Element Education

Minutes

Governing Board Meeting

Date and Time

Friday January 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Location

1441 Montiel Road #145
Escondido, CA 92026

The Governing Board (“Board”) will assemble in person at 1441 Montiel Road, Ste 145, Escondido, CA 92026. Employees of Element Education who will be presenting and anyone wishing to speak during public comment may do so in person or via the MS Teams platform by clicking on the link provided below. 

 

Members of the public who wish to comment during the Board meeting may complete the Public Comment Speaker Card. In general, individual speakers are permitted three minutes to address the Board on each agenda or non-agenda item.  The Board will limit the total time for public input on each item to 15 minutes per side (approve/deny) of the topic.  In exceptional circumstances, the Board President may, with Board consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time allotted for each speaker.  Any such adjustment shall be made equitably to allow for a diversity of viewpoints.  The President may also stipulate that speakers not repeat arguments already made by other speakers to allow for broader range of input.

 

Digital Sign- In Sheet

 

Join the Meeting: Use this Link to log on.

 

1441 Montiel Road #145  

Escondido, CA 92026

 

PURPOSE
The purpose of Element Education, Inc. (EEI) is to develop and operate charter schools which create avenues for “new instruction, new management, and new governance in public schools.” The organization operates from a place of Servant Leadership in supporting the elements of personalized learning.

VISION
The vision of EEI is to create model programs for deep and meaningful learning and attract and develop innovative and effective educators who instill the mindset and skills for developing agency in, and ownership of, life-long learning. 

MISSION
The mission of its schools and programs is to promote a culture of mastery, autonomy, and purpose for all stakeholders through personalized learning plans developed with insight and experience of learning styles, appropriate resources, and learning networks for success in work, life, and citizenship. 

Directors Present

A. Schaner, B. Rohrer, C. Nunley, L. Cavazos, S. Subramanya, T. Breckenridge

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

S. Michaels, T. Novacek

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

C. Nunley called a meeting of the board of directors of Element Education to order on Friday Jan 30, 2026 at 12:02 PM.

B.

Record Attendance

C.

Pledge of Allegiance

Board Member Subramanya led the Pledge of Allegiance.

D.

Approval of Agenda

T. Breckenridge made a motion to approve the agenda.
B. Rohrer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Cavazos
Aye
C. Nunley
Aye
S. Subramanya
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye
B. Rohrer
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye

E.

Oath of Office: Board Member Leila Cavazos

Ms. Novacek administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Cavazos.

II. Recognitions and Presentations

A.

Staff Recognition

Mr. Otte recognized Ms. Lucido, Ms. Bolanos, Mr. Evanko, and Mr. Clark for their dedication and hard work. 

Ms. Novacek recognized Ms. States for her work implementing Power Traits with students.

B.

School Presentation-Community Montessori

Mr. Otte presented updates and activities within CM.

C.

Student Recognition/Presentation-Community Montessori

Liliana Green and Vera Chase, CM upper elementary school students, shared a Montessori presentation with the Board.

D.

Local Control and Accountability Plan Mid-Year Presentation-Community Montessori

Mr. Otte shared a mid-year LCAP presentation with the Board.

E.

School Presentation-Dimensions Collaborative School

Mr. Johnson presented updates and activities within DCS.

F.

Local Control and Accountability Plan Mid-Year Presentation-Dimensions Collaborative School

Mr. Johnsson shared a mid-year LCAP presentation with the Board.

III. Approval of Consent Items

A.

Approval of Closed Board Meeting Minutes on December 5, 2025

B. Rohrer made a motion to approve the minutes Executive Session on 12-05-25.
S. Subramanya seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Rohrer
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye
S. Subramanya
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye
C. Nunley
Aye

B.

Approval of Regular Board Meeting Minutes on December 5, 2025

B. Rohrer made a motion to approve the minutes from Governing Board Meeting on 12-05-25.
S. Subramanya seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Breckenridge
Aye
S. Subramanya
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye
C. Nunley
Aye
B. Rohrer
Aye

C.

Approval of Check Run for November 2025

B. Rohrer made a motion to Approve the Check Run for November.
S. Subramanya seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
B. Rohrer
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye
S. Subramanya
Aye
C. Nunley
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye

D.

Approval of Check Run for December 2025

B. Rohrer made a motion to Approve the Check Run for December 2025.
S. Subramanya seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Nunley
Aye
S. Subramanya
Aye
B. Rohrer
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye

IV. Information Item-Chief Business Officer Report

A.

Financial Position of Schools

Mr. Miller presented current financial information for Community Montessori and
Dimensions Collaborative School.

B.

Technology Report

Mr. Miller reported on recent technology projects and updates.

V. Information Item-Director of Human Resources Report

A.

Employment Activity

Ms. Sihota reviewed her written report on recent hires and current openings.

B.

Professional Learning Activity (external)

Ms. Sihota reviewed her written report on employees who engaged in formal professional
learning since the last board meeting.

VI. Information Item-Chief Operations Officer Report

A.

Facilities Update

Mr. Yung reported on the status of recent facility improvements.

B.

Resource Management

Mr. Yung shared a report on resource management projects and improvements.

VII. Executive Director Report

A.

Legislative Update

Ms. Novacek reported that Assemblymember Darshana Patel has been appointed Chair of the Assembly Education and shared that planning has begun for Spring Forward and SOaR, a virtual Spring Wellness Event for the learning community to be held on Friday, April 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

B.

Strategic Planning Update

Ms. Novacek reported that Thrive, an organization that partners with nonprofits to develop strategic plans, surveyed staff, facilitated a workshop with 21 committee members, and prepared a report that was presented to the Board for feedback; the results will be reviewed with Thrive to determine next steps.

VIII. Action Items-Element Education

A.

Consideration of Board Policy and Administrative Procedures Policy.

A. Schaner made a motion to Approve Administrative Procedures Policy.
T. Breckenridge seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Nunley
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye
S. Subramanya
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye
B. Rohrer
Aye

B.

Consideration of Student Behavioral Health Policy

S. Subramanya made a motion to Approve Student Behavioral Health Policy.
L. Cavazos seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Subramanya
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye
C. Nunley
Aye
B. Rohrer
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye

IX. Action Items-Community Montessori

A.

Consideration of First Interim Budget

A. Schaner made a motion to Approve First Interim Budget.
S. Subramanya seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Nunley
Aye
B. Rohrer
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye
S. Subramanya
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye

X. Action Items-Dimensions Collaborative School

A.

Consideration of First Interim Budget

B. Rohrer made a motion to Approve First Interim Budget.
T. Breckenridge seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Subramanya
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye
C. Nunley
Aye
B. Rohrer
Aye
A. Schaner
Aye

XI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

B. Rohrer made a motion to Adjourn the meeting.
A. Schaner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Schaner
Aye
T. Breckenridge
Aye
L. Cavazos
Aye
S. Subramanya
Aye
C. Nunley
Aye
B. Rohrer
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Nunley