Magnolia Public Schools

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday March 11, 2021 at 6:00 PM

Location

https://zoom.us/j/93341390564?pwd=WUo4YnUxNUZHcHhuZTBGUEFBSWJvZz09
Meeting ID: 933 4139 0564             Passcode: 845185
One tap mobile: +16699009128,,93341390564# US (San Jose)
All members of the public can participate by calling in using the numbers provided above.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, Magnolia Public Schools may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Members of the public who need special accommodations or translation are strongly encouraged to contact Magnolia Public Schools at least 24 hours in advance of the Board meeting so assistance can be assured.

Any public records relating to an agenda item for an open session which are distributed to all, or a majority of all, of the Board Members shall be available for public inspection. Magnolia Public Schools values public comment during Board meetings. For members of the public who would like to speak, we have speaker cards to be filled out prior to the beginning of the meeting. For teleconference meetings you can email us your request for public comment. We limit individual speakers to three (3) minutes and speakers with interpreters to six (6) minutes. For any questions regarding this meeting email contact@magnoliapublicschools.org or call 213-628-3634 Ext. 100.

Board Members:
Mr. Haim Beliak, Chair
Dr. Umit Yapanel, Vice-Chair
Dr. Salih Dikbas
Ms. Diane Gonzalez
Ms. Sandra Covarrubias
Mr. Mekan Muhammedov

CEO & Superintendent:
Mr. Alfredo Rubalcava

Directors Present

D. Gonzalez (remote), H. Beliak (remote), M. Muhammedov (remote), S. Covarrubias (remote), S. Dikbas (remote), U. Yapanel (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

U. Yapanel

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

H. Beliak called a meeting of the board of directors of Magnolia Public Schools to order on Thursday Mar 11, 2021 at 6:32 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

Refer to attendance information reported above.

C.

Approval of Agenda

H. Beliak made a motion to approve the agenda as amended with the removal of Action Item: II E.
D. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
E. Acar, Chief Academic Officer, gave context to the Board regarding the removal of Action Item II E: Approval and Career Access Pathway Partnerships MOU Agreement
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Muhammedov
Aye
S. Dikbas
Aye
H. Beliak
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye
U. Yapanel arrived at 6:35 PM.

D.

Public Comments

Parent R. Malveaex addressed to the Board concerns regarding her sons disenrollment from Magnolia Science Acedmy-3. H. Beliak, MPS Board Chair, recognized her concerns and directed  staff to follow-up.

E.

Announcements from MPS CEO & Superintendent

A. Rubalcava, CEO & Superintendent reported that he will give updates regarding the reopening of schools as we continue on with the agenda.

F.

Approval of Minutes from Regular MPS Board Meeting - February 11, 2021

H. Beliak made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 02-11-21.
D. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Muhammedov
Aye
S. Dikbas
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Aye
H. Beliak
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye

II. Action Items

A.

Approval of Revised Maintenance and Destruction of Student Records Policy

D.Yilmaz, Chief Accountability Officer presented to the Board the revised records policy that was reviewed by legal counsel. Revisions include the timelines of the records in alignment with the California Code of Regulations, removal of a few repetitive tables that were based on LAUSD procedures, mandatory permanent student records being digitized and paper copies will be destroyed three years after graduation or transfer to another school district, and adding a table for “Title IX Complaint Investigation Records.” Those records must be maintained for at least 7 years. Some costs will come associated with digitization and shredding of paper student records and staff will research options to outsource shredding and digitization of student records. Staff addressed and clarified Board's questions.
H. Beliak made a motion to approve the Revised Maintenance and Destruction of Student Records Policy.
M. Muhammedov seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Muhammedov
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye
H. Beliak
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Aye
S. Dikbas
Aye

B.

Approval of Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Annual Independent Audit Reports

This was brought to the Audit/Facilities Committee meeting prior to this meeting and was approved by the Committee Members. M. Muhammedov, MPS Board Member and Chair of the Audit/Facilities Committee reported out to the Board regarding what the financials indicated. S. Orazov, Chief Financial Officer, went over the financial figures of the report that was showed in the consolidated report. It included one for all ten MPS schools.
M. Muhammedov made a motion to approve the annual independent audit reports for fiscal year 2019-2020 of all ten schools and the consolidated report including the Home Office.
H. Beliak seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Muhammedov
Aye
S. Dikbas
Aye
H. Beliak
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye

C.

