Navigator Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday September 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM

Location

277 I.O.O.F. Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020

Teleconference Locations:

 

  1. Gilroy Prep School, 277 I.O.O.F. Avenue, Gilroy, CA 95020
  2. Hayward Collegiate, 166 West Harder Road, Hayward, CA 94544
  3. Hollister Prep School, 881 Line Street, Hollister, CA 95020
  4. Watsonville Prep School, 407 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95076
  5. Orange County Prep, 1821 N. Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705
  6. 161 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02110

Members of the public who wish to access this board meeting online may do so here:

 

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Joining instructions

 

Meeting host: christopher.copus@navigatorschools.org

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This meeting will be held in compliance with the Brown Act. Individuals in need of a disability-related accommodation, modification, or auxiliary aid/service, should direct requests to compliance@navigatorschools.org. All efforts will be made for reasonable accommodations. The agenda and public documents will be modified upon request as required by Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

Members of the public who wish to provide either general public comment or public comment on a specific agenda item will be asked to sign up on the public comment roster prior to the agenda item being heard. Members of the public planning to attend by phone are requested to confirm their intent to comment up to one hour prior to the meeting via compliance@navigatorschools.org 

Individual comments will be limited to two minutes. If an interpreter is needed, comments will be translated into English and the time limit shall be four minutes. At its discretion, the Board may limit the total time allotted to public comments and set new time limits for individual comments. The Board reserves the right to mute and remove a participant from the meeting if the participant unreasonably disrupts the meeting or does not respect the time limitation. 


Los miembros del público que deseen proporcionar comentarios generales o comentarios sobre un punto específico de la agenda deberán registrarse en la lista de comentarios públicos antes de que se considere dicho punto. Se solicita a los miembros del público que planeen asistir por teléfono que confirmen su intención de hacer comentarios hasta una hora antes de la reunión por correo electrónico a compliance@navigatorschools.org.

 

Los comentarios individuales estarán limitados a dos minutos. Si se necesita un intérprete, los comentarios serán interpretados al inglés y el límite de tiempo será de cuatro minutos. A su discreción, la Junta podrá limitar el tiempo total asignado a los comentarios del público y establecer nuevos límites de tiempo para los comentarios individuales. La Junta se reserva el derecho de silenciar o retirar de la reunión a cualquier participante que interrumpa la reunión de manera irrazonable o no respete el límite de tiempo.

 

Esta reunión se llevará a cabo de conformidad con la Ley Brown. Las personas que necesiten una adaptación, modificación o ayuda o servicio auxiliar relacionado con una discapacidad deberán enviar su solicitud a compliance@navigatorschools.org. Se harán todos los esfuerzos posibles para proporcionar adaptaciones razonables. La agenda y los documentos públicos se modificarán previa solicitud, según lo requerido por la Sección 202 de la Ley para Estadounidenses con Discapacidades.

 

Directors Present

Alice Flores, Chuck Daggs, Claire Grissom, Kari Yeater, Margaret “Macke” Raymond (remote), Nora Crivello, Rosie Arroyo, Shara Hegde

Directors Absent

Anthony Di Vittorio

Guests Present

Andrea Hernandez, James Dent (remote), Kris Saavedra, Malka Borrego, Melissa Alatorre Alnas, Nick Miller (remote), Tom Peraic

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Nora Crivello called a meeting of the board of directors of Navigator Schools to order on Monday Sep 14, 2026 at 6:04 PM.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance

A Gilroy Prep School middle school student led the Pledge of Allegiance.

C.

Record Attendance and Guests

D.

Navigating Together

Andrea Hernandez, Director of Schools, shared a report on the launch of the school year. The presentation reflected on the prior year, introduced the “Navigate Together” theme, highlighted the organization’s focus on students and staff, and included Navigator alumni sharing their postsecondary plans.

E.

Interim Chief Executive Officer Update

Malka Borrego, Interim Chief Executive Officer, provided an update on Navigator’s organizational transition and early priorities. She reported that Navigator was not yet financially stable and described work underway to improve financial visibility, strengthen internal controls, complete the audit, support school renewals, and clarify leadership responsibilities. She also recognized the leadership team and school principals for supporting students and families through significant organizational change.

