Greg Wood led in Pledge of Allegiance

No public comments

Mr. David Hussey, Executive Director, opened his report by expressing appreciation to Mr. Wood, Chief Business Officer (CBO), on the occasion of his retirement.

• Mr. Hussey commended Mr. Wood’s years of dedicated service to El Camino, its students, and the community.
• He described Mr. Wood as the best CBO he has worked with, highlighting his professionalism and significant contributions to the school.
• The Board extended congratulations and gratitude to Mr. Wood for his retirement and exemplary service.

2. School Year Opening Update

• School Opening Date: August 11, 2025.
• Turnout: The start of the academic year was successful with strong participation.
• Acknowledgment: Special recognition was given to Ricardo and the Marketing Department for their efforts in outreach and promotion.
• Enrollment: Ninth-grade enrollment exceeded expectations, with 720 students enrolled compared to the projected 650 students.
  • Mr. Hussey credited targeted marketing strategies, particularly on social media, for the significant enrollment growth.

3. Emergency Drill

• The school conducted its first emergency drill of the year on Aug. 28, 2025. 
• Students and staff were evacuated to the field in under 10 minutes, which was deemed efficient and successful.

4. Facilities and Construction Update

• Ongoing Work: Re-piping of the HVAC system is currently in progress.
• Incident: On  Aug. 28, 2025, a construction crew struck an underground pipe.
  • The fire department was called; however, no hydrant was affected, and no major hazard occurred.
  • The pipe is scheduled for repair immediately.
• Impact: The incident is not expected to affect school operations due to the upcoming four-day weekend, which provides sufficient time for repairs.

5. Closing Remarks

Mr. Hussey concluded his report by thanking:

• Teachers for their dedication,
• Students for their active participation, and
• Parents for their support.

He emphasized his appreciation for a smooth and positive beginning to the 2025–2026 school year.

Mr. Fernando Delgado, newly appointed Chief Business Officer (CBO), provided an update on current initiatives, operational changes, and upcoming priorities.

1. Fiscal Policies and Systems

• The Business Office, with support from Mr. Wood and the finance team, is reviewing fiscal policies and implementing new systems to improve financial controls.
• The entire purchasing process has been digitized, covering:
  • Purchase requests
  • Purchasing approvals
  • Appeals processes
• Implementation of the new system is underway for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
• The team successfully supported the closing of the FY 2024–2025 books and is preparing for a smooth financial transition.

2. Attendance Campaign

• A new campaign titled “Everyday Matters” will launch in September 2025.
• The initiative is designed to reduce chronic absenteeism, directly impacting Average Daily Attendance (ADA) and revenue generation.

3. Grant Funding Alignment

• Meetings with teachers are ongoing to ensure alignment of grant funding with program objectives and spending guidelines.
• This process will improve compliance and maximize effective use of funds.

4. Facilities and Office Relocation

• The Business Office and Payroll Department have been relocated to improve operational alignment and student service delivery.
• The police officer’s office has been moved to Mr. Wood’s former office.
  • This relocation places the police officer directly across from the Dean’s Office, improving accessibility and coordination of student support services.

5. Succession Planning and Staffing

• Succession planning with Mr. Greg Wood has been completed to ensure a seamless leadership transition.
• Next steps include:
  • Audit preparation for the upcoming fiscal year.
  • Completion of the payroll department move.
  • Support for the onboarding of the new Director of Operations.

Mr. Delgado expressed appreciation for the collaboration of the finance team and highlighted the importance of these initiatives in strengthening financial accountability, student services, and operational efficiency.

Mr. Gregory Wood, outgoing Chief Business Officer (CBO), delivered his final report and farewell message to the Board.

• He expressed gratitude to the Board and organization for the opportunity to serve for the past five years.
• Mr. Wood reflected on his career spanning 25 years in education and over 40 years in finance, sharing that his original motivation to enter education was his children and the desire to positively impact students’ lives.
• He emphasized that his work in education allowed him to merge his financial expertise with his passion for supporting and connecting with students.

