The Einstein Charter School board voted in three new members and elected officers at its monthly meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The new members are attorney Laurin Jacobsen, civil engineer Trang Tieu, James Panetta, a consultant to the city’s Office of Public Works, and Susanne Evangeline, who currently works for the Hair Club and has experience with the board of the Audubon Nature Institute. The new members were chosen by a nominating committee.
Panetta, who is currently working on his master’s degree in economics at Duke University, will join the finance committee.
“We’ve been looking for you for a long time,” Roland Ducette, the vice president said to Panetta.
Jacobsen has been working with other members on a review of the board’s bylaws.
The board expressed hope that Evangelista, who speaks Spanish, will be instrumental in reaching out to the Hispanic community, which is increasingly well-represented at Einstein.
Dr. Ramona Perkins and Ducette were elected president and vice president of the board. Evangelista was voted in as secretary.
Shawn Toranto, Einstein’s principal, gave an update on the roofing project that has been in the works for several years. A bid has been accepted and the roofing company has committed to finish the job in 90 days, once the work begins – probably next summer. Because summer break is less than 90 days, the board discussed how to handle the weeks of unfinished work with students in the building.
Canceling summer school, phasing the roofing to certain areas of the building, and using modular classrooms were all offered as alternatives should the roofing project cut into school time. Toranto said the school year will begin on time, in any case.
Eight of nine board members were present at the meeting. A reporter from The Lens was the only member of the public on hand.
The next board meeting will be on Dec. 6.