Making Waves Academy

Minutes

March MWA Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday March 19, 2020 at 10:00 AM

Location

You can join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://www.gotomeet.me/MWABoard

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 967-255-093
The school is closed through April 3rd out of an abundance of caution and in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
To make sure that we do not miss important compliance deadlines we are planning to keep the March Board Meeting. This meeting will be held virtually in lieu of in person attendance. Our board members will be participating via teleconference to minimize person-to-person contact.
  • You can join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
    https://www.gotomeet.me/MWABoard
    You can also dial in using your phone.
    United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
    Access Code: 967-255-093
La escuela está cerrada hasta el 3 de abril por una abundancia de precaución y en respuesta a la pandemia de Coronavirus.
Para asegurarnos de que no perdamos los plazos de cumplimiento importantes, estamos planeando mantener la reunión de la Junta Directiva en marzo. La junta se llevara acabo virtualmente en lugar de la asistencia en persona. Los miembros de la junta participarán por teleconferencia para minimizar el contacto de persona a persona.
  • Puede unirse a la reunión desde su computadora, tableta o teléfono inteligente. https://www.gotomeet.me/MWABoard 
    También puede marcar con su teléfono.
    Estados Unidos: +1 (224) 501-3412
    Código de acceso: 967-255-093
To Access the Agenda in Spanish CLICK HERE
Para ver la agenda en Espanol oprima aqui

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.
  • 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.  
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:
Elizabeth Martinez at emartinez@mwacademy.org or 510.262.1511 ext. 1408

Directors Present

Alicia Malet Klein (remote), Burak Gursel (remote), Esther Hugo (remote), Jessica Laughlin (remote), Layla Naranjo (remote), Margaret Watson (remote), Maricela Navarro (remote)

Directors Absent

Daryle Morgan

Guests Present

Alton B. Nelson Jr., Elizabeth Martinez

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Public Comment

No public comment. 

II. Standing Reports

A.

Compliance to Excellence: Remarks by Board President

Esther Hugo made a motion to amend the agenda to add an action item to extend the school closure.
Maricela Navarro seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Esther Hugo
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Jessica Laughlin
Absent
Margaret Watson
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
School Closure
  • The decision to close was approved in an emergency board meeting on Friday, March 13th
  • Senior School Director shared that robust plans for continuity of learning and meal distribution is in place, the aim is to continue learning at the highest level for both middle and upper school students
  • The school sees this as an opportunity to engage with 22nd Century Learning and is looking at ways to create a stable learning environment given the shifting legislative changes 
  • Board asked questions regarding:
    • College admission requirements and how the school is preparing for this, the Director of College and Career Counseling stated that they are tracking new information closely to inform their plans
    • Online engagement from students during this time 
      • Data is currently being gathered regarding attendance/participation 
      • Preliminary data is showing that students who typically struggle with in-person instruction are thriving 
      • Board requested an update from the Senior School Director to share data points from online learning 
      • Directors of Curriculum and Instruction share responsibility for the overall Continuity of Learning plan and schedule for all students 
    • The well-being of faculty and how key staff are being deployed (deans, social workers, etc) 
    • The meal distribution plan
      • Meals are being distributed on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11-1 through a "drive-through" process around the upper school loop
    • Compliance items such as the LCAP
      • The school is waiting for guidance from the state and our authorizer 
    • The contingency plans for vacancies during the closure

B.

Q & A on Associated Student Body Report

ASB President provided an update on key events that have taken place, their successes and challenges.  

During the closure, ASB is trying to find ways to support messaging during the closure. Student Activities Coordinator is working with ASB to survey ways that they can continue to create community during this time. 

Board asked questions regarding:
  • Plans for fundraisers that are planned during this time
    • ASB President stated that all fundraisers scheduled for March are cancelled

C.

Deep Dive: Bellwether Engagement Discussion

Chief Executive Officer, Alton B. Nelson Jr. provided an overview of the engagement with Bellwether Education Partners  for the development of the strategic plan. 
  • Board asked questions regarding the process of arriving at the information that was shared
  • Board acknowledged the work that has gone into this plan

D.

