March Board Meeting Minutes

March 9, 2026, 4:00-7:30 PM

Minutes Draft

Making Waves Academy

Minutes

March Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday March 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Location

In-person at:

Making Waves Academy

4123 Lakeside Dr.

Richmond, CA 94806

And streaming on zoom:

https://mwacademy.zoom.us/j/87855022048?pwd=SVFZNGlTbVVHb1NFYUd2WWNTaW8wQT09
Passcode: 073032
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International numbers available: https://mwacademy.zoom.us/u/keaPhEAWej

COMING SOON

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para acceder a la agenda y portadas en español/CLICK HERE to access agenda and cover sheets in Spanish: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:b0d63deb-2b65-4e64-9482-9d332a156108
HAGA CLIC AQUI para acceder el reporte escolar/CLICK HERE to access the school board report in Spanish: https://bit.ly/4eLd72o

If you have questions about the board agenda and materials or you are in need of disability-related accommodations, please contact:
Si tiene preguntas sobre la agenda y materiales de la junta o necesita adaptaciones relacionadas con la discapacidad, comuníquese con:
Bryann Fitzpatrick at bfitzpatrick@mwacademy.org or (510) 994-6486.

Public Comment

The public may address the MWA Board regarding any item within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the MWA governing board.
Under Public Comment, members of the public may
- Comment on items on the agenda
- Comment on items not on the agenda
- Presentations are limited to two minutes each, or a total of twenty minutes for all speakers, or the two-minute limit may be shortened.
In accordance to the Brown Act, the MWA Board may listen to comments, but can neither discuss nor take action on the topics presented. Members of the board are very limited in their response to statements or questions by persons commenting on items not on the agenda.
Speakers may submit a request to speak before 9:00 AM on the day of the board meeting, fill out a comment card at the meeting, or raise their hand/use the raise hand function during the public comment sections of the meeting.
- If you would like to send your request to speak prior to the meeting, please email your request to bfitzpatrick@mwacademy.org in English or Spanish.
- Your submission should:
  - indicate if it is a general public comment for the beginning of the meeting or a comment for a specific agenda item (please include the item number).
  - include your name so that you can be called when it is your turn to speak.
- During the meeting, we will call your name and you should use the "raise hand" feature to identify yourself.
Under SB1036 the minutes from this meeting will omit student and parent names and other directory information, except as required by judicial order or federal law. If a parent/ legal guardian wishes a name be included, one must inform the board prior to their public comment.

Comentarios públicos

El público puede dirigirse a la Junta Directiva de la MWA con respecto a cualquier asunto dentro de la jurisdicción del tema materia por la Junta Directiva de la MWA.
Bajo comentario público, los miembros del público pueden:
- Hacer comentarios sobre los puntos del orden del día
- Hacer comentarios sobre puntos no incluidos en el orden del día
- Las presentaciones están limitadas a dos minutos cada una, o un total de veinte minutos para todos los oradores, o se puede acortar el límite de dos minutos.

• De acuerdo con la Ley Brown, la Junta Directiva de la MWA puede escuchar los comentarios, pero no discutirán ni tomarán medidas sobre los temas presentados. La respuesta de los miembros de la Junta Directiva a las declaraciones o preguntas de las personas que comentan temas que no figuran en el orden del día es muy limitada.

Mientras las reuniones se llevan a cabo virtualmente, los miembros del publico que desean hablar durante la junta pueden presentar una solicitud para hablar antes de las 9:00 a.m. del día de la reunión de la junta o usar la función de levantar la mano durante las secciones de comentarios públicos de la reunión.
- Si desea enviar su solicitud de uso de la palabra antes de la reunión, envíe su solicitud por correo electrónico a bfitzpatrick@mwacademy.org en inglés o español.
- En su solicitud:
  - Incluya su nombre para que pueda ser llamado cuando sea su turno de hablar.
  - indicar si es un comentario público general para el comienzo de la reunión o si es comentario público sobre un artículo específico del programa (incluya el número del artículo).
  - Durante la reunión, le llamaremos por su nombre y deberá utilizar la función de "levantar la mano" para identificarse.
En virtud de la SB1036, las actas de esta reunión omitirán los nombres de los estudiantes y padres y otra información del directorio, excepto cuando lo requiera la orden judicial o por la ley federal. Si un padre/tutor legal desea que se incluya un nombre, se debe informar a la junta antes de su comentario público.

