There was one public comment. Staff member Gabriela Rodan translated from Spanish. The speaker asked to the meeting translated into Spanish. Board Chair John Flaherty asked the speaker if she would like to have the entire meeting translated into Spanish from the recording. The speaker accepted the offer. The Board Chair thanked the speaker for calling in and for her interest.

The Board Chair thanked Board Member Alfred Morikang for coming to the meeting directly from the airport. He offered that he attended a luncheon that Board Member Shara Hegde attended in her capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Schools. CEO & Superintendent Dr. Caprice Young helped to put the luncheon together with key staffers from surrounding charter schools in Santa Clara County. The Board Chair offered that the luncheon provided an excellent opportunity to establish communications channels for the sharing of common questions and realities. 

Dr. Young offered that LJH, a recent Gilroy Prep School graduate, recently published their first novel entitled "RedWatson and the Gifted Lands." The event was covered by local media and Dr. Young found LJH to be very articulate. 

Ms. Russell-Unterburger presented a financial report. There is a projected net income of $242K with adjustments. Projections may change but the Board will be kept updated. There is $5.1M in cash reserves, just under 2.5 months. There is an ongoing compensation review process a staffing and compensation plan is being created. This will be revisited every year because attracting talent and increasing retention is important. Dr. Young offered that we need to consider hourly staff and living wage issues. Dr. Young and Ms. Russell-Unterburger answered questions from the Board.

Chief Academic Officer James Dent briefly reported out to the Board on the potential classroom expansion at Hayward Collegiate, the Kindergarten at Watsonville Prep School, the external support for the special education programs, and ELA adoption.

Director of Engagement & Partnerships Kirsten Carr briefly reported out to the Board about continuing efforts to interview candidates. The next round is scheduled for after winter break.

Dr. Young presented the mid-year LCAPs for each school. She offered that progress is good, a little behind budget, there were challenges with SGIs. All of the schools have the same 10 goals. The staff survey is positive but can do better and the DEIA process will help. Watsonville Prep School's chronic absenteeism is high at 24%, the other 3 schools are at 10%. Efforts to decrease chronic absenteeism being considered include Family Fun nights, purchasing vans, absent students getting phone calls, creation of a heat map, and texting instead of calling. Hayward Collegiate has one of the lowest rates. Dr. Young shared that she is implanting Saturday school even if ADA recovery is not available so that Navigator scholars can keep up with studies. The Board engaged in a general discussion and Dr. Young answered questions and addressed comments.

The Board Chair shared the risks that we all face concerning safety. Ms. Carr offered that an outside vendor has been retained who is in the process of providing a safety audit. Findings will consider site specific lockdown training and other recommendations and that Manager of Operatoins and Maintenance David LeBarre has been supporting Ms. Carr's activities in this regard. Dr. Young offered that funds will be available. The Board offered and shared general thoughts concerning this important issue. Dr. Young offered that safety plans will come to the Board at the next meeting and that work will then be done on the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. The Board Chair stated that no staff member will complain about the training that they will receive to implement these findings.

Ms. Russell-Unterburger offered the facilities update. Growth from 1755 scholars to 2360 scholars is expected so there is a need for facilities expansion. Gilroy Prep School is adding TK, Hayward Collegiate is adding portables, Hollister Prep School is looking at private facilities, and Watsonville Prep School is looking to lease portions of an adjacent building. Board Member Ian Connell offered that just one of these projects is enough, the combination is complicated and harder, but success will have a meaningful impact on scholar outcomes.

Ms. Carr offered that Navigator now has a new website. Ms. Carr also offered that the lottery for enrollment is April 13, that applications are due March 31, and that outreach is being done to parents who may not have otherwise heard about Navigator including on social media.

Director of Student Services Tina Hill presented this item and shared an outside vendor's findings. There is overall effectiveness of the program at all schools. Gilroy Prep School was well coordinated, Hayward Collegiate was implementing least restrictive teaching strategies with lower amounts of verbalization, Hollister Prep School was using sensory tools for sensory integration, and Watsonville Prep School was keeping scholars engaged. The next steps include de-esclation spaces and designated behavior specialists. The Board Chair thanked Board Member Jaime Quiroga for raising this issue a few months ago.

The Board engaged in a closed session discussion.

The Board Chair announced that no action was taken.