Board, staff and guests conducted the pledge of allegiance.

Refer to attendance information recorded above. Naim Bayraktar, Student Board Member, was present.

No public comments were made at this time.

A. Rubalcava, CEO & Superintendent, reported that Esra Eldem was given the opportunity to do additional work at the University of Southern California (USC) and would therefore step down from the Board role due to these commitments. He thanked her for her service on the Board. He also thanked the school sites for working diligently for the preparation of the first day of school. Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-Santa Ana and MSA-San Diego would be starting on August 12th and all other MSA schools would start on August 13th. He reported that parent orientations would take place in the next couple of days and that Home Office staff will be at the school sites to support and invited all Board Members to attend as well. 

G. Serce, Chief Academic Officer, highlighted the various in-service trainings and orientations that took place at MSA-Santa Ana. School leaders across all schools attended these trainings and separately, teachers both tenure and new participated. He reported that is was successful with the focus of getting ready for the school year. 

Kaela Haydu, Senior Council at Young, Minnie & Corr LLP (YM&C) provided an extensive Brown Act and Conflict of Interest Training to the Board. Board Members and staff questions were addressed by legal counsel. She reported that the Board will also undergo an Ethics Training under AB 2158 which would be sometime in 2025.

S. Covarrubias was not in attendance for this meeting. She completed her Brown Act & Conflict of Interest Training on July 25, 2024 prior to this meeting. All other Board Members were present and in-person.

P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, reported that in regards to the Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-5 project at 7111 Winnetka Ave., he stated that money was received from the state. In addition, staff followed legal guidance on further proceedings. Representatives from Gateway provided detailed updates to the Board on actions taken to move the project along. They reported that the timeline of completion was adjusted and the Board will receive more details at the next Board Meeting.  P. Ontiveros in addition to M. Sahin, Facilities Project Manager, and K. Jimenez, Assistant Facilities Project Manager, also provided updates on the facilities projects at MSA-1, MSA-2, MSA-7, and MSA-Santa Ana. Board questions were addressed by staff.  

K. Mann, Director of EL & ELA Programs, presented the updated EL Master Plan for the 2024-25 school year. She reported that it is reviewed annually and brought to the Board to ensure that MPS continues to provide services to the English Learner population that meet all compliance with state and federal regulations. The proposed revisions for this years plan was made based on updated guidance from the California Department of Education and feedback from EL Coordinators and school leaders. She reported on the revisions made including: updated language regarding the administration of the Initial and Summative ELPAC assessment to students in grades Kindergarten through 12 only, clarification on the required score of 3 on the Summative Alternate ELPAC assessment to meet reclassification requirements, and the addition of the Write Brain ELD program as an approved supplementary resource for Designated ELD at the Elementary level. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

D. Hajmeirza, Director of People & Performance, reported that the resolution is to move forward with approving the creation of position of multiple subject teacher for Magnolia Science Academy(MSA)-4 for the improvement of academic support effective for the 2024-25 school year. She reported that staff determined the need for the addition of a middle school teacher to the overall number of teachers at MSA-4. She reported that the school currently has 155 completed enrollments with additional 31 students in the pipeline. MSA-4 adopted budget for 2024-25 was based on 144 students, so due to the positive growth the school will receive additional funds. E. Rizzuto, Principal at MSA-4, highlighted the need for the multi subject teacher to support the growth at the middle school. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.