Board, staff and guests conducted the pledge of allegiance.

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

No public comments were made at this time.

G. Serce, Chief Academic Officer, shared that Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-San Diego was recognized as a 2025 California Blue Ribbon School for closing the achievement gap. He added that five (5) charter schools in California received this recognition. M. Craig, MSA-San Diego Principal, shared how proud she was of the students and staff. She thanked the school community and the MPS network and Board. She also added that MSA-San Diego will be celebrating their 20th year and will have a gala celebration for the schools accomplishments over the years. S. Orazov, Board Member, also added more recognitions of past staff who shaped the school to what it is today.

B. Olivares, Chief Impact Officer, shared the CalKids Community workshop hosted at MSA-2 in partnership with the California State Treasurer's Office and State Treasurer, Fiona Ma. Videos of a message from Fiona Ma was shown in addition to a news segment about the event. A. Rubalcava, CEO & Superintendent, added his appreciation to the State Treasurer's Office and will be looking forward to co-presenting at the California Charter School Association Conference.

E. Acar, Deputy Superintendent, provided updates on the 2030 strategic plan work. The plan will come before the Board and public at the December board meeting. 

S. Perez, Student Board Member, spoke about her first meeting and experience so far at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Superintendent Student Advisory Council. She added that she collaborated with other students and will be composing a project surrounding the roles of immigrants and their positions. She added that their group will be creating a video to educate their audience seeing how this topic is important in today's climate. 

Board Members shared their comments surrounding all the great updates and thanked all those involved.

M. Muhammedov, Board Chair, announced that the Board will be going into closed session to discuss public employee discipline/dismissal release, conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation, and conference with real property negotiations. They would report on any actions taken.

Item was discussed in Closed Session.

Item was discussed in Closed Session.

Item was discussed in Closed Session.

M. Muhammedov, reported in open session at 10:09pm that on all items in closed session, the Board took no action and directed staff to take next steps.

F. Del Carpio, Chief People Officer, reported that the action being presented was part of the responsibility to ensure long-term sustainability, instructional quality, fiscal health, and alignment with the organization’s STEAM-focused mission. She noted that certain campuses did not meet projected enrollment targets, resulting in network-wide budget shortfalls. In response, a hiring freeze was instituted for certain positions, with an organizational focus on enrollment and ADA improvement. She stated that school leaders and the Home Office collaborated to analyze enrollment and ADA trends, review budgets, and identify cost-saving adjustments with an emphasis on protecting the student learning experience. The review of staffing models and the proposed restructuring represented a final measure. The restructuring includes role eliminations, role modifications/additions, internal reassignments, and alignment of structures to operational needs. She further stated that employees whose roles are impacted will remain employed through the end of the calendar year. They will maintain full benefits through their final day, receive holiday pay and payout of unused accrued time, and be guaranteed a first-round interview for any open MPS positions for which they qualify and apply. She also noted that if approved by the Board, formal notifications and communication would occur immediately. Board expressed the difficulty of this decision and recognized the impact.

An announcement was made noting that Student Board Member, S. Perez, left the meeting early.

P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, provided background of the project and recent updates. He added that they received three (3) bids for which staff reviewed diligently for compliance. With consultation of legal counsel they proposed to accept Del Amo Construction LLC. He discussed the budget implications and staff efforts to decrease the deficit. Representatives from Gateway provided details of the images on report and discussed the timeline for 2026-27 occupancy date. Board Members questions were addressed by staff and Gateway representatives. 

P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, reported that the item is related to the previous item on the project's increment 2 stage. He discussed the three (3) bids that were received the the process in recommending approval of Pro-Craft Construction, Inc. He added that they were also in the increment 1 contractor. He reviewed the budget implications and reiterated that staff is working to reduce the deficit of the projects cost. P. Ontiveros, proposed to remove clause two (2) of the report's motion to ensure transparency to the Board and to track all dollars to this project. Board Members had no objections to the recommendation to remove section two (2) and their questions were addressed by staff and Gateway representatives. 

The section on the motion that will be removed is "(2) approve a contingency of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) for unforeseen conditions (which would be taken from the contingency that the Project is already carrying)"

P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, reported MPS works with multiple law firms based on the organization's need and this proposed action would be to add Gibson Dunn as another law firm to utilize as the need arises.

K. Mann, Director of EL & ELA Programs, reported on the updated English Learner Master Plan for immediate implementation across the MPS network. She reported that since the last board approval in August there have been several significant updates that have occurred which prompted a mid-year revision. She reported that NWEA released a new norming study which has updated the MAP growth norms as well as the cut-scores used for SBAC projections. Additionally, ELAC Bylaws and the EL Master Plan was updated by legal counsel, YM&C. She added that sections L through P of the EL Master Plan was strengthened. These sections focused on improving communication compliance and program evaluations, clarified required parent outreach and ELAC membership and duties, established a formalized process for the annual ELD program evaluations, reinforces commitment to translating documents for language groups representing at least 15% of student enrollment, and outlined the annual parent notification process for language programs and parent translation rights.

S. Acar, Chief Operations Officer, reported on the RFP process for the custodial and janitorial services for private sites. If board approved these vendors will be added to the approved vendors list. He added that they had an Evaluation Committee which consisted of private site school principals, Deputy Superintendent, E. Acar, and the Facilities Department.

S. Acar, Chief Operations Officer, reported on the Integrated Pest Management Policy which is a compliance matter that must be board approved. It will ensure compliance with the California Healthy Schools Act by adopting a standardized policy, training protocol, and notification system for pesticide management and integrated pest control practices. He added that he will be the person to ensure compliance of this policy. Furthermore, with the Accountability Department, ensure annual notifications to families. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

S. Acar, Chief Operations Officer, reported that public schools are required to work with their city or county waste management company to pick-up meals/foods that are not used. He noted that in MPS schools that waste is minimal because of the tracking of meals. He also noted that this is for private sites. If board approved they will work with the waste management companies for pick-up times at the private sites. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

D. Yilmaz, Chief Accountability Officer, presented the oversight report given to MPS by the San Diego Unified School District. G. Serce, Chief Academic Officer, presented the feedback and review under Operations & Academics. J. Lara, Board Secretary, presented the review and feedback under Governance. S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, presented the analysis and feedback under Finance. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.