Golden Charter Academy
Minutes
GCA Board of Trustees Meeting
Date and Time
Monday September 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Location
Golden Charter Academy
Building A - Conference Room
452 N Pacific Avenue
Fresno, CA 93706
10309 N Willow Avenue
Fresno, CA 93730
390 W Fir Avenue
Clovis, CA 93611
Directors Present
J. D'Ambrosio, J. Hickman, K. Armstrong, R. Golden, W. McCulley, Z. Fraser
Directors Absent
None
Ex Officio Members Present
J. Weber (remote)
Guests Present
J. Gonzales, J. Xiong, S. Morris
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
J. D'Ambrosio called a meeting of the board of directors of Golden Charter Academy to order on Monday Sep 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
B.
Roll Call
C.
Pledge of Allegiance
D.
Approval of the Agenda
Z. Fraser made a motion to approve the Agenda.
J. Hickman seconded the motion.
Pulling Action Item B from today's Agenda.
E.
Public Comments
II. Consent Agenda
A.
August 29, 2026 Special Board Meeting Minutes
J. D'Ambrosio made a motion to approve the minutes from GCA Special Board of Trustees Meeting on 08-29-26.
W. McCulley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
III. Information / Discussion
A.
Reports and Updates
CEO Reports (Robert Golden, President & CEO)
- Line of Credit Closed - September 24, 2026
- 2021-2026 Accomplishments:
- Finance: Raised $3 million+ in philanthropy. Secured $27 million in facility financing.
- Academic Growth: Increased Math proficiency school wide > 3rd-7th from 6% to more than 22%. Increased ELA proficiency school wide > 3rd-7th from 10% to 25%. 2021 TK Cohort (3rd grade in 2025/2026) 35% in ELA, 45% in Math. Increased ELA proficiency among African American scholars from 5.77% to 24%. Increased Hispanic scholars proficiency in Math from 9.38% to 31.37%.
- Enrollment & Attendance Trends
- Enrollment as of 9/28/2026: 438
- Average Daily Attendance (ADA): 89%
- Statewide Attendance Challenges
- Schools throughout California continue to experience enrollment and attendance challenges.
- Ongoing enrollment/retention efforts:
- Continue year-round recruitment and community outreach.
- Strengthen partnerships with community organizations.
- Improve scholar retention and daily attendance.
- Continue building GCA into a school of excellence that families actively choose.
- Consistently monitor enrollment, ADA, and financial projections.
- Align staffing and expenditures with sustainable revenue.
- How the Board can Assist
- Board members are encouraged to refer at least one friend, family member, or community connection to GCA.
- Philanthropy Outreach
- Introducing the school to potential donors and philanthropic partners.
- Sharing our vision and impact within their professional networks.
- Identifying individuals, foundations, and corporations aligned with our mission.
- Charter Renewal
- Due to Charter Office: October 26, 2026
- FUSD Board Public Hearing #1: December 16, 2026
- FUSD Board Public Hearing #2: February 10, 2027
Administration Reports & Updates (Stephen Morris, Ed.D., Superintendent-Principal)
- Scholar Engagement & Support Programs: Athletics, field experiences, MTSS Tier I & II
- New Campus Systems & Improvements
- Review a potential Cintas contract for reliable janitorial services
- Assess campus play areas to increase recreation and physical activity
- Explore regular Story Land experiences
- Service Capacity & Program Quality
- Additional Education Specialist and Speech-Language Pathologist beginning September 17
- Stronger risk assessment, safety planning, and school reentry procedures
- Continued focus on comprehensive assessments, measurable IEP goals, family participation, and consistent documentation
- Academic Systems and Alignment
- Transitioning student information and reporting systems to PowerSchool
- Implementing i-Ready Diagnostic assessments to establish academic baselines
- Developing ELA and Math pacing resources to clarify instructional priorities
- Expanded Enrichment and Partnerships
- C.R.A.F.T.S. Foundation: ballet and technology
- Teen Auxiliary: tennis and Math Olympics
- CreativeT: fashion and design
- ENP Read Fresno: literacy support
- Music, Spanish, gardening, and environmental stewardship
- Fresno Discovery Center: weekly science sessions and planetarium experiences
- Dr Me!: Hands-on learning with physicians and healthcare professionals. Healthcare topics, career pathways, service, and friendship activities.
