Connecting Waters Charter Schools

Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

(A California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation)
Published on July 17, 2025 at 9:07 AM PDT
Amended on August 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM PDT

Date and Time

Thursday August 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM PDT

Location

Connecting Waters Central Valley Resource Center, Board Room
2300 E. Briggsmore Ave. Modesto, CA 95355


Additional Teleconference Locations:

  • Connecting Waters East Bay Resource Center, Bay Bridge Room (Room 3)
    703 C Street, Union City, CA 94587
  • Connecting Waters Charter Schools, Back Classroom (Entrance is facing G Street)
    12420 Bentley Street, Waterford, CA 95386
  • Livestream link view only: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85271398615#success

Agenda Posting Locations

This agenda was posted at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at the following locations: Connecting Waters Charter Schools, 12420 Bentley Street, Waterford, CA 95386; Connecting Waters Charter School Resource Center, 12705 Bentley Street, Waterford CA, 95386; Connecting Waters East Bay Resource Center, 703 C Street, Union City, CA 94587; Connecting Waters Central Valley Resource Center, 2300 E. Briggsmore Avenue, Modesto, CA 95355. 

 

Instructions for Presentations to the Board by Parents and Citizens

Connecting Waters Charter Schools (“Schools”) welcomes your participation at the School’s Board meetings. The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Directors (“Board”) is to conduct the affairs of the Schools in public. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our Schools. To assist you in the ease of speaking/participating in our meetings, the following guidelines are provided:

 

  1. Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting.
  2. “Request to Speak” forms are available to all audience members who wish to speak on any agenda items or under the general category of “Hearing of the Public.” “Hearing of the Public” is set aside for members of the audience to raise issues that are not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed fifteen (15) minutes. The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested item.
  3. You may also complete a “Request to Speak” form to address the Board on Agenda items. With regard to such agenda items, you may specify that agenda item on your “Request to Speak” form and you will be given an opportunity to speak for up to three (3) minutes when the Board discusses that item.
  4. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and address from the podium and adhere to the time limits set forth.
  5. A member of the public requiring a translator will be provided twice the allotted time for public comment per individual speaker in accordance with Section 54954.3 of the Government Code.
  6. Any public records relating to an agenda item for an open session of the Board which are distributed to all, or a majority of all, of the Board members shall be available for public inspection at 12420 Bentley Street, Waterford, California

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, Connecting Waters Charter Schools may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require appropriate alternative modifications in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact the Executive Director’s office by calling (209) 874-1119 Ext. 6 as soon as possible prior to the meeting.

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose
I. Opening Items
  A. Call the Meeting to Order
  B. Roll Call
  C. Oath of Office - New Board Members
   
  D. Approval of the August 28, 2025, Board of Directors Agenda Vote
  E. Pledge of Allegiance
  F. Hearing of the Public on Non-Agenda Items
   

Non-agenda items: no individual presentation shall be for more than three (3) minutes and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes. Ordinarily, Board members will not respond to presentations and no action can be taken. However, the Board may give direction to staff following a presentation. Complaints against specific school employees should be resolved through the school’s Personnel Complaint Procedure. The right to address the Board does not exempt the speaker from any potential liability for defamation. The proceedings of the Board are recorded and are a part of the public record.


 

  G. Hearing of the Public on Agenda Items
   

Agenda items: no individual presentation shall be for more than three (3) minutes and the total time for this purpose shall not exceed fifteen (15) minutes. Ordinarily, Board members will not respond to presentations and no action can be taken. However, the Board may give directions to staff following a presentation. Complaints against specific school employees should be resolved through the school’s Personnel Complaint Procedure. The right to address the Board does not exempt the speaker from any potential liability for defamation. The proceedings of the Board are recorded and are a part of the public record.

II. Administrative Reports
  A. Facilities - Presented by Malinda Miller, Operations & Facilities Administrative Assistant FYI
  B. Student Testing Data - Presented by Curriculum and Accountability Director, Shoni Johnson FYI
  C. Human Resources and Financial Services - Presented by 9Dot FYI
III. Directors' Reports
  A. Executive Director's Report FYI
  B. Deputy Executive Director Spotlight FYI
IV. Consent Items
 

All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be approved/enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. Unless specifically requested by a Board member to be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion, there will be no discussion of these items prior to the Board voting on them. The Executive Director and Board Chair recommend approval of all consent agenda items.
 

