Board of Trustees

Elysian Charter School is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of elected parents and community members, each serving a three-year term. Elections are held at the Annual Meeting each spring.

Guided by bylaws, the Board oversees the school’s operations and finances. Meetings are typically held monthly at 6:30 p.m., as posted on the school calendar. All parents, students, staff, and community members are welcome to attend public board meetings.

Welcome to the Elysian Board of Trustees

We are honored to serve our vibrant and diverse community, working together to ensure the success and well-being of every student. Our Board is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-quality educational environment where all learners can thrive.

Collaboration is at the heart of our mission. We believe that strong partnerships with families, educators, and community members are essential to achieving our shared goals. Together, we strive to create a district that reflects our collective aspirations and values.

Thank you for visiting our page. We invite you to explore, engage, and join us in our commitment to excellence in education.

trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Amanda Gordon

Chair

Chris DeFilippis

Vice Chair

Michael Kuziw

Treasurer

Diane DeSombre

Eduardo Gonzalez

Megan Lorenzo

Jamie Marchand

Marah Oberfield

Serena Trinkwalder

Join Us at Meetings: Board meetings are open to the public, and we encourage all families and community members to attend. It’s one of the best ways to learn about our priorities, stay informed, and see how decisions are made.
Public Comment at Meetings: During designated times at our meetings, community members are welcome to share their thoughts with the full board.
Written Correspondence: Emails can be sent to the board for consideration. Please note that depending on the topic, your message may be referred to the school administration for follow-up.
Staying Informed: Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on our website so the community can stay up to date on board discussions and decisions.

For more about how school board meetings work in New Jersey — including public comment, agenda setting, and board responsibilities — we encourage you to read A Guide to Board of Education Meetings in NJ

Engaging with the Board

Contacting the Board

We welcome thoughtful engagement from our school community and want to ensure your questions or concerns are directed to the right place.

School-Level or Operational Matters: Please contact our Director, Susan Grierson, at susan.grierson@ecsnj.org

Board-Related Inquiries: For governance-related questions or to connect with the board as a whole, please email our Board President, Amanda Gordon, at amanda.gordon@ecsnj.org

Understanding Where to Go With Questions or Concerns

We understand that questions and concerns can arise about many aspects of school life — from classroom experiences to school-wide decisions. To ensure your concern is addressed promptly and appropriately, please begin with the right point of contact:

Teacher or Staff Member: For classroom-specific matters or individual student experiences, we encourage you to first speak directly with the teacher or staff member involved.

Administrative Staff: For operational matters, such as attendance, forms, lunch, or general procedures, our administrative team can assist and provide guidance.

School Director: If a concern is not resolved after speaking with the teacher or administrative staff, or if it involves broader school-level issues (such as curriculum, staffing, or programmatic decisions), the Director is the appropriate point of contact.

While the Board values community feedback, its role is focused on policy, governance, and long-term planning. The Board does not manage day-to-day operations and trusts school leadership to manage individual matters with care and professionalism. This approach ensures that concerns are addressed by those best positioned to respond, while allowing the Board to focus on its oversight responsibilities.