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

J. Kaakuahiwi called a meeting of the board of directors of Allegiance STEAM Academy to order on Monday Sep 14, 2026 at 5:31 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Approval of Agenda

T. Stevens made a motion to Approve the Agenda for Regular Board Meeting.
S. Odo seconded the motion.

Passed 5-0

Opposed
Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

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: 

  • Howling with the Community
  • ELAC
  • Family Night 10/7
  • Information Night, 6th Grade 10/8
  • High School Informational Meeting/Showcase, 8th Grade 10/8

PACK Chino

Ms. Barajas - First year in office, with new Board

Strong start, working on spirit wear.

Events:

  • Fall Festival 10/9

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:

  • Red Friday

Events:

  • Monday Live
  • Hispanic Heritage Month

PACK Fontana

  • Picnic
  • Book Fair, October

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

M. Jones arrived at 5:49 PM.

F.

Public Comments

N/A

II. Consent Items

A.

Approve Minutes

S. Odo made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors on 08-17-26.
T. Stevens seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

S. Bhojani made a motion to Approve the Check Registrar for ASA Chino.
T. Stevens seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

S. Odo made a motion to Approve the Check Registrar for ASA Fontana.
M. Jones seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

T. Stevens made a motion to Approve and adopt Authorization of Declaration of Need for Fully Qualified Educators - Local Assignment Options: Course Assignments Consistent with Education Code 44258.3.
M. Jones seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

S. Bhojani made a motion to Approve the CTC Waiver for Speech Language Pathologist.
S. Odo seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

T. Stevens made a motion to Approve the Unaudited Actuals Financial Report for the 2025-26 fiscal year for Allegiance STEAM Academy - Chino.
S. Bhojani seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

S. Odo made a motion to Approve the Unaudited Actuals Financial Report for the 2025-26 fiscal year for Allegiance STEAM Academy - Fontana.
M. Casas seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

T. Stevens made a motion to Approve and adopt the Revised FY 27 Budget - ASA Chino.
M. Jones seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

S. Odo made a motion to Approve and adopt the Revised 27 Budget - ASA Fontana.
M. Casas seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

 

*Note update to SY 26, should be noted as 27.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

S. Odo made a motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board.
M. Casas seconded the motion.

Passed 6-0

Opposed

Abstained

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Odo
Aye
T. Stevens
Aye
S. Thompson
Absent
S. Bhojani
Aye
M. Casas
Aye
J. Kaakuahiwi
Aye
M. Jones
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:46 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Kaakuahiwi