 Student Acknowledgment

• Mr. Wood shared a personal note received from a student, which expressed deep gratitude for his kindness and encouragement.
• The student described Mr. Wood as someone who made a meaningful difference during a difficult time and highlighted their appreciation for his presence in the cafeteria.
• Mr. Wood stated that messages like this exemplify the true purpose of his career in education and will remain a lasting memory of his service.

 Student Council Update

On behalf of the Student Council, Mr. Wood provided the Board with a summary of recent activities:

• Summer Preparation: Student Council engaged in team-building activities and prepared decorations and posters to create a welcoming environment for the new school year.
• Spirit Activities:
  • Organized music and Q&A sessions during lunch to encourage school spirit.
  • Assisted parents during Back-to-School Night on August 21, 2025.
• Fundraising: Conducted a mobile pep rally, selling “Kingdom” shirts, which raised funds successfully.
• Senior Events: Hosted the Senior Sunset event on August 27, 2025, where seniors and foreign exchange students gathered on the football field for a community celebration before the school year began.

Mr. Wood noted that Student Council will continue providing regular updates to both the Finance Committee and the Board.

 Financial Reporting

• Mr. Wood acknowledged the efforts of Student Council leadership, particularly the treasurer, in attending Finance Committee meetings and contributing to financial transparency.
• He confirmed that the audited actuals report was submitted during the week of the meeting.
• Per Mr. Delgado’s earlier comments, the report will be reviewed by auditors over the next two months.

Mr. Wood concluded his remarks by reiterating his appreciation to the Board and reaffirming his gratitude for the opportunity to serve at El Camino. He noted that the experience has been a meaningful culmination of his career in both finance and education.

Presenter: Ms. Alexandra Ramirez

a. Background

• The term for the Community Representative Board Position expired, requiring the appointment of a new representative.
• A selection committee was formed to oversee the process.

b. Candidate Recommendation

• Following the interviews, the committee recommended Mr. Brad Wright for the position of Community Representative.
• Mr. Wright was present at the meeting during the discussion.

c. Public Posting and Transparency

• Notice of the board vacancy was publicly posted for over one month to ensure transparency and community awareness.

d. Remarks by Mr. Brad Wright

Upon his installation, Mr. Wright addressed the Board with the following remarks:

• He thanked the Board for the confidence placed in him.
• He noted his strong attendance record, sharing that he has attended every meeting for the past five years.
• He expressed his commitment to serving the school and community, emphasizing his dedication to ensuring that students have a safe and supportive environment for their education.
• He concluded by stating he looks forward to contributing positively to the work of the Board.

Mr. Brad Wright was formally installed as the new Community Representative Board Member. The Board welcomed him to his role and acknowledged his commitment to serving the El Camino community.

Committee Overview

Chair Brad Wright introduced the committee structure and confirmed member assignments for the 2025–2026 school year. Committees are composed of volunteer board members, with membership capped below quorum.

Committee Assignments:

1. Executive Director Evaluation Committee

• Members: Alexandra Ramirez, Linda Ibach, Steven Kofahl
• Chair: Linda Ibach

2. Finance & Investment Committee

• Members: Alexandra Ramirez, Steven Kofahl, Brad Wright
• Chair: Alexandra Ramirez

3. Travel Committee

• Members: Steven Kofahl, Joe Kolkowitz, Brad Wright
• Chair: Steven Kofahl

4. Safety Committee

• Members: Brad Wright, Ronald Laws, Joe Kolkowitz
• Chair: Brad Wright

5. Capital Improvements Committee

• Members: Brad Wright, Alexandra Ramirez, Steven Kofahl
• Chair: Steven Kofahl

6. Technology Committee

• Members: Brad Wright, Joe Kolkowitz, Steven Kofahl
• Chair: Brad Wright

The Chair emphasized the importance of regular attendance by all committee members. Committees remain advisory bodies and must stay below quorum. Members were reminded that special board meetings require a minimum of 24-hour notice.

