The meeting will be called to order at 8:00 am.

Board Chair, Mr. Jesse Gaona, will call the name of each Board Member, and each member in attendance will state, “Present.”

Mr. Jesse Gaona - 

Mr. Jonathan Mendez - 

Mr. Gilberto Rivera Jr. - 

Guidelines for Public Comment 

This is an opportunity for citizens to address the school board on any item that is on the agenda and other school related matters, or suggest topics for future agendas. With regards to items not on the agenda, the Board cannot discuss or take action per state law. 

Speakers who wish to address the Board must fill out and return a Speaker’s Card prior to the beginning of the meeting. Speakers shall limit their comments to three minutes or less. Charges or complaints against employees should be submitted first to the Superintendent and then to the Governing Board under the provisions of the Governing Board Policy (BP 1312.1 Complaints Concerning School Employees). Speakers are cautioned that under California Law, no person is immune from liability for making intentionally false or defamatory comments regarding any person simply because those comments are made at a public meeting.

 PLEASE LIMIT COMMENTS TO THREE (3) MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL. TOTAL TIME FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON EACH ITEM IS LIMITED TO TWELVE (12) MINUTES.

1.  Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
2.   Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation     
3.   Pupil Personnel - Consideration of Student Discipline
4.   Public Employee Assignment/ Discipline/ Dismissal/ Release/ Reassignment/ Transfer for Employee -       Government Cod section 54957: Ed Code 44932(a): Section (a), Section (c), and Section (g)
5.   Acquisition of Land, Facilities, and Real Estate

Pledge will be led by Jesse Gaona.

Board Chair, Mr. Jesse Gaona will report out any action taken in Closed Session and the votes of the Board.

CEO Report

Board Member Comments by Board Members can be made at this time.

Guidelines for Public Comment 

This is an opportunity for citizens to address the school board on any item that is on the agenda and other school related matters, or suggest topics for future agendas. With regards to items not on the agenda, the Board cannot discuss or take action per state law. Speakers who wish to address the Board must fill out and return a Speaker’s Card prior to the beginning of the meeting. 

Speakers shall limit their comments to three minutes or less. Charges or complaints against employees should be submitted first to the Superintendent and then to the Governing Board under the provisions of the Governing Board Policy (BP 1312.1 Complaints Concerning School Employees). Speakers are cautioned that under California Law, no person is immune from liability for making intentionally false or defamatory comments regarding any person simply because those comments are made at a public meeting.

PLEASE LIMIT COMMENTS TO THREE (3) MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL. TOTAL TIME FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON EACH ITEM IS LIMITED TO TWELVE (12) MINUTES.

The Board of Directors will consider approving the minutes of the August 26, 2026 special board meeting.

Consent Items may be moved to the ACTION ITEM(s) - MOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA - MOJAVE RIVER ACADEMY SCHOOLS category for separate action and discussion at the request of the Board of Directors. 

*A consent agenda groups routine meeting discussion points into a single agenda item. In so doing, the grouped items can be approved in one action, rather than through the filing of multiple motions.

The Board of Directors will consider approving the designation and subsequent donation or disposal of the following obsolete, surplus, or non-functioning technology equipment as e-waste:

• Approximately 135 iMacs at an estimated current value of $500 each, totaling $67,500
• Approximately 805 Chromebooks at an estimated current value of $90 each, totaling $72,450
• Approximately 8 Omen Gaming PCs at an estimated current value of $500 each, totaling $4,000
• Approximately 8 broken monitors with no estimated current value
• Approximately 2 broken 3D printers with no estimated current value
• Miscellaneous cabling and peripherals

The total estimated current value of the equipment is approximately $143,950, excluding miscellaneous cabling and peripherals.

The IT Department is requesting that these items be designated as e-waste for donation or disposal, as appropriate.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the Board of Directors approve the 2026–2029 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE), Center for Teacher Innovation (CTI), and the Mojave River Academy charter schools for Teacher Induction Services.

BACKGROUND / SUMMARY:

Mojave River Academy charter schools participate in the Center for Teacher Innovation (CTI) Teacher Induction Program administered by the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). The program provides participating teachers with induction support, mentoring, and credentialing services to assist them in completing the requirements necessary to obtain a clear teaching credential.

The proposed MOUs establish the program scope, operational responsibilities, and fiscal terms for CTI Teacher Induction Services for the 2026–2029 term for the following seven Mojave River Academy charter schools:

• Mojave River Academy – Gold Canyon (IN300331)
• Mojave River Academy – Marble City (IN300332)
• Mojave River Academy – National Trails (IN300336)
• Mojave River Academy – Oro Grande (IN300333)
• Mojave River Academy – Rockview Park (IN300334)
• Mojave River Academy – Route 66 (IN300330)
• Mojave River Academy – Silver Mountain (IN300335)

FISCAL IMPACT:

Fee structures and per-teacher induction service rates are established in accordance with the 2026–2029 RCOE CTI fee schedule outlined in each site-specific agreement. Associated costs will be funded through the general operating budgets of the participating charter schools.

