Excel Academy (CA)

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

Published on December 8, 2023 at 1:41 PM PST

Date and Time

Thursday December 14, 2023 at 12:30 PM PST

Location

Excel Academy Charter School

1 Technology Drive, Ste I-811

Irvine, CA 92618

 

Regus- Gateway Chula Vista

333 H Street, Suite 5000

Chula Vista, CA 91910

 

 

Zoom Meeting Information:

Dial In: +1 669 444 9171

Meeting ID: 876 6053 8214

URL: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87660538214

MISSION STATEMENT

Excel Academy will provide flexible, personalized learning through a customized course of study that will educate, motivate, and instill a love of learning in each individual student. Teachers and parents will join together to maintain high expectations and promote academic excellence for all students creating the next generation of leaders.

 

THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the order of consideration of matters on this agenda may be changed without prior notice.

 

REASONABLE LIMITATIONS MAY BE PLACED ON PUBLIC TESTIMONY

The Governing Board’s presiding officer reserves the right to impose reasonable time limits on public testimony to ensure that the agenda is completed.

 

  REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Governing Board may request assistance by contacting Excel Academy Charter Schools.

Agenda

      Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 12:30 PM
  A. Call the Meeting to Order Board President 1 m
  B. Record Attendance Board President 1 m
   

Roll Call:

William Hall, President

Michael Humphrey, Vice President

Steve Fraire, Clerk

Susan Houle, Member

Larry Alvarado, Member

 
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Approve/Adopt Agenda 12:32 PM
  A. Agenda Vote Board President 1 m
   

It is recommended the Board of Directors adopt as presented, the agenda for the Regular Board meeting of December 14, 2023.

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
IV. Approve Minutes 12:33 PM
  A. Approve Minutes Approve Minutes Board President 1 m
   

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting that was held on October 12, 2023.

 

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
    Minutes for Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors on October 12, 2023  
  B. Approve Minutes Approve Minutes William Hall 1 m
   

Minutes of the Board Study Session that was held on November 9, 2023.

 

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
    Minutes for Board of Directors Study Session on November 9, 2023  
V. Public Comment - Closed Session
 

The public has a right to comment on any items of the closed session agenda.  Members of the public will be permitted to comment on any other item within the Board’s jurisdiction under Public Comments/Recognition/Reports.


 

 
VI. Adjourn to Closed Session 12:35 PM
  A. The Board will consider and may act on any of the Closed Session matters. Vote William Hall 1 m
   

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
VII. Closed Session 12:36 PM
  A. Closed Session Discuss William Hall 10 m
   

1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION 

(Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))

 

     YL v. The Collaborative Charter Services Organization, et al

 
VIII. Reconvene Regular Meeting 12:46 PM
  A. Report out any action taken in closed session. Discuss William Hall 2 m
IX. Public Comments/Recognition/Reports
 

Please submit a Request to Speak to the Board of Directors using the chat feature on the right hand side of the Zoom platform.  Please state the agenda item number that you wish to address prior to the agenda item being called by the Board President.  Not more than three (3) minutes are to be allotted to any one (1) speaker, and no more than twenty (20) minutes on the same subject. This portion of the agenda is for comments, recognitions and reports to the Board and is not intended to be a question and answer period.  If you have questions for the Board, please provide the Board President with a written statement and an administrator will provide answers at a later date.


 

 
X. Correspondence/Proposals/Reports 12:48 PM
  A. School Highlights - Presented by Heidi Gasca, Executive Director/CEO Discuss Heidi Gasca 8 m
     
  B. Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Presentation - Presented by Tamara Murphy, Intervention Coordinator, and Sarah Horikawa, TOSA of MTSS Discuss Tamara Murphy 10 m
     
XI. Consent 1:06 PM
 

Items listed under Consent are considered routine and will be approved/adopted by a single motion.  There will be no separate discussion of these items; however, any item may be removed from the Consent upon the request of any member of the Board, discussed, and acted upon separately. 

 
  A. Consent - Business/Financial Services
   
  1. Check Register - October 2023
  2. Check RegisterNovember 2023
  3. Cash Payments - October 2023
  4. Cash Payments - November 2023
  5. Ratification of the Agreement for Legal Services by Edwards, Stevens & Tucker LLP
     
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  B. Consent - Education Student/Services
   

1. Approval of the Catalina Overnight Field Trip

2. Approval of the School-Parent Compact

3. Approval of the Excel Academy Handbook Revisions for 2023/2024

 

 
     
     
     
  C. Consent - Personnel Services
   
  1. Approval of Certificated Personnel Report
  2. Approval of Classified Personnel Report
  3. Approval of Job Descriptions
  4. Approval of the 2023-2024 Salary Schedule Updates 
 
     
     
  D. Policy Development William Hall
   

Approval of existing board policies revised, reviewed, and eliminated by staff for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

Board Policies: Revised 

The following are current policies that have been revised to provide clarity or alignment with changes in law or procedures:

 

1000 Series - Community Relations

1030 - EA Safe Operation of Schools (Infectious Disease) Policy


4000 Series - Personnel Services

4115 - EA Family Medical Leave Act and California Family Rights Policy

4150 - EA Mileage Reimbursement Policy

4170/4170E - EA Injury and Illness Prevention Policy

 

 

Board Policies: Reviewed 

The following policies are being brought to the Board without changes for annual review.

