Board of Trustees

Shared Governance

Located at the very crossroads of Jackson Heights, Renaissance values the important roles of parents and the community. Parents and distinguished representatives of the community serve on the Board of Trustees. Parents form part of the membership of the Collaborative School Governance committee, which advises on educational policy and school culture.

For board calendar and meeting details, please visit the next page.

Meet the Board of Trustees

In this model the Board of Trustees determines whether the school is fulfilling the mandates of its Charter, monitors the fiscal integrity of the school, and evaluates and oversees the performance of the school’s leadership team.

Dr. Monte Joffee, Chairperson, Founding Principal, The Renaissance Charter School (Retired)

As the Co-Founder and Co-Director of “The Will to Achieve,” Monte Joffee has played a pivotal role in a national educational policy institute dedicated to K-12 reform. He focuses on implementing rationalized and efficient frameworks for educational improvement. Monte’s passion for education extends to the “Education for Global Citizenship Institute,” which he founded and directs. This think tank is dedicated to implementing the principles of “Education for Global Citizenship” in K-12 schools.

Everett Boyd, Principal, The Renaissance Charter School 2

With over 30  years of experience in education, Everett Boyd brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the board. Everett was one of two founding music teachers at The Renaissance School, now The Renaissance Charter School. He has an extensive background in music education, special education, and educational leadership. Everett has served in several capacities throughout  his career in education. He currently serves as Principal of The Renaissance Charter School 2 in Elmhurst, NY, which is a replication of The Renaissance Charter School. In his current role, he oversees 584 students in Grades K-4, and 9, and is responsible for a wide range of critical functions, including instructional leadership, teacher and staff mentorship, operational and financial oversight, parental engagement, and developing community and civic partnerships. He has recently been honored by the Cahn Fellowship as a Cahn Leadership Lab Practitioner for its inaugural class of 2023.

Chester Hicks, Parent Representative, NYPD (Retired)

Chester Hicks is a retired NYPD officer with nearly 30 years of dedicated service. His extensive law enforcement background and commitment to public safety bring a unique perspective to the board, ensuring a well-rounded approach to addressing security and safety concerns.

Stacey Gauthier, Executive Director of The Renaissance Charter Schools and Principal, TRCS

Stacey Gauthier is the Executive Director of The Renaissance Charter School (TRCS) and The Renaissance Charter School 2 (TRCS 2) and is also Principal of TRCS. She has been involved in education for almost 30 years. She has served in many capacities including Founding Director of Operations, Co-Principal, Principal, and Board Member. She has been actively involved in New York’s Charter movement since 1999 and helped write and defend the schools’ charter applications. She has unique experience in leading both a conversion charter school and a State Education Department / Regents authorized school. Stacey has been extremely active in charter school advocacy on both the city and state levels.

Prior to her work in PK-12 education, Stacey was an administrator for a prominent labor union, a research / analyst for an executive search firm, a manager in museum education / administration and a public relations’ consultant focusing on non-profits. During her career, she taught a graduate level Educational Finance Course, high school courses and has facilitated various workshops on educational topics. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and a Masters of Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts. She is also permanently certified in New York as a School Building Leader, School District Leader and School Business Manager. Stacey is a Cahn Fellow (2012) and is currently a Cahn Alumni Principal Mentor. She recently completed a two-year fellowship (2020-2022) in the Education Policy Leadership Program with culminating projects focusing on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in New York State and multi-state charter school policy.

Daniel Fanelli, Secretary, Assistant Executive Director, The Renaissance Charter Schools

Daniel Fanelli has over a decade of experience in education, serving in various roles such as Assistant Executive Director for Renaissance Charter Schools, Assistant Principal for middle school, and as a facilitator of professional learning communities from PK-12. His diverse educational background makes him a valuable resource for strategic planning and educational leadership.

Raymond Johnson, Teacher Representative, The Renaissance Charter School

Raymond Johnson has dedicated 25 years of his career to being a teacher at The Renaissance Charter School, specializing in middle school science, physical education, and student support. His extensive classroom experience provides valuable insights into the educational needs and challenges faced by students and educators. In 2023 he assumed new roles in student support and high school admissions.

Rebekah Oakes, Vice-Chair, The Friends of Renaissance Charter Schools (Retired)

Rebekah Oakes served as the Chief Development Officer and Director of Development and Partnerships for The Renaissance Charter Schools (1 and 2) until her retirement in 2022. Her extensive experience in development and school management positions her as a key asset to the board, with a proven track record of fostering growth and partnerships.

Dr. Rachel Mandel, Bellevue Hospital Center, Child CPE

Dr. Rachel Mandel is a Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University School of Medicine, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She also serves as a Child Psychiatry attending at Robert Wood Johnson/Barnabas Health and boasts nearly 20 years of experience as a doctor. Her expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry enhances the board’s capacity to address mental health and well-being concerns among students.