Allegiance STEAM Academy
Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date and Time
Monday May 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Location
ONSITE MEETING LOCATION:
5862 C Street
Chino, Ca. 91710
SATELLITE MEETING LOCATIONS:
7930 Locust Ave.
Fontana, Ca. 92336
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91952308661
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 (remote), M. Jones, S. Bhojani, S. Odo (remote), S. Thompson, T. Stevens
Directors Absent
None
Directors who left before the meeting adjourned
S. Odo
Guests Present
C. Moreno, Carmelita Lopez, J. Dizon, K. Holt, S. Cognetta, S. Lazo, S. Lopez, Steven Garcia (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Approval of Agenda
Passed 7-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
E.
Reports
F.
Student Celebrations
8th Grade
Teacher, K. Cameron
Students, A. Munsey and E. Okamoto
Costa Rica trip for 8th grade students across both campuses.
This year 17 people attended; 4 adults, 13 students
Presentation shown.
Activities included horseback riding, beach visits, and hikes.
Students stated that it brought classmates together/bonding.
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 to order at 6:06pm
Closed session to consider a student discipline matter
III. Open Session
A.
Report from Closed Session
Open Session called to order at 7:54pm
Pursuant to educational code section 48918, following consideration of this matter, the Board voted to continue the matter and extend the student suspension pending completion, the investigation, and further review. No further reportable action was taken.
IV. Items Scheduled for Consent
A.
Approve Minutes for April 13, 2026, Regular Board Meeting
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
B.
Approve Minutes for April 27, 2026, Special Board Meeting
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
C.
Approve Check Registrar
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
D.
Approve Check Registrar
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
V. Governance
A.
Board Member Term Expiration Update
Three Board Members with terms expiring in June 2026 will return for new terms.
- S. Bhojani
- M. Jones
- S. Thompson
B.
Annual Review and Approval of Homeless Education Policy
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
C.
Annual Review and Approval of Parental Involvement Policy
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
VI. Items Scheduled for Discussion, Action, Other Business
A.
Revisions to the English Learner Master Plan
Approved 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
VII. Finance
A.
FY26 Budget - ASA Chino
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
B.
FY26 Budget - ASA Fontana
Approved 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
VIII. Communications
A.
Communications
S. Cognetta, CEO
Celebrating our eighth grade class as they finish next week, at both schools. Chino being in operation so long we get to invite our graduating seniors back to share their stories with our current eighth graders. Congratulations everyone!
S. Bhojani
Thank you to all the staff for all the hard work. The idea of celebrating our students four years down the road is really powerful. Celebrating the story of our students, where they go and the experiences we provide for them to take them there. Thank you to the staff on the focus areas. It's helpful to tell our story using data and providing checkpoints as the year goes on. Thank you for everything that you do.
M. Jones.
Thank you to the teachers and all the staff. Congratulations to all of our 8th graders who are graduating next week. Excited for Steam Live to come this week.
M. Casas
Thank you to all the teachers for all their hard work and the students graduating. The presentation on Costa Rica was amazing. This is my first time being on this board, and have had an awesome experience and look forward to the next school year. Thank you to everyone for all the work that they put in.
S. Thompson
Recognition to the staff, and all their hard work.
J. Kaakuahiwi
First year on the board, have enjoyed all the camaraderie amongst the board members and the staff - thank you for all of that. The kids presenting on Costa Rica was a treat.
T. Stevens
Thanks to everybody, it's been a great school year. I'm really excited about the implementation of the educational piece Thank you to the teachers on both sides that put the wheels in motion and get the results out of the kids. I'm excited to see the results of the LCAP at the next meeting.
Thank you to Kathleen Lanathoua. There's a lot of people that have been here since the beginning, and this school has thrived because of individuals who have committed to making the school what it is and this organization what it is. Kathleen goes above and beyond in everything that she does. Thank her for all her services.
Costa Rica, awesome presentation.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Odo |
Absent
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
K. Holt, Chino Principal
- 8th grade dance was a lot of fun.
- Teacher/staff appreciation luncheon, taco truck come out. We had a full week of appreciating our staff.
- CASP state testing.
- Softball game coming up, staff versus the eighth grade.
- Alumni reception with students graduating from high school, fun night hearing them give advice to our current eighth grade students.
- Corporate challenge kicked off May 2nd.
- Volunteer appreciation luncheon with parents and families.
- TNTP visit last week, which was a great time for us to shadow, walk them through classrooms, and debrief.
- Tailgate coming up, with a performance tomorrow from first grade.
PACK, Chino
- Staff appreciation, PACK helped a lot with that.
- Preparing volunteers ready for tailgate. Middle school students who have bands will perform this year.
S. Garcia, Fontana Coor. of Special Programs/Admin Designee
- TNTP visit took place on May 5th. It included a meeting with Administration. They observed classrooms, and then had some staff and student leadership groups.
- Completed testing for CAASP.
- Middle school dance was held two weeks ago
- 8th grade kickball game was on Friday.
- May 12th, seventh grade classes will perform, then on May 14th 6th grade class will perform.
- May 14th, STEAM Live from 3 to 6pm.
- May 18th, 8th grade class is going to Knott's for a field trip.
- May 19th, awards ceremony across all grades. And then that same day at 5 o'clock, our 8th grade students are going to walk across the stage at eHigh.
- May 21st, last day of school and field day for eighth graders.
- May 22nd we have our end of year closeout and our reflection for staff.
- May 26th to June thirtieth, we have our summer/ESY program.
- Partnership with the Boys and Girls Club for a new program.
PACK, Fontana
N/A
S. Cognetta, CEO
- PACK gratitude, recognition of hardworking staff.
- Field Trip overhaul rollout.
- June Board meeting updates
- Attendance reports
- Financial and grants update
- Chino, Food Service vendor update
- HR, Meet and Greet for interested candidates - May 14th