Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

Board Retreat

Date and Time

Saturday May 16, 2026 at 9:15 AM

Location

431 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

 

Additional call-in locations: 

1612 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

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

 

 

Topic:  May Board Meeting - Board Retreat
When: May 16, 2026 08:30 AM 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.
 

All times are approximate and are provided for convenience only. All items may be heard in a different order than how they are listed on the agenda on any day of the noticed meeting. The order of business may be changed without notice. 


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

D. Ortiz, L. Heisser, M. Gomez, P. Reddy, S. Jauregui, T. Bell, T. Hollenberg

Directors Absent

C. Langston, R. McKenzie

Guests Present

A. Cruz, A. Rojo, A. Verma, B. Canosa-Carr, C. Melgares, H. Greene, J. Rudolph, K. Farrar, N. Peters, 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 Saturday May 16, 2026 at 9:17 AM.
L. Heisser called a meeting of the board of directors of Equitas Academy Charter School to order on Saturday May 16, 2026 at 9:17 AM.

C.

Motion to Adopt the Agenda

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

D.

Approve Minutes

D. Ortiz made a motion to approve the minutes from April Board Meeting on 04-23-26.
M. Gomez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Jauregui
Aye
T. Bell
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
R. McKenzie
Absent

II. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

No public comment

III. Board Retreat Session

A.

Land Acknowledgement, Framing, Agenda & Objectives

Sofia Roditti and Kate Farrar presented a land acknowledgement, framing, agenda & objectives.

B.

Equitas Approach: Academics

Bobby Canosa-Carr presented on belonging as a lever for opportunity and extraordinary learning.

C.

Break

Attendees had a 15 minute break. 

D.

Equitas Approach: Advocacy and Sustainability

Jason Rudolph and Cecilia Melgares facilitated a discussion around enrollment, retention and strategic levers for sustainability. 

E.

Recommendation to Authorize the Opening of a Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund Bank Account and to Close the Wells Fargo Vantage Sweep Accounts

T. Hollenberg made a motion to authorize the opening of the recommended Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund Bank Account and close the existing Wells Fargo Vantage Sweep Account.
P. Reddy seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Lunch Break

Guests had a 30 minute lunch break. 

G.

2026-27 Commitments

The board chair facilitated a discussion around 2026-2027 commitments including affirmation of service and board and committee goals for the upcoming year. 

IV. Closing Items

A.

Closing of Retreat

CEO Sofia Roditti offered gratitude and a closing focused on belonging.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Heisser