PTA Board 2026-27

Co-Presidents:
Ivis Espinal and Sarah Swift

Vice President:
Işıl Nart-Alexander

Co-Treasurers:
Elizabeth Porrata and Luigi Iuliano

Co-Recording Secretaries:
Jassine Chrisphonte and Kelli Cavaliere

Correspondence Secretary:
Nico Vansnick

Parliamentarian:
Alex Robins

Parent Outreach Coordinator:
Danielle Alvarez

Contact us anytime at board@ps20.org 

 

What is the PTA Board?

Board officers play a key role in shaping the various ways the PTA supports PS20 and its community. The mission of the PS20 PTA is to provide support and resources to benefit the growth of the PS20 community of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff; develop parent leadership and cultivate family involvement; strengthen ties with the local community; and procure funding for school support and initiatives, while embracing core principles of sustainability. Among other duties, PTA Board officers:

  • Shape the PTA's operating budget and voting on key spending decisions

  • Work closely with PS20 administration and SLT on key school initiatives

  • Plan community-building activities for parents and families

  • Support communication and parent advocacy across the PS20 community

  • Oversee PTA committees and fundraising efforts

Meet Your 2026-2027 PTA Board!

CO-PresidentS

Sarah Swift & Ivis Espinal

  • Sarah Swift has a fourth grader, Cleo, and a first grader, June. She has been serving on the board as co-Recording Secretary for the past year, and is a class parent. She is an active member of the Literacy Committee, where she has helped organize the Scholastic Book Fair. 

  • Ivis Espinal has a fourth grader, Jaylin, and a P.S. 20 graduate. She has previously served one term as Vice President on the board, and is a member of the Teachers & Staff Appreciation committee, as well as a class parent. 

Vice President

Işıl Nart-Alexander has a second grader, Aiden, at P.S. 20. She is a member of the Community Support and Service Committee, as well as a class parent.

Co-TreasurerS

Elizabeth Porrata & Luigi Iuliano

  • Elizabeth Porrata has a first grader, Giordano (Gio), and a pre-K student, Francesca (Frankie) at P.S. 20. She was elected Financial Secretary last year, and has been working extremely closely with the Treasurer over the past year. She’s a member of the Green Arts and STEAM committees, as well as a class parent.

  • Luigi Iuliano has a second grader, Addie-Mae, and a pre-K student, Jake, at P.S. 20, and regularly volunteers at school events and activities.

Co-Recording Secretaries

Jassine Chrisphonte & Kelli Cavaliere

  • Jassine Chrisphonte has a Kindergartener, René, and a 3K student, Quincy. She been serving as Co-Recording Secretary for the past year, and is also a member of the Safe Streets and Fundraising Committees

  • Kelli Cavaliere has a first grader, Leo, and a pre-K student, Max, at P.S. 20. She is currently serving as a class parent.

Correspondence Secretary

Nico Vansnick has a first grader, Zoë, and is a member of the Safe Streets and STEAM committees, in addition to the International and Multicultural Families Committee.

Parliamentarian

Alex Robins has a kindergartener, Beatrice, and a 3K student, Cy, at P.S. 20. He previously served as the parliamentarian for the executive board of United Auto Workers Local 7902.

Parent Outreach COORDINATOR

Danielle Alvarez has three children at P.S. 20: a second grader, Delilah, and two fourth graders, Tayler and Tyler. She is a former public school teacher and a member of the Teachers & Staff Appreciation and Events Committees, as well as a class parent.

PTA Board Roles & Descriptions

PTA board members are elected to serve one-year terms, with a limit of four one-year terms.

  • President/Co-Presidents

    The President/Co-Presidents shall preside at all meetings of the association and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.  The President/Co-Presidents shall appoint chairpersons of non-standing association committees with the approval of the executive board. The President/Co-Presidents shall delegate responsibilities to other association members and shall encourage meaningful participation in all parent and school activities. The President/Co-Presidents shall attend all regular meetings of the presidents’ council and shall be a mandatory member of the School Leadership Team (SLT).  The President/Co-Presidents shall meet regularly with the executive board members in accordance with the bylaws to plan the agendas for the general membership meetings. The President/Co-Presidents shall be one of the eligible signatories on checks. The President/Co-Presidents shall assist with the June transfer of association records to the incoming executive board.

