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Equitas Academy Charter School

Minutes

April Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday April 10, 2025 at 4:00 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

2420 Mathews Ave #A, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

509 S Lincoln Pl, Monrovia, CA 91016 

3731 W 227th St, Torrance, CA 90505

 

Topic: April Board Meeting
When: Apr 10, 2025 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

C. Langston, D. Ortiz, L. Heisser, M. Gomez, P. Reddy, S. Jauregui (remote), T. Bell

Directors Absent

R. McKenzie, T. Hollenberg

Guests Present

A. Cruz, A. Rojo, Aurora Corona, B. Canosa-Carr, C. Melgares, J. Freeman, J. Gonzalez, J. Montgomery, J. Rudolph, K. Farrar, K. Gouveia, L. Villasenor, N. Peters, R. Spencer, S. Estilai, S. Roditti

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 Apr 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM.

C.

Poetry Awards: 3rd Annual Poetry Lives in Pico Union Event

Aurora Corona (Pico Union Neighborhood Council) presented Poetry Awards to two scholars for the "3rd Annual Poetry Lives in Pico Union" event. 

D.

Approve Minutes

T. Bell made a motion to approve the minutes from February Board Meeting on 02-13-25.
P. Reddy seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. Reddy
Aye
L. Heisser
Aye
M. Gomez
Aye
T. Hollenberg
Absent
D. Ortiz
Aye
C. Langston
Aye
R. McKenzie
Absent
T. Bell
Aye
S. Jauregui
Aye

II. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

1. Courtney, kindergarten teacher at EQ3, public comment regarding: staff are being affected by budgets. Courtnery hopes to increase funds and reinstate these positions in the future. They are very valuable and necessary positions. 

III. Public Report on Action Taken in Closed-Session

A.

Public Report on Action Taken in Closed-Session

Lindsey Heisser reported out that the board discussed CEO performance during closed session. 

IV. Organizational Updates

A.

Principal Presentation

Lourdes Villasenor (EQ5/6 Principal) to present to the board on the following:

  • Core Values 
  • Growth Cycle 3 (how are we moving our students forward?)
  • Video shown academic interventions at EQ5/6
  • Widly Important Goal: Math SBAC Proficiency 

B.

Verified Data & Renewal

Kyle Gouveia, Robert Spencer &  Sofia Roditti presented verified data and renewal - the difference between iReady data, verified data and how iReady metrics are used. 


 


 

C.

Break

D.

Equitas Priorities

Staff will answer questions, submitted by our board members, focused on the Equitas Approach Priorities: 

  • Academics
  • Well-being
  • Advocacy 
  • Sustainability 

  


 

E.

Monthly Financials

D. Ortiz made a motion to Approve the monthly financials.
T. Bell seconded the motion.

Jason Rudolph and Samira Estilai discuss the monthly financials for Equitas. 

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

F.

Second Interim Reports

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

G.

Name Selection of Equitas/Collegiate

C. Langston made a motion to Approve the name of Equitas/Collegiate.
L. Heisser seconded the motion.

Name: Equitas Collegiate High School 

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

H.

Consideration of Equitas & Collegiate Merger Agreement

Kate Farrar, Chief of Staff, presented advocacy efforts on Equtias and Collegiate merger.  

V. Consent

A.

'24-'25 Expanded Learning Opportunities Plan

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

B.

Title III Plan

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

VI. Resource Development

A.

Committee Goals

Catie Langston updated the board on Resource Development goals, including fundraising efforts. Sofia Roditti discussed reaching out to funders. 

VII. Academic Accountability

A.

Committee Goals

Sylvia Jauregui update the board on Academic Accountability goals. 

VIII. Finance

A.

Committee Goals

Prabhu Reddy updated the board on Finance committee goals. 

IX. Governance Committee

A.

Committee Goals

Tyler Bell tabled this item. 

B.

Board Retreat Update

Tyler Bell updated the board on the annual board retreat. 

X. 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 6:06 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
L. Heisser