Rich Harrison, CEO, led the board and staff on a land acknowledgement for the Ohlone people. 

Rich Harrison, CEO, gave an overview of community highlights to the board and staff, beginning with the events of the morning, being Declaration Day at Lighthouse. At Lighthouse Declaration Day, students announced their post-secondary plans and there was a grant announcement for 2026 graduates on behalf of a Lighthouse alumni. Lodestar's declaration day will be on Monday 5/11/26.

Next was the highlight about Lola Prieto, where Lead Principal of Lighthouse TK-5, Shaina Hurley discussed Lola's journey beginning as a volunteer, working through various roles, and is now a founding TK teacher for Lighthouse who has served generations of families. 

The next exposure story was reviewed by Rich Harisson, where Blueprint, a construction company, has taken on five interns for the 25-26 year, giving students an opportunity to learn construction more intimately at LCPS campuses. 

Khameela Blacksheer, a 7th-grade student at Lodestar, addressed issues that she wished for improvements upon, such as tutoring for math and accommodations, as well as personal experiences of how she overcame troublesome situations.

Saleem Blacksheet, a student, shared their experience that occurred during the Black Student Union, identifying a situation where they felt they were unable to express their opinion on the soiree and felt unheard by administrators at Lodestar. 

Diamond Griggs, Lodestar student, spoke about how they wished for Lodestar to improve the Black Student Union program at Lodestar, such as feeling a loss of student voice. The student spoke about what they believe the point of BSU to be, but felt they did not have the option to rise to the occasion.

Tunisa Harris, Lodestar parent, shared her experiences with restorative justice. Ms. Adams stated that she believes Lodestar is not upholding its principles behind restorative justice, and read the LCPS policy behind restorative justice. Ms. Harris continued to speak about the role of staff in restorative justice, but felt that Lodestar had not upheld these practices of restorative justice. 

Kyaira Talton, a 4th-grade parent at Lighthouse, came to the board about the lack of representation for Black students within LCPS and creating a welcoming culture for Black students. Ms. Felton felt frustrated by the lack of support by the board of directors.

Katty, Lodestar parent of a 10th grader, said the biggest concern for her as a parent is the safety of students at the school. She voiced her frustration with her daughter's experiences of feeling safe, stating they have considered a virtual program to finish school without needing to come to campuses. She wondered if the CEO may respond to ideas to solve these issues.

Yenefier Arevalo, Lodestar parent, spoke about a situation with her sister's daughter that upset her family. Ms. Arevalo said a Lodestar administrator asked for specific personal information of the student, which felt inappropriate to ask about. Ms. Arevalo said the administrator misinterpreted information provided by the student, then felt ignored by administrators after following up on the situation. The family reported a visit by a social worker, though the social worker found no reason to follow up, then a second social worker made threats to the family that concerns. 

Rich Harrison, CEO, gave an update on Lighthouse TK-8 charter renewal, academics, community schools, professional development, enrollment & attrition, and finance. 

Rich spoke to the college and career work that has been undergoing at both high school campuses. He gave overviews on A-G completion, dual enrollment numbers at each school, career preparation, such as the health science pathway, and a new pre-apprenticeship program in carpentry. Rich then spoke to the distribution of students and their post-secondary outcomes, and while the majority of students are eligible for a 4-year institution, the breakdown looks different, with many students pursuing community college and trade school work. 

Rich then invited the board and community to the Lodestar declaration day, which will happen Monday, May 11th at 2PM.

The board asked if there's a specific goal for post-secondary decisions, to which Rich responded the goal is college and career readiness to be ready for the path of their choice. Rich added that no persistence study has happened at this time and that may be a goal of the future, to better understand LCPS alumni experience during college and what supports they may need or other ways LCPS may continue to improve. 

Rich Harrison, CEO, spoke to the purpose of the LCAP and the four-year strategic plan. Rich reviewed the LCAP and established goals that were determined through the strategic planning process a few years ago. Rich spoke to the progress and growth of strategies as well as growth areas. 

