting activity and reported strong student participation and enthusiasm.

Academic Data Review

Principal Eugene reported that the leadership team will conduct a deeper review of academic performance data from the 2025–2026 school year. Following additional review with instructional leaders, administration will provide the Board with further information regarding student performance, instructional priorities, and academic goals.

CEO Report

CEO Dr. Edward Brown presented the CEO Report.

Junior Achievement Partnership

Dr. Brown announced a new partnership with Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans. Through the partnership, students will participate in financial literacy, career-readiness, and experiential learning opportunities. Programming will serve elementary and middle school students and will be incorporated into the school’s curriculum with support from Maker Space/Co-Curricular teachers and Junior Achievement personnel.

The partnership is intended to strengthen students’ financial literacy, career awareness, workforce readiness, and exposure to practical financial concepts. Middle school students are also expected to participate in experiential Junior Achievement programming, including BizTown opportunities.

Grant Awards

Dr. Brown provided an update regarding several grants awarded to Bricolage for the 2026–2027 school year.

The awards include:

• Funding through the Institute of Mental Hygiene to strengthen social-emotional learning and mental health supports;
• A $30,000 schoolwide needs grant;
• A $35,000 schoolwide needs grant; and
• A $50,000 capital improvement grant.

The schoolwide needs grants will support areas including attendance and student supports. The capital improvement funding is intended to improve an uneven outdoor campus area currently containing gravel and rocks from previous construction. Administration is obtaining contractor estimates to improve the area for athletic practices, recess, and other student activities.

Enrollment

Dr. Brown presented an enrollment update. Administration reported:

• Maximum capacity: approximately 992 students
• Budgeted enrollment: approximately 981 students
• Current enrollment: approximately 961 students

Administration reported that additional students continued to enroll and that enrollment would continue to be monitored leading to the October 1 enrollment checkpoint. The Board discussed available seats in several grades. Administration explained that additional sections created increased capacity in certain grades, including second grade.

The Board also discussed available eighth-grade seats and the impact of competition from selective-admission, Catholic, and private schools at common upper-grade entry points.

Organizational and Academic Goals

Administration is reviewing organizational goals established at the conclusion of the previous school year to ensure continued alignment with current academic priorities. The review will incorporate LEAP results, benchmark assessments, universal screening data, student performance information, and input from instructional leadership.

Employee Handbook

Dr. Brown reported that the senior leadership team is beginning a comprehensive review of the Bricolage Academy Employee Handbook. Administration will review existing provisions and identify necessary revisions based on current organizational needs, policies, and practices.

In response to a Board question, Dr. Brown stated that senior leadership is conducting the initial review and that additional stakeholder groups within the school will have opportunities to provide input during the revision process.

Special Education

Administration reported that approximately 28% of Bricolage’s student population receives special education services. Administration is reviewing student-to-staff ratios and caseloads and is considering whether additional staffing is necessary to appropriately serve students.

Chair Barnum noted that the school’s budget had been developed based on an anticipated special education population of approximately 20%. The Board discussed the budgetary implications of the actual special education population exceeding that assumption and the importance of ensuring appropriate funding and staffing to meet student needs.

Professional Development

Administration reported that the professional development calendar is being finalized based upon identified campus and instructional needs. Professional development priorities will be informed by teacher observations, evaluations, student performance data, benchmark results, and identified areas for teacher growth. The objective is to provide sustained, job-embedded professional development aligned with instructional priorities and student outcomes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Administration provided the following calendar updates:

• September 14, 2026: Student Council campaigns begin
• September 16, 2026: Family Night
• September 18, 2026: Student Council elections
• September 30, 2026: Math and Science Night
• October 5–9, 2026: Fall Break

Board members were invited to attend upcoming student and family events.

Executive Session

Personnel Matters In accordance with La. R.S. 42:16 and La. R.S. 42:17(A)(1)

Chair Barnum announced that the Board would consider entering executive session to discuss personnel matters. Chair Barnum stated that this was the second executive session concerning the matter and that legal counsel was present to report to the Board. Chair Barnum stated that the Board anticipated remaining in executive session for approximately 20 minutes before reconvening the public meeting.

·     Motion: Randy Philipson

·     Second: Brittany Waiters

·     Motion Approved by: Meaghan McCormack, Stephen Jones, Annie Phillips

ACTION: The Board approved the motion and entered executive session.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:37 pm

Adjourn Meeting