New Beginnings Family Academy

184 Garden Street, Bridgeport, CT 06605 - Phone: 203-384-2897 Fax: 203-384-2898

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors strongly supports the mission of New Beginnings Family Academy and is dedicated to the following principal areas:

Academic Excellence
Character Development
Financial Viability
School Sustainability

The Board of Directors is committed to the academic and cultural success of New Beginnings Family Academy. The Curriculum and Instruction Committee represents the Board in overseeing New Beginnings’ academic programs, which are carefully aligned with State Department of Education standards. While administration of the school’s academic and cultural curricula is the primary responsibility of the Principal and Instructional Team, members of the Board work in concert to establish and monitor student achievement goals and a code of discipline and ethics that define New Beginnings’ culture.

Directors approve the operating budget of the school each May for the upcoming academic year. Although Connecticut charter schools receive 30 percent less, on average, in per pupil funds from the state, New Beginnings Family Academy has consistently operated on a balanced budget with monthly reports to the Board’s Finance Committee. This is due to the generosity of private individuals whose contributions not only help close the guaranteed funding gap, but also support a number of programs and services that enhance the New Beginnings curriculum and bolster student achievement.

The Board of Directors was recently involved in the school’s 2006 re-chartering process in pursuit of a second 5-year charter to operate the school. It is the desire of the Directors, and the whole school community, for New Beginnings Family Academy to remain a desirable public school of choice for centuries to come.

Board President Richard Bentley (r.) and his wife Nina
chat with State Rep. Jack Hennessy of Bridgeport at NBFA's Open House in September.

Board of Directors
President Richard Bentley Retired bank executive Adjunct Professor, Norwalk Community College
Vice President Dr. Cheryl Kerison Professor of Education, Quinnipiac University
	Parent Representative Robyn Jabulani Child care provider
Jonathan Hayes Retired business executive	Ronelle P. Swagerty Executive Director, Friends of NBFA	Kevin Knight Marketing Research Consultant
Christine Listorti Executive Secretary, NBFA (ex-officio secretary)		Elizabeth Nelson Teacher Representative 5/6 Math