Board, staff and guests conducted the pledge of allegiance.

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

A period was held for several public speakers. Board listened to their comments and concerns. M. Muhammedov, thanked the speakers and added that they will direct staff for follow-up.

G. Serce, Chief Academic Officer, reported on the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) visit to Magnolia Science Academy(MSA)-San Diego to present the school a Certificate of Recognition for being a 2025 California Blue Ribbon school. He added that SDUSD Board Member Shana Hazan was in attendance as well the the SDUSD Charter School Office and MPS Board Member S. Dikbas.

S. Perez, Student Board Member, reported that she will present her initiative at the January 2026 board meeting.

D. Yilmaz, Chief Accountability Officer, and G. Serce, Chief Academic Officer, presented the 2025 CA School Dashboard results. D. Yilmaz defined the state measures with blue being the highest performance tier and described how a performance color is determined. He reported various indicators: English Language Arts: 9 out of 10 schools showed an increase of 3 points or more in schoolwide results, and 6 out of 10 schools have achieved higher performance statuses than the state average. Mathematics: 7 out of 10 schools showed an increase of 3 points or more in schoolwide results, and 5 out of 10 schools have achieved higher performance statuses than the state average. Science: 2 out of 10 schools showed an increase of 3 points or more in schoolwide results, and 3 out of 10 schools have achieved higher performance statuses than the state average. English Learner Progress: 7 out of 9 schools showed an increase of 2 percentage points or more, and 4 of 9 schools have achieved higher performance statuses than the state average. College & Career Indicator: 2 out of 6 schools showed an increase of 2 percentage points or more, and 6 out of 6 schools have achieved higher performance statuses than the state average. Graduation rate: 2 out of 6 schools showed an increase of 1 percentage point or more, and 6 out of 6 schools have achieved higher performance statuses than the state average. Chronic absenteeism rate: 4 out of 10 schools showed a decline of 0.5 percentage points or more, and 4 out of 10 schools have achieved lower (better) performance statuses than the state average. Suspension rate: 4 out of 10 schools showed a decline of 0.3 percentage points or more, and 7 out of 10 schools have achieved lower (better) performance statuses than the state average. They also reported on differentiated assistance. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

B. Olandes, Director of Advancement, presented the annual report to help amplify the work MPS has been doing over the past 20 years. He went over all sections on the report from who MPS is, demographic profile, instructional philosophy, and college going culture. Includes CAASPP, Advanced Placement program, and dual enrollment outcomes. He showcased the graduation rates and college acceptance rates and extracurricular activities. He also showcased the financial health of the organization. Report spotlighted staff, facilities investments and continued work to improve educational settings, and commitment to the 'whole child' highlighting the community school framework. Report closed on the strategic vision. 

S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, presented the review of the policy and practices in relations to governance. This was in collaboration with McConnel Jones as part of MPS partnership with the Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF). Report identified recommendations of areas of improvement to assist MPS on future needs, improve fiscal policies and reporting. 

This included board trainings such as continued Brown Act and conflict of interests, as well as banking.

B. Olivares, Chief Impact Officer, provided and update to the enrollment efforts and data across all school sites. Achieving enrollment goals requires ongoing collaboration among school site leaders and home office staff, with alignment across marketing, branding, student experience, and family satisfaction. She and other staff met with each school site leader to review tiered enrollment targets that account for application-to-enrollment conversion and exceed baseline budget goals. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

M. Muhammedov, Board Chair, reported that the Board will be going into Closed Session to discuss the following: Public employee discipline/dismissal release, conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation, Initiation of litigation, and conference with real property negotiations and will report out.

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 11:28pm that on all items in closed session, the Board took no action and directed staff to take next steps.

M. Muhammedov made a motion to table item IV B (Approval of the MPS 2030 Strategic Plan) this will be presented at the Board Retreat which the date will be announced in January 2026. 

S. Orazaov seconded the motion.

J. Lara, took roll call vote:

M. Muhammedov - Aye

U. Yapanel - Aye

S. Dikbas - Aye

D. Gonzalez - Aye

S. Orazov - Aye

S. Perez, Student Board Member, left the meeting.

U. Yapanel, Chiar of Nominating/Governance Committee, reported on the changes proposed to the MPS Board Committee structure. These changes include: S. Orazov appointed to the Finance Committee as Chair; S. Orazov appointed to the Audit/Facilities Committee; S. Dikbas removed from the Finance Committee; and, S. Orazov added as an alternate for the Educational Partners & Development Committee.

Item was tabled after reporting out of closed session.

Finance Committee was held in which due to the time limitations the Committee did not make a motion to recommend approval. S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, reported on the first interim reports in detail. He went over the budget, enrollment, attendance and ADA for all school sites inclusive of reporting on the Home Office. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

F. Del Carpio, Chief People Officer, thanked everyone who took the time to speak today during public comments. She reported that the Board approved the organizational restructure at the November 13th board meeting which was the approval of anticipated staffing impacts at the school sites and the Home Office. She reported that this approval is a follow-up from the previous approved action intended to share the specific Home Office positions impacted. 

S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, presented that there were additional reserves in Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-Bell which were transferred to the Home Office to help support the Orange County expansion (MSA-Orange County). The Board had previously approved entering into a intra-organizational loan in March 2025. He reported that this action is to extend term to an additional five (5) years.

S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, presented this separate resolution it to allow MPS Home Office to distribute funds to Magnolia Science Academy(MSA)- Orange County. This is similar to the previous item to support the expansion. The Board also previously approved entering into a intra-organizational loan in March 2025 and this action would also extend term to an additional five (5) years.

E. Acar, Deputy Superintendent, presented the approval for underwriting services for the bonds to fund the remaining construction costs of the Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-5 project at 7111 Winnetka Avenue. He reported on the various needs why underwriting are required. Services and financing timeline was presented. Board Members questions were addressed by staff. 

S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, presented that the update to the Home Office Management Fee Policy is the proposal to cap the amount of home office fees charged to the school sites to no more than 15%. 

K. Jimenez, Assistant Facilities Project Manager, presented the change order which is to install a separate dedicated water line for the water hydrant for DSA compliance. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) required a separate water line to the water hydrant which was not under the original scope. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, presented the title transfer of 18120 Sherman Way to MPS 18120 Sherman Way LLC. Originally Magnolia Educational Research Foundation (MERF) took title.

F. Del Carpio, Chief People Officer, presented updated MPS Employee Handbook which ensures the Handbook is in compliance with new laws and best practices. She presented the updates which includes strengthening student safety and mandated reporting language, enhancing background check requirements, professional conduct protocol, and guidance on the responsible usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI), telework, attendance expectations for employees, and employee leave.