Board of Trustees
The Boston Renaissance Charter Public School Board of Trustees serves as the governing body of the school and holds the charter granted by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The Board is responsible for defining the school’s mission, developing and updating policies, hiring and supporting qualified school leaders, and holding them accountable for meeting established goals. The Board also formulates long-range plans, including the charter school Accountability Plan, to ensure the school’s continued growth and stability.
In addition, the Board ensures that the school complies with all state and federal laws and that the Board itself operates in accordance with Massachusetts regulations. It is also charged with ensuring that the school remains in full alignment with its charter, including any approved amendments.
Members of the BRCPS Board of Trustees view their role as both a responsibility and a privilege. They approach their work with the highest level of commitment and respect, collaborating closely with school leadership to fulfill the school’s mission and provide the best possible education for every student.
Board of Trustee contact information: our-trustees@brcps.school
SY25-26 Board of Trustees Members:
Brian Keith, Chair
Brian Keith was elected to the BRCPS Board of Trustees in November 2017. A lifelong resident of Roxbury, Mr. Keith is deeply engaged in his community. He has served as a candidate for Boston City Council in District 7, is the President of his local neighborhood association, and is an active advocate for Roxbury residents.
Professionally, Mr. Keith has built a successful career in the aviation industry. He currently serves as Vice President of Sales at SkyJet, a Boston-based commercial charter jet company.
Craig Engerman, Vice Chair
Mr. Engerman is the CEO of Arimann Building Services. From 1998 to 2013, he served as a valued member of the Boston Renaissance staff, including holding the role of Chief of Operations. He returned to BRCPS as a Trustee in November 2018, bringing with him deep historical knowledge of the school, as well as expertise in facilities maintenance and financing.
Kevin Cherry, Treasurer
Kevin recently joined Upham’s Corner Health Center, where he is responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial health and management. He brings a wealth of experience across the consulting, education, and public health sectors, with a particular focus on educational non-profit funding, finance, and operational management. In recent years, Kevin has served as Chief Financial Officer at Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, South End Community Health Center, and St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Beyond his professional work, Kevin is deeply involved in the community. He supports the John Shelburne Community Center and ArtsEmerson, serves on the Board of Trustees at Clark University, and is a proud member of the Clark University Hall of Fame, the Boston College High School Hall of Fame, and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
Kevin and his wife, Petrina, live in Canton, Massachusetts, where they enjoy spending time with their two daughters, son, and two grandchildren.
Marjorie Gardner, BRCPS Staff Representative/Clerk
Marjorie Gardner earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Bridgewater State University in 2000 and her Master of Arts in Special Education from American International College in 2009. Originally from the South Shore, Mrs. Gardner’s teaching career has taken her to Florida, Texas, and back to Massachusetts through her husband’s military service.
She has been a member of the BRCPS faculty since 2012 and currently serves as a special educator in a substantially separate classroom for grades 4, 5, and 6. Mrs. Gardner was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2019, bringing her classroom expertise and deep commitment to student success to the Board’s work.
Alexandra Buckmire, Head of School
Alexandra Buckmire has served as Head of School at Boston Renaissance Charter Public School since July 2016. In this role, she is both the school’s chief executive and its academic leader. Mrs. Buckmire has more than 20 years of experience working with students and families and has been part of the Boston Renaissance community since 1999.
Before becoming Head of School, Mrs. Buckmire served as the Director of Unified Student Services, where she oversaw the Special Education Department, English Language Education, Mental Health and Counseling services, and Health Services. Over her many years at BRCPS, she has also held roles as Parent and Family Services Coordinator and After School Program Coordinator. Prior to joining Boston Renaissance, she worked as a Client Services Coordinator, Substance Abuse Specialist, and Case Manager, experiences that shaped her commitment to equity and whole-child education.
Mrs. Buckmire earned her B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, her M.Ed. in Special Education from Lesley University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Special Education Administration from Cambridge College.
Cheryl Barrett, Parent Rep.
Cheryl A. Barrett earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Curry College in 1998. She is the proud parent of a BRCPS student whose energy keeps her on her toes.
Professionally, Ms. Barrett serves as Office Manager at Vitra Health in Braintree, MA. She is currently in her second year on the Parents of Renaissance Committee, where she enjoys meeting new people and encouraging other families to get involved in the Renaissance community.
Rocklyn Clarke
Rocklyn Clarke joined the BRCPS Board of Trustees in 2019 as the Parent Representative and now continues to serve as a valued community member. As a former BRCPS parent, he brings an important family perspective to the Board’s work and remains committed to supporting the school’s mission and ensuring student success.
Devin Morris
Devin Morris is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Teachers’ Lounge (TTL), a local nonprofit organization committed to transforming student outcomes by diversifying the educator workforce. TTL’s mission is to recruit, revitalize, and retain educators of color across Greater Boston and beyond, ensuring that every student has access to excellent teachers who reflect and affirm their identities.
Beyond leading TTL, Devin serves on several local and national coalitions working to advance equity and increase teacher diversity in support of all students.
Devin’s passion for equity, community engagement, and collective accountability deeply aligns with the mission of BRCPS. His work helps strengthen the pipeline of diverse educators and supports our commitment to providing every student with a high-quality, inclusive, and affirming education.
Katie Davis Kernizan
Katie is a registered architect in Massachusetts, a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and an MCPPO designee. Her passion for community-focused design began while volunteering in Haiti, where she contributed to emergency response and public school redevelopment after the 2010 earthquake. She holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology.
At Saam Architecture in Boston, Katie specializes in K–12 design, creating learning environments that support schools’ academic and operational goals. She is passionate about collaborating with educators, students, and community stakeholders to design spaces where children can thrive.
Katie’s expertise in student-centered design reflects BRCPS’s mission to provide an inspiring and supportive environment for every child.
Board Meetings
The BRCPS Board of Trustees will meet every other month during the school year.
All Board meetings, including subcommittees, will be held at BRCPS (1415 Hyde Park Ave, Hyde Park, MA), or via video conference. The board meeting location will be posted on the meeting agendas at least 48 hours before the meetings. All meetings will be held from 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. (unless otherwise noted). Instructions for remote access will be provided on meeting agendas as applicable.
Board meetings are open to the public, and members of the public are welcome to make a statement to the board during the Public Comment portion, which occurs at the beginning of each meeting.
The SY 2025-2026 Board Meeting Schedule:
Wednesday, September 17th
Wednesday, November 19th
Wednesday, January 14th
Wednesday, March 18th
Wednesday, May 20th
The BRCPS Board has four subcommittees:
- Finance
- Academic Excellence
- Governance
- Facilities
In SY25-26, each subcommittee will meet on the following dates, each at 9:00am, unless otherwise noted:
Academic Excellence:
- October 15th
- December 10th
- February 4th
- March 25th
- May 6th
Finance (all meetings held 8:00- 9:00 am):
- September 16th
- November 18th
- January 13th
- March 17th
- May 19th
Governance:
- October 15th
- December 10th
- February 11th
- April 8th
Facilities:
- October 8th
- October 15th
- December 10th
- February 11th
- April 8th
Meeting agendas will be posted at least 48 hours prior to each scheduled meeting. Meeting minutes will be posted after they have been approved by vote of the board.
