Excel Academy (CA)
Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date and Time
Thursday June 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM
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: +1 720 707 2699
Meeting ID: 883 5394 7431
URL: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88353947431
MISSION STATEMENT
Excel Academy will provide a flexible, personalized learning experience where teachers and parents collaborate to provide academic excellence and social and emotional foundations to instill a love for learning in each individual student.
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.
Directors Present
M. Humphrey, S. Fraire, S. Houle, W. Hall
Directors Absent
L. Alvarado
Guests Present
L. Hansen
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance
II. Approve/Adopt Agenda
A.
Agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
III. Approve Minutes
A.
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on May 8, 2025
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
IV. Correspondence/Proposals/Reports
A.
Excel Academy Year in Review - Presented by Heidi Gasca, Executive Director
B.
Special Education Update - Presented by Lara Ulmer, Director of Special Education
Lara gave an update of the Special Education program including staff, classes, new initiatives, and more.
V. Consent
A.
Consent - Business/Financial Services
B.
Consent - Education Student/Services
C.
Consent - Personnel Services
D.
Consent Items - Policy Development
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
VI. Business/Financial Services
A.
Approval of Additional Chromebooks Purchase
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
B.
Approval of MacBook Air Laptops Purchase
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
C.
Approval of the Stampli Contract (Renewal)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
D.
Approval of 2025-26 Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
E.
Approval of the Proposition 28 Arts & Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2024-2025
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
F.
Approval of SecureSpace Storage Unit
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
G.
Approval of the California Charter School Association (CCSA) Membership for 2025-2026 (Renewal)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
H.
Approval of the Settlement Agreement (Lares v. The Collaborative Charter Services Organization, et. al.)
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
VII. Education Services
A.
Approval of Amira Learning Reading Difficulties Screener
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
VIII. Personnel Services
A.
Approval of Marsh McLennan Benefits
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
IX. Policy Development
A.
Approval of New Board Policies
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Fraire |
Aye
|
| L. Alvarado |
Absent
|
| W. Hall |
Aye
|
| M. Humphrey |
Aye
|
| S. Houle |
Aye
|
X. Public Hearing
A.
Local Indicators and Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP) 2025-26
Hearing Opened at 1:14 PM
Hearing Closed at 1:33 PM
B.
Proposed Budget 2025-2026
Hearing Opened at 1:33 PM
Hearing Closed at 1:48 PM
XI. Comments
A.
Board Comments
The Board was overwhelmingly positive and expressed deep appreciation for the hard work, leadership, and collaborative spirit of the staff:
Appreciation for Hard Work: The board recognized the immense effort put in by the staff, including those not present at the meeting. They specifically mentioned how impressed they were by the work presented.
Praise for Specific Leaders: Heidi, Joe, and Jenny were singled out for their excellent contributions in their respective areas, with Heidi being praised for a "great year," Joe for his financials, and Jenny for her mastery of the complex LCFF and compliance regulations. The board also gave a shout-out to the special education team for staying on top of the constantly changing rules.
Acknowledgment of Shared Leadership: The board praised the positive and inclusive tone set by the leadership, noting that this shared leadership model is essential for the school's success.
Overall Gratitude: The board expressed a sense of being "blessed" to have the school, its staff, and the families and students it serves, emphasizing that the model "works" and that everyone's efforts are making a positive difference.
B.
CEO Comments
Heidi's comments were a heartfelt expression of gratitude to her entire team, particularly the administrative staff. She highlighted that all their collective hard work, from benefits administration and fiscal management to legislative compliance, ultimately serves the students. She emphasized her pride in the administrative team's behind-the-scenes efforts and how their work directly contributes to major milestones, such as student graduation. Heidi concluded by thanking the board for their support, reiterating her belief that she works with an "incredible team" that always keeps its "eye on the prize"—student success.
Heidi shared a video detailing the accomplishments of Excel Academy in the 2024-25 school year.