• Mr. Delgado introduced the agenda item and noted that this was the regular quarterly investment update provided by Beacon Pointe, the school’s advisor for both the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Fund and the General Investment Account (GA).
• Mr. Delgado explained that both portfolios are reviewed quarterly against the school’s Investment Policy Statements (IPS), which establish benchmarks, guidelines, and guardrails for management.
• Mr. Thompson, joined by Mr. Wood, was invited to present highlights from the report through June 30, 2025.
   

Portfolios Managed by Beacon Pointe

• OPEB Fund (~$33.4M): Long-term portfolio (60% equities / 40% fixed income).
  • Q2 2025: +10% | YTD: +6.8% | 1-Year: +11% | 3-Year Avg: +11.5%
  • Allocation: U.S. equities (38%), International equities (17%), Fixed income (27%), Alternatives (15%).
• General Investment Account (~$7.3M): Defensive reserve portfolio (40% equities / 60% fixed income).
  • YTD: +5.4% | 1-Year: +8.5% | 3-Year Avg: +7.5%
  • Allocation: Equities (38%), Fixed income (56%), Alternatives (5%).

Governance:

• Both portfolios fully comply with Investment Policy Statement (IPS) ranges.
• Mix of active and passive management keeps fees low while maintaining diversification.

Economic & Market Outlook:

• U.S. economy remains strong post-COVID but showing signs of slowdown.
• Inflation has eased, but remains above the Fed’s 2% target.
• Fed shifting from inflation control toward supporting growth and employment.
• Current outlook suggests stable to lower interest rates in near term.
• School’s portfolios already have exposure to alternatives (private real estate, lending).
• No recommendation for private equity at this time due to liquidity and return concerns.

Board Discussion:

• Clarifications requested on allocations and active vs. passive balance.
• No concerns raised; update accepted.

Recess at 6:32 pm. Resumed at 6:37 pm.

Mr. Wright proposed the schedule for the Finance Committee meetings for the upcoming school year. He stated that the Finance Committee will convene on Wednesdays, the week prior to the regularly scheduled Board meetings, with the exception of December, which will fall on a Thursday.

The following dates were presented for approval:

• September 17, 2025
• October 15, 2025
• November 12, 2025
• December 11, 2025 (Thursday)
• January 14, 2026
• February 18, 2026
• March 18, 2026
• April 15, 2026
• May 20, 2026
• June 17, 2026

Mr. Wright emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in scheduling to allow sufficient time for the committee to review financial reports and prepare recommendations in advance of full Board meetings.

Outcome: The Board formally approved the 2025–2026 Finance Committee meeting schedule.

Presenters:

• Fernando Delgado, CBO
• Mr. Schwab, Actuary

Mr. Delgado introduced the discussion on options for actuary services.

Mr. Schwab provided a summary of his background and experience, noting over 30 years in both public and private sectors and ongoing work with charter schools, districts, and government entities. He has served El Camino since 2016, providing annual actuarial valuations and compliance reporting.

Mr. Schwab presented the 2024–2025 actuarial report highlights:

• Funded percentage increased from 105.2% to 108.5%, driven by higher interest rates and strong investment returns.
• Benefit liability (APBO) rose from $29.3M to $30.8M, due to an additional year of employee service and discounting adjustments.
• Asset values grew from $30.8M to $33.4M, reflecting a 10.5% investment return, about $1.7M higher than expected.
• Without the interest rate increase and above-expected returns, the funded percentage would have been about 98%, showing year-to-year volatility.
• The annual OPEB accounting expense for FY 2024–2025 was reported at $1.17M.

Mr. Schwab concluded that El Camino’s OPEB plan remains fully funded for the second consecutive year and emphasized the sensitivity of future outcomes to interest rates, premiums, and investment performance.

Mr. Delgado, the new CBO, presented the proposed contract for actuarial services. He reviewed several proposals and recommended continuing with the current provider, noting their extensive experience with charter schools and familiarity with El Camino’s finances.