If you have questions about the board agenda and materials or you are in need of disability-related
accommodations, please contact:
Si tiene preguntas sobre la agenda y materiales de la junta o necesita adaptaciones relacionadas con la
discapacidad, comuníquese con:

Bryann Fitzpatrick at bfitzpatrick@mwacademy.org or (510) 994-6486.
Please note that all agenda times are estimates.
Tenga en cuenta que todos los horarios de la agenda son estimaciones.

Directors Present

Alicia Malet Klein, Amy Obinyan, Enrique Romero, Esther Hugo, Felicia Selva, Margaret Watson

Directors Absent

Janis Glover

Guests Present

Bryann Fitzpatrick

I. Opening Items

A. Call the Meeting to Order

Alicia Malet Klein called a meeting of the board of directors of Making Waves Academy to order on Monday Mar 9, 2026 at 4:06 PM.

B. Record Attendance

II. Additional Opening Items

A. Remarks by Board President

Focus for the meeting: social emotional learning and student supports, including behavior, wellness, and engagement, aligned with LCAP Goal 3. The board was reminded of the upcoming WASC visit April 13–15. MWA parent volunteer Juana Morales Aguilar was recognized for the award she received from the California Charter School Association for her leadership and advocacy for students across West Contra Costa.

B. Public Comment

No public comment was shared.

III. Standing Reports

A. Mission Connection: Student Testimonials

Video showcasing students talking about their experience and perspective of the services provided by MWA's student support services team. Praise was given to the team for the work they've done building student trust and relationships with consistency. The student support services team members who were in attendance took turns introducing themselves to the board and to the public.

B. ASB Update

The board heard from ASB representatives on recent successes, including the first middle school club fair and the “Rip the Runway” Black History Month assembly. Current challenges include lower dance ticket than hoped. Board members praised ASB for their new program of including students who ran for office but did not win, supporting leadership development. The board noted the composure and professionalism of the students presenting, highlighting their soft skills and engagement.

C. Deep Dive: Tiered Intervention

The board learned about SEL and student support discussions. The department’s focus areas include physical and psychological safety, restorative practices, equitable behavior management, and reducing suspensions for students with the greatest academic and behavioral need. Data showed a nearly 90% reduction in suspensions, with most interventions now conducted through tiered, restorative approaches involving students and families.

A student shared how alternative behavior interventions helped shift her from conflict-prone behavior to proactive engagement, improving both peer interactions and academic performance. The team is using PD to push restorative frameworks into classrooms and is also exploring external partnerships for culturally responsive behavioral and mental health support.

The board was thrilled with the data, recognized the team for the the skilled work and commitment and expressed excitement that the team could now be proactive rather than only reactive.

D. Q&A on Chief Executive Officer Report (CEO)

The board engaged in robust discussion and praised progress in curriculum pacing, career exposure, and the addition of a 504 coordinator. Instructional partners are supporting teacher capacity, with continued co-planning and professional development to refine advisory programming, restorative practices, and student ownership of learning. Teachers are being supported to manage multiple responsibilities while coaching and PD are prioritized to ensure all receive guidance. Strategic planning is being aligned with the portrait of a graduate and college success initiatives for next year.

E. Q&A on Interim Executive Director Report

Board members discussed enrollment trends, lottery changes, and the impact of the elimination of sibling preference, noting increased diversity in oenrollment offers this year. The conversation highlighted aligning the portrait of a graduate, financial literacy, and workforce readiness across curriculum, with strategic planning structured in 10-year, 3-year, and 1-year increments. Ownership of initiatives, integration across grades and content areas, and adapting to rapid workforce changes—including AI—were emphasized as key to successful implementation.

F. Q&A on Written Finance Report

The board reviewed the finance report and noted improved management of unrestricted funds. State payments are tracking closely to the estimated schedule, with no major delays reported.

G. Break

IV. Non-Action Items

A. Board Work and Advisory Committee Updates

Board members were reminded to complete their Form 700 disclosures, and updates were shared on the executive director engagement sessions, including upcoming Q&A sessions with staff, families, students, and the board. The student board member selection process is underway, with interviews scheduled for next week. The student board member, Valeria Serrano, highlighted student projects and activities, including the April 15th Waves Connect event, while Felicia Selva shared progress on the 5C’s parent coalition, which continues to grow and empower parents across charter schools in Contra Costa County.