 

1000 Series - Community Relations

1010 - EA Civility Policy

1035 - EA Access to Public Records Policy

 

4000 Series - Personnel Services

4000 - EA Concepts & Roles

4010 - EA At-Will Policy

4015 - EA Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

4020 - EA Background Check Policy

4025 - EA TB Testing Policy

4030 - EA Immigration Compliance Policy

4035 - EA Mandated Reporter - Child Abuse Policy

4040 - EA Corporal Punishment Policy

4045 - EA Professional Boundaries Policy

4050 - EA Whistleblower Policy

4055 - EA Internal Compliant Policy

4060 - EA Unlawful Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation 

4065 - EA Meal and Rest Period Policy

4070 - EA Lactation Accommodation Policy

4075 - EA Drug, Alcohol, Smoke Free Workplace Policy

4080 - EA Acceptable Use of Technology Policy

4085 - EA Payroll Withholdings Policy

4090 - EA Cobra Policy

4105 - EA Paid Sick Leave Policy

4110 - EA Pregnancy Disability Leave Policy

4125 - EA Victims of Crime Policy

4130 - EA Remote Work Policy

4145 - EA Professional Development Reimbursement Policy

4160 - EA Children of Teachers Policy

4165 - EA Employee Driving Policy

 
     
  E. Approve Consent Agenda Vote William Hall 1 m
   

Items in the consent agenda are considered routine and will be approved/adopted by a single motion.

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
XII. Business/Financial Services 1:07 PM
  A. Approval of 2023-2024 EACS First Interim Financial Report Vote Joe Sorrera 10 m
   

It is recommended the Board approve the 2023-2024  EACS First Interim Financial Report for Excel Academy Charter Schools, Helendale (#2073) and Warner (#2053).

 

Fiscal Impact: As indicated by the 2023-24 Financial Reporting Documents First Interim Report

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
     
     
     
     
  B. Approval of CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Draft Annual Audit Report - Year Ended June 30, 2023 Vote Lili Huang 5 m
   

It is recommended the Board of Directors approve the CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Draft Annual Audit Report for Excel Academy Charter School, Helendale (#2073), Warner (#2053).

 

Fiscal Impact: N/A

 

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
     
XIII. Education Services 1:22 PM
  A. Approval of School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) Vote Jenny Craig 7 m
   

It is recommended that the Board approve the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for Excel Academy Charter School, Helendale (#2073), Warner (#2053).

 

Fiscal Impact: N/A

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
     
     
XIV. Organizational Structure - Annual Meeting of the Board 1:29 PM
  A. Election of the Excel Academy Charter Schools Board Officer: President Vote Heidi Gasca 2 m
   

In accordance with the Third Amended Bylaws of Excel Academy Charter Schools, Article VI, Board of Directors, Section 7.02, Election of the Board Officers, it is recommended the Board of Directors conduct the election for the following officer positions:

 

The Board will take action to elect the Board President:


Election: Board President: ___________
 

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
     
  B. Election of the Excel Academy Charter Schools Board Officer: Vice President Vote Heidi Gasca 2 m
   

In accordance with the Third Amended Bylaws of Excel Academy Charter Schools, Article VI, Board of Directors, Section 7.02, Election of the Board Officers, it is recommended the Board of Directors conduct the election for the following officer positions:

 

The Board will take action to elect the Board Vice President.


Election: Board Vice President: ______________
 

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
     
  C. Election of the Excel Academy Charter Schools Board Officer: Clerk Vote Heidi Gasca 2 m
   

In accordance with the Third Amended Bylaws of Excel Academy Charter Schools, Article VI, Board of Directors, Section 7.02, Election of the Board Officers, it is recommended the Board of Directors conduct the election for the following officer positions:

 

The Board will take action to elect the Board Clerk:


Election: Board Clerk: ______________
 

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
     
  D. Full Board Action in Lieu of Audit Committee, Fiscal Year 2023-24 Vote Heidi Gasca 2 m
   

An annual independent financial audit of the books and records of Excel Academy Charter School will be conducted as required by Education Code Sections 47605(c)(5)(I) and 47605(m).

 

It is recommended the Excel Academy Charter Schools Governing Board oversee the selection of an independent auditor and the completion of an annual audit of the school's financial affairs as a full Board.

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
  E. Approval of Excel Academy Charter Schools Board of Directors Manual Revisions Vote Heidi Gasca 5 m
   

It is recommended that the Board approve the Excel Academy Charter Schools Board of Directors Manual Revisions as discussed in the November 9, 2023 Study Session.

 

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____

 
     
XV. Calendar
 

The next scheduled Regular Board Meeting will be held both in person and virtually on January 11, 2024.

 
XVI. Board Comments
XVII. CEO Comments
XVIII. Closing Items 1:42 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote William Hall 1 m
   

Roll Call Vote:

William Hall

Michael Humphrey

Steve Fraire

Susan Houle

Larry Alvarado

Moved by ______ Seconded by ______ Ayes _____ Nays _____ Absent _____