K. McCoy read the Academy of Alameda's Mission and Envisioned Future Statements.

Teacher K. Smeal read a statement about how special AoA is, how we truly care about kids, how inclusive we are, and that it shows, and how something Coach Burger shared with her when she first started about these kids being all of our kids is something she thinks about often. She siad that these changes are a chance to look at new opportunities for AoA. 

J. Whatley had a question about when reductions in SPED contractors would be decided and who would be reduced. She also had a question regarding the MYP scenario and how 5th graders classes would work on a middle school schedule.

ED Chilcott reviewed information and the presentation with the group regarding the information N. Stewart (from Vertex) discussed with the Finance Committee on 10/8/26. She discussed that while there is a $660k deficit projected for this year's budget and N. Stewart said they need to cut at least $300k+, ED Chilcott and her staff are looking for more than that because that figure was based on an enrollment number around 645 which was what it was closer in September. Now that number is 630.

ED Chilcott shared that with looking at a RIF of an FTE roll mid-year, the reduction of a SPED contractor, and two staff going on maternity leave, the OLT (ED Chilcott, Principal McGeorge, Director of Operations Perkins and Director of HR Randadive) found approx. $170 in reductions, but increased  Health and Welfare costs made the balance of the projected deficit go from $660k to $557k so more cuts are needed. She also shared they are looking at a reduction of SPED contractors but there are still assessments being done which would determine the level of need which determines the staffing. She shared that since SPED levels are unknown largely for TK and kindergartners in the beginning of a school year, and this year's kindergarten class had a lot of need, it is not always easy to determine staffing levels when budgeting, and that we do our best and use contractors since if the need eases we can just stop the contract.

ED Chilcott shared that she, Principal McGeorge and Ms. Perkins had gone through the budget again identifying other areas to reduce and N. Stewart was reviewing some questions they had about stipend usage. ED Chilcott also shared that there were block grant funds of $105k budgeted for 27-28 and 28-29, and that she would be directing N. Stewart to move the 28-29 funds to 26-27 to offset the deficit but she was not sure about moving the 27-28 funds because even with some projected additional FTE RIFs beginning in 27-28, there is still an approximately $340k deficit being projected. C. Robie shared that sometimes the state has taken back money that they've promised the schools so it might be better to use it all in this 26-27 year, but also, they could even choose to eliminate for this year so if we made the decision to move all block grant funds to 26-27, we would need a back up in case that occurred. ED Chilcott agreed that since a new governor and state superintendent of schools was being voted on in November, and both races have opponents with opposite ideologies, that could occur depending on who wins.

ED Chilcott said it was likely more FTE RIFs were going to be needed to be made for the 26-27 SY. She shared that if FTE RIFs are being made for 26-27, staff would be notified no later than November 18 for a final day of December 18, 2026. 

ED Chilcott then shared the scenario that she asked N. Stewart to use which was what the board was reviewing. She said the idea came up through ideas coming from the elementary team during a brainstorm session in their professional development. She shared that after sharing the initial information about enrollment and budget with the full staff on 9.30.26 and brief follow ups at the individual elementary and middle school PDs on 10.7.26, staff had been sending her ideas to support the school, and that she put all that information in one document, shared it with the staff, and set a meeting on 10.19.26 for anyone who wants to attend to discuss all ideas. She said that the idea of adding an additional TK and moving 5th grade to middle school to open enrollment to the large waitlist of TK and fifth graders respectively seemed to be the best scenario for multiple reasons. TK and fifth grade regularly have the largest waitlists, making fifth grade part of middle school allows them to take electives which helps us stand apart from all other schools in Alameda, and does not fundamentally change AoA's core values or programming, and a larger fifth grade can potentially matriculate into sixth grade which increases the middle school enrollment. She said it checks off the most directives in terms of student benefit, uniqueness to the community/standing apart from other schools, and increasing funding through enrollment which is the main way we receive revenue. 

ED Chilcott presented a potential scenario to increase AoA's enrollment and for the school to remain sustainable moving forward. She said that this was an idea that came from the elementary team, and that she believed the middle school team was aware

The board and ED had a closed session discussion regarding details of the RIFs.

There was no action taken in Closed Session.

Finance - B. Schaff shared Finance Committee had nothing to report since we discussed finances in this meeting. A. Cooley shared she would research how AoA can do an end of the year giving fundraising campaign and report back.

Governance - K. McCoy reported that Governance had nothing to report.

There were no individual reports.

ED Chilcott shared that she ran into a member of the City of Alameda's development team and asked when the street striping would begin in front of AoA for the beginning of the Lincoln/Marshall/Pacific project. He said the contractor conducting the project is being voted on at the 10.20.26 city council meeting and the project would begin after that, weather permitting.

J. Laird shared that the next regular board meeting will be on Wednesday, October 21, and the next Special Board Meeting will be on Saturday, November 7.