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Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

June Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday June 20, 2024 at 3:00 PM

Location

1612 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 

 

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

2420 Mathews Ave #A, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

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

4324 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

4425 Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505

509 S Lincoln Pl, Monrovia 91016

 

 

Topic: June Board Meeting
When: Jun 20, 2024 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

D. Ortiz, L. Heisser, M. Gomez, O. Bajracharya, P. Reddy, R. McKenzie (remote), S. Jauregui

Directors Absent

A. Santino, C. Langston, T. Bell, T. Hollenberg

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

L. Heisser

Guests Present

B. Canosa-Carr, C. Melgares, J. Edelman, J. Freeman, J. Gonzalez, J. Rayas, J. Rudolph, K. Farrar, K. Gouveia, N. Peters, R. Spencer, S. Estilai, S. Pacheco, S. Roditti, V. Pena, Y. Chiquito

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

N. Peters called a meeting of the board of directors of Equitas Academy Charter School to order on Thursday Jun 20, 2024 at 3:25 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

S. Jauregui made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Retreat on 05-18-24.
M. Gomez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Hollenberg
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
O. Bajracharya
Aye
L. Heisser
Absent
R. McKenzie
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
A. Santino
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye

II. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

A member of the public joined the meeting and introduced himself. 

III. Closed Session

A.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE (Gov. Code section 54957(b)(1).

L. Heisser arrived at 3:29 PM.

The board met in closed session with Sofia Roditti. 

IV. Public Report on Action Taken in Closed-Session

A.

Public Report on Action Taken in Closed-Session

The board discuss CEO compensation for '24-'25 and bonus for '23-'24. 

V. Compensation

A.

CEO Compensation

D. Ortiz made a motion to vote on the CEO compensation.
M. Gomez seconded the motion.

CEO compensation will remain the same for '24-'25 and no bonus for '23-'24. 

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

VI. Consent

A.

'24-'25 Equitas Employee Handbook

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve '24-'25 Equitas Employee Handbook.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Bell
Absent
O. Bajracharya
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
S. Jauregui
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye

B.

'24-'25 Equitas Student & Family Handbook

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve '24-'25 Equitas Student & Family Handbook.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. McKenzie
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
S. Jauregui
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
C. Langston
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye

C.

Updated Annual Policies

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve Updated Annual Policies.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Ortiz
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
A. Santino
Absent
T. Hollenberg
Absent
O. Bajracharya
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye

D.

Approve Child & Adult Care Food Program Contract

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve Child & Adult Care Food Program Contract.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Langston
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
O. Bajracharya
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
T. Bell
Absent

E.

'24-'25 Equitas Fiscal Policies & Procedures

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve '24-'25 Equitas Fiscal Policies & Procedures.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Gomez
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
S. Jauregui
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
T. Hollenberg
Absent

F.

Amended Line of Credit Agreement & Promissory Note

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve Amended Line of Credit Agreement & Promissory Note.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Bell
Absent
C. Langston
Absent
O. Bajracharya
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
R. McKenzie
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
A. Santino
Absent

G.

Education Protection Act Resolution '24-'25 & Final Expenditures '23-'24

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve Education Protection Act Resolution '24-'25 & Final Expenditures '23-'24.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. McKenzie
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
M. Gomez
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
A. Santino
Absent
T. Hollenberg
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye

H.

'23-'24 Spring Consolidated Application (Conapp)

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve '23-'24 Spring Consolidated Application (Conapp).
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Bell
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
S. Jauregui
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
A. Santino
Absent
M. Gomez
Aye

I.

Equitas Academy, Equitas Academy #5 & Equitas Academy #6 Proposition 28: Arts and Music in Schools Funding '23-'24 Annual Reports

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve Equitas Academy, Equitas Academy #5 & Equitas Academy #6 Proposition 28: Arts and Music in Schools Funding '23-'24 Annual Reports.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. McKenzie
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
T. Bell
Absent
O. Bajracharya
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
A. Santino
Absent

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

A.

Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs)

Sue Andres-Brown (consultant) presented on LCAPs and allowed for public comment. 

B.

Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs)

M. Gomez made a motion to Approve Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs).
D. Ortiz seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Jauregui
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
T. Bell
Absent
C. Langston
Absent

C.

Revision to Equitas Academy (Flagship) '23-'24 LCAP Federal Addendum

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve Revision to Equitas Academy (Flagship) '23-'24 LCAP Federal Addendum.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
S. Jauregui
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
C. Langston
Absent
P. Reddy
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye

VIII. Organizational Updates

A.

Review of California Dashboard '23-'24 Local Indicators

Kyle Gouveia presented on review of California Dashboard '23-'24 Local Indicators, including:

  • Access to curriculum
  • Access to facilities
  • How are we getting information on families and students

B.

CSI & ATSI Designation Update

Robert Spencer (Chief Schools Officer) provided an update for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) status and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) designation. 

