Mr. Adame is an active member of the Kern County community and serves as President and CEO of Youth 2 Leaders Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to help low-income and underrepresented students plan and pay for college. Previously, Mr. Adame served as Director of Marketing and Development for the United Way of Kern County.  

Board Chair Mohamed left the room at 5:26pm. Board Chair Mohamed did not join the Closed Session for Agenda Items IV. A and B.

Board Chair Mohamed presented the Superintendent’s compensation. Board Chair Mohamed stated that under the agreement, the Superintendent will receive a 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) and a target bonus of 5% of the base salary prorated from the start date. Board Chair Mohamed stated that the Board reviewed the compensation data of similarly situated Superintendents and Executive Directors in school districts and charter schools in California and the Board determined that the compensation is just and reasonable.

Chief Business Officer Romero presented the request to amend the Fiscal Policies and Procedures for the 2024-2025 school year. The main revisions to the policy include the following: (1) Addition of prepaid expense card provisions (PEX Card); (2) Updates to the Pre-Approved Vendors List.

Chief Facilities Officer Morillo presented the request for approval of the invoices listed below for the addition of 8 modulars (5 classrooms, 2 restrooms, and 1 multi-purpose room) to the WCPA Delano campus.

Executive Director of Programming and Partnerships, Lupe Sanchez, presented the resolution approving the submission of the Wonderful College Prep Academy - Lost Hills charter renewal petition to the Kern County Board of Education. Ms. Sanchez presented the charter renewal petition, budget for the renewal term, and related documents. The Board of Directors adopted the resolution approving the charter renewal petition, including the budget, and authorizing the submission of the charter renewal petition to the Kern County Board of Education.

Chief Business Officer Mike Romero presented the request for approval of the updated 2024-2025 WCPA Employee Handbook. The updates to the handbook include the following:

(1) Personal Appearance/Standards of Dress for Staff Members; (2) WCPA Mileage and Other Expense Reimbursements; (3) Sick Leave Policy; (4) Title IX Information; (5) Reproductive Loss Leave; (6) Other legal updates; (7) Non-substantive changes.

Executive Director of Partnerships & Programming Lupe Sanchez presented the request for approval of the updated 2024-2025 Student and Family  Handbook. The updates to the handbook include the following: (1) Updates to ensure policies reflect current practice at WCPA; (2) Updates to Elementary homework and grading policies; (3) Inclusion of Secondary School Cell Phone Policy; (4) Updates to Title IX language; (5) Addition of Accessibility to Sex-Segregated Facilities, Programs, and Activities in compliance with California law; (6) Legal updates; (7) Non-substantive changes

Executive Director of Partnerships & Programming Lupe Sanchez presented the request for approval of the amended short-term independent study policy (the “Policy”). The Policy includes updates to reflect current practice and legal updates from the K-12 Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill (SB 153). Specifically, the Policy includes the following updates: (1) Removal of COVID-19 language as it is already covered in the general basis for independent study under the Policy; (2)  “Short-term independent study” changed to 15 school days or fewer (from 14 school days or fewer); (3) The written agreement may be signed any time during the school year in which the short-term independent study program takes place; (4) Revised language regarding independent study provided due to full or partial school closure due to emergency conditions.

Executive Director of Partnerships & Programming Lupe Sanchez presented the request for approve the updated Title IX Sex-Based Nondiscrimination Policy and Grievance Procedures for both the Delano and Lost Hills schools to incorporate the following legal changes: (1) Clarity in defining discrimination covered by Title IX to include discrimination on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity; (2) Broadening the definition of sex-based harassment and standard for school’s response; (3) Additional protections for pregnant and parenting students and staff; (4) Expanded scope of complaints subject to grievance procedures to cover all complaints of discrimination on the basis of sex in the school’s education programs or activities; (5) Training requirements for all employees; (6) Changes in the requirements for the Title IX team and procedural requirements.

Executive Director of Partnerships & Programming Lupe Sanchez presented the request for approve the 2025-2026 Open Enrollment and Public Random Drawing dates for both WCPA Delano and Lost Hills.

Executive Director of Partnerships & Programming Lupe Sanchez presented the request to ratify the California Community Schools Partnership Program Implementation Plans for both the Delano and Lost Hills campuses. 

Chief Business Officer Mike Romero presented the request for approval of the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Credential Policies, which explain the requirements for teachers in a WCPA TK classroom. Education Code Section 48000(g)(4) specifies that credentialed teachers who are first assigned to a TK classroom after July 1, 2015, have, by August 1, 2025, one of the following: (1) At least 24 units in early childhood education, childhood development, or both; (2) Professional experience in a classroom setting with preschool age children meeting the criteria established by WCPA’s Board of Directors that is comparable to the 24 units of education described in subparagraph (1); (3) A child development teacher permit, or an early childhood education specialist credential, issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
 

Chief Business Officer Mike Romero presented the request to approve the revision to the Universal Prekindergarten (“UPK”) Planning and Implementation Grant Plans (“UPK Plans”) for both the WCPA Delano and WCPA Lost Hills schools.

Chief Business Officer Mike Romero presented the request for approval of Resolution No. 2024/25-02 authorizing teacher instruction pursuant to Education Code Section 44256(b) in order to allow the holder of a Multiple Subject or Standard Elementary credential to be authorized to teach any subject in a departmentalized classroom below grade 9 if the teacher has completed twelve semester units, or six upper division or graduate units, of coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the subject to be taught.

Executive Director of Partnerships & Programming Lupe Sanchez presented the request for approve the amended 2022-23 California School Dashboard (“Dashboard”) Local Indicators Teacher Assignment Monitoring Outcomes (“TAMO”) for both the Delano and Lost Hills schools. 

Chief Business Officer Mike Romero submitted the request for approval of the pledge agreements with The Wonderful Company for the Wonderful Career Pathways program for both the Delano and Lost Hills campuses.

Consent Agenda Items XI A-C were presented and approved as one motion. 

Consent Agenda Items XI A-C were presented and approved as one motion. 

Consent Agenda Items XI A-C were presented and approved as one motion.