The Community School is governed by a Board of Trustees which is responsible for oversight of the program including the mission, budgeting, program goals, and legal and fiscal oversight. Trustees include former students and families of students. Members all have roots in the communities that surround the school and share a long term commitment to the mission of the school.
Dave Bayer (’87)
Chairperson
Tom Culotta
President
Donald Lacy (’18)
Secretary
Leah Culotta
Treasurer
Ed Gavin
Fleesie Hubbard
Dyrrell Moon (’17)
Jeanette Norris
Justin Switzer (’04)
The Community School has a staff of dedicated professionals, almost all of whom are volunteers.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Tom Culotta
Head of School
TomCulotta@tcshighschool.org
Janiah Tillery (’17)
Program Administrative Assistant
Peggy Lashbrook
Resource Developer
PeggyLashbrook@tcshighschool.org
Leah Culotta
Office Manager
LeahCulotta@tcshighschool.org
Ken Bancroft
Program Assistant
Lunch Coordinator
Food@tcshighschool.org
JHU WORK STUDY STUDENTS
These staff provide curriculum support and assist with program administration. They are provided through the kindness of The Johns Hopkins University Center for Social Concern
Haithem Salmi
Freshman
Maneeza Khan
Sophomore
CONSULTANTS
Lisa Knickmeyer
Student Recruitment Coordinator
Ryan Gavin
Consulting Computer & Network Technician
Rahsann Simon
Consulting Librarian
Enoch Pratt Free Library
TEACHERS
Tom Culotta
Teacher
Leandra Laird
Visual Arts
Peggy Lashbrook
American Sign Language
Dr. Latonia Moss
English 101
Baltimore City Community College
Siobhán Petersen
Phiosophy 101
University of Baltimore
Don Riesett
Creative Writing
Craig A. Schiffert
Urban Solutions
University of Baltimore
Dr. Lorenzo Kellam
English 102
Baltimore City Community College
Eduardo Viana
Physical Education
Special thanks to The GreenMount School for providing a teacher and donating the use of their facility for our physical education class.
ADVISORS
Jim Burger
Photojournalist
Photography Advisor
OTHER OFFERINGS
In addition to our regular courses and weekly seminars, there are a number of special seminars that are offered throughout the school year including the following in the 2024/2025 term:
DUAL ENROLLMENT
Starting in 10th grade, Community School students enroll in college and take courses in person at our school for both high school and college credit through both the University of Baltimore and Baltimore City Community College.
We also have a partnership and offer remote courses with the Community College of Baltimore County. Students are expected to graduate with an average of 30 college credits.
SPECIAL SEMINARS
“Conversation with…” Series
A varied group of speakers from the community including former and current elected officials, business leaders, artists, scientists, journalists, authors and more. (weekly)
Theatre Workshops with The Lyric
Provided by The Lyric Baltimore and led by Denise Gantt and Ebony Evans (6 sessions October – April)
Financial Literacy
Provided by Berman McAleer LLC and led by Kathleen Gower with rotating members of their staff (9 sessions September – May)
Young Playwrights
Provided by Baltimore Center Stage and led by Allison Brown, YPF Residency Teaching Artist (9 sessions November – January)
30 Days Lost in Space Program
Provided by Code in the Schools and led by Jacob Ferragamo, Instructor (16 sessions January-May)
STUDENT LEADERS
SPONSOR COMMITTEES
Madison Hansel (’25)
Gratitude Coordinator
Ruth Rivas (’27)
Apprentice
Rhys Guilfoyle (’25)
Studio Coordinator
Hector Rivas (’26)
Mohamed Cisse (’27)
Apprentices
Karla Rivas (’26)
Clean Up Coordinator
Danny Buck (’26)
School Photographer
Quinn Guilfoyle(’27)
Apprentices
Ethan Jobita Jemadari (’26)
Attendance
Kendall Curtis (’26)
Pantry
Hector Rivas (’26)
Aquarium
Ethan Jobita Jemadari (’26)
Greenhouse Coordinator
Hector Rivas(’26)
Mohamed Cisse (’27)
Kennedy Lewis (’27)
Rhys Guilfoyle (’25)
Crew
Open
Sponsor Coordinator
Sponsors@tcshighschool.org
Ken Bancroft
Food Committee Coordinator
Food@tcshighschool.org
Open
Fundraising Coordinators
Fundraising@tcshighschool.org
Open
Social Coordinator
Social@tcshighschool.org
Jenae Gates
Cleaning Coordinator
Cleaning@tcshighschool.org
Open
Building Maintenance
The Advisory Board is comprised of individuals who are active supporters of the mission and program of The Community School. Each of the members offers unique talents and counsel to the organization.
Peggy Lashbrook
Education Consultant
Special Needs Students
Carol Berman
Speech/Language Pathologist
Special Needs Students
Mary Pat Clarke
Former President & Member
Baltimore City Council
Thomas J. Iacoboni
Founder & President
Iacoboni Site Specialists
Don Riesett
Writer & Mentor
Ken Bancroft
Retired President
Saint Agnes Hospital
Mitchell Brown
Chief Operating Officer
Compco Digital
Tony Culotta
Founder & President
Antron Corporation
Christopher Mazzulli
Director of MIS
Health Care Support Services
George Tilson
Playwright, Founder
Tilson & Diaz Solutions
The Community School receives exceptional pro bono legal advice and active support through the volunteer effort of an experienced local attorney.
Michael P. Shaw, Esq.
Managing Partner
The Shaw Law Group
The Community School is audited annually by certified public accountants from a local, reputable, community-minded accounting firm to certify that all of our financial records meet generally acceptable accounting practices.
Gary R. Bozel & Associates
www.grba.com
Gary Bozel
Megan Emdad
In 2021 through the initiative and generous support of The Middendorf Foundation, an endowment fund was created to provide long term financial support for the school. It was established with the active involvement and support of Berman McAleer, LLC who also manage the fund.