Allegiance STEAM Academy
Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date and Time
Monday September 14, 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/92872280032
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 (remote), S. Bhojani, S. Odo, T. Stevens
Directors Absent
S. Thompson
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
M. Jones
Guests Present
C. Moreno, C. Valenta (remote), Carmelita Lopez, J. Dizon, K. Holt, M. Felix (remote), R. Lucatero, 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
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Absent
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
E.
Reports
F.
Public Comments
N/A
II. Consent Items
A.
Approve Minutes
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
B.
Check Registrar - ASA Chino
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
C.
Check Registrar - ASA Fontana
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
III. Items Scheduled for Discussion, Action, Other Business
A.
Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators - Local Assignment Options
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
B.
CTC Waiver for Speech Language Pathologist
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
IV. Finance
A.
Unaudited Actuals Financial Report for FY 2025-26: ASA Chino
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
B.
Unaudited Actuals Financial Report for FY 2025-26: ASA Fontana
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
C.
Revised FY 27 Budget - ASA Chino
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
D.
Revised FY 26 Budget - ASA Fontana
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
*Note update to SY 26, should be noted as 27.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
V. Communications
A.
Communications
S. Cognetta, CEO
Welcomes input on updates
Annual Governance Training
S. Bhojani
Thank you! Flow, triads on the horizon
Afterschool Program
Impact Report acknowledgement. Appreciation for effort.
T. Stevens
Thank you for all the input.
Board is content to receive all the information
Thank you to students presenters
Looking forward to the rest of the school year
S. Odo
Student Presentations - future scientists.
Thank you for all the hard work - informative.
Thank you to the Principals.
Alumna will be completing an Eagle Project at the Chino campus, Saturday and Sunday.
Thank you to the PACK for support of the Eagle Project
M. Casas
Impressed by the students - testament to the hardwork
Thank you for the Impact Report - visuals and percentages
J. Kaakuahiwi
Impact Report 93 89 - understanding our students; students are feeling seen and heard, and succeeding academically
Board Member interest in attending annual charter school conferences - CSDC/CCSA
M. Jones
Thank you to students and leadership.
Impact Report
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Passed 6-0
Opposed
Abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Odo |
Aye
|
| T. Stevens |
Aye
|
| S. Thompson |
Absent
|
| S. Bhojani |
Aye
|
| M. Casas |
Aye
|
| J. Kaakuahiwi |
Aye
|
| M. Jones |
Aye
|
Principal Chino, K. Holt
TNTP classroom visits
Coaching cycles
New Teacher Training - Packwise University
ELOP, Clubs-Sports-Tutoring
Leadership, welcoming students
Mental Health Awareness
Benchmark Testing 09/28-10/02
Events:
PACK Chino
Ms. Barajas - First year in office, with new Board
Strong start, working on spirit wear.
Events:
Principal Fontana, C. Valenta
Welcomed Dr. Foster, along with FUSD Members for an oversight visit.
Teachers are completing Benchmarks and preparing for Triads
ELOP, Clubs-Sports-Tutoring
Attendance Recovery, holding second Saturday Session
Service Learning Projects:
Events:
PACK Fontana
CEO, S. Cognetta
Organization Wide Updates
Renewal, Fontana
2025-2026 Impact Report
FUSD Oversight Visit
Overnight Trips for Spring Break
Budget, Financials - Chino/Fontana Surplus', Intraorganizational Loan
Silicon Schools AI Exploration Grant
Facilities
Staffing
Board Focus Areas Review
Student Celebrations
Chino Campus, Teacher S. Hameister - 6th Grade Students