October Board Meeting Minutes

October 19, 2026, 4:00-7:00 PM

Minutes Draft

Making Waves Academy

Minutes

October Board Meeting

Critical Learners

Date and Time

Monday October 19, 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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Webinar ID: 878 5502 2048
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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, Eleanor Boli, Enrique Romero, Esther Hugo, Felicia Selva, Kyle Cooper (remote)

Directors Absent

Amy Obinyan

Guests Present

Alton B. Nelson Jr., Bryann Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Martinez, Jeremy Cruz Perez

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 Oct 19, 2026 at 4:04 PM.

B. Record Attendance

Kyle Cooper attended remotely for just cause.

II. Closed Session

A. Existing Litigation / Conference with Legal Counsel

No action taken. Board recieved guidance from counsel. (Pursuant to Subdivision (a) of Section 54956.9)

III. Additional Opening Items

A. Remarks by Board President

The Board President welcomed Executive Director Liz Martinez back from personal leave and her Pahara Fellowship retreat. The meeting’s focus was noted to be on critical learners, including English Learner achievement, intervention programs, and Multi-Tiered System of Support implementation, aligned with LCAP Goal 1: Support for All Learners and Goal 3: Community Culture and Climate.

B. Public Comment

No public comment.

IV. Standing Reports

A. Mission Connection: English Learner Advisory Committee

ELD Coordinator Stephani Lopez showed a video showcasing the experience of families in the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

B. ASB Update

Associated Student Body (ASB) members highlighted successes including the Fall Club Fair, which raised a record $6,879, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, and volleyball Senior Night. Discussion focused on improving event promotion, using fundraising proceeds to support future activities, and planning upcoming events, including the fall dance and pep rally.

C. Deep Dive: English Language Development

The Board reviewed the English Language Development (ELD) program, including progress in English proficiency, professional development (PD) for teachers, and strategies to strengthen literacy and support student reclassification. Discussion highlighted that nearly half of English Learners advanced at least one proficiency level, the new state standards for reclassification, dedicated ELD time increases and deepening integration of EL strategies into core classrooms.

D. Q&A on Written School Report

The Board reviewed school-wide updates on teacher support activities of the Instruction Leadership Team (ILT), new teacher bootcamps and continuing opportunities for professional development, targeted 5th/6th strategies, college and career readiness activities including a pilot UC PIQ summer workshop, SpEd data on IEP and 504 completions, and information from the Student Support Services Department (SSSD), particularly the creation of a Coordination of Services Team (COST) to better triage needs and the addition of both a school counselor and a school psychologist.

E. Q&A on Executive Director Report

The Board reviewed significant improvements in California Dashboard indicators, with several now in the blue range, including English Leaner progress, significantly reduced suspensions and the highest graduation rate since prior to the pandemic. Discussion also covered the transition of services for MWA graduates in college from MWEF to MWA and plans to clarify scholarship communications and ongoing student support. The Board indicated it wants to further discuss its priorities in this area at the December meeting.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MWA'S 2026 RESULTS ON THE STATE DASHBOARD

F. Q&A on Written Finance Report

The Board reviewed finance staffing, external support, and progress toward the January audit deadline. Staff are catching up on financial reporting following staffing and system transitions, and the Board noted the fiscal policy may need to be updated this spring.

G. Break

V. Non-Action Items

A. Board Work and Advisory Committee Updates

Student Perspectives: Jeremy Cruz Perez

The student Board member recognized the IT team for resolving network issues and improving connectivity in classrooms. The student also asked about how changes to the MWEF’s college support program would affect the 24th Wave; staff confirmed that the current application process and support at this point remain unchanged and committed to providing clear communication about future changes.

5C Update: Felicia Selva

The Board received an update on parent leadership efforts, including 11 of 13 MWA parent registrants completing the recent School Funding Institute and ongoing Family Leadership Council (PLC) meetings through the 5C Coalition. Additional initiatives include planning a Parent Power Summit and exploring in-person workshops to help families complete required volunteer training. Turnout in support of Caliber's CCCOE renewal meeting was robust.

B. AI Task Force Status Update

The Board received an update on the AI Task Force’s efforts to develop schoolwide guidance for AI use. Discussion focused on balancing AI’s benefits with protecting student learning, reviewing best practices, and involving teachers and Board members in the process.

C. Instruction Partners

The board acknowledged the data sharing agreement between MWA and Instruction Partners.

D. EdCode Local Assignment Options List for 2026-2027

The board acknowledged the EC Local Assignment Options List for 2026-2027.

E. September Comments from Executive Director

The Board thanked the ED for recording her presentation from the September meeting as well as her responses to questions raised during and just after the meeting.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE RECORDING
Passcode: 4GZa+V$Y

VI. Action Items

A. Finance Advisory Committee Appointment

Alicia Malet Klein made a motion to appoint Kyle Cooper as a member of MWA's Finance Advisory Committee.

Esther Hugo seconded the motion.

Jeremy Cruz Perez gave a preferential vote to approve this item.