Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

February Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday February 5, 2026 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

4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd, 3rd floor ACAL Room 1309, Los Angeles, CA 91607

4324 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

2420 Mathews Ave #A, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

509 S Lincoln Pl, Monrovia, CA 91016 

9560 Wilshire Blvd, Floor 5, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

 

 

Topic:  February Board Meeting
When: Feb 5, 2026 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), L. Heisser, P. Reddy, R. McKenzie (remote), T. Hollenberg

Directors Absent

D. Ortiz, M. Gomez, S. Jauregui, T. Bell

Guests Present

A. Cruz, A. Pariano, A. Rojo, B. Canosa-Carr, C. Melgares, E. Rodriguez, J. Edelman, J. Freeman, J. Gonzalez, J. Montgomery, J. Rayas, J. Rudolph, K. Farrar, K. Gouveia (remote), N. Peters (remote), S. Estilai, S. Roditti

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 Feb 5, 2026 at 3:39 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

T. Hollenberg made a motion to approve the minutes from December Board Meeting on 12-11-25.
R. McKenzie seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Ortiz
Absent
T. Bell
Absent
M. Gomez
Absent
R. McKenzie
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
L. Heisser
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

Lindsey Heisser, Board Chair, reported that the board met in closed session to discuss the CEO performance.


 

IV. Organizational Updates

A.

Principal Presentation

 Joanna Montgomery, EQ3's principal presented on the following: 

  •  First Joanna shared a short video of 4th graders performing: “Sing About Martin”, a song about MLK Jr, racial equity, love, and peace. 
  • Growth Cycle 3 focusing on reading proficiency.

B.

Renewal Process Update—EQ Flagship, EQ3, EQ4 & EQ6

Bobby Canosa-Carr, Kyle Gouveia and Jason Rudolph offered updates on the upcoming charter petition renewal processes for EQ Flagship, EQ3, EQ4 & EQ6 and the related charter renewal data summary.  

C.

Material Revision to Consolidate EQ6 into EQ5

Jason Rudolph updated the board on the potential material revision under consideration to consolidate EQ5 and EQ6, which was initially discussed during the 1/30/26 special board meeting.

D.

Equitas Priorities

Staff answered questions, submitted by our board members, focused on the Equitas Approach Priorities, including: 

  • Academic Program
  • Renewals & Mergers
  • 2026-27 Enrollment
  • 2026-27 Plan & Budget
  • Finance 

E.

Break

Staff and board took a 5 minute break.

F.

Form 700/Conflict of Interest

Form 700/Conflict of Interest will not be discussed during this meeting. 

G.

Declaration of Need

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve the '26-'27 school year: Equitas Academy Charter Declaration of Need and '25-'26 school year: Equitas Collegiate High School.
R. McKenzie seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Ortiz
Absent
T. Hollenberg
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
M. Gomez
Absent
S. Jauregui
Absent

H.

Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) MOY Review

Sue Andres-Brown provided an update on Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) mid-year review. 

V. Consent

A.

Monthly Financials

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

B.

School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs)

C. Langston made a motion to Approve annual School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs).
R. McKenzie seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Bell
Absent
R. McKenzie
Aye
D. Ortiz
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
M. Gomez
Absent
T. Hollenberg
Aye

C.

'26-'27 Academic Calendar

C. Langston made a motion to Approve '26-'27 Academic Calendar.
R. McKenzie seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Hollenberg
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Absent
S. Jauregui
Absent
T. Bell
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye
M. Gomez
Absent
R. McKenzie
Aye

VI. Resource Development

A.

Committee Goals

Catie Langston provided an update on goals for ‘25-’26 with a focus on circles of giving and the upcoming March Madness fundraiser. 


 

VII. Academic Accountability

A.

Committee Goals

Bobby Canosa-Carr 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

Lindsey Heisser and Kate Farrar provided an update on goals for '25-'26 with a focus on recruitment for new committee members and the project timeline. 

X. Board Updates

A.

Board Goals

Lindsey Heisser provided an update on overall board goals for '25-'26. 

XI. Culmination of Meeting

A.

Announcements

B.

Evaluation of Meeting

Prabhu Reddy enjoyed the principal presentation from Joanna Montgomery (EQ3) - he thought it really brought things to life. 

XII. 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 5:49 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Heisser