Making Waves Academy
Minutes
June Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday June 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Location
In-person at:
Making Waves Academy
4123 Lakeside Dr.
Richmond, CA 94806
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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, Felicia Selva, Margaret Watson
Directors Absent
Esther Hugo
Guests Present
Alton B. Nelson Jr., Bryann Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Martinez, Jeremy Cruz Perez
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
II. Additional Opening Items
A.
Remarks by Board President
B.
Public Comment
No public comment.
III. Closed Session
A.
Closed Session
- On expulsion case number 2026002, the board voted unanimously to expel.
- On expulsion case number 2026003, the board voted unanimously to expel.
- On expulsion case number 2025002, the board voted unanimously for the stipulated expulsion with suspended enforcement.
- The board voted unanimously and enthusiastically to appoint Elizabeth Martinez as Executive Director, recognizing her demonstrated leadership, her enthusiasm for the work and her vision for the future.
IV. Standing Reports
A.
Mission Connection - College and Career Readiness
The committee viewed a mission connection video where students reflected on their experiences with the College and Career Center (CCC), including this year's career exploration pilot program. Students shared that the program helped them better understand college and career pathways and feel more prepared for their futures.
B.
Deep Dive: College and Career Counseling Department
Presentation
The Board received an update on the integration over the next year of MWEF’s college and career program into a unified approach centered at MWA. Staff reviewed core program components of the transition and discussed student supports, scholarship eligibility, major selection guidance, and alumni engagement.
Report
The report reviewed strong college acceptance results, pilot program updates, and graduation rate. Staff shared plans to expand the 11th-grade college readiness pilot, continue the 8th-grade pilot with adjustments, and launch a summer college application boot camp. Members discussed opportunities to strengthen mentoring, concurrent enrollment, and career exploration while noting the need to better support students with IEPs and 504 plans who were not approved for graduation. The board requested that in the future, all college data been shown with the context of previous years in order to discern trends; CCC will follow up with this information for the current data in the coming months.
C.
Q&A on Chief Executive Officer Report (CEO)
The board praised its focus on high expectations, strong supports, and continuous improvement. Members also appreciated the increasingly collaborative approach and alignment with the Academy’s culture and goals.
D.
Q&A on Interim Executive Director Report
The board reviewed a hiring update, noting that all teaching positions have been filled except for one 8th grade English vacancy, with administrator hiring expected to conclude by mid-July. The committee also recognized the College and Career Counseling team for expanding career readiness opportunities and strengthening support for students.
E.
Q&A on Written Finance Report
The finance committee noted that the state's COLA increase for next year, detailed in the May revise, was fully passed through to staff in the FY27 budget. Also highlighted: over $8M of the budget comes from philanthropic support, mostly from the founders. The board celebrated the Controller Lawrence Lee's promotion to finance manager.
F.
Break
V. Non-Action Items
A.
Board Work and Advisory Committee Updates
Student Perspective
Incoming student board member, Jeremy Cruz Parez, shared appreciation for the College and Career Counseling team, noting that attending panels helped clarify future career and postsecondary plans.
5Cs
Parent board member, Felicia Selva, shared strong growth in 5C's programs, including expanded family institutes focused on college readiness, wellness, and leadership. Continued outreach to new families and broader communication to expand involvement across the school community will happen next year.
Culture and Climate
Board secretary, Enrique Romero, has been reviewing the history of the Culture and Climate Committee and is working with key school leaders to update roles, responsibilities, and membership in preparation for a formal relaunch and structured meeting sequence next year.
B.
AI Task Force Status Update
The board was introduced to the work of the AI Task Force, a cross-functional team, and heard about the adoption the AIEDU framework to assess AI readiness and strategies across the school. Board members emphasized the importance of identifying staff “testers” for new AI tools, teaching students how AI works and how to critically evaluate outputs. They also noted the need to consider AI’s potential to enhance internal operations.
C.
Local Indicators
The board reviewed local indicators showing strong performance in basic services, high A–G completion and college readiness, and overall positive school climate, while noting continued work needed in parent engagement and targeted support for English learners.
