The Board Clerk reported that the Board members agreed to the release of liability agreement for A038. 

Heidi presented to the Board of Directors, expressing excitement for the 2024-2025 school year. She shared that the school has 1,745 students enrolled—1,077 in Warner and 688 in Helendale—and highlighted the importance of staff development with a theme inspired by "Toy Story," emphasizing teamwork and each department's role in student success.

She introduced new staff onboarded successfully, thanks to the HR team, and mentioned ongoing initiatives across various paths within the school. Notably, there’s a focus on preparing high school students for college and careers through an ACE program and enhanced special education support. Additionally, the school is utilizing Prop 28 funding to enrich art and music offerings.

Heidi also highlighted the new elementary homeroom structure aimed at better supporting grade-level education and shared details about a parent online academy designed to improve family engagement. The presentation concluded with excitement about recent back-to-school events, showcasing a strong community spirit with over 800 attendees at one event.

Karen Ottoson and Forest Muther shared their experiences as teachers at Excel Academy.

Karen expressed her gratitude for her role as a kindergarten homeroom teacher, highlighting the joy of working with young students on foundational skills like sight words and shapes. She reflected on her experience with a special education student, noting his significant growth and the positive impact of the SPED team. Karen also enjoyed reconnecting with students at a back-to-school event, reinforcing her sense of community.

Forest discussed the rewarding nature of his role as a secondary teacher, particularly the satisfaction of seeing students achieve their goals. He shared a success story about a student named Cynthia, who, after struggling initially, found her passion for reading through tailored interventions. This led her to excel academically, take dual enrollment courses, and ultimately prepare for a career in the medical field. Forest conveyed his excitement and emotional investment in his students' journeys, particularly as they approach graduation.

1. Check Register - June 2024
2. Check Register - July 2024
3. Check Register - August 2024
4. Cash Payments - July 2024
5. Cash Payments - August 2024
6. Approval of APLUS+ Network Conference 2024 

1. Approval of the Pali Institute Overnight Science Camp Field Trip

2. Approval of the Excel Academy Charter School English Language Development (ELD) Handbook for Families 2024-2025

3. Approval of the Excel Academy Handbook Revisions for 2024-2025

4. Approval of the Excel Academy Special Education Handbook Revisions for 2024-2025

5. Ratification of the Special Education Master Contract for External Vendors

1. Approval of Certificated Personnel Report
2. Approval of Classified Personnel Report

The Board members expressed their appreciation for a successful meeting, highlighting key positive aspects. 

Susan praised the uplifting video and mentioned her love for seeing the children, along with the easy access to global resources like ClassPass. 

Larry acknowledged the addition of special education staff and stressed the importance of staff development. He also noted the school's strong financial standing, suggesting discussions on how to allocate surplus funds.

Further, the Board congratulated the team on a strong start, emphasizing the effective handling of challenges and the collective commitment of the staff. The Board members thanked the team for their hard work, appreciated the logistical support behind the scenes, and expressed their personal joy in attending and learning from these meetings. They particularly enjoyed the video and humorously referenced a desire to interact with the animals featured. 

Overall, the comments reflected a strong sense of pride in the school's achievements and optimism for the future.

Heidi expressed gratitude for the school's strong financial position, contrasting it with the challenges faced three years ago. She highlighted the importance of being able to focus on supporting staff rather than repaying loans. Heidi acknowledged the diligence and care that goes into financial discussions, crediting the Executive Team's weekly meetings for ensuring thoughtful decision-making. She emphasized the value of adding Jenny and Lara to these meetings, which has helped in planning for fiscal spending and staff incentives, like ClassPass.

Heidi also noted the school's growth and acknowledged the natural process of learning from both gains and losses each year. She conveyed optimism for a successful school year and expressed appreciation for the ongoing support from the board.