Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education

Minutes

Regular Board Meeting - June

Date and Time

Tuesday June 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Location

Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education

2060 Cameron Street

Ventura, CA 93001

 

Room 20

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD BY PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY
 
The Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education (“School”) welcomes your participation at the School’s Board meetings.  The purpose of the public meeting of the Board of Directors (“Board”) is to conduct the affairs of the School in public.  We are pleased that you are in attendance and hope that you will visit these meetings often.  We honor our partners in education.  We recognize that we are a collective group of teachers, parents, students, and community.  We encourage written and verbal communication.  Your participation is vital to the healthy operation of our school.  Our guidelines:

  1. Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting and online at venturacharterschool.org
  2. “Request to Speak” forms are available to all audience members who wish to speak on any agenda item(s) or under the general category of “Oral Communications”.
  3. “Public Comments" is set aside for members of the audience to address the Board.  However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action.  These presentations are limited to five (5) minutes each and total time allotted to non-agenda items that will not exceed thirty (30) minutes.  The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the opinion of returning with a community-requested item.
  4. With regard to items that are on the agenda, you may specify that agenda item on your request form and you will be given an opportunity to speak for up to five (5) minutes when the Board discusses that item.
  5. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and affiliation with the School.
  6. Community members may request that a topic related to School business be placed on future agenda in accordance with the guidelines in Board Governance Policy.  Once such an item is properly agendized and publicly noticed, the Board can discuss, respond, and possibly act upon such an item.
  7. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, the School may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Individuals who require appropriate alternative modification of the agenda in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact the Director’s office.  To request assistance contact (805) 648-5503.
  8. Public requests for agenda and materials should be directed in writing to the Executive Director at lisa.h@venturacharterschool.us 
  9. Board agendas for regular meetings are posted 72 hours in advance at www.venturacharterschool.org and at 2060 Cameron Street, Ventura, CA  93001.

Directors Present

Erika Dowd, Liz Smiley, Tom Mc Nerney, Tricia McClain

Directors Absent

Sam Estes

Ex Officio Members Present

Christi Sandbach, Lisa Hildebrand

Non Voting Members Present

Christi Sandbach, Lisa Hildebrand

Guests Present

Elyse Martin, Leesander Almarez, Li Chen, Rudy Calasin

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Tom Mc Nerney called a meeting of the board of directors of Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education to order on Tuesday Jun 23, 2026 at 6:33 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Mission Statement

The VCS Mission Statement was read by Tricia McClain.

D.

Approval of Minutes from May 21, 2026

Tricia McClain made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting - May on 05-21-26.
Erika Dowd seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Approval of the Agenda

Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the agenda.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Consent Agenda

Erika Dowd made a motion to approve the consent agenda.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

Upcoming Events

The upcoming events were discussed. The teaching staff returns on the 13th, not the 12th. 

II. Communications

A.

Public Comments

None.

B.

President and Board Report

None.

C.

Board Committee Reports

None.

D.

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Liaison Report

None.

E.

Teacher Report

Elyse Martin gave a teacher report.

F.

Directors' Report

The Directors gave a director's report.

G.

VCOE Director of Charter School Support and Oversight Report

None.

III. Items Scheduled for Information, Discussion, and/or Action

A.

Board Nominating Committee

Tricia McClain made a motion to elect Seana-Marie Sesna to the Board for a two-year term to commence on June 23, 2026.
Erika Dowd seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

2026/2027 Local Control Accountability Plan

Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the 2026/2027 Local Control Accountability Plan.
Tricia McClain seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Approval of the 26/27 Adopted Budget

Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the 2026/2027 VCS Adopted Budget.
Erika Dowd seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Approval of the 26/27 Prop 30 Spending Plan

Tricia McClain made a motion to approve the 2026/2027 Prop 30 Spending Plan.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Approval of the 26/27 Salary Schedule

Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the 2026/2027 Salary Schedule with the amendment of the $2,500/year stipend for the Home School coordinator.
Erika Dowd seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Local Executive Agency Compensation Report

The Local Executive Agency Compensation Report was reported out.

G.

Approval of the 26/27 Off-Schedule Payment for Returning Employees

Tricia McClain made a motion to approve the 2026/2027 off-schedule payment for returning employees based on the 2025/2026 salary schedule.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

H.

Approval of Updated 25/26 Stipend Salary Schedule

Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the 2025/2026 updated stipend salary schedule with the amendment of the $2,500/year stipend for the Home School coordinator.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

I.

Approval of the 26/27 Spring Release of the Consolidated Application

Tricia McClain made a motion to approve the 2026/2027 Spring Release of the Consolidated Application.
Erika Dowd seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

J.

Approval of the 25/26 Prop 28 Annual Report

Erika Dowd made a motion to approve the 2025/2026 Prop 28 Annual Report.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

K.

Coverly Pro Marketing Contract

Erika Dowd made a motion to approve the Coverly Pro Marketing Contract.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

L.

Charter Safe 26/27 Contract

Liz Smiley made a motion to approve the Charter Safe 2026/2027 Contract.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Tom Mc Nerney
Aye
Liz Smiley
Aye
Erika Dowd
Aye
Tricia McClain
Abstain
Sam Estes
Absent

M.

SELPA Contracts 26-27 - Nurse Services

Erika Dowd made a motion to approve the SELPA Contract for 2026/2027 - Nurse Services.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

N.

VUSD Nutrition Contract

Tricia McClain made a motion to VUSD Nutrition Contract.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

O.

Resignation of a Board Member

Liz Smiley made a motion to accept the resignation of Tricia McClain.
Tom Mc Nerney seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Other Business

A.

Future Topics

Schedule Board Retreat in August

B.

Board Meeting Check In

The Board checked in regarding their 2026/2027 Board goals.

V. Closed Session

A.

Motion to go to Closed Session

Erika Dowd made a motion to go to Closed Session at 8:40 pm.
Liz Smiley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Return to Regular Session

Tom Mc Nerney made a motion to return to Regular Session at 9:11 pm.
Tricia McClain seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Report of Action Taken in Closed Session

No action taken.

VI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Tricia McClain made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 pm.
Erika Dowd seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Erika Dowd