Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Saturday August 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Location
In Person
Directors Present
E. Forde, J. Rhodes Jr, S. Martinez, T. Moultrie (remote)
Directors Absent
D. Sullivan, T. Hayman
Guests Present
Dr. Sol, L. Emperado, R. Garcia Morales
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Public Comment
II. Consent Agenda
A.
July 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| E. Forde |
Aye
|
| T. Hayman |
Absent
|
| D. Sullivan |
Absent
|
| S. Martinez |
Aye
|
| T. Moultrie |
Aye
|
| J. Rhodes Jr |
Aye
|
B.
25/26 Budget Amendment
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| D. Sullivan |
Absent
|
| T. Moultrie |
Aye
|
| J. Rhodes Jr |
Aye
|
| T. Hayman |
Absent
|
| S. Martinez |
Aye
|
| E. Forde |
Aye
|
C.
26/27 SY Calendars
we did not vote on the calendar because it needs revisions
D.
26/27 RVLA Handbooks
We did not vote because the handbooks need revisions.
III. Enrollment Update
A.
2026/27 Enrollment
We went over the enrollment numbers for K-12. There are still more families finishing paperwork to enroll. Currently at 106. The goal enrollment is 130.
Top 3 reasons families aren't enrolling:
Transportation
Saturation of Schools in the area
Newness of the program
IV. Executive Director Report Out
A.
Updates
The school is appropriately staffed. Dr. Clark has moved on and his position has not been back filled. There is otherwise low staff turnover. There are also several new staff members including a new math teacher, new substitute (who will also handle restorative justice), and an SPS intern.
The school is exploring a more restorative justice approach to discipline this coming school year.
The ED has been reviewing contracts and eliminating or re-negotiate as necessary to reduce costs.
V. Resolution 2026/27 Budget Vote
A.
2026/27 RVLA Budget
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Martinez |
Aye
|
| T. Moultrie |
Aye
|
| D. Sullivan |
Absent
|
| T. Hayman |
Absent
|
| J. Rhodes Jr |
Aye
|
| E. Forde |
Aye
|
VI. Board Groups Work Time
A.
Objective
We discussed the work groups:
Finance, facilities, operations: enrollment, financial consistent reporting,
Governance: bylaws, fundraising
Academic culture: we will also include enrollment
Audit Advisory: Jesse Rhodes Jr. (Chair), Rachel Barnett, Leah Reisberg. Focus: financial oversight, compliance, audit, and ethics.
Finance, Facilities, and Operations: Tai Moultrie (Chair), Lenny Emperado, Ray Garcia Morales, Rachel Barnett. Focus: enrollment and student count, and consistent financial reporting.
Governance, Development, and Community Partnerships: Shyla Martinez (Chair), Troy Hayman, Leah Reisberg, Elijah Forde. Focus: by-laws review, then fundraising.
Academics, Culture, and School Performance: Dr. Debra Sullivan (Chair), Lenny Emperado. Focus: student retention and enrollment, and student outcomes.
ED Evaluation and Support: Elijah Forde (Chair), Jesse Rhodes Jr., staff member to be named. Focus: a performance review twice each school year, at mid-year and between the end of one year and the start of the next.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
- Resolution August 2026 - Minutes for July 2026 Mtgdocx.pdf
- RVLA- 25.26 Amended Budget Board Resolution RVLA (6).pdf
- RVLA - Board Resolution (2026-2027 School Year Calendars) .docx (1).pdf
- Annual School Calendars 26_27 - Sheet1 (6).pdf
- Scholar Handbook 6-12.pdf
- RVLA Staff Handbook 2026-2027 (Revised Draft).docx.pdf
- Draft Elem 26 27 Scholar Handbook.docx (1) (2).pdf
- 26_27 Handbooks Resolution.docx (2).pdf
- budget 26.27 resolution.pdf
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