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Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday February 25, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Location

Nadine Peters is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: February Board Meeting
Time: Feb 25, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://equitasacademy.zoom.us/j/98727384385
Meeting ID: 987 2738 4385
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Meeting ID: 987 2738 4385
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

A. Perez (remote), A. Santino (remote), C. Langston (remote), D. Krishna (remote), F. Spindler (remote), J. Cruz (remote), O. Bajracharya (remote), P. Reddy (remote), T. Bell (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

A. Kogeman (remote), C. Belcher (remote), C. Casey (remote), C. Melgares (remote), L. Chang (remote), M. Borrego (remote), M. Ford (remote), N. Orlando (remote), S. Sobkov (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

A. Perez called a meeting of the board of directors of Equitas Academy Charter School to order on Thursday Feb 25, 2021 at 7:01 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

O. Bajracharya made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 01-28-21.
T. Bell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. Reddy
Aye
J. Cruz
Aye
D. Krishna
Aye
A. Perez
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
F. Spindler
Aye
T. Bell
Aye
A. Santino
Aye

II. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

There were no members of the public present so no comment was made.

III. Org Updates

A.

CEO Update

Ms Borrego discussed the enhancements to the board agenda based on board feedback. Ms Borrego discussed the movement of equity work and shared that the first cohort of scholars are graduating from high school and are being accepted to colleges across the country. In March board presentations on academic data and green lighting for growth will be discussed.  

B.

Form 700/Conflict of Interest

Form 700 is state reporting form in which state and local government officials publicly disclose their personal assets and income that may be materially affected by their official acts. Agency employees, including some public officials who are designated in a conflict of interest code, are required to disclose certain financial interests according to the disclosure categories assigned to that position in their agency's conflict of interest code.Cecilia Melgares, Director of Network Operations will reach out to board members and staff directly to gather the information.

C.

Operations Presentation

With the goal of learning and engagement, board members connected with staff to understand the Schools' core business and encourage Board members’ role in strategic partnership. The Operations department facilitated a presentation and break out room for further discussion. Cecilia Melgares, Director of Operations, Junior Rayas, IT Director and Mark Rapoza, Director of Data & Analytics, Seidy Pacheco, Manager of Student Recruitment & Retention, Vivian Pena, IT Specialist, Denise Lopez, Data & Student Information Systems Manager comprise the Operation Leadership Department under Maggie Ford, COO. 

IV. Finance Committee

A.

Board Review of Monthly Financials & 2nd Interim Financials

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve the financials for the month ending January 2021 including the 2nd interim.
D. Krishna seconded the motion.
Financials were presented by M Ford there is a positive variance in net income. The board reviewed the 2nd interim.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. Reddy
Aye
J. Cruz
Aye
D. Krishna
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
A. Perez
Aye
A. Santino
Aye
F. Spindler
Aye
T. Bell
Aye

B.

Compensation for FY 20-21

M Ford provided the board with the plan to eliminate the hiring and wage freeze by instituting a 2% raise for all staff members. 

V. Audit Committee

A.

Board Review and Approval of FY19-20 Audit

The Audit committee moved the audit review and approval to the March board meeting. 

VI. Resource Development Committee

A.

Virtual Events & Campaigns

W Spindler updated the board about the March for Equity Campaign beginning March 1, our fundraising campaign.

B.

Equitas Volunteer Participation

D Kreshina reminded the board that there are opportunities to volunteer in the organization reach out to C Casey.

VII. 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 7:59 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Perez