Connecting Waters Charter Schools

Minutes

CWCS Board of Directors Meeting

(A California Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation)

Date and Time

Tuesday March 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM

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
    703 C Street, Union City, CA 94587
  • Connecting Waters Charter School Waterford Resource Center
    12705 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. 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.
  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.

Directors Present

E. Melton, J. Louie-Monzon, K. Corrales, K. Fatima, K. Martin, S. Welch

Directors Absent

L. Addipah

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

K. Fatima

Guests Present

L. Joseph

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

E. Melton called a meeting of the board of directors of Connecting Waters Charter Schools to order on Tuesday Mar 3, 2026 at 3:01 PM.

B.

Roll Call

C.

Approval of the March 3, 2026, Board of Directors Agenda

S. Welch made a motion to approve the March 3, 2026, Board of Directors Agenda.
K. Martin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Addipah
Absent
K. Martin
Aye
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
K. Corrales
Aye
S. Welch
Aye
E. Melton
Aye

D.

Pledge of Allegiance

Led By: Kristen Corrales

E.

Hearing of the Public on Non-Agenda Items

No comments from the public

F.

Hearing of the Public on Agenda Items

No comments from the public

II. Administrative Reports

A.

Annual Special Education Department Report - Michelle Day, Special Education Director

The Special Education Director presented the annual department report, noting that overall enrollment has remained relatively stable this year, with only modest increases across the three schools. Staffing updates included the addition of in-house occupational therapists, a school psychologist, a resource specialist, and classified support to assist with IEP scheduling, reducing reliance on outside vendors while continuing to meet all required service needs. Enrollment and disability data were reviewed by site, with no significant shifts in primary disability categories and all identified student needs currently being served. Approximately 300 IEP meetings had been held as of January, reflecting the high volume of compliance and support activities. The board also received clarification on revocations of special education services and an overview of eligibility criteria for specific learning disabilities, including assessment processes and required discrepancy standards.

K. Fatima arrived at 3:10 PM.

III. Directors' Reports

A.

Acting Executive Director Report

The Acting Executive Director presented her report, highlighting the recent all-staff meeting and professional development day, which focused on reconnecting staff to the school’s mission, personalized learning model, and charter renewal efforts. She reviewed upcoming agenda items, including the alternative work schedule, grant updates, recruitment efforts for students and staff, open house events, upcoming CAASPP testing, and the onboarding process with Charter Impact. Updated enrollment trend data were provided in response to a prior board request. The board was also informed of ongoing hiring efforts, recent conference participation for legislative and networking updates, and the development of an acronyms reference document to support board clarity. The board expressed appreciation for the report’s format and alignment with agenda action items.

IV. Consent Items

A.

Approval of Minutes - February 17, 2026, Regular Meeting

K. Corrales made a motion to approve the minutes from CWCS Board of Directors Meeting on 02-17-26.
K. Martin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Approval of Items on the Consent Agenda

K. Corrales made a motion to approve Items on the Consent Agenda.
K. Martin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
K. Corrales
Aye
E. Melton
Aye
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
L. Addipah
Absent
S. Welch
Aye
K. Fatima
Aye
K. Martin
Aye

V. Items Scheduled for Consideration and/or Action

A.

Approval of the Alternative Work Week 9/80 Employee Schedule

K. Martin made a motion to approve the Pilot of Alternative Work Week 9/80 Employee Schedule through the end of the school year.
K. Corrales seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Addipah
Absent
S. Welch
No
K. Fatima
Aye
E. Melton
Aye
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
K. Corrales
Aye
K. Martin
Aye

B.

Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter Schools Employee Handbook for 2026-2027

J. Louie-Monzon made a motion to Table Approval of the Connecting Waters Charter Schools Employee Handbook for 2026-2027 to the April 16, Board of Directors Meeting.
K. Corrales seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
K. Martin
Aye
K. Fatima
Aye
S. Welch
Aye
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
L. Addipah
Absent
K. Corrales
Aye
E. Melton
Aye

C.

Approval of the Amended Board of Directors Meeting Dates 2025-2026

K. Martin made a motion to Table to next meeting Approval of the Amended Board of Directors Meeting Dates 2025-2026.
K. Corrales seconded the motion.

The Board is being asked to move the June 11th regularly scheduled Board meeting to a different date in June. At this time the board is considering either June 22nd or June 23rd.

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Melton
Aye
S. Welch
Aye
K. Martin
Aye
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
L. Addipah
Absent
K. Fatima
Aye
K. Corrales
Aye

D.

Approval of the Modification to the Expenditure Plan for the Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant for Connecting Waters Charter School

S. Welch made a motion to approve the Modification to the Expenditure Plan for the Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant for Connecting Waters Charter School.
K. Martin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
S. Welch
Aye
K. Corrales
Aye
K. Fatima
Aye
L. Addipah
Absent
K. Martin
Aye
E. Melton
Aye

E.

Approval of the Modification to the Expenditure Plan for the Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant for Connecting Waters Charter School, East Bay

S. Welch made a motion to approve the Modification to the Expenditure Plan for the Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant for Connecting Waters Charter School, East Bay.
K. Martin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
K. Martin
Aye
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
S. Welch
Aye
K. Corrales
Aye
L. Addipah
Absent
E. Melton
Aye
K. Fatima
Aye

F.

Approval of the Modification to the Expenditure Plan for the Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant for Connecting Waters Charter School, Central Valley

S. Welch made a motion to Approve the Modification to the Expenditure Plan for the Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block Grant for Connecting Waters Charter School, Central Valley.
K. Martin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
K. Corrales
Aye
K. Fatima
Aye
L. Addipah
Absent
K. Martin
Aye
E. Melton
Aye
S. Welch
Aye

VI. Items scheduled for Information & Discussion

A.

Board Remarks

During Board Remarks, a board member shared reflections on attending the recent CCSA conference, describing it as informative and a valuable opportunity to connect with staff outside of the regular school setting. The member noted that the presentations provided meaningful insights and ideas that may be implemented at the school in the future. No additional board remarks were offered.

VII. Hearing of the Public on Closed Session Items

A.

VII. Hearing of the Public on Closed Session Items

No Comments from the public.

 

Entered closed session at 4:15 p.m.

VIII. Report on Closed Session Actions

A.

Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release

Nothing to report. return from closed session at 6:02 p.m.

IX. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

K. Corrales made a motion to A. Adjourn Meeting.
K. Martin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Addipah
Absent
E. Melton
Aye
K. Corrales
Aye
J. Louie-Monzon
Aye
K. Fatima
Aye
K. Martin
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:03 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
E. Melton