Allegiance STEAM Academy
Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date and Time
Wednesday November 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Location
ONSITE MEETING LOCATION:
5862 C Street
Chino, Ca. 91710
SATELLITE MEETING LOCATIONS:
7420 Locust Ave.
Fontana, Ca. 92336
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/93040512863
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD BY PARENTS AND CITIZENS
Allegiance STEAM Academy- Thrive charter school (“Allegiance STEAM Academy”), also known as ASA Thrive, is a direct-funded, independent, public charter school operated by the Allegiance STEAM Academy nonprofit public benefit corporation and governed by Allegiance STEAM Academy, Incorporated corporate Board of Directors (“Board”). The purpose of a public meeting of the Board, is to conduct the affairs of Allegiance STEAM Academy in public. We are pleased that you are in attendance and hope you will visit these meetings often. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our school.
1. Agendas are available to all audience members at the meeting. Note that the order of business on this agenda may be changed without prior notice. For more information on this agenda, please contact Allegiance at: info@asathrive.org
2. “Request to Speak” forms are available to all audience members who wish to speak on any agenda items or under the general category of “Public Comments.”
3. “Public Comments” are set aside for members of the audience to comment. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not take action. The public is invited to address the Board regarding items listed on the agenda. Comments on an agenda item will be accepted during consideration of that item, or prior to consideration of the item in the case of a closed session item. Please turn in comment cards to the Board Secretary prior to the item you wish to speak on. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes.
4. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, Allegiance STEAM Academy may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require appropriate alternative modification of the agenda in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact Allegiance STEAM Academy
Directors Present
J. Kaakuahiwi, M. Casas, M. Jones, S. Bhojani, S. Thompson, T. Stevens
Directors Absent
S. Odo
Directors who left before the meeting adjourned
J. Kaakuahiwi
Guests Present
C. Moreno, C. Valenta (remote), Carmelita Lopez, J. Dizon, K. Holt, S. Cognetta, S. Lazo, S. Lopez
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Approval of Agenda
D.
Board Ethics and Transparency Training (AB 1234 Compliance Requirement)
E.
Pledge of Allegiance
F.
Reports
Principal - Chino, Kathleen Holt
Several community events. High School Information Nights where students could come out and meet with 13 high schools. Howling with the Community. Literature Day over 700 people in attendance. Veterans Day assemblies where students asked questions, great to see camaraderie. Instructional partners site visit, a partner collaborated with us for the in-service days and ran one of our sessions. Completed first PLN session, deep dive into data analysis. Finished round 2 and 2.5 of Math IPG observations, along with mid-year teacher observations. Lots of teacher development. Student development, ended Trimester 1 and kicked off ELOP 2nd session. Service learning drive with Inland Empire Book Project, collecting new and gently used books. Challenged students to bring in 1000 books; went above and beyond to collect 1200 books which will be picked up Monday. Tomorrow will hold mental health and wellness virtual meeting with parents.
Principal - Fontana, Cyndi Valenta
Literature week coincided with the PACKs Book Fair, big success with new vendor which provided new, alternate titles from past years. Socktober Sock Drive collected 886 pairs (591 in the tub at the last Board Meeting). Shoutout to exceeding expectations of service learning projects. Citywide effort and ASA Fontana was the only school participating. Unity Day Celebration of what makes everyone unique; showcasing traits, such as courage and kindness - day was well received by the community. Dia de los Muertos interactive opportunity celebrated schoolwide. Literature Day held, also Veterans Day Assemblies with students able to ask questions. Professional Development wrapping up professional learning cycle, including data analysis and setting goals. Report cards going home Friday.
PACK - Chino, update provided by Kathleen Holt
Completed Fall Fundraiser which was a Catalog fundraiser, extremely successful, a profit of over $41,000. Top sellers will be going on a limo ride to celebrate next week. Enhanced Literature Day, by providing balloon decor, lawn signs, and a coffee vendor to make the line more enjoyable as they waited for the parade. Staff were treated to a freshly Boo'd Coffee Bar. Color Run funds from last year are being put to good use, there is a brand new shade extension in the lunch area. There were two assemblies, booked for December and January, one presented by BMX Crew and another focused on music technology. Things to look forward to are the Turkey Trot Fun Run on November 21st during Mileage Club, the Holiday Boutique December 2nd-5th, assembly December 9th, and door decorating contest December 1st-5th for all the classrooms.
PACK - Fontana, update provided by Cyndi Valenta
Included in Principal's report.
CEO, Sebastian Cognetta
Highlights - 2026-2027 open enrollment is underway, emails to prospective families, as of yesterday received Chino 201 and Fontana 83 applications. Lottery will be required due to exceeding number of open positions. Open enrollment will continue through end of December. Lottery dates will be announced at the beginning of the year.
