Support Student Success.
Serve on our Board.
We are seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Board Member to serve on our Academic Committee. This committee is responsible for providing oversight and guidance on all aspects of the school’s academic program, including curriculum, instruction, assessment, and overall student learning outcomes. Members help ensure that the school remains aligned with high academic standards, supports strong instructional practices, and continually improves educational quality for all students.
Board of Directors
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Raul Castillo is a finance executive with extensive experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, operational governance, and organizational transformation. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for APAC at PIP Global Safety, where he partners with leadership teams across multiple countries to drive financial performance, integration execution, compliance, and long-term business planning.
Early in his college journey in the Albany, New York area, Raul became involved with the New York State Society of CPAs through student-focused programs that introduced young people to accounting, financial literacy, leadership, and professional readiness. That experience helped shape his belief in the importance of early exposure, mentorship, and strong educational pathways for students.
Raul was a founding board member and served as founding treasurer of Destine Preparatory Charter School. He now serves as Board Chair, bringing a strong focus on governance, accountability, financial stewardship, and student-centered decision-making. Raul is passionate about helping Destine Prep continue to deliver high-quality educational opportunities for scholars and families.
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Cherly Almonte Lare, CPA, Principal is a Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of accounting and auditing experience. Cherly is experienced working in global remote environment has worked in large matrix Fortune 500 organization, as well as mid-sized CPA firms in NY Capital District. Mrs. Almonte Lare performed incurred cost audits and pre-award assignments under Federal Acquisition Regulations (48 CFR 31) for private A/E clients and for several State Department of Transportation agencies, including the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Vermont Agency of Transportation, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Georgia Department of Transportation and the Arizona Department of Transportation. She was involved in “Mega-Projects” with over $2.5 Billion in expenditures. These projects include: The Wilson Woodrow Bridge, The I-10 Work in Arizona & California and the Inter-County Connector in Maryland. She has also worked on several Federal Single Audits and U.S. Department of Commerce Advanced Technology Program (ATP) Audits for G.E. Global Research. Cherly received her Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees in Accounting from the College of Saint Rose and now resides in Schenectady, NY with her husband, two daughters and her dog.
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Mr. Mayfield has an M.S in Professional School Counseling from Russell Sage College, B.S. in Education from SUNY Empire State College, and A.S. in Liberal Arts HVCC. He brings a unique blend of 10 years of educational experience and is a current School Counselor. This blend of experiences has given him a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing students, families, and educators. Mr. Mayfield is eager to use this knowledge to serve and support the Destine Prep community, advocate for change, and build a climate & culture that benefits all students, families, and stakeholders.
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Angela Fereshteh is the branch manager for the Schenectady and Kingsway branches at M&T Bank. With a focus on supporting business growth and fostering community engagement, Angela works to help local businesses and residents achieve their financial goals. She holds an associate degree in general science from Ludwig Maximilian University in Germany and brings over two decades of banking experience, having started her career in 2000 and gained expertise across multiple areas of the field. Angela is now looking to expand her impact by joining a charter school board, where she hopes to promote financial literacy among students and families.
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Raysheea T. Turner, Esq. is a New York State licensed attorney and a founding partner of Wallace Turner Law. She gained her experience in private practice where she focused on Real Estate Transactions, Corporate Formations, Estate Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Property Damage, and Subrogation. Raysheea has also assisted entrepreneurs and businesses with all aspects of their transactions, including formation, contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
Some of her many accomplishments include awards such as Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 and The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40. Raysheea was the founding Board Chair for Destine Prep Charter School and now serves as the Vice Chair. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Miracle on Craig Street and the Center for Community Justice.
She stays active in the community through pro bono work for the Legal Aid Society of North Eastern New York, Prisoner’s Legal Service, and The Legal Project.
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Ms. White is a dedicated graduate of Excelsior University with a 15+ year long career in healthcare. With a deep commitment to community service, she actively volunteers with organizations such as the CNYS Black Expo and Family Promise of the Capital Region. Passionate about working with children, Ms. White finds joy in nurturing their growth into confident young leaders within the community. Her enthusiasm for mentorship and community engagement reflects a lifelong dedication to making a positive impact.
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Nosa Aigbe Lebarty, MD, is a board-certified physician, widely respected for his treatment and care for patients at CentralMed Urgent Care and Primary Care in Colonie, New York, using integrative medicine.
Dr. Lebarty graduated cum laude from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York, and went on to receive his medical degree from Poznań University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, Poland. He completed his internship and residency at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York, and is certified through the American Board of Family Medicine.
Dr. Lebarty has a diverse medical background, working in hospital medicine. He enjoys the urgent care environment, offering immediate attention to the acute medical needs of patients. He is also passionate about addiction medicine, treating substance disorders, and using Suboxone® to help patients overcome opioid addiction.
In addition to providing excellent medical care for his patients at CentralMed Urgent Care and Primary Care, Dr. Lebarty owns Lebarty Medical Telehealth, where he assesses individuals remotely and in nursing homes. He also serves as the founder and president of Project Health Africa, providing affordable and dependable health care for the impoverished communities of Africa.
Board Meeting Dates
2025-2026 Board Meeting Dates
Board Meetings are held the last Tuesday of every month at
530 Franklin Street, Schenectady, NY 12305, or can be joined virtually using the link.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6PM
Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 6PM
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6PM
Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 6PM, Virtual
Monday, December 22, 2025, 6PM
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 6PM, Virtual
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 6PM, Virtual
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 6PM
Tuesday, April 28, 2028, 6PM
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6PM
Special Meeting(Virtual) Monday June 1, 2026, 1pm
Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 6PM
Public Comment Policy
All meetings are open to the public and a portion of each agenda is set aside for speakers. Each public comment will be limited to five (5) minutes and it must be related to school matters. Individuals are welcome to share statements to the board in writing as well. To address the Board, please email the school at dpboard@destineprepcharterschool.org by noon the day before the meeting at which you wish to speak.
The Board is here to listen. Accordingly, please do not expect the board to respond to your concerns and questions at the Board meeting. The public comment period is not designed to be a discussion between the Board and the public. We will however, respond to your question and concerns at a future meeting, or have the proper staff member get back to you a the appropriate time.