C.

Principal Presentations

Joanna Montgomery and Julie Chang (EQ3 Co-interim principals) presented on the school dashboard, including co-teaching. Amanda Pardo (EQ6 principal) presented on the school dashboard. 

D.

EQ2 Renewal Update

Carla Perez (EQ Principal) presented on EQ2 renewal update, which includes progress on reading and math throughout the year. 

 

Jason Rudolph (COO) presented on the timeline for EQ2 renewal update. 

E.

Break

No break. 

F.

Strategic Planning Update

Sofia Roditti (CEO) presented on the Strategic Planning process including mission, vision, core values, learner profile, and priorities/approach. Alaina Pariano (EQ Principal) and Ashley Kinney (EQ Teacher) presented on their experience with the Steering Committee. 

G.

Finish Strong

Staff answered questions from board members on Finish Strong presentation including:

  • Organizational dashboard (Sofia Roditti) 
  • Academic Data Review (Robert Spencer) 
  • Students, families, staff and DEIA survey results (Robert Spencer) 
  • Enrollment (Seidy Pacheco) 
  • Talent (Jessica Edelman) 

H.

'24-'25 Budgets

Samira Estilai (COO of ExED) presented on highlights of the new budget information.  

 

Yug Fon Chiquito (Managing Director of Finance) presented on '24-'25 budgets including schools, network, and org. 

 

Jason Rudolph (COO) presented on enrollment update and banking strategy update. 

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve.
P. Reddy seconded the motion.

Prabhu Reddy commented that the Finance Committee recommends the '24-'25 budget. 

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

I.

Monthly Financials

Yug Fon Chiquito (Managing Director of Finance) presented on monthly financials and updated fiscal policies. 

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

J.

Equitas Academy #2 & Equitas #2 LLC Inter-Agency Facilities Receivable/Payable Accounting & Reconciliation

Samira Estilai presented on Equitas Academy #2 & Equitas #2 LLC Inter-Agency Facilities Receivable/Payable Accounting & Reconciliation. 

P. Reddy made a motion to Approve Equitas Academy #2 & Equitas #2 LLC Inter-Agency Facilities Receivable/Payable Accounting & Reconciliation.
O. Bajracharya seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
O. Bajracharya
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
T. Hollenberg
Absent

K.

School Business Services

M. Gomez made a motion to Approve ExED for School Business Services.
D. Ortiz seconded the motion.

Jason Rudolph explained the RFP process for School Business Services. Lindsey Heisser asked a question about missed audit deadlines and Jason addressed those questions.

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

L.

Arc After School Program/Summer Contract

Jennifer Freeman (Managing Director of Student Services) discussed the new Arc After School Program/Summer Contract.  

M.

Credential Limited Assignment Options (LAO)

M. Gomez made a motion to Approve Credential Limited Assignment Options (LAO).
S. Jauregui seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Jauregui
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
C. Langston
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
A. Santino
Absent

Jessica Edelman (Managing Director of Talent) presented on Credential Limited Assignment Options (LAO).

IX. Resource Development

A.

Committee Goals

Dakota Ortiz presented the Resource Development committee goals for '24-'25. 

X. Academic Accountability

A.

Committee Goals

Sylvia Jauregui presented the Academic Accountability committee goals for '24-'25. 

XI. Finance

A.

Committee Goals

Prabhu Reddy presented the Finance committee goals for '24-'25. 

XII. Governance Committee

A.

'24-'25 Board Goals

Lindsey Heisser presented the board goals for '24-'25. 

M. Gomez made a motion to Approve board goals for '24-'25.
D. Ortiz seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Gomez
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
A. Santino
Absent
C. Langston
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
O. Bajracharya
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent

B.

Committee Goals

Lindsey Heisser presented the Governance committee goals for '24-'25. 

C.

'24-'25 Board Calendar

O. Bajracharya made a motion to Approve '24-'25 board calendar.
S. Jauregui seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
T. Bell
Absent
R. McKenzie
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
T. Hollenberg
Absent
S. Jauregui
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
O. Bajracharya
Aye
D. Ortiz
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye

D.

'24-'25 Nominating Slate

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve '24-'25 Nominating Slate.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Gomez
Aye
R. McKenzie
Aye
T. Bell
Absent
O. Bajracharya
Aye
A. Santino
Absent
L. Heisser
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
P. Reddy
Aye
C. Langston
Absent
S. Jauregui
Aye

E.

Recruitment Updates: New Committee Members

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

F.

Board Member Recognition & Acceptance of Resignation

Lindsey Heisser discussed Alyssa Santino will resign from the board, effective 6/30/24. 

XIII. Culmination of Meeting

A.

Announcements

No announcements. 

B.

Evaluation of Meeting

Oliver and Lindsey evaluated the board meeting. 

XIV. 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 6:52 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
O. Bajracharya