Rainier Valley Leadership Academy

Minutes

Special Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday January 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Location

Rainier Valley Leadership Academy is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
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Directors Present

D. Sullivan (remote), E. Forde (remote), J. Rhodes Jr (remote), S. Martinez (remote), T. Hayman (remote), T. Moultrie (remote)

Directors Absent

M. Brown, M. Dyal

Guests Present

Jonathan Houston, L. Reisberg (remote), Lenny Emperado, R. Garcia Morales

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

J. Rhodes Jr called a meeting of the board of directors of Rainier Valley Leadership Academy to order on Thursday Jan 29, 2026 at 4:07 PM.

II. Public Testimony

A.

Call for public testimony.

No one had any public comment

III. Consent Agenda

A.

Resolution December 30th, 2025 Minutes

E. Forde made a motion to approve the minutes from December 30, 2025 Board Meeting on 12-30-25.
T. Hayman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Resolution 2026 Board Meeting Schedule Update

E. Forde made a motion to approve the 2026 Board Meeting Schedule.
D. Sullivan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Resolution November 2025 Minutes at Jan 2026 Retreat

D. Sullivan made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Retreat Meeting-IN PERSON on 11-15-25.
E. Forde seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

November 2026 Payroll & Claim Vouchers

E. Forde made a motion to approve the November 2025 Payroll & Claim Vouchers.
T. Hayman seconded the motion.

As of December 30, 2025, the Board, by a majority vote, approves payments, totaling $251,913.55, and/or voids
(cancellations), totaling $0.00. The payments and/or voids are further identified in this document.
Total by Payment Type: ACH/Warrants - Public
Direct Deposit Numbers 9000003781 through 9000003811, totaling $142,074.93

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Martinez
Aye
J. Rhodes Jr
Aye
T. Moultrie
Aye
M. Dyal
Absent
E. Forde
Aye
T. Hayman
Aye
M. Brown
Absent
D. Sullivan
Aye

IV. Executive Director Report Out

A.

Review

The Executive Director gave an update regarding the (Better Start for Kids)  BSK grant. Discussed additional partnerships with the Red Barn Ranch and the Buffalo Soldiers. HBCU college tour during spring break. Also informed us the school is going to be change its schedule starting second semester. Moving to a 6 period day and steering away from "A" day and "B" day block scheduling. 

 

Several new staff members are in the building after winter break. 

V. RVLA Board Bylaws

A.

Recommended Updates

The Bylaws need to be updated. 

B.

Review of on-boarding sheet

discussed the difference between governance and management and that the Board's role is governance and the Executive Director is in charge of managagment. 

VI. Advisory Groups

A.

Advisory Group Work Time

Went over the Advisory Boards and their duties and responsibilities. There are 5 advisory committees. 

Audit

Finance/Facilities

governance/ development/community partnerships

Academic school performance/culture

CEO evaluation/ support

VII. Executive Session

A.

As Needed

“The Board will now convene an executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(f) to receive and evaluate complaints or charges brought against a public officer, and pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss with legal counsel matters relating to potential litigation.”

“The executive session is expected to last approximately 10 minutes. No action will be taken in executive session.” Board went into Executive Session at 5:15 pm-returned at 5:25 pm.

 

Elijah will work with Frasco to get more information re: cost/time/ scope of work. We will discuss and vote on next steps at the next board meeting.

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 5:22 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
J. Rhodes Jr
Documents used during the meeting
  • Resolution January 2026 - Minutes for December 30 2025 Mtgdocx (1).pdf
  • Resolution to Approve 2026 Board Meeting Schedule (4).pdf
  • Resolution January 2026 - Minutes for November 15 2025 Mtgdocx (2).pdf
  • Payroll Check Summary with Board Certification 11.28 (2).pdf
  • AP Check Summary Report with Board Certification 11.17 (2).pdf
  • AP Check Summary Report with Board Certification 11.3 (2).pdf
  • AP Check Summary Report with Board Certification 11.4 (2).pdf
  • Resolution January Mtg for November 2025 Vouchers & Payments (1).pdf