  • The Vice-President shall assist the President/Co-Presidents and shall assume the President/Co-Presidents duties in their absence or at the President/Co-Presidents’ request. The Vice-President shall be one of the eligible signatories on all checks. The Vice-President shall assist with the June transfer of association records to the incoming executive board.

  • The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial affairs and funds of the association.  The Treasurer shall also be responsible for maintaining an updated record of all income and expenditures on school premises and shall be one of the signatories on checks. The Treasurer shall adhere to and implement all financial procedures established by the association. The Treasurer shall prepare and present a written report of all transactions at every executive board and general membership meeting. This report must include income, refunds, reimbursements and other expenditures, and opening and closing balances for the reporting period. The Treasurer shall also prepare the association’s interim and annual financial reports. The Treasurer shall make available all books and financial records for viewing by members upon request and for audit. The Treasurer shall assist with the June transfer of all association records to the incoming executive board.

  • The Financial Secretary is an elected officer authorized to receive all monies collected by the PTA. Some responsibilities of the office are specified in the unit bylaws; others are established by council, district 13 and New York State PTA procedures. The Financial Secretary may be a member of the Fundraising Committee. This role is to support the role of the acting Treasurer.escription

  • The Recording Secretary shall record minutes at all association meetings.  The Recording Secretary’s responsibilities shall include the preparation of notices, agendas, sign-in sheets and materials for distribution. The Recording Secretary shall prepare and read the minutes of each association meeting and shall distribute copies of the minutes at the next scheduled meeting for review and approval by the general membership. The Recording Secretary shall maintain custody of the association’s records on school premises. The Recording Secretary shall incorporate all amendments into the bylaws and shall ensure that signed copies of the bylaws with the latest amendments are on file in the principal’s office. The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for reviewing, maintaining and responding to all correspondence addressed to the association. The Recording Secretary shall assist with the June transfer of all association records to the incoming executive board.

  • Assists PTA President(s) and PS20 administration throughout the year in editing and maintaining correspondence such as Konstella, website and social media, calendar updates, event announcements, flyers etc. Will also be on standby if the Recording Secretary is not available for meetings.

  • The Parliamentarian is an expert in parliamentary procedure who, upon request, speaks to the assembly to provide explanations or advice, but not rulings, which are always made by the presiding officer. The duties of the Parliamentarian is to: provide members and the executive board with training on simple Parliamentary procedures (how to state a motion rules of debate, quorums, etc.); maintain a copy of the constitution and bylaws at every general and executive CCAE meeting; sit in close proximity to the presiding officer during meetings; make sure that meetings adhere to the agenda; assist with the coordination of motions and resolutions; keep track of the order of those wishing to speak, motions, amendments, voting, etc.; assist with the election and voting procedures; support the president in maintaining order and adhering to time schedules.

  • A vital role, the Fundraising Coordinator works with school volunteers, parents, students, staff and community members to oversee fundraising events and initiatives for the PTA.

  • This person's responsibility is to reach out to new parents, Grandparents, and non-English Speaking Community. To translate information verbally and written when necessary. To reach out to classrooms and generate Class Parent Leaders for each class. To assist with the goal that we reach our entire school population as best as possible. To always have knowledge of what is going on and communicate that information to the necessary people.

Other Board FAQ’s

  • How long is the Executive Board term? Positions usually hold a one year term from July 1st to June 30th.

  • When does the Board meet? Meetings are held at least weekly or bi-weekly.

  • Where can I find more information? For detailed information about PTAs, the Chancellor’s A660 Regulations outline all rules and responsibilities of PTAs. For questions about the PS 20 Board, you can email board@ps20.org.

  • Board Elections: Per the DOE, PTA Board Elections for the next school year must be held in the Spring before the last day of school. At that time, three mandatory officers (president, recording secretary and treasurer) are elected—along with any other board positions that are open. All members of the PS 20 community are welcome to run for any PTA Board position during Elections, and nominations can be submitted via nominations@ps20.org.