F.

Update on Organizational Health

James Dent, Interim President, provided an update on organizational health focused on academics, financial health, enrollment, and culture. He described a continued focus on Navigator’s core instructional practices and data cycles, increased budget visibility and accountability, daily monitoring of enrollment, and the launch of a cross-site Navigator Advisory Committee to strengthen staff communication and voice.

G.

Remarks of the Board Chair

Nora Crivello, Board Chair, provided opening remarks regarding the Board’s responsibility for oversight, transparency, engagement, and keeping students at the center of decisions. She also explained the temporary pause in committee meetings during the Board transition and organizational stabilization work.

II. Governance Matters

A.

Celebration of Claire Grissom's Service to Navigator Schools

Nora Crivello made a motion to approve the resolution recognizing Claire Grissom’s service to Navigator Schools.
Shara Hegde seconded the motion.

The Board Chair recognized Claire Grissom for her service to Navigator Schools and read a resolution honoring her contributions. Claire Grissom shared reflections with the Board. This matter was considered and the vote taken after Brown Act training.

The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Chuck Daggs
Aye
Claire Grissom
Abstain
Nora Crivello
Aye
Kari Yeater
Aye
Alice Flores
Aye
Shara Hegde
Aye
Anthony Di Vittorio
Absent
Margaret “Macke” Raymond
Aye
Rosie Arroyo
Aye

B.

Introduction of Two New Board Members

The Board Chair introduced new Board members Alice Flores and Kari Yeater. Both members shared brief remarks regarding their backgrounds and interest in supporting Navigator Schools.

C.

Brown Act Training

General Counsel Tom Peraic provided Brown Act training. The training addressed the purpose and application of the Brown Act, meeting and quorum requirements, agenda posting, teleconferencing, public participation, and open and closed session requirements.

III. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

One member of the public, Lupe Solis, provided public comment. She welcomed the Interim CEO, expressed interest in collaboration with Hollister Prep families, and invited the Board to visit the Hollister Prep campus and engage with the school community. No additional public comments were received.

IV. Board/Committee Matters

A.

Consideration of Amendment to Board/Committee Calendars

The Board reviewed the previously approved Board and committee calendar. No changes were made to the meeting calendar, and no vote was taken on this item.

B.

Consideration of Amendment to Committee Assignments

Rosie Arroyo made a motion to approve the committee assignments as amended.
Chuck Daggs seconded the motion.

The Board discussed revisions to committee assignments following changes in Board membership. The proposed assignments included Macke Raymond and Alice Flores on Academic Success; Nora Crivello, Rosie Arroyo, and Chuck Daggs on Finance; Nora Crivello, Kari Yeater, and Shara Hegde on Governance; and Anthony Di Vittorio and Kari Yeater on Audit. Chuck Daggs was designated Chair of the Finance Committee, Anthony Di Vittorio was designated Chair of the Audit Committee, and the Development Committee remained paused pending further exploration.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Consent Agenda

A.

Consideration of Consent Agenda Items

Margaret “Macke” Raymond made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Alice Flores seconded the motion.

The Board considered the following Consent Agenda items:

1. June 15, 2026 Board meeting minutes

2. June 28, 2026 Board meeting minutes

3. June 30, 2026 Board meeting minutes

4. Resolution BR_2026-10: Repeal of Board Resolution BR_2024-09 (Authority to Governance Committee to Approve and Ratify Contracts)

5. Resolution BR_2026-11: Amendment to Board Resolution BR_2024-04 (Limitation of CEO Signatory Authority to $25,000 or less)