VI. Action Items
A.
2026-27 Bell Schedule and Instructional Minutes
The MWA academic calendar has 185 days, which is five days more than the 180-day requirement that traditional public schools have. This allows students to have five more days of instruction-- which nets out to more than 7,000 extra minutes in the middle school and more than 2,000 extra minutes at the high school.
B.
Curriculum Adoptions
Curriculum discussion was pushed back to the end of the action items due to a slight change to the document that was originally submitted. Updated documents are reflected in the packet. In-meeting, the updated document was publicly displayed and handouts were made available.
C.
Parent Code of Conduct Amendment
D.
Local Control Accountability Plan
E.
CEO Employment Agreement / Option Exercise
F.
ED Employment Agreement
The Executive Director Employment Agreement is for the July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029 term, including a base salary of $310,000 for 2026–27 with 3% annual COLA increases in years two and three, a minimum 260-day work year, paid leave, health benefits, and 403(b) participation.
G.
FY27 Budget
H.
Making Waves Education Foundation 2026-27 School Lease Agreement
Alicia Malet Klein abstained from voting as she also serves on the MWEF board.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Margaret Watson |
Aye
|
| Enrique Romero |
Aye
|
| Esther Hugo |
Absent
|
| Alicia Malet Klein |
Abstain
|
| Amy Obinyan |
Aye
|
| Felicia Selva |
Aye
|
I.
Global Office Inc. Copier Lease Agreement
J.
2026-27 Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS)
K.
2026-27 Education Protection Account (EPA)
Board president noted that funds cannot be used for salaries or benefits of administrators or any other administrative costs.
L.
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation
On behest of MWA's legal counsel.
M.
Bylaws Revision
On behest of MWA's legal counsel.
N.
Board Policy 8: Dissolution of the School
On behest of MWA's legal counsel.
O.
CalSTRS Certification (Form 0765)
On behest of MWA's legal counsel.
P.
Authorization to Submit Redline of Element O
On behest of MWA's legal counsel.
Q.
Employee Handbook
R.
CharterSafe: Workers’ Compensation Insurance Renewal
S.
SPG
T.
Changes to the Board
The Board recognized Margaret Watson for seven years of dedicated service, highlighting her data-driven decision-making, strategic thinking, commitment to teaching and school culture, and positive leadership.
The board accepted the resignation of Margaret Watson, effective June 30, 2026.
Eleanor Boli is a Making Waves Academy alumna and former educator. Her background in education, finance, and community economic development, along with her bilingualism and commitment to expanding opportunity for students and families, were highlighted as strengths that will support the Board's work.
Kyle Cooper is a former educator and current fintech executive who previously did pro bono management consulting work for Making Waves Academy. His experience in education, business strategy, and STEM was recognized as a valuable addition to the board.
VII. Consent Action Items
A.
CIF Representatives from MWA for Athletic Leagues Form
there are comments
see below
B.
CCCOE Teacher Induction Program MOU Renewal
C.
IT Management Corporation Quote (ITMC) Cisco Smartnet Renewal
D.
PowerSchool SIS and Unified Classroom Behavior Products
E.
The Lunch Master Contract
F.
Renewal of Pacheco's Cleaning Service
G.
Insurance Package Renewal
H.
RCM
I.
Cross Country
J.
Seneca Counseling Solutions
K.
Clayton Valley - Adult Transition Program
L.
Vendor Invoices for April & May
M.
Minutes: May Board Meeting
N.
Minutes: June Finance Advisory Committee
O.
Unapproved Minutes: Fall WASC/CIRAC
P.
Unapproved Minutes: November Finance Advisory Committee
VIII. Discussion Items
A.
Appreciations by the Board of Directors
Board members expressed appreciation for faculty, staff, leadership, parents, and community partners for their dedication throughout the school year, with special recognition for Margaret Watson's years of service and leadership on the Board. The Board also celebrated the successful school year, acknowledged the collaborative efforts that support student success, and expressed optimism for the year ahead.
