Board Meeting Minutes

October 26, 2023, 3:00-6:00 PM

Minutes Approved

Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday October 26, 2023 at 3:00 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

9601 Wilshire Blvd, Floor 7, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

2420 Mathews Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

333 S. Grand Ave 33rd Floor (Wells Fargo North Tower-Ste 3310 Indie Desk), Los Angeles, CA 90071

Topic: August Board Meeting
When: Aug 31, 2023 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

A. Santino, C. Langston (remote), D. Ortiz, L. Heisser, O. Bajracharya, P. Reddy, R. McKenzie (remote), S. Jauregui, T. Bell, T. Hollenberg

Directors Absent

None

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

D. Ortiz, L. Heisser

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

C. Langston, R. McKenzie, S. Jauregui

Guests Present

A. Figueroa, Antonio Vargas, B. Canosa-Carr, C. Melgares, Carla Perez, Edwin Garnica, J. Edelman, J. Freeman, J. Rayas, J. Rudolph, K. Farrar, Kaitlyn Vargas, L. Lofton, L. Mitre, Miriam Janet Pineda, N. Peters, R. Spencer, S. Roditti, Stephanie Leon, Sylvia Jauregui, V. Pena, Y. Chiquito

I. Opening Items

A. Record Attendance and Guests

B. Call the Meeting to Order

T. Bell called a meeting of the board of directors of Equitas Academy Charter School to order on Thursday Oct 26, 2023 at 3:01 PM.

C. Approve Minutes

O. Bajracharya made a motion to Approve the minutes from August Board Meeting on 08-31-23.

C. Langston seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
S. Jauregui	Absent
A. Santino	Aye
D. Ortiz	Absent
R. McKenzie	Aye
T. Bell	Aye
P. Reddy	Aye
T. Hollenberg	Aye
L. Heisser	Absent
O. Bajracharya	Aye
C. Langston	Aye

II. Public Comment

A. Public Comment

No public comment was made.

III. Closed Session

A. CEO Performance

L. Heisser arrived at 3:12 PM.

D. Ortiz arrived at 3:20 PM.

IV. Organization Updates

A. Organizational Spotlight: Alumni Update - Presentation

Lilia Mitre introduced Equitas Alumni Kaitlin Vargas, class 2026. She was the recipient of Equitas High School Scholarship.

Lilia introduced Equitas Edwin Garnica, Equitas Alumni, class 2030.

B. Alumni Profile Exercise

Consultant Mark Kleger-Heine lead the Board members through a strategic planning exercise developing the Equitas graduate profile.

C. Strong Start Updates

Strong Start Updates:

Sofia Roditti shared an update on the organizational dashboard
Robert Spencer and Jennifer Freeman shared an update and review of academic data.
Jason Rudolph shared enrollment updates.
Jessica Edelman shared updates talent and staff retention.
Kate Farrar shared Alumni and High school partnership updates.
Yug Fon shared a financial update.

D. Charter Renewal - Presentation

Jason Rudolph shared a presentation on the charter renewal process and current renewal legislation.

C. Langston left at 6:00 PM.

S. Jauregui left at 6:12 PM.

R. McKenzie left at 6:07 PM.

E. Break

F. Fiscal Updates

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve September '23 Monthly Financials.

T. Hollenberg seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
T. Bell	Aye
S. Jauregui	Absent
A. Santino	Aye
L. Heisser	Aye
O. Bajracharya	Aye
T. Hollenberg	Aye
P. Reddy	Aye
D. Ortiz	Aye
R. McKenzie	Absent
C. Langston	Absent

G. Facilities Holdings/Pico Union Collective - Presentation

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve Board Appointment Slate for PUC.

O. Bajracharya seconded the motion.

Valerie Bramea

Sofia Roditti

Eric Barlow

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
C. Langston	Absent
D. Ortiz	Aye
A. Santino	Aye
O. Bajracharya	Aye
L. Heisser	Aye
T. Bell	Aye
P. Reddy	Aye
T. Hollenberg	Aye
R. McKenzie	Absent
S. Jauregui	Absent

H. Closure of Pacific Western Bank Account(s)

A. Santino made a motion to Approve the closure of Western Bank Account(s).

P. Reddy seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
T. Hollenberg	Aye
P. Reddy	Aye
S. Jauregui	Absent
C. Langston	Absent
L. Heisser	Aye
A. Santino	Aye
D. Ortiz	Aye
T. Bell	Aye
O. Bajracharya	Aye

I. English Learner Master Plan

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve Updates to the English Learner Plan.

T. Bell seconded the motion.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Roll Call
P. Reddy	Aye
D. Ortiz	Aye
T. Bell	Aye
C. Langston	Absent
S. Jauregui	Absent
L. Heisser	Aye
A. Santino	Aye
R. McKenzie	Absent
T. Hollenberg	Aye
O. Bajracharya	Aye

V. Governance Committee

A. Committee Goals

Lindsey Heisser gave an update on Bylaw amendments that are not necessary for upcoming action.

VI. 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 6:40 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

T. Bell