Key contract details:

• Four-year term at $4,500 per year.
• Two additional one-year options at the school’s discretion.
• A 5% increase would apply after the initial four-year term if the extensions are exercised.
• The service cost has historically remained in the $4,000 range over the past five years.

Mr. Delgado emphasized that the provider holds strong actuarial credentials, works with numerous educational and government entities, and has proven to be efficient, responsive, and easy to work with, particularly in coordinating with the HR department for census data.

Presenters:

• Fernando Delgado, CBO
• Ms. Verdun, School Representative

Ms. Verdun presented the June and July 2025 check registers for board review.

• June 2025 Check Register:
  • Account 1761: Included regular recurring payables such as health insurance, PPLCI monthly payment, Legal Shield, and other automatic bank drafts.
  • Fundraising account: Reflected one check for $250.
  • Additional reimbursements were issued for student activities and technical expenses.
• July 2025 Check Register:
  • Reflected approximately 99 checks issued.
  • Noted ongoing effort to transition away from physical checks toward ACH payments.
  • Payments included COBRA, routine disbursements for food and education (Chartwell), Amazon accounts, and peace of mind services.
  • Fundraising account: Included a teacher payroll item for Chartwell.
  • ASB trust account: Reflected a small number of payments.

Presenters:

• Mr. Fernando Delgado, CBO
• Mrs. Verduzco, Director of Accounting and Finance

Discussion:
Mrs. Verduzco provided a review of the June and July 2024 credit card statements:

• June 2024 Credit Card Statement:
  • New account balance was approximately $32,000 due.
  • Transactions included purchases by Mr. Hussey and Mr. Wood, among others.
  • All vendor charges were itemized in an Excel spreadsheet, detailing vendor name, transaction date, description, cardholder, amount, funding resource, and budget category.
  • A credit of $500 was noted and highlighted.
• July 2024 Credit Card Statement:
  • Total amount paid was approximately $28,000.
  • Similar process followed as in June: all transactions were reviewed, approvers verified, and charges documented in an Excel spreadsheet with vendor, PO number, description, cardholder, resource, and budget category.
  • Credits were also highlighted, with follow-up actions in place to ensure they are applied.

Presenter:

• Mr. Fernando Delgado, Chief Business Officer (CBO)

Discussion:

• Mr. Delgado explained that Proposition 30 Education Protection Account (EPA) funds are restricted state dollars designated for classroom instructional purposes only, primarily teacher salaries and benefits.
• By law, EPA funds cannot be used for administrative costs.
• The budget must be reviewed and approved annually by the Board.
• For fiscal year 2025–2026, the school received a little over $8 million in EPA funds.
• These funds were fully allocated as follows:
  • $5.3 million – Certificated (teacher) salaries.
  • $2.7 million – Employee benefits tied to teacher salary expenditures.
• Mr. Delgado confirmed that all expenditures were in compliance with EPA funding requirements.

• Mr. Delgado introduced the agenda item and explained that the Foreign Language Department’s textbook request was submitted after adoption of the 2025–2026 budget.
• The request was made by the Foreign Language Department Chair, Mr. Larde, and French teacher Mr. No Dout.
• The request covers a six-year license for digital textbook access.

Background and Justification

• At the time of budget approval, it was assumed that the school’s existing digital textbook subscription was valid for six years.
• It was later discovered that the license had expired, requiring renewal to ensure ongoing access for students.
• The total expenditure requested is $23,485.75.
• This amount exceeds the previously approved textbook budget allocation, therefore requiring Board approval for transparency and compliance.

Importance of the Purchase

• Mr. Delgado emphasized that access to digital textbooks is essential for the learning experience, especially in foreign language education, where resources such as online practice, listening, and interactive learning tools support student success.

Board Discussion

• Mr. Delgado explained that physical textbooks are already included in the order; however, the digital license package is a separate component that was unintentionally omitted during the initial budget process.
• The renewal of the license ensures full access to the complete textbook package (print + digital).
• Members acknowledged that the oversight was due to a misunderstanding about the subscription term.