B.
Schedule of Board of Directors Meetings for 2026-27
- Sept 14, 2026 at 4pm
- Oct 19, 2026 at 4pm
- Dec 14, 2026 at 11am
- Jan 25, 2027 at 11am
- Mar 8, 2027 at 4pm
- May 3, 2027 at 4pm
- June 14, 2027 at 11am
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- CCC Deep Dive Report- June 2026 Board Meeting.pdf
- MWA CEO Report to the MWA Board_JUNE 2026_ABN.docx.pdf
- June 2026_Interim ED Board Report.pdf
- Executive_Summary_-_2026-27_Preliminary_Budget_FAC_May_Revise.docx.pdf
- Board Presentation-PLT_5C.pdf
- Board Update on the AI Task Force v1.pdf
- 2025-26 MWA Local Indicators - Slides (2).pdf
- MWA 2025-26 Local Indicators (1).pdf
- Pending Approval_MWA Bell Schedule_2026-27.pdf
- Pending Approval_MWA Instructional Minutes_2026-27.pdf
- 2026-27 AY Textbook and Digital Instructional Materials Tracking Sheet - MS_List of Curriculum 2026-27.pdf
- 2026-27 AY Textbook and Digital Instructional Materials Tracking Sheet - US_ List of Curriculum.pdf
- 2025-26 LCAP Executive Summary_Updated.pdf
- ELAC Flyer (900 x 600 px).pdf
- 2026_Local_Control_and_Accountability_Plan_Making_Waves_Academy_6.15.26.pdf
- CEO Contract 2025.pdf
- MWA ED Compensation Comparability Study 2026.pdf
- MWA ED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT JUNE 2026.pdf
- Making Waves Academy School 2026-27 Budget.pdf
- Making Waves Academy Central Office 2026-27 Budget.pdf
- FY27 Lease Making Waves (Richmond Campus) - Making Waves Academy Lease Agreement FY 2026 (4898-8618-7405.1).docx.pdf
- MWA Lease Agreement 6-1-26 Final.pdf
- MWA Lease Addendum 6-1-26 Final.pdf
- MWA Maintenance Agreement 6-1-26 Final.pdf
- 2026–27 Application for Funding Data Entry (CARS) (CA Dept of Education).pdf
- Education_Protection_Account_-_Board_Resolution_-2026-27-06.08.2026.pdf
- Education Protection Account Spending Plan 2026-27-06.08.2026.pdf
- MWA - Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation (CalSTRS Dissolution).pdf
- Board Bylaws_MWA Board_Redline_06.15.26.pdf
- Board Policy 8 - Dissolution of the School.pdf
- MWA - Element O Redline.pdf
- MWA Employee Handbook 2026-27.pdf
- Making Waves Academy.1095.CharterSAFEProposal2627.05-18-2026.pdf
- 26-27 Making Waves Academy SPG Contract (2).pdf
- 2026-2027 Rep to League Forms-MWA.pdf
- CCCOE TIP 26-27 MOU with Making Waves Academy (part 1) - signed.pdf
- ITMC Quote 14673.pdf
- Q-169922 - SIS updated ct.pdf
- Q-184087-20260313-1150.pdf
- Vended Meal Contract - 26-27 - Making Waves and LunchMaster Final.pdf
- LunchMaster_Proposal_Summary 26_27_Final.pdf
- DRAFT MWA-Pachecho 26-27.pdf
- 26-27 Renewal Invoice Summary_updated.pdf
- Making Waves Academy Rehab 7_1_25 - 6_30_26 FE (2).pdf
- Making Waves Academy 26-27 (4).pdf
- Making Waves FY 2026-2027 Rate Based Budget (2).pdf
- MOU with MWA for Adult Transition Program 2026-27.pdf
- Bill Payment List - Apr to May 2026.pdf
Focus Area: College and career
College admissions process and data; student career exploration experiences. Looking forward to integration of the college coaching component into MWA over the course of the next year.
WASC/LCAP Goals:
Noted the strong year of progress on many fronts, changes ahead.