  A. Approval of Amended Minutes - May 27, 2025 Regular Meeting
   
  B. Approval of Minutes - June 10, 2025 Regular Meeting
   
  C. Approval of Minutes - June 17, 2025 Special Meeting
   
  D. Approval of New Hires List
   
  • Teresa Echaide, Executive Administrative/Board Assistant 
  • Jason Wu, CWEB IT Technician 
  • Christine Holbrook, Student Records Coordinator/School Registrar 
  • Cheryl Nisperos, Occupational Therapist 
  • Jessica Weese, School Psychologist 
  • Natalie Ochoa, Occupational Therapist 
  • Josie Andrews, Education Specialist 
  • Amanda Arnold , Education Specialist 
  • Michelle Bicknell , Education Specialist 
  • April Bowen , Education Specialist 
  • Kourtney Delmanowski , Education Specialist 
  • Andrew Quist, Education Specialist 
  • Sara Silber, Education Specialist 
  • Melanie Sadorra, Education Specialist 
  • Haley Simmons, Education Specialist 
  • Cheri Braley, SGI (Tutor) 
  • Arazeli Castillo, Welcome Education Specialist
  • Hector Vargas, Welcome Education Specialist
  • Stacie Damato,  Welcome Education Specialist
  E. Approval of Separations List
   
  • Suzanne Hickok, Grant Coordinator
  • Sonia Moncada, Student Records Coordinator/Registrar 
  • Morgan Hushaw, Web Content Editor
  F. Approval of Resignation Letter from Board Member Ron Mayo
   
  G. Approval of Resignation Letter from Board Member Bonnie Cerruti
   
  H. Approval of the May 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School
  I. Approval of the May 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School, East Bay
  J. Approval of the May 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School, Central Valley
  K. Approval of the June 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School
  L. Approval of the June 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School, East Bay
  M. Approval of the June 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School, Central Valley
  N. Approval of the July 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School
  O. Approval of the July 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School, East Bay
  P. Approval of the July 2025 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School, Central Valley
  Q. Approval of the Treasurer's Report for May-June 2025
   
  R. Summer Institute Stipend Memorandum of Understanding Between Connecting Waters Charter Schools and Connecting Waters Charter Schools Certificated Employees
   
  S. Approval of Items on the Consent Agenda Vote
V. Items Scheduled for Consideration and/or Action
  A. Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter School 2024-2025 Unaudited Actuals Vote
   
   
  B. Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter School, East Bay 2024-2025 Unaudited Actuals Vote
   
  C. Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter School, Central Valley 2024-2025 Unaudited Actuals Vote
   
  D. Approval of the Decision for Connecting Waters Charter Schools to not Participate in the Consolidated Application (ConApp) for 2025-2026 Vote
   
   
  E. Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter Schools 2025-2026 Employee Handbook Vote
   
  F. Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter Schools Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Vote
   
  G. Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter Schools Suicide Prevention Policy Vote
   
   
  H. Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter Schools Education Records and Student Information Policy. Vote
   
  I. Approval of the Amended 2025-2026 Certificated Pay Scales. Vote
   
  J. Approval of the Amended 2025-2026 Exempt Education Specialist Pay Scales Vote
   
VI. Items scheduled for Information & Discussion
  A. Chief Business Officer (CBO) Position Discussion Discuss
  B. Food Truck Addition Discussion Discuss
  C. 2025 Graduate Exit Survey FYI
   
  D. 2025 Spring Canvas Survey Results FYI
   
VII. Board Governance Actions
  A. Appointment of Connecting Waters Charter Schools Board of Directors Secretary Vote
  B. Appointment of Connecting Waters Charter Schools Board of Directors Assistant Secretary Vote
VIII. Hearing of the Public on Closed Session Items
 

Members of the public may be heard on any Closed Session item. A person addressing the Board will be limited to 3 minutes, unless the Chair of the Board grants a longer period of time.

IX. Closed Session
  A. Public Employee: Discipline/Dismissal/Release
  B. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Title: Executive Director
X. Report on Closed Session Actions
  A. Public Employee: Discipline/Dismissal/Release
  B. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Title: Executive Director
XI. Return to Open Session
XII. Closing Items
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote