Board, staff and guests conducted the pledge of allegiance.

Refer to the attendance information recorded above. S. Perez, Student Board Member, was present at the meeting.

No public comments were made at this time.

S. Perez, Student Board Member, announced her excitement to join her first Board Meeting as the Student Board Member. Board Members welcomed her.

M. Muhammedov, Board Chair, announced that the Board will be going into closed session to discuss conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation, conference with real property negotiations, and public employee performance evaluation for the CEO & Superintendent. 

Item was discussed in Closed Session.

Item was discussed in Closed Session.

Item was discussed in Closed Session.

M. Muhammedov, reported at 6:59pm that on the item of conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation, the Board took no action deligated staff to take necessary actions. On the item of conference with real property negotiations, the Board took no action guided staff on next steps. On the item of public employee performance evaluation for the CEO & Superintendent, the Board will report and take action during the action item on the agenda for the approval of CEO contract.

A. Zarnich, Director of Charter Petitions and Reporting, reported on the submission of the authorization for the submission of the Material Revision for Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-4 to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). He reported on the process and the call for action that triggered this submission which relates to the relocation of the school and enrollment change. Board Members expressed their excitement for this upcoming change. 

M. Wittek, Director of Student Services, reported that the Board was updated on this policy as an informational item at an earlier board meeting. She added that the policy is in line with the new California state law which the cell phone policy would help lower distractions that takes students away from learning. Additionally, she added that educational partners were engaged for input and legal counsel assisted in its draft. She went over the components of the policy. Board Members questions were addressed by staff. S. Perez, Student Board Member, voiced approval for the plan in place.

M. Wittek, Director of Student Services, reported that part of the diligence in the implementation of the cell phone policy was looking at options on how to keep students safe while also focusing on the learning environment and upholding the policy. She added that the ask is to approve the digital application, The Commons, to pilot it at Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-1 and MSA-5. She reported on the usage and tools of the application that would benefit the execution of the policy while also aligning with the California Ed Code. She also added that this would involve parents and educational partners. Board Members questions were addressed by staff and representatives of, The Commons, Julia and Shanon. 

M. Wittek, Director of Student Services, reported that the Board last approved this policy back in 2020. She went over the updates to the Suicide Prevention Policy that came post-pandemic. She added that in addition to a Crisis team that would be at the Home Office level, she is working with Departments to ensure the expectations on staff training is aligned and that the requirements to the students' identification cards and auto reply emails with resources are added.

F. Del Carpio, Chief People Officer, reported on the limited authority to the CEO & Superintendent to make staffing decisions such as creating, eliminating, and reclassifying positions within the Board approved budgets. She added that this is to support timely response to staffing needs across MPS network. She added within the resolution, there is no authority for staff to use reserves or approve major restructuring without Board approval. Staffing changes must align to the mission, stay within the approved budget, and be vetted by the executive team. Board voiced their opinions on the process and to ensure transparency. 

K. Jimenez, Assistant Facilities Project Manager, reported on the change order for the Magnolia Science Academy(MSA)-5 project. She reported that the change order would assist with keeping the project on schedule on time. In addition staff and Gateway would continue to monitor the work carefully. She went over the breakdown of the change order costs. M. Muhammedov, Board Chair, added that he was briefed on this item by staff as the Chair of the Audit/Facilities Committee, and added that what was presented was thoroughly checked and that the changes are needed for the project to continue. 

K. Jimenez, Assistant Facilities Project Manager, reported on Zingo Construction to do tenant improvement project at the 412 Anaheim site where Magnolia Science Academy-Orange County will be. She went over the request for proposal (RFP) process and the proposals received. She reported that the selection committee determined that Zingo was the best option for the project. She added that the time for completion would be by the end of July. Board Members questions were addressed by staff. 

M. Muhammedov, Board Chair reported: "Regarding the CEO contract approval, I am legally required to publicly disclose the terms of any employment contract or addendum affecting the CEO. The proposed Addendum sets a new annual base salary of $281,500. All other terms of the CEO’s employment remain as stated in the 2024 Employment Agreement. If approved today, the CEO’s total compensation will be as follows, retroactively effective for July 1, 2025: (1) Two years remaining on a three year term of employment; (2) A work schedule of a minimum of 246 days annually; (3) An annual base salary of $281,500 for the 2025-2026 school year; (4) Sick Leave, 48 hours of which will be frontloaded, with the rest to accrue over the year; (5) Vacation leave to accrue at the rate of 20 days per year; (6) Two floating holidays per year; (7) $22,594.44 toward annual health benefit premiums; (8) Basic term life insurance and long-term disability insurance as provided to other MPS employees; (9) Reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year for professional membership and dues; (10) Up to $5,000 per year for tuition repayment assistance; (11) $51,856.56 in mandatory contributions to CalSTRS.

I would also note that the annual salary is in keeping with the compensation comparability study adopted by the Board on June 26, 2025.”

The Board voiced that it has been a pleasure to work alongside A. Rubalcava, CEO & Superintendent. Voiced that this year has been a lot of growth, challenges and accomplishments. A. Rubalcava, thanked everyone at Magnolia the accomplishments and testament of everyone. 

F. Cristerna-Adame, Senior Project Director of Growth & Expansion, provided detailed updates on the enrollment across all Magnolia school sites. In addition she went over the enrollment for the new Anaheim and Placentia Yorba Linda sites. M. Rowel founding Principal at Magnolia Science Academy(MSA)-Orange County added that they onboarded staff and are continuing the growing momentum and energy to continue increasing enrollment. F. Cristerna-Adame added that they have Open Houses every Saturday for the MSA-Orange County schools both in-person and virtual. A. Rubalcava, CEO & Superintendent, clarified that both Magnolia Science Academy-Orange County Anaheim and Magnolia Science Academy-Orange County Placentia Yorba Linda are both located in the city of Anaheim to clear the confusion. Board Members questions were addressed by staff and voiced concern for the low enrollment count of the MSA-Orange County schools. Staff added they will continue to bring more information and updates to future board meetings and are working with staff to ensure diligence on enrollment and budget.