Literature Day - Booths were setup regarding charter renewal and charter myths to build awareness with families. Aim is to submit Fontana renewal in December, and following year for Chino.
Audit - Completed prior to Chino Valley USD deadline of October 15th, and on the agenda for approval. Last years audit, 2024-2025, first year with findings which were not repeated; addressed and corrected. Only item in this years audit is regarding the ELOP 30 additional days which was corrected due to board resolution, had no findings. Strong, clean audit.
Attuned SPARK Data - 3rd party staff anonymous survey completed. Next week staff across both sites will look at departments, start taking some action, and report back in a future board meeting.
AI Task Force - kicking off next week, exiting initiatives - staff, families, and students across both schools are invited to join the task force which will help us submit policy by end of June.
AI powered short-term independent study - shoutout to Mr. Gancz. Funding and academic continuity are tied to the program, providing compliance and confidentiality. This will assist us in beating the 95% attendance rate. AI Program to be piloted with two teachers, lower and middle school grades.
Attendance and Enrollment - Chino continues to move to its target at 958 , attendance is strong. Fontana is continuing to exceed at 350.
Intra-organizational Loan - continue to repay per our resolution.
Grants - Awarded GiveTHX for Chino and Fontana, $6,000; use weekly SEL time, for both staff and students. STOP Grant, $650,000, application completed by deadline for Chino and Fontana. ASES Grant, currently for Fontana. Will apply for Chino. Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant, update in December, Prop 39 leases, etc... LACOE Grant, $10,000, Genius Initiative for Fontana.
Board Focus Areas Trimester 1 Report - Monthly Board Report 2025-2026, review by S. Cognetta, C. Moreno, and S. Lazo
Chino Presentation, Video Production
8th Grade, Students A. Quizon and A. Torres
Egg Drops - partnership with University of Redlands and had a Zoom Call with Professor
Eggs used were a donation by C. Birchler
G.
Student Celebrations
H.
Public Comments
N/A
II. Items Scheduled for Consent
A.
Approve Minutes for October 13, 2025, Regular Board Meeting
Passed 5-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Absent
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
B.
Approve Check Registrar
Passed 5-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
III. Governance
A.
Student Education Records Policy
Attorney General guidance based on laws updated.
School response in specific to immigration policy. Open input.
B.
Revised Suicide Prevention Policy
Current policy with updates, suggestions provided to consider.
New requirement is stakeholder input and approval by January 1st.
Input to be obtained through Chino wellness event with families.
C.
Revised Parent, Guest, and Visitor Civility Policy
Addition of explicit names and policy.
D.
Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Annual Financial Audit
Passed
Opposed
Abstained
Completion two months prior to statutory deadline; met Chino Valley Unified School District requested completion date of October 15.
No audit findings.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Absent
|
IV. Items Scheduled for Discussion, Action, Other Business
A.
Job Description: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Passed 5-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Absent
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
V. Finance
A.
FY26 Budget - ASA Chino
Passed 5-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
B.
FY26 Budget - ASA Fontana
Passed 5-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Absent
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
C.
Charter School Revolving Loan Fund (CSFA)
Approved in October by Charter School Finance Authority,
VI. Communications
A.
Communications
Sebastian Cognetta
Board Training, responsible for governance and oversight.
Board focus report.
Marcilyn Jones
Enjoyed literature day, helped out in the classroom. Happy Veteran's Day! Winner of Socktober, special dinner. Enjoyed focus area review, collaboration. Passion behind it - teachers and observations. Ideal world, working together - Admin, teachers, and staff.
Shantay Thompson
No comment
Shehzad Bhojani
Good job, lots happening, literature day to veterans assemblies to teacher coffee bars. Board focus areas - holistic view and standpoint. Appreciate work and time. As a board member it provides a better understanding of what is happening.
Martin Casas
Visited the Fontana campus a few weeks ago, saw amazing work being done by Teachers and staff. Encourage all to walk around and look at it in person - enlightened. Amazing presentation by students and working with the University. Students are learning how they want to learn!
Troy Stevens
Presentation of focus group and goals. Thank you Shehzad Bhojani for working with Sebastian Cognetta. Thank you to the students for the video on how far the egg drops fall - evolution. Excited for AI. Parent involvement, AI can be intimidating. Happy Veteran's Day to all the veterans. Attended an outside veterans celebration, where $1M was raised for organizations and families of veterans. Importance of being kind to people. Communicating opinions in a respectful way.
Board Ethics and Transparency Training
Presented by Procopio, Kevin Davis
- Laws relating to personal financial gain by pubic officials
- Laws relating to perquisites of office
- Government transparency laws
- Laws relating to fair process
Certificates to be maintained in Central Office
To be renewed every two years.