The Board approved the amended textbook budget, authorizing the purchase of the six-year digital license for the Foreign Language Department, ensuring that students have both physical and digital learning materials.

Presenter:

• Ms. Vania Rodriguez, Director of Human Resources

Discussion:

• Ms. Rodriguez presented the 2025–2026 Employee Handbook with redline revisions.
• She explained that there were no major additions this year, but clarifying edits were made to ensure alignment with California law.
• Key revisions included:
  • Policy 3.9 – Location Accommodation: Additional clarifying language was added for consistency with state requirements.
  • Policy 4.5 – Standards of Conduct and Discipline: New provisions were added to protect the school, including:
    • Prohibition against allowing a visitor on campus without prior authorization and proper clearance.
    • Requirement to disclose any pending action against an employee’s credential by the CTC.
    • Expectation of adequate student supervision, with failure to do so identified as grounds for disciplinary action or termination.

Presenter:

• Ms. Vania Rodriguez, Director of Human Resources

Discussion:

• Ms. Rodriguez presented the 2025–2026 Parent & Student Handbook, reviewed and approved by legal counsel.
• Major revisions included:
  • Cell Phone Policy – Updated to align with the new state mandate prohibiting student cell phone use in classrooms.
    • Students must place phones in designated classroom pouches at the start of class.
    • Teachers will politely request compliance; noncompliance may result in referral to safety officers and the dean’s office.
    • Progressive discipline includes requiring violators to store phones in locked pouches for the entire school day.
    • Students may still use phones during nutrition and lunch breaks.
    • Discussion occurred regarding the law’s intent to improve student mental health and reduce negative impacts of social media. Board members raised questions about partial allowances during lunch and nutrition; administration clarified that the school remains in compliance with the law while monitoring outcomes.
  • Suicide Prevention Crisis Team – Expanded per new requirements to include designated student members alongside staff, with identified primary and secondary liaisons.

Presenter:

• Ms. Vania Rodriguez, Director of Human Resources

Discussion:

• Ms. Rodriguez conducted the annual review of the school’s Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP).
• The UCP outlines the process for addressing complaints related to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying involving any protected group.
• All such complaints are directed to Ms. Rodriguez, who serves as the school’s Compliance Officer and will ensure that a proper investigation is conducted.
• The annual notice is posted in classrooms and included in the Parent & Student Handbook.

Presenter:

• Mr. Hussey, Executive Director

Discussion:

• Mr. Hussey explained the annual process of requesting One Period Coach Authorization for coaches who do not hold a PE credential but will be leading athletic teams where students can earn PE credit.
• The following requests for authorization were presented and verified for the 2025–2026 school year:
  • Camille King – Cross Country, Track & Field
  • Eric Choi – Girls Golf (Fall), Girls Soccer (Winter), Boys Golf (Spring)
  • Jason Camp – Football (JV & Varsity)
  • Dean Bennett – Girls Flag Football (Fall), Lacrosse (Boys & Girls, Spring)

Presenter:

• Mr. David Hussey, Executive Director

Discussion:

• Mr. Hussey commended the Board and school community for receiving another strong annual oversight review from the Charter School Division (CSD).
• Ratings received for 2024–2025 oversight visit:
  • Governance – 4 (no corrective actions)
  • Student Achievement & Educational Performance – 3 (focus area: increasing math scores, particularly for certain subgroups; strategies implemented include additional SBAC math practice and targeted support in the math department)
  • Organizational & Management – 3 (area to improve: monitoring vendors and ensuring clearances are completed before services begin; last year’s cafeteria clearance issue has been corrected)
  • Fiscal Operations – 4 (no corrective actions)
• Overall, the school earned two 4s and two 3s, with expectations to improve both 3 ratings to 4s in the upcoming year through focused efforts.

