Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

Special Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday December 19, 2022 at 4:30 PM

Location

Topic: December Special Board Meeting
Time: Dec 19, 2022 04:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

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https://equitasacademy.zoom.us/j/81485845126

Meeting ID: 814 8584 5126
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Meeting ID: 814 8584 5126

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. Santino (remote), C. Langston (remote), D. Krishna (remote), O. Bajracharya (remote), P. Reddy (remote), T. Bell (remote)

Directors Absent

D. Ortiz, F. Spindler, L. Heisser

Guests Present

Bobby Canosa-Carr (remote), C. Melgares (remote), E. Wyatt (remote), K. Farrar (remote), N. Peters (remote), R. Spencer (remote), S. Roditti (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Board findings pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)

D. Krishna made a motion to Pass.
C. Langston seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Heisser
Absent
D. Krishna
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
A. Santino
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
F. Spindler
Absent
T. Bell
Aye
D. Ortiz
Absent

C.

Call the Meeting to Order

T. Bell called a meeting of the board of directors of Equitas Academy Charter School to order on Monday Dec 19, 2022 at 4:35 PM.

II. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

No public comment. 

III. Org Update

A.

Universal Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Plan

P. Reddy made a motion to Pass.
C. Langston seconded the motion.

Our Why: 

  • Prepare four-year-olds for success in kindergarten 

 

Promoting Kindergarten Readiness by:

  • Ensuring equity and access
  • Low scholar-to-adult ratios in TK classrooms
  • Instill wonder and curiosity
  • Focused on early literacy, writing, and foundational math concepts

 

Staffing in the UTK Classroom: 

  • Scholar to adult ratio of 12:1
  • 1 teacher and 1 instructional aide for each classroom 
     

Curriculum Alignment: 

  • California Preschool Learning Foundations and the State Standards

 

Enrollment & Staffing:

  • One classroom for EQ, EQ3 & EQ5
  • Two classrooms for EQ6

 

Questions:

  • Catie - Do you have research for the demand of this program? Yes, we've had interest over the past few years. 
  • Alyssa - Do you have any concerns with filling staffing? We can fill these positions with current staff. 
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. Reddy
Aye
T. Bell
Aye
D. Krishna
Aye
L. Heisser
Absent
F. Spindler
Absent
A. Santino
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
D. Ortiz
Absent

IV. 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 4:44 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
T. Bell