This board item involves a recommendation for the board to approve and receive the federal and California tax returns for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. These tax returns were prepared by the independent audit firm CLA and are part of the annual compliance obligations to the IRS and the Franchise Tax Board for the organization, which operates as a nonprofit.

This board item requests approval for continued affiliation with CCSA, a statewide advocacy network that offers substantial support including professional development, legal assistance, and renewal guidance and training to the team. The item highlights the significant value of this investment in professional development, despite its considerable cost. During the board discussion, there were no questions from most members, except for Steve who inquired whether the cost is based on enrollment, to which the answer was affirmative.

This board item presents a proposal for the board to approve the renewal of a purchasing software service by OPS, at a cost of $24,947.19. The software aids teachers, staff, and parents in managing and placing orders using instructional funds and other school resources. The proposed agreement covers a one-year period, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

This board item is a request for the renewal of the Sage Intacct Accounting Software Service, a digital tool that supports various accounting tasks including general ledger management, bank reconciliation, budgeting, and accounts receivable. It also acts as a central repository for financial transactions. The proposed renewal for the fiscal year 2024-2025 is for an amount of $48,643.20.

This board item involves a proposal to renew an agreement with Stampli, a cloud-based tool that employs AI and machine learning to streamline invoicing processes by automating processing, coding, and approvals, thus reducing manual work. The annual fee for using Stampli is projected to be approximately $40,000.

This board item discusses the upcoming expiration of a five-year lease on November 30, 2024, for the organization's current office space. Following negotiations with the real estate agent and the Irvine company, a three-year lease renewal has been agreed upon, instead of a five-year term, due to the changing dynamics in commercial real estate influenced by COVID-19. This shorter term will allow for reevaluation after three years. The negotiation also secured a rent reduction for three months (December 1st to February 28th), resulting in a savings of approximately $44,000, with an additional $5,000 savings during the rent abatement period. The organization is satisfied with the outcomes of the negotiation and the functionality of the office space, with plans to reassess the situation after the three-year period.

This board item pertains to the renewal of iReady, an internal assessment tool used for establishing local benchmarks in math and reading for students in grades K through 11. The tool not only aids in assessing students but also offers professional development for staff. Diagnostic score reports generated by iReady are utilized throughout the academic year to inform curriculum decisions, shape intervention classes, and support various student needs. The total fiscal impact of renewing iReady is $34,420.

This board item discusses the renewal of the Bright Thinker curriculum, an A-G and NCAA-approved asynchronous virtual online platform for students. The curriculum is actively updated with the latest offerings by attending various conferences to ensure students have access to the best resources. The fiscal impact of this renewal is $81,500. The approach for licensing is initially conservative, with adjustments made as necessary based on demand.

This board item addresses the need to purchase an additional 102 licenses for the Bright Thinker curriculum, supplementing the 300 licenses originally approved last year. This increase is necessary to meet the needs of the student body. The fiscal impact of adding these licenses is $20,400.

This board item presents a proposal to continue using Tutor.com, a 24-hour on-demand tutoring service praised for its effectiveness in supporting both intervention and general education students. The service provides one-on-one tutoring sessions, which are recorded, allowing students to revisit the sessions as needed. The rigorous selection process ensures that the service is among the best available, offering both asynchronous and synchronous support. The total fiscal impact for maintaining this service is $23,975.

This board item involves the submission of the annual declaration of need form for the 2024-2025 school year to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This form is submitted each year to ensure compliance with regulations pertaining to staff credentialing. It is particularly important for addressing new or changing needs as they arise during the school year. The updates in this year's declaration include compliance with AB 1505 and are based on estimated needs for potential credentialing changes throughout the year. The form facilitates the school's ability to adapt and enhance staff qualifications as necessary, ensuring continued compliance and effectiveness in staffing.

This new board policy at Excel Academy Charter School establishes procedures to ensure consistent banking activities in the event that the executive director or CEO is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances. It designates the Director of Business Services as the primary authorized individual to handle banking activities during such events. The policy also emphasizes the importance of succession planning by setting up training and procedures for potential successors to the Director of Business Services. Compliance with relevant laws and regulations, as well as the organizational objectives of the school, is mandated. The policy will take effect upon approval by the board of directors.