The board of directors will consider surplussing the following titles that are no longer being used with the current curriculum:

ISBN #s are listed for items that are currently tracked in our inventory system.
-Discovering Food and Nutrition 9780078616822
-Give Please a Chance
-McGraw Hill Classroom Big Books
-Ayn Rand The Fountainhead
-Ayn Rand Anthem 071162007992
-Ayn Rand We the Lining
-Lord of the Flies         9780399501487        
-The Joy Luck Club 9780143038092
-Pride and Prejudice 9781591940678
-The Story of My Life         9780553213874
-Children of the Lamp
-Crispin - The Cross of Lead
-The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
-Ender's Game 9780812550702
-ART2-D2's Guide to Folding and Doodling 9781419705342
-The Namesake 9780618485222
-Wuthering Heights
-12 Angry Men 9780143104407
-The Odyssey 9780140268867
-Huck Finn 9780141321097
-Maniac McGee 9780316809061
-Charlotte's Web 9780061124952
-The Sisters Grimm 9780810993228

The Board of Directors will consider approval of a contract between American Guard Services and Mojave River Academy for security services at designated school sites. The estimated cost for the current fiscal year is $862,267.12

The Board of Directors will consider approving Requisition No. 323 with Cintas for the provision of janitorial supplies and medical supply cabinets. The estimated expenditure for FY 2026–2027 is $100,000.00.

The Board of Directors will consider approving an agreement with The Stepping Stones Group, LLC, a California Department of Education–certified Nonpublic Agency, to provide special education related services and mental health services for the 2026–27 school year. Services will be provided on an hourly, as-needed basis based on student needs, with rates ranging from $57 to $115 per hour depending on the specialty, as outlined in the attached SY 2026–27 rate sheet. Services will be billed biweekly based on actual hours provided. The total annual cost will vary depending on student needs and services utilized. The agreement term ends July 1, 2027.

The Board of Directors will consider ratifying the out-of-state travel and training expenses for Donavan Delton’s attendance at the ALICE Instructor Certification Training in Sierra Vista, Arizona, September 1–4, 2026. The training provided the knowledge and certification necessary to effectively train Mojave River Academy staff. The approved travel budget was $2,600, which included registration, airfare, and hotel expenses.

The Board of Directors will consider approving a Clinical Supervision Services Agreement with Compassionate Heart Counseling (Christine Holmes, LCSW) to provide clinical supervision services for Associate Clinical Social Workers (ACSWs) at Mojave River Academy, effective September 18, 2026. The total cost of services under the agreement shall not exceed $25,000.

The Board of Directors will consider approving the 2025–26 Unaudited Actuals Financial Reports for all Mojave River Academy Schools: Oro Grande, Route 66, Silver Mountain, National Trails, Marble City, Rockview Park, and Gold Canyon. California Education Code Section 42100(b) requires each charter school to approve, on or before September 15, an annual statement of all receipts and expenditures for the preceding fiscal year in a format prescribed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and file it with its chartering authority. Mojave River Academy Schools received approval from its authorizer for an extension, allowing the Board to approve the reports on September 17, 2026.

The Board of Directors will consider approval of the 2025–2026 Proposition 28 annual reports for all Mojave River Academy charter schools. These reports detail the use of Arts and Music in Schools funding and confirm compliance with applicable program requirements.

The Board of Directors will consider approving the 2025-26 EPA Actuals for all Mojave River Academy Schools. Per Article XIII, Section 36(e)(6) of the California Constitution, each charter school must annually publish an accounting of Education Protection Account (EPA) funds received and their expenditures on its website.

The governing body has sole authority to determine how EPA funds are spent, and all spending decisions must be made in open session at a public meeting. EPA funds may not be used for administrator salaries, benefits, or administrative costs. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, all MRA Schools used their EPA funds for teacher salaries.

The Board of Trustees will consider approving a Services Agreement between Oro Grande School District and Mojave River Academy Schools.

The Board of Directors will consider approving the Memorandum of Understanding between Oro Grande School District and Mojave River Academy Schools that relates to Charter Oversight and Operations.

The Board of Trustees will consider approving Proposition 39 In-Lieu Agreement By and Between Oro Grande School District, Mojave River Academy Schools, and Riverside Preparatory School regarding Facilities Use.

The Board of Trustees will consider approving a Transition Settlement and Mutual Release Agreement between Oro Grande School District and Mojave River Academy Schools.

The next board meeting of the Mojave River Academy Schools Board of Directors will be held on November 12, 2026 at 8:00am at Mojave River Academy, 13911 Park Ave Suite 108, Victorville, CA 92392.