Connecting Waters Charter Schools
Minutes
CWCS Board of Directors Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday July 30, 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:
- Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting.
- “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.
- 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.
- When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and address from the podium and adhere to the time limits set forth.
- 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.
- 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 (remote), K. Corrales, K. Martin, L. Addipah
Directors Absent
S. Welch
Guests Present
A. DeMore, L. Joseph, T. Hushaw
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Roll Call
C.
Approval of the July 30, 2026, Board of Directors Agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
D.
Pledge of Allegiance
E.
Hearing of the Public on Non-Agenda Items
No members of the public were present
F.
Hearing of the Public on Agenda Items
No members of the public were present
II. Directors' Reports
A.
Executive Director Report
The Executive Director's report emphasized the importance of trust, collaboration, and open communication as the organization begins the new school year while highlighting significant progress on organizational initiatives, including the completion of the back-office transition, leadership and staffing updates, policy revisions, succession planning, facility improvements, technology implementations, and ongoing salary and operational projects. The report also acknowledged staff contributions during a period of substantial organizational change, recognized a recent tragedy affecting a school family, provided updates on enrollment and upcoming back-to-school events, and noted that work continues to strengthen school operations and support students, families, and staff.
III. Consent Items
A.
Approval of Minutes - June 29, 2026, Regular Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
B.
Approval of Minutes - July 16, 2026, Special Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
C.
Approval of Separations List
D.
Approval of the June 2026 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School
E.
Approval of the June 2026 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School, East Bay
F.
Approval of the June 2026 Warrant Report from DMS for Connecting Waters Charter School, Central Valley
G.
Approval of the Treasurer's Report for May - June 2026
H.
Approval of Resignation Letter from Board Member Kaneez Fatima
I.
Approval of Items on the Consent Agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
IV. Items Scheduled for Consideration and/or Action
A.
Approval of the Updated Public Comment Section on the Agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
B.
Approval of Board Training Summit Dates
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
C.
Approval of the Updated 2026-2027 Certificated Pay Scale
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
D.
Approval of the Updated 2026-2027 Fiscal Policy Manual
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
E.
Approval of The CWCS Board Member Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
F.
Approval to Obsolete Materials from Connecting Waters Charter Schools
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
G.
Approval of Additional Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2026
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
H.
Approve the formation of an Executive Director Search Ad Hoc Committee and appoint specific board members to serve on the committee
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
I.
Authorize the Executive Director Search Ad Hoc committee to solicit proposals, negotiate terms and execute a contract with an executive recruiting firm within a defined budgetary limit.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
J.
Approval of the Instructure (Canvas) 2026-2029 Contract
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
K.
Approval of the Savvas Learning Company Curriculum Contract
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Martin |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Aye
|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
V. Items scheduled for Information & Discussion
A.
Employee Residency and Relocation Policy
The Board continued its discussion of the proposed employee residency and relocation policy, focusing on the sunset provision for current out-of-state employees and whether extending the timeline could better address employee concerns while maintaining an appropriate residency requirement. The Board requested an anonymous staff poll to gather feedback on potential sunset timelines and residency caps, with the results to be considered before the policy is brought forward for action at a future meeting.
B.
Appointment of Connecting Waters Charter Schools Board of Directors Board Chair
The Board reviewed the annual process for selecting Board officer positions, including the roles and responsibilities of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary, in preparation for elections at the next meeting. Members were encouraged to review the position descriptions, consider potential nominations, and ask any questions prior to the upcoming vote.
C.
Appointment of Connecting Waters Charter Schools Board of Directors Vice Chair
D.
Appointment of Connecting Waters Charter Schools Board of Directors Secretary
E.
Appointment of Connecting Waters Charter Schools Board of Directors Assistant Secretary
F.
Board Remarks
No Members of the public were present
Went into Closed Session at 5:06 p.m.
VI. Report on Closed Session Actions
A.
Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
Nothing to report
B.
Public Employee Appointment
Nothing to report
C.
Public Employee Appointment
Nothing to report
Returned to Open Session at 7:48 p.m.
Board Members Keith Martin and Lydia Addipah left at 7:10 p.m.
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Corrales |
Aye
|
| J. Louie-Monzon |
Aye
|
| K. Martin |
Absent
|
| S. Welch |
Absent
|
| E. Melton |
Aye
|
| L. Addipah |
Absent
|
Lydia Addipah led the Pledge of Allegiance