Refer to attendance information reported above.

J.Hernandez, Principal at MSA-8, highlighted the drive by graduation held for 8th graders and thanked the staff and Board for their continued support as they end the school year.

U. Yapanel, MPS Vice-Chair announced the resignation of H. Beliak. U. Yapanel will be acting as the Interim Chair of the MPS Board until the next Board Chair and Board Appointments are approved on June 24, 2021. A. Rubalcava, CEO & Superintendent gave remarks regarding the ongoing graduations at the Magnolia Science Academy schools. Staff thanked the work H. Beliak has done throughout his years as part of the MPS Board of Directors.

U.Yapanel, 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.

This item was discussed in Closed Session

This item was discussed in Closed Session

U. Yapanel announced in Open Session at 7:39pm that board directed staff on several items.

D. Hajmeirza, Director of Human Resources, presented the 2021-22 MPS Employee Handbook. MPS Human Resources Department and legal counsel revised the handbook to be compliant with labor codes and regulations. This is part of an annual review to ensure all the most up to date federal and state laws are reflected. Staff addressed questions made by the Board Members. Holiday dates, vacation, sick hours payback. Board members asked if there has been major changes due to the pandemic that might affect the handbook. Staff addressed no major changes besides the addition of telework policies that was already included. 

P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities presented the proposed contract of Buck Financial Advisors LLC. MPS staff anticipates multiple facilities projects and the services of a financing advisor would be advantageous to assist in those projects for the purposes of providing financial advisory services. MPS worked exclusively with Hamlin, and staff believes it is in the best interest to have someone with financing background to advise and steer in the direction of financing most favorable to the organization. Staff spoke to multiple parties before coming to the conclusion of of Buck Financial Services. They provide financial services to different charter school operators in California. P. Ontiveros went over the contract and added that the contract can be terminated at any time. Staff addressed all Board Members questions. 

E. Acar, MPS Chief Academic Officer, presented the IXL program a software based curriculum which is a comprehensive TK-12 curriculum which gives students and teachers real time diagnostics and personalized guidance to provide analytics and personalized guidance for student instruction. The program is intended to address the different levels and needs of students which have been exasperated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program has been used by MSA-1 & MSA-6 which has received positive outcomes and feedback. MPS staff sought to utilize the program to provide personalized learning, and skill building to accelerate learning in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies to address those concerns.  This program was presented to the stakeholders. An overview of IXL program was further elaborated by T. Lewin, Director of Math Programs and K. Mann, Coordinator of EL/ELD Programs. An implementation plan and training will be provided for teachers and administrators to ensure the success of this program. The Extended Learning Opportunities Grant and other funding sources will be appropriately budgeted in all school budgets for this program. Staff addressed all Board Members questions.

This item was tabled during the Approval of Agenda.

S. Keskinturk, Principal at MSA-Santa Ana presented the RFP for the purchase of new iMac desktops for the school's teachers and school administrators. He informed that the purchase is needed to replace outdated desktops which have become too obsolete for teachers to utilize and issues arise which impact learning time. An RFP for the iMac purchase was provided. ESSER I funds will be used for the purchase to improve teaching and learning quality.

Public Hearing for the Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP) were presented and opened to the public and Board Members. D. Yilmaz, Chief Accountability Officer, provided background that the public hearings purpose is to provide stakeholders access to the draft LCAP and for them to provide feedback. LCAP is intended to be a comprehensive planning tool which describes many variables such as school-wide goals, expected progress on those goals, expenditures in meeting those goals and process to involve stakeholders in developing, reviewing and supporting the implementation of LCAP. Adaptive Insights will also be utilized in creating a report for LCAP. M. Sahin, Principal at MSA-1 and J. Hernandez, Principal at MSA-8, gave updates on their schools LCAP process. LCAP will be taken to the full Board for approval on June 24, 2021. No public comments were made.

2021-2022 budget was presented and opened to the stakeholders and Board Members for feedback. On June 7, 2021 the Draft Budget was taken to the Finance Committee Meeting. MPS staff is finalizing the final budget once staff receives any guidance from from the Governors Office on June 15, 2021 which might impact the final budget as well as any stakeholder feedback. The finalized budget will go to the full Board for approval on June 24, 2021. S. Orazov, MPS Chief Financial Officer, presented the budgets for all school sites and the MPS Home Office. The figures also showed the one-time funding that was part of the CARES Act and AB86. Internal processes were implemented to ensure the funding is used appropriately. Any changes that may arise will be reflected accordingly on the final Budget. No public comments were made. Board requested a plan to improve enrollment systems at the school sites and to review the Budget earlier. A budgeting timeline was created early May but because of the additional funding it made it difficult to make the Budget earlier. 

Dr. B. Lopez, MPS Director of Student Services, addressed MPS ongoing efforts in creating a standard of care across Magnolia Public Schools related to mental health and wellness resources and support for stakeholders. She presented a breakdown of the data collected, reflections and recommendations to continue to inform a standard of care for mental health and wellness. The Academic team along with school site leaders developed a survey to learn more on the social emotional learning from all stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

E. Acar, Chief Academic Officer, K. Mann, ELA & EL Program Coordinator, T. Lewin, Director of Math Programs, and B. Lopez, Director of Student Services provided academic updates. It included; transition to in-person (hybrid) instruction, new programs and initiatives, professional development plans, COVID-19 funding for academic programs, student achievement data and progress, updates from every individual Academic Team member including Special Education and support services, TeachFX program and the Magnet program and MSA-2. 

D. Hajmeirza, MPS Director of Human Resources, addressed the concerns that Board Members had on the MPS Health and Safety Policy IIPP COVID-19 Addendum that was approved on May 13, 2021. The request was made from the Board to bring this item for further discussion and clarification on the May 27, 2021 Board Meeting. To address the concerns of the Board, MPS staff reached out to Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and CalOSHA to verify information stated in the policy. D. Hajmeirza presented the responses given in the detailed report.