Jason Watts provided the organizational update covering the following topics: enrollment, South Bay charter renewal, community partnerships, media coverage, legislative updates, and IT services.

• Enrollment: Enrollment has increased significantly across the organization compared to the prior year. 
• South Bay Renewal: The public hearing for South Bay’s charter renewal is scheduled for August 25th. Charles Friedrichs asked if a slide deck will be permitted for the renewal hearing, and Jason answered that it has not yet been determined. Slide decks have historically been permitted, but the large number of schools participating may affect the format.
• Community Partnerships/Media: A September 2 back-to-school celebration and new gym floor unveiling is planned at South Bay, with community leaders and representatives from the LA Sparks expected to participate. Recent visits from local and LAUSD representatives were highlighted, as well as an interview with the Los Angeles Times regarding the school’s work supporting students and addressing chronic absenteeism and homelessness.
• Legislative Updates: Several CCSA-supported legislative efforts were discussed, including health services, facilities funding, and expanding access to certain public-school funding opportunities for charter schools.
• IT Services: The organization is proposing to change IT providers, pending Board approval. Following feedback from school-site staff and an evaluation of three vendors through a competitive bidding process, the recommended provider was identified as the best fit based on service, responsiveness, cybersecurity, project support, nonprofit experience, and cost. Charles Friedrichs asked if the new provider will be able to support all school sites across the organization. Jason confirmed and explained the company having adequate and consistent support across all sites was a critical part of the evaluation and contract discussions.

Jason Sitomer presented the South Bay Unaudited actuals report. He explained that the books have been closed for South Bay, with the remaining schools still in the process of closing their books in preparation for the annual audit. 

South Bay’s revenues exceeded budget, as did expenses, resulting in a projected year-end surplus of approximately $160,000 compared to the budgeted $130,000 surplus. The projected fund balance is approximately 34%.

The increase in revenue was primarily driven by higher enrollment, with average daily attendance (ADA) approximately 14 students above budget, generating an estimated $250,000 in additional revenue, as well as the utilization of expiring grant funds. Expenses increased accordingly due to higher enrollment, including increased after-school and special education costs.

Charles Friedrichs asked whether expiring grant funds, including the Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials funding, could be replaced to continue supporting those expenses.
Jason Sitomer explained that the Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials funding was one-time pandemic-era funding and could not be backfilled. However, South Bay continues to receive ongoing Arts, Music, and School programs funding on a three-year cycle.

Taylor Ellis presented the Instructional Materials Sufficiency Resolution, which confirms that all students have sufficient, standards-aligned instructional materials in the required subject areas. The resolution covers mathematics, science, history/social studies, English Language Arts, and designated English Language Development materials for English Learners.

Taylor reviewed the core and supplemental curriculum resources used across TK–8, noting that core materials include both print and digital components, with additional resources available as needed. Computers/Chromebooks are not included in the resolution, although the organization maintains one-to-one Chromebook access for students.

Barbara George asked what “materials” include. Taylor explained that materials include textbooks, student workbooks, curriculum materials, and related instructional resources.

Charles Friedrichs asked if “additional materials” refer to supplemental materials, if AI fits into the curriculum, and if new books purchased every year?

• Supplemental resources are provided in addition to the core curriculum, with many supplemental resources accessed digitally.
• The current curriculum does not include student-facing AI components, although some programs may have limited AI functions for staff support.
• Consumable materials are purchased annually, while non-consumable items such as teacher editions, manipulatives, and classroom libraries are reused. Taylor also explained that material sufficiency is an ongoing process. Materials are ordered based on enrollment, reconciled after the start of the school year, and replenished throughout the year as enrollment changes or materials are lost or damaged. Principals work with the academic team to identify and address any additional needs.