Allegiance STEAM Academy
Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date and Time
Monday April 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Location
ONSITE MEETING LOCATION:
7930 Locust Ave.
Fontana, Ca. 92336
SATELLITE MEETING LOCATIONS:
5862 C Street
Chino, Ca. 91710
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99051838799
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD BY PARENTS AND CITIZENS
Allegiance STEAM Academy- Thrive charter schools (“Allegiance STEAM Academy”), also known as ASA Thrive, are direct-funded, independent, public charter schools 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.” Members of the public who wish to speak are encouraged to complete a Request to Speak card to assist in organizing comments. Submitting a card is not required in order to address the Board.
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. Members of the public may join the meeting via Zoom (link above) and will be given an opportunity to speak. To provide public comment through Zoom, please use the ‘Raise Hand’ feature during the Public Comments section or when prompted by the Board President. 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 disability-related accommodations or modifications to participate in the meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, should contact Sara Lopez, Chief Operations Officer, at sara.lopez@asathrive.org at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Directors Present
J. Kaakuahiwi, M. Casas, M. Jones, S. Bhojani, S. Odo, S. Thompson, T. Stevens
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
C. Moreno, C. Valenta, K. Holt, S. Cognetta, S. Lazo, S. Lopez (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Approval of Agenda
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Abstain
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
E.
Reports
F.
Student Celebrations
Drumline Student Performance
A. Thornhill, School Counselor & ELOP Drumline Club Leader
6 students (various grade levels)
G.
Public Comments
N/A
II. Closed Session
A.
Public Comments on Closed Session Items
N/A
B.
Closed Session - For Discussion/Possible Action
Closed Session called at 6:16pm
III. Open Session
A.
Report from Closed Session
Open Session called at 7:14pm
No action being taken at this time.
IV. Items Scheduled for Consent
A.
Approve Minutes for March 9, 2026, Regular Board Meeting
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
B.
Approve Check Registrar
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
C.
Approve Check Registrar
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
V. Governance
A.
Board Member Term Expiration Update
Positions expiring, three total.
Move forward with Ad Hoc Committee, to include S. Cognetta, M. Jones, and J. Kaaehuahiwi
B.
Review and Approval of Form 990 – Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
VI. Items Scheduled for Discussion, Action, Other Business
A.
CVUSD and ASA: Amended Facilities Memorandum of Understanding (2026-2027)
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
B.
Revisions to the English Learner Master Plan
Discussion around revisions and basic changes of language
Criteria around basic skills to English language peers
C.
Appointment of Administrative Panel for Student Expulsions
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
Panel approved to consist of five individuals; Board Members (3) and Administration (2).
M. Casas, J. Kaaekuahiwi, S. Thompson, S. Cognetta, S. Lopez
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
VII. Finance
A.
FY26 Budget - ASA Chino
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
B.
FY26 Budget - ASA Fontana
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
VIII. Communications
A.
Communications
S. Cognetta
Last portion of school year. Reminder to all to ramp up, not slow down.
M. Jones
End of year. Shoutout to 6th grade teachers, attended field trip - well organized.
Almost to the end.
M. Casas
Thanks to teachers and Fontana school. Appreciate commitment to all, Chino and Fontana.
S. Thompson
Shoutout to Drumline performance, 5th-8th grades. Attended Chino track meet, all day event - well organized, amazing job.
S. Bhojani
Kuddos to our team, certificated and classified staff.
J. Kaaekuahiwi
Thank you to the staff.
Fontana event was phenomenal, well organized. Looking forward to closing out first year on the Board for ASA.
T. Stevens
Track event, Chino and Fontana won several medals with dedicated coaches starting at 5am.
Thank you everyone. New Board members that joined this year have provided additional insights, conversations, and discussions. Staff, great job on AI moving forward. Looking forward to end of year activities and events. Drumline fantastic.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
Principal - Chino, K. Holt
Color Run, Spring walkthroughs, Bridge Tutoring and ELOP clubs have concluded; Spring Break ELOP held - approx 40 students attended, Math Night Tri 3 - Math in the Real World, Staff spirit - secret spirit week, Field Trips, Middle School Talent Show, City of Chino - Corporate Challenge kick off. State Testing, Volunteer Appreciation event, Alumni Event
Principal - Fontana, C. Valenta
Acknowledged volunteers and PACK. Howl Festival, Math Night, Chino Track participation. ELOP concluded, Field Trips, Gate and State Testing, Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. Service Learning Project - community clean up. Instructional Rounds.
PACK - Chino
Someone Special dance, Color Run. Meeting to be held this week.
PACK - Fontana, President
Hockey Game, Ontario Reign - fundraising booth. Preparing for Staff Appreciation week. Field Day.
CEO - S. Cognetta
Highlights and Successes: AI Taskforce, Field Trip improvement initiative, Attendance Recovery - ELOP
Attendance: ADA
Grants: CTC Teacher Residency Implementation Grant, K12 Strong Workforce Grant, MS Foundation Academy Grant, Learning Communities for School Success Program
Facilities: Chino, shade structure, no action at this time. Fontana, plans for play structure have been approved - no update regarding shade structure.
CalSTRS: Discussion regarding pensions