Allegiance STEAM Academy
Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date and Time
Monday December 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Location
ONSITE MEETING LOCATION:
7930 Locust Ave.
Fontana, Ca. 92336
SATELLITE MEETING LOCATIONS:
5862 C St.
Chino, Ca. 91710
https://zoom.us/j/94959976164
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, S. Odo, S. Thompson, T. Stevens
Directors Absent
M. Jones, S. Bhojani
Guests Present
C. Moreno, Carmelita Lopez, J. Dizon (remote), K. Holt, S. Cognetta, S. Lazo, S. Lopez
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Approval of Agenda
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
E.
Reports
F.
Student Celebrations
Fontana Campus, Mrs. Delk - 1st and 7th Grades
Students, M. Ramirez and M. Ramirez
STEAM Activity, Snowflakes
STEAM process and use of specific materials to engineer a snowflake.
G.
Public Comments
The floor was opened for public comments - no comments submitted.
II. Items Scheduled for Consent
A.
Approve Minutes for November 12, 2025, Regular Board Meeting
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
B.
Approve Check Registrar
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
III. Governance
A.
Student Education Records Policy
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
B.
Revised Suicide Prevention Policy
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
C.
Revised Parent, Guest, and Visitor Civility Policy
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
IV. Items Scheduled for Discussion, Action, Other Business
A.
Williams Settlement – Fiscal Year 2024–25 Annual Report
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
B.
Allegiance STEAM Academy Organization-Wide Discount Program with Sylvan Learning Centers
Presented by Board Member, M. Casas
Interested in ways to keep students engaged, especially during school breaks. Inquired with Sylvan Learning Center in Chino to work with ASA students. QR code available to share with ASA families. Tutoring is currently available through ASA ELOP. Sylvan Learning Center is optional and participation is paid by families not the school.
Communication to be sent to ASA families.
V. Finance
A.
FY26 Budget - ASA Chino
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
B.
FY26 Budget - ASA Fontana
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
C.
Approval of the 2025–26 First Interim Financial Report - ASA Chino
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
D.
Approval of the 2025–26 First Interim Financial Report - ASA Fontana
Passed 5-0
Opposed 0
Abstained 0
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
VI. Communications
A.
Communications
Sebastian Cognetta
End of 2025, grateful for work of team. Leadership framework to provide clarity and support sites. Solid start to school year, including objective measures. Board training to ensure governance is sound, responsible, and best for our students.
Martin Casas
End of the year, continue going strong. Looking forward to 2026.
Samantha Odo
Thank you all, looking forward to next year.
Shantay Thompson
Looking forward to parade. Keep up the good work!
Jacob
Glad to be part of the team.
Troy Stevens
Thank you to the students presenting in the celebrations. Healthy competitions being witnessed on both campuses. Parent involvement makes organizations better.
Safe travels, and happy new year.
Principal - Chino, Kathleen Holt
Student Development: Trimester 1 completed. Awards ceremony, this year added mileage club achievement of 25 miles and classroom attendance awards for those who scored highest average attendance during Tri 1. Paw prints for every class that has 100% daily. Started Bridge and PAWS. Hearing and vision testing completed, and held first Saturday school.
Teacher Development: Completed mid-year evaluations for Teachers. Started second cycle of PLN.
Community Events: Held second School Site Council meeting, Friday Morning Mileage Club, and First Annual Turkey Trot. Upcoming events - PACK Meeting, Howling with the Community, Chino Parade
Principal - Fontana, Cyndi Valenta
Teacher Development: Staff mid-year evaluations. Launch GiveThanks, computer based gratitude program. Program will be called Thankful Thursdays. Genius Initiative, about underachieving students and allowing Tier 1-3 interventions.
Community Events: Central Office provided a Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Upcoming events - Christmas Parade, second year participating in Fontana Santa Toy Drive, and Winter STEAM Day.
PACK - Chino, update provided by Kathleen Holt
Limo lunch for students who sold 25+ items for Fall Festival. PACK provided costumes for Administration during Turkey Trot. Coffee bar for staff prior to fall break. Sponsored Winter Door Decorating Contest, Enrichment Teachers were judges. BMX and Free Flyers Anti-Bullying Assembly.
PACK - Fontana, update provided by Cyndi Valenta
Fundraisers: Book Fair raised $5,000+, Read a Thon raised $6,000+. Fall Festival scheduled for March.
CEO, Sebastian Cognetta
Key Highlights:
- Open enrollment 2026-2027, running October through December. Currently 337 applications; Chino 239 and Fontana 98.
- Leadership Framework and Development
Attendance and Enrollment:
- Chino, 957 enrollment
- Fontana, 360 enrollment
Grant and External Funding:
- California Advance Service Fund Adoption - Broadband Access (Fontana), Awarded
- Career Tech Education Implementation (Chino and Fontana), Awarded
- New Schools Venture Fund (Chino and Fontana), Applied
- After School Education and Safety (Chino), Applied
- After School Education and Safety (Fontana), Applied
Investment:
Exploring investment options for Payment Protection Plan Account