Pinnacles Prep Charter School
Minutes
Monthly Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday February 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM
In Person: Pinnacles Prep Campus - Great Hall Classroom (504 S. Chelan Ave, Wenatchee)
Online Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81891729392
Board Members: Rick Wray, Blake Baldwin, Flora Fernandez, Rosa Pulido, Josh Castro, Nate McClennen
Contact: Blake Baldwin, Board Secretary
Email: blake@pinnaclesprep.org
Accessibility: This meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities. Special aids and services can be made available upon advance request. Advance requests for special aids and services must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting's start time.
Public Comment (In-Person): Members of the public wishing to comment in person should sign up using the provided sign-in sheet 10 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. You will be called on at the meeting. The Board may respond to public comment during the meeting. Members of the public wishing to provide hard copy written comments at the meeting must bring 8 copies. Ten minutes will be allocated for public comment, with the option of the Chair to allow more.
Public Comment (Virtual): Advance requests for virtual public comment or to provide written public comment electronically must be made no later than 48 hours in advance of the meeting's start time. To make this request or provide a written public comment, please email Blake Baldwin at blake@pinnaclesprep.org. If you would prefer to provide oral public comment, you will be called on at the meeting. The Board may respond to public comment during the meeting. A maximum of ten minutes will be allocated for public comment, with the option of the Chair to allow more.
Small School. Big Ideas.
Pinnacles Prep Mission: We exist to cultivate curious, confident, and self-directed
students who lead and succeed in college, their careers, and their communities.
BOARD MEETING NORMS
Procedural: Follow Through on all Agreements | Be Fully Present Physically and Mentally | Start and End on Time
Behavioral: Keep Students at the Center of Our Work | Be Bold and Optimistic | Advance Justice | Put Relationships First | Assume Positive Intent
Trustees Present
Blake Baldwin (remote), Flora Fernandez (remote), Josh Castro (remote), Nate McClennen (remote), Rick Wray, Rosa Pulido (remote)
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
Gary Keeler, Jill Fineis, Matt Paolini (remote), Sara Rolfs
I. Opening Items
A.
Welcome and Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Consent Agenda Approval
II. Public Comment Period
A.
Open Floor for Public Comments
No requests for public comment.
III. Know Our People, Know Our Programs
A.
Student Special Guests - Early Act Club
The Early Act Club was not available to join the board meeting.
IV. Critical Issue Discussion
A.
Annual Financial Audit
Matt shared high-level findings from the draft Pinnacles Financial Audit report with the board.
The auditor's opinion is that the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities and the general fund of Pinnacles Prep Charter School as of August 31, 2025, and the respective changes in financial position for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
B.
Student Enrollment and Attendance Report
Sara shared the most recent enrollment and attendance reports with the Board. Seasonal illness has affected recent attendance.
Enrollment has not substantially changed since last month's report. Sara is expecting a few potential mid-year enrollments which would be reflected in next month's report.
Rick asked if there were any significant findings from the recent "intent to return" survey completed by scholars. Sara said there were no unexpected responses.
C.
Academic Data Presentations
Jill shared findings for Winter Growth and Achievement.
Middle School Math Overall:
- Growth - 59th percentile
- Achievement - 39th percentile
Middle School Reading Overall:
- Growth - 58th percentile
- Achievement - 59th percentile
High School Math Overall:
- Growth - 41st percentile
- Achievement - 44th percentile
High School Reading Overall:
- Growth - 57th percentile
- Achievement - 65th percentile
Gary shared that we are seeing stronger reading skills because scholars are embracing learning and the middle school language arts instructors are exceptional.
D.
Co-Teaching at Pinnacles
Gary briefed the board about Pinnacles' co-teaching initiative. He said this model works well in supporting the school's high needs population.
Teachers plan and design learning plans together to better serve scholars.
Rick asked if this model has helped with addressing behavioral issues in the classroom. Gary shared that it has had a significant positive impact on this.
Gary said there are also 5-7 scholars working at Teaching Assistants.
V. Committee Reports
A.
Finance
Josh provided a Finance Committee update, including a review of the current Financial Dashboard indicators:
- Student Recruitment Count: Green
- Public Revenue Received: Green
- Private Revenue Received: Yellow
- Expenditures to Date: Green
- Cash on Hand: Red
- Currently below 60 days cash
B.
Development Committee
Jill shared that we are currently at 36.5% of our overall fundraising goal.
There have been 2 sponsorships purchased for the upcoming Gala and have sold 12 tickets so far.
Jill has asked board members to each find 5 guests to invite to the March 26th Gala.
VI. Additional Business
A.
Importing Upcoming Dates
- Representing Pinnacles at the Chamber's Business After Hours event - Feb 26 at Cave Noir 5-7pm
- Open House & 7th Grade Exhibition Night & Theatrical Performance- March 30th at PPCS
- Annual Gala - March 26th at the Mercantile
- 8th Grade Internship Exhibition Night & Presentations - April 2
- Loteria World Record Event - April 24th, 5 to 11pm at the Convention Center
Rick reminded the Board about the upcoming required financial affairs disclosure deadline to the State of Washington by April 15th.
The following payments as audited and certified by the auditing officer, as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursements claims certified, as required by RCW 42.24.090, are approved for payment.
In addition, payroll payments in the amount of $144,014.32 are also approved.
General Fund Accounts Payable
Total electronic payments totaling $110,447.69 and Check number N/A through N/A totaling $0
Non-AP Cash Disbursements
Total electronic payments totaling $2,309.44 and Check number N/A totaling $0
Payroll
Total electronic payments totaling $144,014.32 and Payroll check numbers N/A totaling $0