6. Navigator Schools' Employee Handbook (2026-2027)

7. Prop 28 Certification - Gilroy Prep

8. Prop 28 Certification - Hollister Prep

9. Prop 28 Certification - Watsonville Prep

10. Prop 28 Certification - Hayward Collegiate

11. Policy re Charging Salaries to Federal Awards

12. Ratification of MP&G Engagement Letter

13. Ratification of EdTheory Master Services Agreement

14. Approval of Watsonville Yoga, Dance, and Healing Arts Agreement

15. Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Policy

16. Resolution BR_2026-12: Designation of Authorized Representatives for Charter School Facility Program Applications

17. Resolution BR_2026-13: Signatory Authority for Navigator Schools Business and Banking

18. Ratification of Navigator Insurance (2026-2027)

 

Nora Crivello, Board Chair, pulled numbers 4 and 5 off of the Conent Agenda for discussion. The Board discussed the repeal of the Governance Committee’s authority to approve and ratify contracts and the reduction of the CEO’s signatory authority from $50,000 to $25,000. The items were then returned to the Consent Agenda prior to Board approval.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Financial Matters

A.

Unaudited Actuals and Financial Update

Shara Hegde made a motion to accept the unaudited actuals.
Rosie Arroyo seconded the motion.

Nick Miller of Charter Impact presented Navigator’s unaudited actuals for fiscal year 2025-26 and provided a financial update. The presentation addressed year-end results, revenue and expense variances, one-time funding sources, pending audit work, and the need for conservative budgeting and stronger budget-to-actual monitoring for fiscal year 2026-27. The Board discussed financial reporting, the potential impact of pending litigation, and controls intended to reduce future budget variances.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VII. Closed Session

A.

Announcement and Vote to Enter Closed Session

Chuck Daggs made a motion to enter closed session.
Shara Hegde seconded the motion.

The Board Chair announced that the Board would enter closed session regarding anticipated litigation, one case.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Closed Session

The Board engaged in closed session discussions regarding anticipated litigation.

C.

Return to Open Session

No Action taken in closed session.

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:57 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Nora Crivello
Documents used during the meeting
  • Resolution of Recognition of Service - Claire Grissom (BR_2026-09).pdf
  • 1. Board Meeting Minutes - June 15, 2026.pdf
  • 2. Board Meeting Minutes - June 28, 2026.pdf
  • 3. Board Meeting Minutes - June 30, 2026.pdf
  • 4. Resolution BR_2026-10 (Repeal of Resolution re Governance Committee Authority to Approve or Ratify Contracts).pdf
  • 5. Resolution BR_2026-11 (Amendment to Resolution re CEO Signatory Authority).pdf
  • 6. Employee Handbook 2026-2027.pdf
  • 7. Prop 28 - GPS FY26 Annual Report.pdf
  • 8. Prop 28 - HPS FY26 Annual Report.pdf
  • 9. Prop 28 - WPS FY26 Annual Report.pdf
  • 10. Prop 28 - HCC FY26 Annual Report.pdf
  • 11. Policy re Charging Salaries to Federal Awards.pdf
  • 12 MP&G Engagement Letter.pdf
  • 13. EdTheory Master Services Agreement.pdf
  • 14. Watsonville Yoga, Dance, and Healing Arts Agreement.pdf
  • 15. Transitonal Kindergarten (TK) Policy.pdf
  • 16. Resolution BR_2026-12 (Designation of Authorized Representatives for Charter School Facility Program).pdf
  • 17. Resolution BR_2026-13 (Signatory Authority for Banking and Business).pdf
  • 18. Ratification of Navigator Insurance (2026-2027).pdf
  • FY26-GPS-UAR Cert Form.pdf
  • FY26-GPS-UAR Submission.pdf
  • FY26-HPS-UAR Cert Form.pdf
  • FY26-HPS-UAR Submission.pdf
  • FY26-WPS-UAR Cert Form.pdf
  • FY26-WPS-UAR Submission.pdf
  • FY26-HCC-UAR Cert Form.pdf
  • FY26-HCC-UAR Submission.pdf
  • FY26-GPS-EPA Final Expenditures.xlsx
  • FY26-HPS-EPA Final Expenditures.xlsx
  • FY26-WPS-EPA Final Expenditures.xlsx
  • FY26-HCC -EPA Final Expenditures.xlsx