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.
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
B.
Record Attendance
C.
Pledge of Allegiance
D.
Approval of Agenda
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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.
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| A. Schaner |
Aye
|
| T. Breckenridge |
Aye
|
| L. Cavazos |
Aye
|
| S. Subramanya |
Aye
|
| C. Nunley |
Aye
|
| B. Rohrer |
Aye
|
Board Member Subramanya led the Pledge of Allegiance.