Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

June Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday June 25, 2026 at 4:15 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 

 

 

Topic:  June Board Meeting
When: Jun 25, 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.
 

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

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

Directors Absent

S. Jauregui, T. Bell

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

D. Ortiz

Guests Present

A. Cruz, A. Rojo, Alma Barrera Garcia, Ashley Velasquez, C. Melgares, Donna Castaneda, J. Edelman, J. Freeman, J. Gonzalez, J. Rayas, J. Rudolph, Jeselmi Chavarria, K. Farrar, K. Gouveia, Karin Figueroa, L. Lofton, N. Peters (remote), Natalie Mejia, S. Roditti, Santiago Preciado, Talitha Phillips

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 Jun 25, 2026 at 4:28 PM.

C.

Motion to Adopt

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

II. Equitastic Partner Award

A.

Claris Health Recognition

Jennifer Freeman presented the Equitastic Partner Award to Claris Health

III. Public Report on Action Taken in Closed-Session

A.

Public Report on Action Taken in Closed-Session

No action was taken in closed session.

IV. Compensation

A.

CEO Compensation

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

V. Public Hearing to Review Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs)

A.

Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs)

Sue Andres Brown shared updates on Equitas LCAPs.

B.

Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs)

M. Gomez made a motion to Approve Local Accountability Plans for Equitas Academy, Equitas Academy 2, Equitas Academy 3, Equitas Academy 4, Equitas academy 5, Equitas Academy 6 and Equitas Academy 7.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Bell
Absent
M. Gomez
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye

VI. California Dashboard '25-'26 Local Indicators

A.

Presentation and Discussion of Local Indicator Results

Kyle Gouveia shared a presentation on Local Indicator Results

VII. School Spotlight

A.

Equitas Collegiate High School's Scholarship Recipients

Jennifer Freeman presented Senior Scholarship recipients. 

ECHS Student Schlarship recipients Jeselmi Chavarria, Ashley Velasquez, Santiago Preciado

& Ashley Velasquez shared updates on their future plans.

B.

Dinner Break

VIII. Organizational Updates

A.

Equitas Academy Charter Petition Renewals for EQ, EQ3, EQ4 & EQ6

Sofia Roditti, Jason Rudolph and Kyle Gouveia shared a presentation on Charter Petition Renewal Process.

B.

Equitas Academy Elementary School Charter Petition Renewal

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve Equitas Academy Elementary School Charter Petition Renewal.
M. Gomez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. Reddy
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
T. Bell
Absent

C.

Equitas Academy #3 Elementary School Charter Renewal

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve Equitas Academy Elementary School #3 Charter Petition Renewal.
C. Langston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. McKenzie
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
T. Bell
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye

D.

Equitas Academy #4 Middle School Charter Petition Renewal

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve Equitas Academy Elementary School #4 Charter Petition Renewal.
C. Langston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. McKenzie
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye

E.

Equitas Academy #6 Elementary School Charter Renewal

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve Equitas Academy Elementary #6 School Charter Petition Renewal.
C. Langston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Heisser
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye

F.

Equitas Priorities

Sofia Roditti shared updates on organizational priorities.

D. Ortiz left at 6:04 PM.

G.

'26-'27 Budgets

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

H.

Monthly Financials

C. Langston made a motion to Approve Monthly Financials.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

I.

Revised Articles of Incorporation, Amended Bylaws & CalSTRS Charter School Certification Form

C. Langston made a motion to Approve Revised Articles of Incorporation, Amended bylaws & CalSTRS Charter School Certification Form.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Heisser
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
D. Ortiz
Absent
T. Bell
Absent
C. Langston
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
C. Langston made a motion to Approve Revised Articles of Incorporation, Amended bylaws & CalSTRS Charter School Certification Form.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Ortiz
Absent
S. Jauregui
Absent
R. McKenzie
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
C. Langston
Aye

J.

Equitas Collegiate High School: Title III, Part A Submission, LCAP Federal Addendum System

C. Langston made a motion to Approve Equitas Collegiate High School: Title III, Part A Submission, LCAP Federal Addendum System.
M. Gomez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Heisser
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
D. Ortiz
Absent
T. Hollenberg
Aye
S. Jauregui
Absent
T. Bell
Absent

IX. Consent

A.

Approve Minutes

C. Langston made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 01-30-26.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Approve Minutes

C. Langston made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Retreat on 05-16-26.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

'26-'27 Equitas Employee Handbook

C. Langston made a motion to Approve '26-'27 Equitas Employee Handbook.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

School Business Services

C. Langston made a motion to Approve School Business Services.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Updated Annual Policies

C. Langston made a motion to Approve Updated Annual Policies.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

F.

'26-'27 Equitas Fiscal Policies & Procedures

C. Langston made a motion to Approve '26-'27 Equitas Fiscal Policies & Procedures.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

G.

Education Protection Act Spending Plan '26–'27

C. Langston made a motion to Approve Education Protection Act Spending Plan '26–'27.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

H.

FY26 Funding Application for Federal Funds

C. Langston made a motion to Approve FY26 Funding Application for Federal Funds.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

I.

'26-'27 Equitas Student & Family Handbook

C. Langston made a motion to Approve '26-'27 Equitas Student & Family Handbook.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

J.

National School Lunch Program and Child & Adult Care Food Program Contract

C. Langston made a motion to Approve National School Lunch Program and Child & Adult Care Food Program Contract.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

K.

Collective LAUSD Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Notification Letter

C. Langston made a motion to Approve Collective LAUSD Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Notification Letter.
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

L.

‘25-’26 Expanded Learning Opportunities Plan (ELOP)

C. Langston made a motion to Approve ‘25-’26 Expanded Learning Opportunities Plan (ELOP).
T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

X. Resource Development

A.

Committee Goals

Catie Langston and Sofia Roditti shared updates on Resource Development Committee goals

XI. Academic Accountability

A.

Committee Goals

Sofia Roditti shared updates on Academic Accountability Committee goals.

XII. Finance

A.

Committee Goals

Tom Hollenberg shared updates on Finance Committee Goals. 

XIII. Governance Committee

A.

'26-'27 Board Calendar

L. Heisser made a motion to Approved '26-'27 Board Calendar.
C. Langston seconded the motion.

The board calendar dates in December and April were updated.

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

B.

'26-'27 Nominating Slate

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

C.

Recruitment Update: New Committee Member

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

D.

Committee Goals

Lindsey Heisser shared updates on Governance Committee goals. 

XIV. Board Updates

A.

'26-'27 Board Goals

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

XV. 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 7:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Heisser