Alpha Public Schools
Minutes
LCAP/Budget Public Hearing & Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday June 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Location
Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School- 1881 Cunningham Ave, San Jose, CA 95122
Alpha Public Schools (“Alpha”) welcomes your participation at the Alpha Board meetings.
The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Directors (“Board”) is to conduct the affairs
of Alpha in public. We are pleased that you are in attendance and hope that you will visit
these meetings often. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in
Alpha. 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 item(s) or under the general category of “Public Comment.” All
“Request to Speak” forms must be submitted prior to the agendized item.
3. “Public Comment” 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 each 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.
4. With regard to items that are on the agenda, you may specify that agenda item on
your request form and you will be given an opportunity to speak for up to three (3)
minutes when the Board discusses that item.
5. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and address
and adhere to the time limits set forth.
6. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, Alpha
may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with
disabilities. Individuals who require appropriate alternative modification of the agenda
in order to participate in Board meetings are invited to contact the Board Secretary’s
office.
7. If you have any questions or need any assistance in participating in the Alpha Board
meeting, please contact Angelica Ruiz at aruiz@alphapublicschools.org or
408)780-1550 x 102.
Directors Present
A. Hendricks, C. Funches (remote), E. Retuta, J. Ramirez, J. Wallner, L. Alvarez (remote), M. Cazarez, M. Rosas (remote), N. Guevera, R. Benitez, S. Mahan (remote)
Directors Absent
A. Santillan, C. Wang, P. MacDonald
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
N. Guevera, R. Benitez
Directors who left before the meeting adjourned
S. Mahan
Guests Present
A. Ruiz
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Discussion and/or Modification(s) of the Agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Absent
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
R. Benitez |
Absent
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
D.
Public Comment
II. Public Hearing
A.
LCAP Context Overview
Public Hearing opened at 5:48pm
N. Wais provided background on how the LCAP is part of Alpha's overall strategic planning process.
B.
Overview of all Schools
C.
Alpha: Blanca Alvarado School
N. Wais shared the 2025-26 LCAP Goals, Metrics,Actions/Strategies. B. Paige shared the Budget Overview for Parents.
D.
Alpha: José Hernández
N. Wais shared the 2025-26 LCAP Goals, Metrics,Actions/Strategies. B. Paige shared the Budget Overview for Parents.
E.
Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School
N. Wais shared the 2025-26 LCAP Goals, Metrics,Actions/Strategies. B. Paige shared the Budget Overview for Parents.
F.
Alpha: Cornerstone Academy
N. Wais shared the 2025-26 LCAP Goals, Metrics,Actions/Strategies. B. Paige shared the Budget Overview for Parents.
G.
Close Public Hearing
Public Hearing closed at 6:03pm
III. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items
A.
FY26 Budget
B. Paige shared the budget proposal, updates with the May Revise and the 25-26 SWOT Analysis.
B.
Mission Moment: Graduation & Promotion Ceremonies
N. Wais shared pictures and highlights of Alpha's 2025 milestone celebrations that included Kinder ceremonies, 8th grade promotions and the High Schools' Decision Day and Graduation.
C.
Consent Agenda
Roll Call | |
---|---|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
D.
4/02/25 Board Meeting Minute Approval
Roll Call | |
---|---|
C. Funches |
Abstain
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Abstain
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
R. Benitez |
Absent
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Abstain
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
IV. Board Appointments
A.
Term Renewal: Adam Hendricks
Roll Call | |
---|---|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Abstain
|
R. Benitez |
Absent
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
B.
Term Renewal: Peter MacDonald
Roll Call | |
---|---|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Absent
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
C.
Term Renewal: Cindy Wang
Roll Call | |
---|---|
R. Benitez |
Absent
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
D.
Parent Board Appointment: Michael White
Roll Call | |
---|---|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Absent
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
E.
Board President: Chris Kang
Roll Call | |
---|---|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Absent
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
V. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items
A.
Local Indicators
N. Wais shared the self-reflection tool for priorities.
B.
Approval of 25-26 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Blanca Alvarado School
Roll Call | |
---|---|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
C.
Approval of 25-26 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Jose Hernandez School
Roll Call | |
---|---|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
D.
Approval of 25-26 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School
Roll Call | |
---|---|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
E.
Approval of 25-26 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Cornerstone Academy
Roll Call | |
---|---|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
F.
FY26 Budget
Public comment: Student shared the care and love for school and staff.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
G.
25-26 Board Calendar
Board Members engaged in a live poll to finalize the dates for the 25-26 Board Meeting Calendar.
Roll Call | |
---|---|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
H.
BREAK
7:03-7:13pm
I.
Academics Update
C. Martinez Nava shared an academic update with Board Members. She also introduced and welcomed Carla Hulce, Alpha's new Managing Director of Academics.
J.
Declaration of Need Approval- Alpha: Blanca Alvarado School
Roll Call | |
---|---|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
K.
Declaration of Need Approval- Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School
Roll Call | |
---|---|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
L.
Declaration of Need Approval- Alpha: Cornerstone Academy
Roll Call | |
---|---|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
M.
Declaration of Need Approval- Alpha: José Hernández School
Roll Call | |
---|---|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
N.
Appreciation for Outgoing Board Members
S. Hegde, Board & Staff members shared appreciation for Cheria Funches, Lex Alvarez, and Elsa Retuta who will be finalizing their terms as Alpha Board Members.
VI. Closed Session
A.
CEO Evaluation
7:58pm- 8:48pm
B.
CEO Comp Discussion & Employment Agreement
VII. Reconvene Open Session
A.
Report Action Taken During Closed Session
No action taken during closed session.
VIII. CEO Compensation
A.
Board Approval/Ratification of Compensation Comparability Study for CEO Position: Shara Hegde
Roll Call | |
---|---|
S. Mahan |
Absent
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
B.
Board Adoption of Resolution regarding Compensation Comparability Study: Shara Hegde
Roll Call | |
---|---|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
C.
Board Chair: Required Oral Report Regarding CEO Contract: Shara Hegde
J. Wallner read oral report regarding CEO contract
D.
Board Ratification/Approval of Amendment to CEO Contract: Shara Hedge
Roll Call | |
---|---|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
S. Mahan |
Absent
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
E.
Board Approval/Ratification of Compensation Comparability Study for CEO Position: Chris Kang
Roll Call | |
---|---|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Absent
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
F.
Board Adoption of Resolution regarding Compensation Comparability Study: Chris Kang
Roll Call | |
---|---|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Absent
|
G.
Board Chair: Required Oral Report Regarding CEO Contract: Chris Kang
J. Wallner read oral report regarding Acting CEO contract
H.
Board Ratification/Approval of Amendment to CEO Contract: Chris Kang
Roll Call | |
---|---|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
S. Mahan |
Absent
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Roll Call | |
---|---|
P. MacDonald |
Absent
|
C. Wang |
Absent
|
C. Funches |
Aye
|
A. Santillan |
Absent
|
E. Retuta |
Aye
|
J. Ramirez |
Aye
|
L. Alvarez |
Aye
|
M. Cazarez |
Aye
|
S. Mahan |
Absent
|
N. Guevera |
Aye
|
M. Rosas |
Aye
|
J. Wallner |
Aye
|
R. Benitez |
Aye
|
A. Hendricks |
Aye
|
No public comment