Approval of MSA-1 Design Contract

This was brought to the Audit/Facilities Committee Meeting prior to this Board meeting. The amended motion that was approved by the Committee was read to inform the Board. M. Muhammedov, MPS Board Member and Chair of the Audit/Facilities Committee reported to the Board what was discussed at the Committee meeting and Franco Architects would work on the outside portion of Magnolia Science Academy-1 site improvements. Inside facility improvements will be discussed further. P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities clarified all Board questions. 
M. Muhammedov made a motion to approve the selection of Franco Architects Inc. for design and engineering services for site improvement projects at Magnolia Science Academy-1.
S. Dikbas seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Covarrubias
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Aye
M. Muhammedov
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye
S. Dikbas
Aye
H. Beliak
Abstain

D.

Approval of the 2nd Interim Reports for Fiscal Year 2020-2021

S. Orazov, Chief Financial Officer, brought to the Board the 2nd Interim Report. He discussed the financial actuals, revisions made in the 1st Interim Report that was previously approved by the Board, and the 2nd Interim forecast for the entire year. He also included and presented the revised budget proposal as part of the 2nd Interim Report. M. Muhammedov, MPS Board Member, addressed the importance on focusing on the Average Daily Attendance (ADA) that was indicated in the report. 
S. Covarrubias made a motion to approve the 2020-21 revised current year budget and submit the same as Second Interim Reports for fiscal year 2020-21.
M. Muhammedov seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
U. Yapanel
Aye
S. Dikbas
Aye
H. Beliak
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye
M. Muhammedov
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Aye

E.

Approval and Career Access Pathway Partnerships MOU Agreement

This item was tabled during the Approval of Agenda.

F.

2020-21 Magnolia Public Schools Hybrid Reopening Plans

E. Acar, Chief Academic Officer, presented to the Board the reopening plans for all ten MPS schools. The Reopening Task Force who oversee the preparation of schools reopening follow the framework and guidelines from CDPH, LACOE, OCDE, SDCOE and other related county health departments. Staff discussed steps for reopening in-person, remaining items for safe school return, hybrid reopening model, and students and families choosing hybrid or distance learning. Staff went over health and safety preparedness which includes the MPS COVID-19 Health & Safety Policy and the Injury Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) COVID-19 Addendum/CALOSHA Emergency Standards. Schools and Home Office have been having Townhall Meetings with their stakeholders and staff. Magnolia Science Academy-3 went over their plans and preparations for reopening. Staff addressed all questions from the Board. Schools are expected to open on April 12, 2021.
H. Beliak made a motion to approve Magnolia Public Schools’ in-person reopening plans for all schools in compliance with health and safety orders, community expectations and corresponding law and regulations.
M. Muhammedov seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
H. Beliak
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye
M. Muhammedov
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye
S. Dikbas
Aye

III. Information/Discussion Items

A.

Description and Background of Covid-19 Testing Vendors Analysis

D. Hajmeirza, Director of Human Resources, presented to the Board the analysis regarding COVID-19 testing vendors. Staff is conducting deeper analysis for possible partnerships. with these testing vendors; LAUSD, PMH Laboratory, Coverify, Valencia Laboratory, and UC San Diego. Cost analysis and scope of work for these testing vendors were discussed. Further context is still needed before a selection of vendor(s) goes to the Board for approval.

IV. Closed Session

A.

Public Announcement of Closed Session

H. Beliak announced that the Board will be going into Closed Session to discuss public employee performance evaluation and anticipated initiation of litigation and would report out any actions taken.

B.

Anticipated Initiation of Litigation §54956.9(c): (1 case)

This item was discussed in Closed Session.

C.

Public Employee Performance Evaluation (§ 54957) Title: Home Office

This item was discussed in Closed Session.

D.

Report Out From Closed Session

H. Beliak announced in Open Session at 10:25pm that board directed staff on several items.

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
H. Beliak