Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
Minutes
December 30, 2025 Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday December 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Location
Rainier Valley Leadership Academy is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Board Meeting
Time: Dec 30, 2025 10:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86909136771?pwd=ygim8DDaSoHMrO1sn3RSXg2hcM5yIf.1
Meeting ID: 869 0913 6771
Passcode: hSUN7J
---
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,86909136771#,,,,*565106# US (Tacoma)
+12532050468,,86909136771#,,,,*565106# US
Join instructions
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/86909136771/invitations?signature=bvK5j5xPpuZmFG3P-PdjAaTeSFJIl3loqoHaN5P0Qv0
In person option if needed 6020 Rainier Ave S, Seattle WA 98403
Directors Present
D. Sullivan (remote), E. Forde (remote), J. Rhodes Jr (remote), M. Brown (remote), M. Dyal (remote), R. Bembry (remote), S. Martinez (remote), T. Hayman (remote), T. Moultrie (remote)
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Dawn Mason (remote), Italiana Hughes (remote), Janine Lewis (remote), K. Clark (remote), Keith Yanov (remote), L. Reisberg (remote), Lenny Emperado (remote), Noni Ervin (remote), R. Garcia Morales (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Review of Notice of Inquiry from the Washington State Charter School Commission.
A.
Washington State Charter School Commission Notice of Inquiry into Allegations against RVLA Board Members.
I move that the Board formally acknowledge receipt of the Washington State Charter School Commission’s Notice of Inquiry; confirm that the Board understands the expectations, requirements, and timelines set forth in the Notice; and direct that the Board proceed in compliance with the Charter Contract, applicable law, and the Commission’s directives, including the development of an appropriate investigative process and required recusals.
III. Consent Agenda
A.
Resolution November 15th, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes
Mike Dyal requested additional time to review the materials. No vote was taken
B.
Resolution November 2025 Payroll & Claim Vouchers
Mike Dyal requested additional time to review the materials. No vote was taken
C.
Resolution 2026 Board Meeting Schedule
Mike Dyal requested additional time to review the materials. No vote was taken
IV. Recent Board Evaluation
A.
Review Data
Review results from recent Board evaluation survey
V. Public Comment
A.
As Needed
Former HR manager Janine Lewis expressed excitement regarding the potential for new board members
VI. Consideration of Board Leadership
A.
Structure & Officer Assignments
There was discussion initially regarding allowing other board members the opportunity to be considered for Vice Chair. The motion was not seconded and therefore was tabled.
B.
Board Member Nominations
A motion was made to vote on three new board members prior to going into executive session.
Dr. Debra Sullivan- voted on unanimously to be a board member
Tai Moultrie- voted on unanimously to be a board member
Shyla Martinez- voted on unanimously to be a board member.
All current active board members voted unanimously to approve these appointments.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Brown |
Aye
|
| T. Moultrie |
Abstain
|
| D. Sullivan |
Abstain
|
| E. Forde |
Aye
|
| M. Dyal |
Aye
|
| R. Bembry |
Aye
|
| T. Hayman |
Aye
|
| S. Martinez |
Abstain
|
| J. Rhodes Jr |
Aye
|
A motion was made to vote on three new board members prior to going into executive session.
Dr. Debra Sullivan- voted on unanimously to be a board member
Tai Moultrie- voted on unanimously to be a board member
Shyla Martinez- voted on unanimously to be a board member.
All current active board members voted unanimously to approve these appointments.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| R. Bembry |
Aye
|
| D. Sullivan |
Absent
|
| J. Rhodes Jr |
Aye
|
| E. Forde |
Aye
|
| T. Hayman |
Aye
|
| T. Moultrie |
Absent
|
| M. Dyal |
Aye
|
| M. Brown |
Aye
|
| S. Martinez |
Absent
|
VII. Executive Session
A.
Discussion
Executive session was held without a chair. Executive session was held:
RCW 42.30.110(1)(f): To receive and evaluate complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee. RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency.
Board Members went into executive session at 6:50 and set to return at 7pm.
A 10 min extension was announced to return at 7:10.
A 15 min extension was announced to return 7:25.
A 15 mins extension was announced to return at 7:40pm.
Executive Session officially ended at 7:37pm with all Board Members returning to the main meeting room.
No decisions were made.
I move that we remove Reco as a Board member, effective immediately, pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations against him that include, but are not limited to, retaliation, intimidation, coercion, and exclusion.
Feedback from Reco Bembry & Mike Dyal asked for clarity on why this was being proposed. Keith Yanov, RVLA attorney, clarified on why this is best practice.
Reco Bembry would also like on record that he does not feel this process was fair and does not see the need to remove him pending the investigation.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Brown |
Aye
|
| T. Hayman |
Absent
|
| J. Rhodes Jr |
Aye
|
| S. Martinez |
Aye
|
| T. Moultrie |
Aye
|
| D. Sullivan |
Aye
|
| R. Bembry |
Abstain
|
| M. Dyal |
No
|
| E. Forde |
Aye
|
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| M. Dyal |
Aye
|
| E. Forde |
Aye
|
| M. Brown |
Aye
|
| J. Rhodes Jr |
Abstain
|
| R. Bembry |
Aye
|
| D. Sullivan |
Aye
|
| T. Hayman |
Absent
|
| T. Moultrie |
Aye
|
| S. Martinez |
Aye
|
B.
Report back from Executive Session and Leadership Action
That the Treasurer recuse himself from the investigation and from any matters relating to the investigation.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| T. Hayman |
Absent
|
| J. Rhodes Jr |
Aye
|
| T. Moultrie |
Aye
|
| S. Martinez |
Aye
|
| M. Dyal |
Aye
|
| D. Sullivan |
Aye
|
| M. Brown |
Aye
|
| R. Bembry |
Abstain
|
| E. Forde |
Aye
|
VIII. January Retreat
A.
Discuss Possible Facilitator
We did not discuss
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- Resolution December 2025 - Minutes for November 15 2025 Mtgdocx (1).pdf
- Payroll Check Summary with Board Certification 11.28.pdf
- AP Check Summary Report with Board Certification 11.17.pdf
- AP Check Summary Report with Board Certification 11.3.pdf
- AP Check Summary Report with Board Certification 11.4.pdf
- Resolution December for November 2025 Vouchers & Payments.pdf
- Annual Board Meeting Schedule.docx.pdf
- Resolution to Approve 2026 Board Meeting Schedule (1).pdf
- Resolution Tai Moultrie New Board Member.docx (2).pdf
- Resolution Shyla Martinez New Board Member.docx (1).pdf
- Resolution Debra Sullivan New Board Member.docx (3).pdf
Relevant portions of the Charter School Notice of Inquiry dated December 19, 2025 were read. Motion was made to formally acknowledge the receipt of the Washington State Charter School Commission Notice of Inquiry and that we understand the expectations, requirements, and timeline.