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Heidi provided an update on student enrollment, school initiatives, and recent successes at Excel Academy.

• Enrollment & Planning: The school welcomed new students at the semester break, bringing enrollment to 1,751. Planning for the 2025-26 school year is well underway, including calendar approvals and revisiting the SWOT analysis.
• Leadership Development: The admin team participated in team-building activities focused on communication and collaboration, including reviewing Crucial Conversations and personalized work styles.
• Academic Initiatives: The report card process was revamped to better educate parents on its purpose and how to use it to support student progress. The school also received the ERP Honor Roll award for the second consecutive year, recognizing state test score improvements.
• Student Engagement: Recent highlights included a successful spelling bee, outdoor learning activities, and community events like bowling and pizza gatherings, reinforcing the goal of building a sense of local connection among students and families.
• Staff Recognition: Heidi spotlighted Jenn Sheehey, the Virtual Path Coordinator, for making a remarkable impact since joining the school. She praised Jenn’s leadership, expertise, and contributions to non-classroom-based and hybrid education.
• Professional Development & Conferences: Staff participated in various training sessions, and leadership is preparing to attend the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) Conference in Sacramento next month.

The presentation highlighted Excel Academy’s strong student growth, dedicated staff, and ongoing commitment to fostering both academic excellence and a supportive community.

Joe presented Governor Newsom's proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget and its impact on K-12 education, particularly Excel Academy.

Key Highlights:

State Budget & Economic Factors:

• The state projects a $17 billion surplus, providing financial stability.
• Major risks include wildfires in Los Angeles County, delayed tax filings, and federal policy changes, which could impact revenue projections.

Proposition 98 & Education Funding:

• Schools will receive $118 billion, about 50% of state revenue, with funding allocated for COLA adjustments, reducing reliance on one-time funds, and discretionary grants.
• However, $1.6 billion in Prop 98 funds has been delayed, raising concerns about school funding.

Impact on Excel Academy:

• A 2.43% COLA increase translates to approximately $440,000 in new funding for the school.
• Excel will continue receiving grade span adjustments and supplemental grants but does not qualify for the concentration grant due to a lower unduplicated pupil percentage (UPP).
• The school maintains a strong reserve, growing from 36% in 2022-23 to 48.5% in 2023-24, ensuring financial stability compared to brick-and-mortar schools.

State Budget Process & Next Steps:

• The final budget will be released in June, with a May revision providing updates on tax revenues, COLA adjustments, and potential budget changes.
• Excel Academy must monitor enrollment trends, advocate for funding, and prepare for potential financial shifts.

Enrollment Growth:

• Since December, Excel Academy's enrollment has increased from 1,728 to 1,758 students, reflecting 2% growth in recent months.

Joe concluded by emphasizing continued financial vigilance, advocacy, and adaptability as the budget process unfolds.

Jenny provided a mid-year update on Excel Academy’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), reviewing progress toward school goals, implementation of key initiatives, and financial alignment.

Key Highlights:

Goal 1: Academic Achievement

• Fully implemented student monitoring, broad course offerings, professional development, and parent education.
• Excel Academy ranked #8 in ELA and #3 in math among 61 comparable charter schools in Warner; #19 in ELA and #7 in math in Helendale.

Goal 2: School Climate & Retention

• High attendance rates, positive school culture, and credentialed staff retention remain a priority.
• Regular teacher-parent communication and student engagement initiatives are in place.
• Maintaining 0% suspension and expulsion rates.

Goal 3: Family & Community Engagement

• Ensuring vetted content providers, annual safety plan reviews, and translation services for non-English-speaking families.
• Using POSSIP surveys for real-time feedback from families and staff to refine programs and improve engagement.

Goal 4: College & Career Readiness

• Expanded A-G courses, CTE pathways, and college/career support.
• 8th-grade counseling prepares students for high school success.
• New science test prep added in response to California dashboard requirements.
• Pre-algebra and algebra support provided.
• Ongoing FAFSA guidance, scholarship support, and student leadership opportunities (National Honor Society, prom, volunteer programs).

Financial Oversight & Budget Alignment

• Monitoring mid-year expenditures to ensure alignment with LCAP funding.
• Collaboration with business services to stay within department budgets and prepare for 2025-26 planning.

She expressed excitement about continuing to refine the LCAP and looks forward to presenting further updates in the coming months.

The board expressed deep appreciation for the staff’s dedication, leadership, and achievements, emphasizing the importance of strong communication and teamwork. They praised the Crucial Conversations training, highlighting how learning effective communication techniques can help de-escalate tense situations and foster better understanding. A board member shared a personal anecdote about creating an open and approachable environment as a principal, reinforcing the value of nonverbal cues in communication. The board congratulated Excel Academy on its impressive academic rankings, with special recognition for Warner’s #3 ranking in math among 61 comparable charter schools. They also acknowledged the importance of transitional kindergarten (TK) in California and were excited about the school’s involvement. Joe received high praise for his clear and thorough financial explanations, ensuring confidence in the school’s fiscal management. The board credited Excel’s leadership and strong communication for maintaining a consistent, engaged, and high-performing team, and they expressed gratitude for the many behind-the-scenes staff members who work tirelessly to support the school’s success. The meeting wrapped up with excitement for future visits and continued collaboration, reinforcing the strong sense of community and commitment within Excel Academy.

Heidi introduced Possip Connect, an initiative designed to acknowledge and respond to staff and parent feedback in a constructive and professional way. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that staff feel heard and valued by actively addressing their input. At the recent all-staff meeting, the leadership team demonstrated how feedback is being reviewed and framed in a way that promotes growth and positive change. Heidi sees this as an ongoing process that will strengthen communication and engagement within the school community.