Presenter:

• Fernando Delgado, Chief Business Officer (CBO)

Discussion:

• Mr. Delgado presented the analysis of three competitive quotes for the Fortinet Firewall multi-year license renewal, outlining cost comparisons, vendor reliability, and total cost of ownership.
• Vendors considered: Fortinet (direct), GST, and SHI.
• After evaluation, SHI’s proposal in the amount of $77,985 for a five-year term was recommended.
• While Fortinet direct was the most expensive, and GST offered some value-added services, SHI provided the lowest cost option with reliable vendor history, making it the best overall value for the school.
• The renewal ensures firewall support, lifecycle management, and subscription continuity for the next five years.

Mr. Hussey presented the LACOE Certificate of Signatures item.

The purpose of the update is to remove Greg Wood and add Fernando Delgado, new CBO, as an authorized signer. Mr. Hussey confirmed that the updated signature sheet had already been circulated, and all required board members had signed it.

Only board approval was required to finalize the submission to LACOE.

Presenter:

• David Hussey, Executive Director

Discussion:

• Mr. Hussey explained that several agenda items are intended to formally replace former CBO Greg Wood with new CBO Fernando Delgado as an authorized signer.
• This agenda item specifically addresses City National Bank accounts.
• Mr. Hussey stated this action ensures the bank has proper documentation showing Mr. Delgado as the official CBO and account signatory.
• The accounts included in this update are:
  • T-Bill
  • Payroll
  • Checking
  • General
  • Fundraising
  • Associated Student Body (ASB)

Presenter:

• David Hussey, Executive Director

Discussion:

• Mr. Hussey presented the forms required by U.S. Bank to update account signatories for the Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) and General Investment Accounts.
• The update will remove Greg Wood and add Fernando Delgado, CBO, as an authorized signer.
• U.S. Bank requires three separate signature documents:
  1. Certificate of Authority (general authorization).
  2. Authorized Signers for the General Investment Account.
  3. Authorized Signers for the OPEB Plan Account.
• Both Mr. Hussey and Mr. Delgado will sign the forms to complete the update.

Presenter:

• David Hussey, Executive Director

Discussion:

• Mr. Hussey presented the required updates for Beacon Pointe and Midland Investments accounts.
• The update will remove Greg Wood and add Fernando Delgado, CBO, as the new authorized signer.
• Documentation from both investment institutions requires Board authorization confirming Mr. Delgado as the replacement for Mr. Wood.

Presenter:

• David Hussey, Executive Director

Discussion:

• Mr. Hussey introduced the agenda item concerning the U.S. Bank CAL-Card credit card accounts.
• The update involves removing Greg Wood and adding Fernando Delgado, CBO, as the new authorized user.
• This item is being documented formally so that U.S. Bank has official Board authorization on record.

Presenter:

• Dr. Clark, Administrative Director

Discussion:

• Dr. Clark presented the annual HBCU College Tour, now in its fifth year.
• The Travel Committee has already reviewed and approved the trip; however, because the cost is under the $50,000 threshold but still above the $20,000 threshold, it requires Board approval per SPP guidelines.
• The 2025 trip will take place September 23–26 and includes visits to HBCUs and historical sites in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama (e.g., Spelman, Morehouse, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee, Selma, and Montgomery).
• Participants: 32 students and 3 staff chaperones (35 total).
• All required paperwork is completed; two parent meetings have been held with one final meeting scheduled before departure.
• Purpose: to provide students with college exposure opportunities, particularly at HBCUs, while also engaging with important historical and cultural sites.

Prior to entering closed session, Mr. Wright expressed appreciation and formally recognized the contributions of two staff members:

Ms. Karen Evans, recognized as one of the school’s top teachers, noted for her dedication and high academic expectations for students.

Coach Phillips, acknowledged for his leadership and mentorship, described as “a coach of life” for his work with students beyond athletics.

Mr. Wright emphasized the Board’s gratitude for their service and contributions to the school community, noting the recognition for the official record as the meeting was being recorded.

The board entered the closed session at 7:38 PM on the 28th of August, 2025.

The board reconvene to open session at 8:00 PM on the 28th of August, 2025.

Nothing to report from closed session