The board asked about the connection between Rayne Martin contract and LCAP progress. Rich spoke to Ms. Martin's guidance and coaching of Rich, and her systems for collecting feedback about the CEO that she can push Rich on. Rich believes that hiring a new Chief Academic Officer will be a bridge between senior leadership and connecting different areas of LCPS. 

The board asked about the summer work of senior leadership and proposed systemized planning to help align LCAP goals to future work.

Hung Mai, Senior Director of Finance gave a financial overview, beginning with enrollment and recruitment. 

Anna Martin, Chief Operating Officer, Projections have been updated for the 26-27 school year of student enrollment, where LCPS is on track to fill all sections of the new TK and Kinder classes at campuses. Entry grades represent a school's ability to remain fully enrolled over the future, so Anna gave additional highlights on TK, K, 6th, and 9th grade, where both campuses are going to be fully enrolled. 

The board asked for clarification about staffing models. Anna clarified that the enrollment rates align with the already-planned for expansions such as in TK and Kinder.

The board asked if LCPS anticipates needing additional special education staff members. Anna responded that one of the reasons registration happens early is to better understand student needs and determine the level of services LCPS needs to provide.  

Hung continued with the update, giving an overview of cash flow vs bond covenants, then key metrics of cash on hand, budget versus actual revenues, then links to March bills and expenses over $50K. Hung then gave an update on fiscal policy changes such as the cash and investment policy, the loans and debt policy, and short-term borrowing. 

Hung then reviewed the 26-27 budget draft, discussing changes in revenues, expenses, and net income.

The board asked how the Governor's change of budget will impact LCPS. Rich Harrison, CEO, responded that the projected 2.4% COLA may be adjusted and would affect the principal apportionment. 

The board asked for the next board meeting to have larger contracts listed 

Shaina Hurley, Lead Principal of Lighthouse TK-8, gave an opening to the Black Parent Advisory Committee. She spoke about the purposes of the committee and its hopes for the future.

Naimah Churchill, President of BPAC at Lighthouse, spoke about the leadership of members in the community and forming the BPAC. Ms. Churchill spoke that she wants to ensure access to opportunities and resources so students can thrive, advocating for the urgency of the work due to events happening on campuses. 

Ms. Churchill listed the asks from the BPAC, including policy revision, re-centering social justice, and a budget for family engagement opportunities. Ms. Churchill insisted on collaboration and building something better, and now is an opportune moment.

Paris Jordan, Operations Chair of BPAC, echoed what Ms. Churchill said and commented that LCPS has high potential for making improvements, but needs strategic implementation and practicality for the implementation of policies. Examples she gave are leveraging family participation and stating that families are able and ready to show up, and collecting in social spaces. Ms. Jordan believes that families are ready to have hard conversations and remain solution-oriented. An example she gave was that the parent handbook is over 100 pages, so asking parents to live out policies feels inequitable. 

Ms. Churchill spoke to some of the events that the BPAC participated in and led in over the last school year, such as a "hair love" event and other community service days. 

The board commented on wanting to bring policy into practice, commending the continued partnership and looking forward to getting future policies adopted. 

Anna Martin, Chief Operating Officer, spoke to the retention and hiring update, such as needing to hire special education positions, hiring teachers in new classrooms, such as TK and Kinder, and assisting current staff with their career progress, such as Alder residency. Anna commented that there are teaching roles still currently open, like an Ed Specialist, an elementary fitness teacher, and a high school English teacher, and math/physics openings due to visa requirements. 

The board asked about the context of staff retention being 85%. Anna responded that per the strategic plan, it was the goal of LCPS to hit the high 80s of staff retention year over year. 

Khameela Blacksheer, Lodestar student, talked about Black Student Union and Black Family Union and the ability to self-lead. The student commented that she believes students are getting referrals for insignificant acts and uniform findings. The student listed the steps in the uniform finding process and indicated the steps were not followed in order.

Tunisia Adams, Lodestar parent, asked about strategies to get parents more engaged in the school, such as ELAC. She said 5PM is often an unreasonable time for parents to meet which adds stress on youth. She hopes LCPS returns to more collaboration, agency, and unity, and adding board meetings to the parentsquare calendar. 

Seeing none and hearing no further comment, public comment was closed.

Staff will pursue the concept of a plain language handbook inquiry.