May Board Meeting Minutes

May 7, 2026, 4:00-7:30 PM

Minutes Draft

Making Waves Academy

Minutes

May Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday May 7, 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
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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, Esther Hugo, Felicia Selva, Margaret Watson

Directors Absent

Enrique Romero, Janis Glover

Guests Present

Alton B. Nelson Jr., Bryann Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Martinez, Valeria Serrano

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 Thursday May 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM.

Jeremy Cruz Perez was officially recognized by the board as the prospective new student board member to be voted on later in this same meeting.

B. Record Attendance

II. Additional Opening Items

A. Remarks by Board President

Alicia noted that the focus area was student outcomes, with a particular focus on math (WASC/LCAP Goal 1). Bryann Fitzpatrick was praised and appreciated for leading the WASC efforts.

B. Public Comment

No public comment.

III. Closed Session

A. Closed Session

1. Public Employee Appointment, Executive Director, Section 54957

No action was taken.

2. Confidential Student Discipline Matter – Consideration of Potential Expulsion Case No. 2026001

Board voted unanimously to uphold the expulsion.

IV. Standing Reports

A. Mission Connection - Middle School Athletics

The Mission Connection video highlighted the MS athletics' focus on holistic development, demonstrating how sports are used to teach core values like scholarship, resilience, responsibility, and respect both on and off the court. The board commended the video for effectively centering student and coach voices while showcasing the real-world application of these values.

B. Middle School ASB

The Middle School ASB student leaders provided an update on their yearly accomplishments, highlighting successful collaborations with the Upper School, a new middle school club fair, and student-led committees. They reflected on overcoming challenges, such as varying student maturity levels and low spring dance attendance, by proposing grade-specific events and implementing more engaging meeting activities. The Board commended the students for their thoughtful reflection, inclusivity, and advanced leadership capabilities.

C. Upper School ASB Update

The Upper School ASB student leaders presented an end-of-year update, highlighting successes such as a spirit-boosting pep rally, Teacher Appreciation Week, and an impactful new alumni mentorship panel. In a student "State of the Union" address, they noted rising school spirit, increased participation in the arts, and improved trust with teachers, while also candidly sharing student concerns regarding athletics and the academic and environmental impacts of artificial intelligence. The Board highly commended the graduating students for their visionary leadership, resilience in adapting event plans to support mental health, and lasting positive impact on the school's culture.

D. Deep Dive: Academic Outcomes

The Deep Dive on math outcomes highlighted positive growth in iReady benchmark scores and ongoing strategies to increase SBAC proficiency. To support this academic progress, the math team is heavily invested in professional development, utilizing personalized coaching, vertical alignment between divisions, and structured Professional Learning Communities to enhance instructional rigor and student engagement. The Board commended the strong cross-division collaboration and suggested incorporating PSAT results as an additional metric to track student math development.

E. Q&A on Written School Report

The Board reviewed the written school report, commending the middle school's targeted interventions and data tracking that successfully decreased fifth and sixth-grade failure rates. Members also discussed upcoming ELA curriculum transitions, shifts toward a co-teaching model in Special Education, and the local measures impacting ELD reclassification. The discussion noted the plan to replace the social worker role with a credentialed school counselor to better align with the MTSS model and provide focused mental health support.

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

Board members will submitted any questions or comments directly to Alton.

G. Q&A on Interim Executive Director Report

The board noted the hiring strategies memo and requested a follow-up report from Liz detailing the current candidate pipeline for vacant positions. The board also noted an appreciation for AI centered conversations and planning that is occurring.

H. Q&A on Written Finance Report

The board noted no questions and that this is an "off-cycle" for finance.

I. Break

V. Non-Action Items

A. Engagement with Interim ED

The Board reviewed the recent leadership transition engagement sessions, noting strong staff, parent and student participation as Liz shared her core values of honesty, integrity, and intellect. She outlined her "people over paper" leadership approach, emphasizing systemic improvements for ELD and Special Education, increased campus visibility, and a continued focus on teacher retention. Additionally, board members commended her impactful operational work, particularly her implementation of restorative practices that contributed to a 90% reduction in student suspensions.

B. Board Work and Advisory Committee Updates

Student board member , Valeria Serrano, highlighted the success of the recent "Waves Connect" networking event and announced her upcoming enrollment at USC. Additionally, Falecia Selva, as a member of the Parent Leadership Team (PLT) shared that the group recently successfully launched two highly-requested pilot programs: a well-attended college readiness with a financial aid workshop, and a four-part Health and Wellness Institute focused on stress management and emotional well-being for families.

The Board received an update from the Spring CIRAC/WASC committee meeting, highlighting successful accreditation outcomes and the introduction of new Advanced Patient Care and Principles of Finance courses. To further support student success, the administration is expanding 8th and 11th-grade pilot programs focused on easing campus transitions, building social belonging, and extending the on-ramp for college readiness. Additionally, the school will implement "turnkey" curricula to reduce teacher workloads and ensure high-impact instruction, with a formal pilot review scheduled for October 2026.

C. LCAP Public Hearing

In the public hearing for the LCAP, the board provided feedback on improving clarity, such as noting philanthropic funds in the budget overview and using plainer language for terms like "success audits." They also flagged issues with tracking teacher retention and satisfaction metrics and a scheduling conflict affecting sophomore CTE capstone credits. Finally, the Board requested that the final summary explicitly highlight the specific student subgroups facing challenging outcomes.

D. Declaration of Need

The Board reviewed and accepted the annual Declaration of Need. No questions were asked.

VI. Action Items

A. Accept the Removal of Janis Glover

Esther Hugo made a motion to regretfully accept the removal of Janis Glover.

Amy Obinyan seconded the motion.

Valera Serrano gave a preferential vote to approve this item.

With profound gratitude for her valuable contributions and candor, the Board passed a motion to regretfully remove Janice Glover due to personal reasons with an open invitation for her to return.