Magnolia Public Schools

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday April 13, 2023 at 7:00 PM

Location

Magnolia Science Academy-1: 18238 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335

Board Members:
Mr. Mekan Muhammedov, Chair

Ms. Sandra Covarrubias, Vice-Chair

Dr. Umit Yapanel
Dr. Salih Dikbas
Ms. Diane Gonzalez

Mr. Daniel Sheehan

Mrs. Esra Eldem Tunc

CEO & Superintendent:
Mr. Alfredo Rubalcava

Directors Present

D. Sheehan (remote), E. Eldem Tunc (remote), M. Muhammedov, S. Covarrubias, U. Yapanel

Directors Absent

D. Gonzalez, S. Dikbas

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

D. Sheehan

Guests Present

J. Lara

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

M. Muhammedov called a meeting of the board of directors of Magnolia Public Schools to order on Thursday Apr 13, 2023 at 7:20 PM.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance

Meeting participants and guests said the pledge of allegiance.

C.

Record Attendance and Guests

Refer to attendance information recorded above.

D.

Approval of Agenda

U. Yapanel made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
S. Covarrubias seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Sheehan
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye
S. Dikbas
Absent
S. Covarrubias
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Absent
M. Muhammedov
Aye
E. Eldem Tunc
Aye

E.

Public Comments

B.Lopez, Chief External Officer, provided an update regarding their marketing plan and said their focus was to make an impact to student enrollment, recruitment and retention of the families focusing on organic family referrals and digital marketing. 

J.Hernandez, Director of Student Services, provided an update on Student Board Member election process stating that school sites will be having elections at their schools to select the student chosen by their peers. Those elected students will then present to the Board at the May meeting. 

M.Craig, Dean of Academics at MSA-San Diego, reported that the schools Archery Team competed at Conference Championships in which they won along with students placing at singles divisions. They will have their State Championship this weekend.

G.Serce, Principal at MSA-San Diego & Regional Director, reported that the schools Robotics Team participated in a competition and two teams both placed in 2nd place. He also added that A.Rubalcava, CEO & Superintendent, was nominated for the Charter Stars Legacy Award. A.Rubalcava, commented that sadly a MSA-1 student passed away. MSA-1 community and staff are working together to support students and the child's family during this difficult time. A moment of silence was held.

F.

Approval of Minutes from MPS Regular Board Meeting - March 9, 2023

U. Yapanel made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 03-09-23.
S. Covarrubias seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Dikbas
Absent
S. Covarrubias
Aye
M. Muhammedov
Aye
D. Sheehan
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Absent
E. Eldem Tunc
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye

G.

Approval of Minutes from MPS Board Retreat (Regular Board Meeting) - March 18, 2023

U. Yapanel made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Retreat on 03-18-23.
S. Covarrubias seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
U. Yapanel
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Absent
E. Eldem Tunc
Aye
D. Sheehan
Aye
M. Muhammedov
Aye
S. Dikbas
Absent

H.

Break

Five minute break was taken to accommodate those observing Ramadan. The agenda will resume after the break.

II. Consent Items

A.

Approval of Charter School Annual Report to the Los Angeles County Office of Education for Magnolia Science Academy-1, 2, 3, and 5

U. Yapanel made a motion to approve the Charter School Annual Report to the Los Angeles County Office of Education for Magnolia Science Academy-1, 2, 3, and 5.
M. Muhammedov seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
U. Yapanel
Aye
E. Eldem Tunc
Aye
S. Dikbas
Absent
D. Sheehan
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Absent
M. Muhammedov
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye

B.

Approval of Updated Magnolia Public Schools Health & Safety Policy

U. Yapanel made a motion to approve the updated Magnolia Public Schools (MPS) Health & Safety Policy.
M. Muhammedov seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Eldem Tunc
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Absent
U. Yapanel
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye
D. Sheehan
Aye
S. Dikbas
Absent
M. Muhammedov
Aye

III. Information/Discussion Items

A.

2022-23 MPS Educational Partners Survey Results & Reflections and Public Feedback to Inform LCAP

D.Yilmaz, Chief Accountability Officer, presented the educational partner survey results and highlights. He went over the topics of the survey and the questions that were asked. He went over the data such as the participation rates for the students, families and staff. He went over the rates of participation rates over the past 5 years. D.Yilmaz, also went over the percentage of overall satisfaction in different areas.

B.

Glows, Grows and Priorities Presentations

MSA-4, 6, 7 and 8 presented their Glows, Grows & Priorities Presentations. Board questions were addressed by school site and Home Office staff.

IV. Action Items

A.

Approval of Magnolia Public Schools Administration of Medication Policy

J.Hernandez, Director of Student Services, presented the policy. He provided background that this originated due to the medical emergencies taking place across the United States and schools associated with fentanyl. Sought to memorialize a policy within MPS. There are practices in place, but a policy to administer medication was believed to be the best course of action. He went over the policy which was in collaboration with CharterSafe, YM&C and school site leadership. Current practices were added to the policy is addition to the usage of Narcan (nasal spray).

S. Covarrubias made a motion to approve the Magnolia Public Schools (MPS) Administration of Medication Policy for immediate adoption across all MPS schools sites.
U. Yapanel seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Eldem Tunc
Aye
M. Muhammedov
Aye
S. Covarrubias
Aye
D. Sheehan
Aye
S. Dikbas
Absent
D. Gonzalez
Absent
U. Yapanel
Aye

B.

Approval of Construction Manager for the Property at 7111 Winnetka Ave for the CSFP Project

M.Muhammedov, Board Chair & Chair of the Audit & Facilities Committee, reported out of the Committee's discussion and reported that the Committee approved for their recommended approval to the full Board. He also mentioned the ask to bring updated budgets and keep the Committee informed of any updates or changes for Board review. P.Ontiversos, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, elaborated on the selection process and the final decision to choose Erickson-Hall Construction as the Construction Manager. Board questions were addressed by staff. 

M. Muhammedov made a motion to approve the selection of Erickson-Hall Construction (“EH”) to provide construction management services for MSA-5’s new construction project at 7111 Winnetka Ave in Winnetka (the “Project”) based on a multi-prime delivery method for a total fee of $3,850,000 ($3,784,607 plus $65,393 contingency) and further approve that MPS Staff be authorized to negotiate and sign a professional services contract for said services in such form as MPS Staff may deem appropriate and in the best interests of MPS.
S. Covarrubias seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Covarrubias
Aye
S. Dikbas
Absent
M. Muhammedov
Aye
E. Eldem Tunc
Aye
D. Sheehan
Aye
U. Yapanel
Aye
D. Gonzalez
Absent

V. Closed Session

A.

Public Announcement of Closed Session

M.Muahmmedov announced that the Board will be going into closed session to discuss Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the CEO & Superintendent & Conference with Legal Counsel for one case and would report out in any actions that may be taken.

B.

Public Employee Performance Evaluation (§ 54957) - Title: CEO & Superintendent

This item was discussed in Closed Session.

C.

Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation § 54956.9(b) - One Case

This item was discussed in Closed Session.

D. Sheehan left at 12:37 AM.

D.

Report Out of Closed Session

M.Muhammedov announced in Open Session at 1:33am that the Board discussed this matters and directed the staff to take necessary actions.

VI. 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 1:34 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
M. Muhammedov