- Junior Tutoring Support: Seventh and eighth-grade scholars supporting younger scholars while building responsibility, communication, and leadership skills.
Financial Reports (Jim Weber, Charter Impact)
- August 2026 Report
- Forecasts:
- Enrollment: 405, ADA 381
- Budget: $10 million
- LCFF: $16,000 per pupil
- Expenses: Forecast expenses reduced to $10 million, excluding facility $7.4 million. Active expense management required to meet goal. Long term lease accrual adds $611K non-cash expenses.
- Fund Balance: Expense management required to achieve minimal surplus. Net assets above 4% meet goal (3%+). Excluding fixed assets, net assets near zero, require additional $300K to meet 3%. Long term goal 10%-15% fund balance to strengthen cash flow.
- Forecasts:
2026-27 Board Role Nominations
- Board Structure: Co-Chairs
- Co-Chairs: Jene D'Ambrosio & Zachary Fraser
- Secretary: Jeffie Hickman
- Treasurer: Zachary Fraser
2026-27 Board Subcommittee Chair Nominations
- Audit-Finance Committee Chair: Zachary Fraser
- Academic Excellence Committee Chair: Jeffie Hickman
- Development Committee Chair: Jene D'Ambrosio
- Governance Committee Chair: Wendy McCulley
2026-27 Board Meeting Calendar
- Regular Meetings Day & Time: Third Thursday, 5-7pm
- Next Board Meeting Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Notice of Intent to Adopt
- Conflict of Interest Codes
B.
2026-27 Board Role Nominations
C.
2026-27 Board Subcommittee Chair Nominations
D.
2026-27 Board Meeting Calendar
E.
Notice of Intent to Adopt
IV. Action Items
A.
Consideration & Approval of the Updated 26-27 Chief Executive Officer Job Description & Salary Range.
Z. Fraser made a motion to approve the Updated 26-27 Chief Executive Officer Job Description & Salary Range.
J. Hickman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
B.
Consideration & Approval of the 26-27 Registrar Job Description & Salary Range.
Motion to N/A.
Table Action Item B.
C.
Consideration & Approval of the 26-27 Board Role Nominations.
Z. Fraser made a motion to approve the 26-27 Board Role Nominations.
W. McCulley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
D.
Consideration & Approval of the 26-27 Board Subcommittee Chair Nominations.
Z. Fraser made a motion to approve the 26-27 Board Subcommittee Chair Nominations.
W. McCulley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
E.
Consideration & Approval of the Final Credit Agreement with East West Bank for the Line of Credit Loan.
Z. Fraser made a motion to approve the Final Credit Agreement with East West Bank for the Line of Credit Loan.
W. McCulley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
F.
Consideration & Approval of the Drafted Facilities Use Policy Proposal.
W. McCulley made a motion to approve the Drafted Facilities Use Policy Proposal.
Z. Fraser seconded the motion.
Approve the draft as written. Revisions to be made. Final version is to be approved at a later Board meeting.
G.
Consideration & Approval of the 26-27 Request for Proposal (RFP) for Campus Custodial Services.
W. McCulley made a motion to approve the 26-27 Request for Proposal (RFP) for Campus Custodial Services.
K. Armstrong seconded the motion.
Proposal due date to be updated.
V. Board Member Comments
A.
Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 5:00 to 7:00 PM
B.
Board Member Comments
- Committee Chairs to schedule monthly meetings
- Connect Wendy with Mike Mizzoni from BoardOnTrack on Governance matters.
- Development Board roles & committee chair descriptions
VI. Suggested Agenda Items
A.
Suggested Agenda Items
Registrar Exhibit A to be approved at the next Board meeting.
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 6:07 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
J. D'Ambrosio
Pledge of Allegiance led by Jene D'Ambrosio.