Board, staff and guests conducted the pledge of allegiance.

Refer to attendance information recorded above.

No public comments were made at this time.

G. Serce, Chief Academic Officer, reported and highloighted event last week Spring Symposium all staff participated and joined with many different sessions and connected. Over 30 sessions for our internal staff with tyhe focus of building connections with students and families, social emotional learning and mental health support for students, student needs, understanding how LCAP supports the schools, effective behavior intervention, cybersecurity fundamentals, leadership development, updated Academic initiatives presented to leaders. MPS alumni joined and lead an alumni panel and staff were able to ask questions to the alumni speakers. Still finalizing the survey responses and goal is to imrpove it.

All HO staff members part ofmaking this a success. 

M. Muhammedov, Board Chair, announced that the Board will be going into closed session to discuss conference with real property negotiations and public employee performance evaluation for CEO & Superintendent.

Item was discussed in Closed Session.

Item was discussed in Closed Session.

M. Muhammedov announced in Open Session at 8:05pm that the Board discussed conference with real properties negotiations and took no action and informed staff to take next steps. Furthermore, for public employee evaluation for CEO & Superintendent, Board directed staff for further actions.

P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, presented that the approvals they are seeking are related to the acquisition for the 412 W Carl Karcher Way property. He stated that the Board had previously authorized to sign a purchase and sale agreement, open escrow, and make a good faith deposit. The current action is to move forward to close escrow. He stated that this would be paid using funds from MERF and through financing. He added that due diligence was taken and worked with legal counsel. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, reported that this is related to the acquisition of the agenda item above for 412 W Carl Karcher Way. He added they will borrow money from Magnolia Science Academy (MSA) - 8 to MERF to support the acquisition. He noted the repayment provisions and will repay MSA-8 within one (1) year at a 4% interest rate to use the existing funds. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, reported that in December 2024 the Board was presented the first interim report. He went over the changes on the second interim report. He provided an overview of each school sites financial standing inclusive of the Home Office. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

B. Olivares, Chief Impact Officer, announced that this is part of the renewal process with the Los Angeles County Office of Eduction (LACOE) in which after Board approval and CEO & Superintendent signature, it would be submitted to LACOE. A. Zarnich, Director of Charter Petitions and Reporting, reported that most of updates on the MOU are mostly procedural. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

Z. Ocel, Principal at Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)- 3, reported that the MOA would help MSA-3 access the facilities at Victoria Park which is in close proximity to the school. He reported that they are experiencing issues with accessing the field at their school due to Prop 39 restrictions and the agreement would allow the school to utilize the facilities at Victoria Park as needed for their students CIF sports teams and training. He added that this was reviewed by Finance. Board Members questions were addressed by staff. 

M. Wittek, Director of Student Services, reported that as a request from the Board, a section was added that memorializes guidance for volunteers and chaperones. She went over the policy and added the documentation that all schools will receive which includes a checklist, field trip request form, permission slip for students, and waiver for adults who are not staff members. She added this will start next school year so they can train the office and administration staff accordingly. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

M. Wittek, Director of Student Services, reported that MPS would go back to the 2020 regulations on the Title IX policy based on federal changes. The last time this was brought to the Board was in October. She reported that in January 2025 there was a judicial ruling that invalidated the regulations from the previous presidential administrations scope of expanding Title IX protections. She went over those changes. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

This item was removed during the approval of agenda.

S. Budhraja, Chief Financial Officer, reported that Eide Bailey supports MPS internal auditing processes. He reported that MPS is seeking to renew the agreement with them. Board Members questions were addressed by staff. S. Budhraja added that staff are evaluating fees but the agreement is only for 2024-25. 

E. Acar, Deputy Superintendent, reported that MPS was seeking to refinance existing debt for 2014 and 2017 bonds and to benefit financing for the Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-5 project through grant anticipation notes. He reported on the progress so far with Stifel, staff, and financial advisor John Buck. The purpose would be to strengthen MPS financial position by reducing debt, supporting continued educational excellence and stability and enhance creditworthiness  and financial flexibility for future funding opportunities. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

D. Yilmaz, Chief Accountability Officer, went detailed each data piece for each state indicators on the 2024 CA School Dashboard. G. Serce, Chief Academic Officer, spoke about the programs and action steps the schools have taken. They went over how a performance color is determined and MPS's performance on English Language Arts, Math, Science, English Learners Progress, College/Career Indicator, Graduation Rates, Chronic Absenteeism Rate, Suspension Rate with various data sets. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

B. Olivares, Chief Impact Officer, updated on the enrollment status so far. She acknowledged the Family Success Coordinators (FSC) for their enrollment work in recruitment and retention. She compared where the schools stood last year to this year and presented all school sites enrollment and completed registrations and total applications. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.

M. Wittek, Director of Student Services, reported on the development and adotpiton of electronic devices/cell phone policy which will be brought to the Board for adoption in June. . She added that MPS currently does have a cell phone procedure outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook, but will adopt this as a stand alone policy and include "electronic devices" as it only states cell phones. She went over the policy and provided an overview of the timeline which would include presenting this to school leaders and administrators. 

P. Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, M. Sahin, Project Manager, and K. Jimenez, Assistant Project Manager, provided updates on various facilities projects across MPS including: Magnolia Science Academy (MSA)-1 gym building, bungalows, and alley closure/permit; MSA-2 16600 Vanowen Project; MSA-5 7111 Winnetka Ave. Project; MSA-7 Bank of America Building; MSA-Santa Ana shade structure and backyard; and MSA-San Diego Measure U Bond Charter Allocation. Board Members questions were addressed by staff.