Q & A on Senior School Director Written Report

Board asked questions regarding the school report. Senior School Director provided additional information. 
  • Senior School Director is working on aligning the culture and practices to ensure that there is one core, Wave-Maker identity for students, staff, faculty, and families
  • Board President asked questions regarding the Teaching and Learning Cycle, Tier 3, Special Education, and English Learner Development reports

E.

Q & A on CEO Written Report

Board asked questions regarding the CEO's report and for an update on letters of intent and recruitment efforts. 
  • The school anticipates a return rate of 93% for the upcoming year for teachers and staff based on the letters of intent returned by employees. As of March 2020, we received notification from five teachers and one administrator stating that they will not be returning for the next academic year. The Talent Team has been made aware and they are targeting their recruitment efforts to these vacancies. 

F.

Q&A on Finance Written Report

No questions were asked. 

G.

Committee and Advisory Committee Updates

No updates were shared. 

H.

School Site Council Update

SSC President provided a summary of the last SSC meeting and shared tentative plan for continuing scheduled SSC meetings through the closure. 

III. Non-Action Items

A.

WASC Visit Debrief

Chief of Staff provided materials that summarized the WASC accreditation visit and board members asked questions. 

B.

Lottery Update

Student Recruiter provided materials that summarized the lottery cycle and board members asked questions.

C.

Board Commitment Form & Form 700 for 2019

Chief of Staff will send forms to board members to be returned by April 1st. 

IV. Action Items

A.

Extension of School Closure

Burak Gursel made a motion to extend the school closure to April 13th.
Jessica Laughlin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Esther Hugo
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
Margaret Watson
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Maricela Navarro
Aye
The school closure is a fluid situation that we will continue to re-assess. 

B.

Board Minutes: February 6, 2020 Board Meeting

Esther Hugo made a motion to approve the minutes with amendment of votes from February MWA Board Meeting on 02-06-20.
Margaret Watson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Esther Hugo
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Margaret Watson
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye

C.

Accept Minutes for Committees and Advisory Committees

Burak Gursel made a motion to approve.
Layla Naranjo seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Margaret Watson
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Esther Hugo
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye

D.

Second Interim Budget (2019-2020)

Maricela Navarro made a motion to approve.
Layla Naranjo seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Esther Hugo
Aye
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Margaret Watson
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Burak Gursel
Aye

E.

Tax Returns

Esther Hugo made a motion to approve.
Burak Gursel seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Burak Gursel
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Margaret Watson
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Esther Hugo
Aye

F.

MWA Lease Renewal for 2020-2021

Jessica Laughlin made a motion to approve.
Maricela Navarro seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Margaret Watson
Aye
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Esther Hugo
Aye
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Alicia Malet Klein
Abstain

G.

e-Rate Contract

Esther Hugo made a motion to approve.
Margaret Watson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Esther Hugo
Aye
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Margaret Watson
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent

H.

2019-20 Audit and Tax Engagement

Burak Gursel made a motion to approve.
Maricela Navarro seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Esther Hugo
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
Margaret Watson
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Jessica Laughlin
Aye

I.

Emergency Board Meeting Minutes

Esther Hugo made a motion to approve the minutes from Emergency Board Meeting on 03-13-20.
Margaret Watson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Margaret Watson
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Esther Hugo
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent
Maricela Navarro
Aye

V. Consent Action Items

A.

Intacct Contract Renewal

Jessica Laughlin made a motion to approve.
Layla Naranjo seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Maricela Navarro
Aye
Alicia Malet Klein
Aye
Burak Gursel
Aye
Layla Naranjo
Aye
Esther Hugo
Aye
Jessica Laughlin
Aye
Margaret Watson
Aye
Daryle Morgan
Absent

VI. Discussion Items

A.

Appreciations by the Board of Directors

Board President thanked everyone for their participation in the virtual meeting given the circumstances. 

Board acknowledged the efforts of the faculty and staff through the closure. 

VII. Closing Items

A.

Schedule of Board of Directors Meetings 2019-2020

  • May 21st, 4:00-8:00 pm [Board Discussion]
    • The time is subject to change depending on the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:53 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Elizabeth Martinez