Soleil Academy
Minutes
Soleil Academy Board Meeting
Date and Time
Saturday January 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Location
1600 West Beverly Blvd. Montebello, CA 90640
OR
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Meeting ID: 756 458 5437
Passcode: 155911
Directors Present
B. Weinstein-Sanders, E. Funes, K. Armstrong, S. Johnson, V. Reynolds
Directors Absent
L. Safa
Ex Officio Members Present
B. Gutierrez, J. Kinoshita
Non Voting Members Present
B. Gutierrez, J. Kinoshita
Guests Present
M. Serrano, R. Avilez
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Board Meeting Minutes
D.
Mid-Year Staff Handbook Changes
E.
2024–25 School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
II. Finance Committee
A.
Updates
B.
November and December Financials
Ramon then provided an update on enrollment, noting an increase to 366 students with two more expected the following week. He reported an increase in insurance form submissions and mentioned that the lottery window for new enrollments would open in early March.
C.
Salary Scales for 26-27 School Year (VOTE)
III. Academic Committee
A.
Updates
Principal Serrano reviewed mid-year academic progress. All grade levels are on track for the annual growth in MAP reading by Spring 2026.
She presented academic progress data showing that Soleil Academy is on track to meet its spring academic goals, with all students and subgroups demonstrating above-negative growth. The data indicates strong momentum in math instruction across grades. The next steps include focusing on feedback and data-driven instruction, with an emphasis on using student work protocols to provide actionable feedback to teachers.
IV. Management
A.
Updates
B. Gutierrez discussed the review of the previous day's events regarding ICE protocols. The board addressed recent concerns about immigration enforcement activities near Soleil Academy, acknowledging staff anxiety and committing to restore trust. The team emphasized the Soleil will ensure safety, stability, and access to learning.
R. Aavilez then provided an update on enrollment, noting an increase to 366 students with two more expected the following week. He reported an increase in insurance form submissions and mentioned that the lottery window for new enrollments would open in early March.
R. Avilez provided a mid-year update on attendance. He noted that attendance has been fluctuating due to illnesses and recent demonstrations, with current averages around 93%. Current numbers show at Soleil is closing the gap on chronic absenteeism.
V. Governance Committee
A.
Updates
The Governance Committee reminded Board members were reminded to submit Form 700.
They also discussed effectiveness, renewal readiness, and strategic planning, including board recruitment and development. They also reviewed board retreat structure and emphasized the importance of tracking governance indicators for renewal progress.
B.
Mid-Year Self Evaluation and Goal Setting Discussion
B. Gutierrez provided a high level overview of progress with current board goals. The end or year self assessment is currently scheduled for the May 2026 Board Meeting.
The board discussed their mid-year evaluation results, which showed strong performance in academics and finance execution but identified areas for improvement in board size and composition, as well as in board goals and accountability structures. The board agreed to focus retreat time on long-term strategic questions rather than tactical or compliance matters, with Ms. Gutierrez tasked to develop design principles for future retreats. During the meeting, the board split into finance and academic committees to further define their roles and align on how the board engages in these areas of expertise.
VI. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Next Board Meeting will cover:
- Form 700
- Financials
- 2nd Interim Report
- School Safety Plan
- Audit Vendor
The board reviewed the financial forecast presented by V. Reynolds, which projects student enrollment and overall revenue for the year. The forecast is slightly below budget but still reflects a positive variance. They also discussed carryover funding for the current and upcoming fiscal years, noting that these funds can be used flexibly for eligible expenses.