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Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

December Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday December 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM

Location

1612 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

 

Additional call-in locations: 

1700 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

2723 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

1050 Beacon Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015

2501 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

4324 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

2420 Mathews Ave #A, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

509 S Lincoln Pl, Monrovia, CA 91016 

9601 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

 

 

Topic:  December Board Meeting
When: Dec 11, 2025 03:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

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PUBLIC COMMENT AT EQUITAS ACADEMY BOARD MEETINGS – An opportunity for the public to address the Board will be provided prior to discussion and action on agenda items. Members of the public who wish to speak on any item are requested to identify themselves and indicate on which agenda item they wish to speak. The Board will provide an opportunity for the public to speak for a maximum of three (3) minutes, unless granted additional time at the discretion of the Board. Testimony shall be limited in content to matters pertaining to Equitas Academy. The Board may not take any action on matters discussed during the public testimony period that are not listed on the agenda. Brown Act Compliance: Agenda posted at School.

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, may request assistance in advance of the meeting by contacting Equitas Academy Charter School at 1700 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015 or by phone (213) 201-0440.

Directors Present

C. Langston (remote), D. Ortiz, L. Heisser, M. Gomez, P. Reddy, R. McKenzie (remote), S. Jauregui (remote), T. Bell, T. Hollenberg

Directors Absent

None

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

D. Ortiz, T. Bell

Guests Present

N. Peters

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

L. Heisser called a meeting of the board of directors of Equitas Academy Charter School to order on Thursday Dec 11, 2025 at 3:35 PM.

C.

EQ5 Student Speakers

D.

Approve Minutes

M. Gomez made a motion to approve the minutes from October Board Meeting on 10-23-25.
P. Reddy seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Langston
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Absent
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye

II. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

No public comment. 

III. Public Report on Action Taken in Closed-Session

A.

Public Report on Action Taken in Closed-Session

Staff discussed CEO performance and student discipline during closed-session. 

IV. Organizational Updates

A.

'24-'25 Audit

Jason Rudolph and CLA Team (Lili Huang, Tyler Roberts, and Bethany King) presented on the Equitas ‘24-’25 audit and findings. 


 

T. Bell arrived at 3:49 PM.
D. Ortiz arrived at 3:56 PM.
P. Reddy made a motion to Approve '24-'25 Equitas Audit.
C. Langston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Bell
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye

B.

FY2025 Audit Report for Collegiate Charter High School of Los Angeles

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve FY25 Collegiate Charter High School of Los Angeles audit.
M. Gomez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Langston
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
T. Bell
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye

C.

Principal Presentation

Alaina Pariano (EQ Principal) presented on phonics and how it relates to Growth Cycle 2. 

  • Dibbles assessment 
  • Progress monitoring 

D.

Key Strategies to Achieve Breakthrough Academic Results

Jennifer Freeman and Melissa Lawrence present on key strategies to achieve breakthrough academic results for students with disabilities, including distinctions between meeting IEP goals and SBAC goals.

Highlights: 

  • Increase of SPED services at Equitas
  • Increase of autism across the country
  • SBAC data (ELA & Math) 
  • Supportive team

 

E.

Equitas Approach Priorities

Staff answered questions submitted by our board members, focused on: Equitas 2030 Priorities. Questions included:

  • Kindergarten enrollment, focus on TK and K
  • Attendance rate
  • Attendance and supporting chronic absenteeism 
  • Charter renewal 
  • Driver action plans 
  • High school redesign 
  • Equitastic strategies: elementary vs. secondary, change process  

 

F.

Break

Staff and board members took a 5 minute break.

G.

Outcomes of the California Dashboard

Bobby Canosa-Carr presented on the Outcomes of the California Dashboard. Dashboard metrics include: 

  • Chronic Absenteeism Suspension Rate
  • English Learner Progress
  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Graduation Rate (HS only) 
  • College / Career (HS only)

 

H.

Equitas Collegiate High School (ECHS) Updates

M. Gomez made a motion to Change agenda item to IV. F.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Chris Copolillo presented on the following ECHS updates:

  • Enrollment & Attendance
  • Recruitment & Applications
  • Semester 2 Planning
  • ECHS advisory committee is sunsetting

I.

Community Schools Implementation Plan

Jennifer Freeman presented on the Community Schools implementation plan, including goals and implementation plan actions. 


 

V. Consent

A.

Monthly Financials (FY26 First Interim)

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approved Monthly Financials (FY26 First Interim).
T. Bell seconded the motion.

Jason Rudolph presented on monthly financials (FY26 first interim), including budget, enrollment, revenue, and reserves. 

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Langston
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
T. Bell
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye

B.

LAUSD Compliance Monitoring Document

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve LAUSD Compliance Monitoring Document.
T. Bell seconded the motion.

LAUSD checklist that completes our compliance documents.  

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
T. Bell
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye

C.

Annual Update of the School Safety Plan

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve Annual Update of the School Safety Plan.
T. Bell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Gomez
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
T. Bell
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye

VI. Resource Development

A.

Committee Goals

Catie Langston provided an update on goals for ‘25-’26 with a focus on circles of giving. 

VII. Academic Accountability

A.

Committee Goals

Sylvia Jauregui provided an update on goals for ‘25-’26.

VIII. Finance

A.

Committee Goals

Tom Hollenberg provided an update on goals for ‘25-’26. 

IX. Governance Committee

A.

Committee Goals

Tyler Bell provided an update on goals for ‘25-’26, including reaching out to networks to join a committee. 

X. Board Updates

A.

Board Goals

Lindsey Heisser provided an update on overall board goals, including reaching out to networks and supporting ECHS. 

XI. 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 5:59 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Heisser