Alpha Public Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday June 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM

Location

Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School- 1881 Cunningham Ave, San Jose, CA 95127

Instructions for Presentation to the Board by Parents and Citizens
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 (remote), A. Santillan, C. Wang, M. Cazarez, M. White, P. MacDonald, R. Benitez (remote)

Directors Absent

I. Valenzuela, J. Ramirez, J. Wallner, M. Rosas, N. Guevera, R. Nayak

Guests Present

A. Ruiz

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

P. MacDonald called a meeting of the board of directors of Alpha Public Schools to order on Wednesday Jun 10, 2026 at 5:41 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Discussion and/or Modification(s) of the Agenda

M. White made a motion to approve Board Agenda.
A. Hendricks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
R. Benitez
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
M. White
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
I. Valenzuela
Absent

D.

Public Comment

No public comment 

II. Public Hearing

A.

LCAP Context Overview

P. MacDonald open the LCAP Public Hearing at 5:45pm.

N. Wais shared Alpha's strategy overview. 

B.

Overview of all Schools

C.

Alpha: Blanca Alvarado School

N. Wais shared the 2026-27 LCAP Goals, Metrics, Actions/Strategies, and Budget Overview for Parents for Alpha: Blanca Alvarado. 

D.

Alpha: José Hernández

N. Wais shared the 2026-27 LCAP Goals, Metrics, Actions/Strategies, and Budget Overview for Parents for Alpha: José Hernández. 

E.

Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School

N. Wais shared the 2026-27 LCAP Goals, Metrics, Actions/Strategies, and Budget Overview for Parents for Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School.

F.

Alpha: Cornerstone Academy

N. Wais shared the 2026-27 LCAP Goals, Metrics, Actions/Strategies, and Budget Overview for Parents for Alpha: Cornerstone Academy. 

G.

Close Public Hearing

P. MacDonald closed the LCAP Public Hearing at 5:56pm. 

III. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items

A.

FY27 Budget

S. Hegde provided context and overview for Alpha's FY27 Budget. 

B.

Mission Moment: Graduation & Promotion Ceremonies and Scholarship Recipients

N. Wais shared photos and moments of Alpha's 2026 Promotions, Graduation and Scholarship Recepients.  

C.

Consent Agenda

C. Wang made a motion to Approve items in the consent agenda.
A. Santillan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Ramirez
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
R. Benitez
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
N. Guevera
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
M. White
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent

D.

4/01/26 Board Meeting Minute Approval

A. Hendricks made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 04-01-26.
C. Wang seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Wallner
Absent
M. Rosas
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
R. Benitez
Aye
M. White
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye

E.

5/13/26 Board Meeting Minute Approval

M. White made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 05-13-26.
A. Santillan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. Benitez
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent
I. Valenzuela
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
M. White
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye

F.

Development Update

S. Michael shared moments from Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School Decision Day. She also shared the FY 25-26 successes for the development work. 

IV. Board Appointments

A.

Term Renewal: Jen Wallner

M. White made a motion to approve Jen Wallner term renewal; effective July 1, 2026.
C. Wang seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Cazarez
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
J. Ramirez
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
M. Rosas
Absent
R. Benitez
Aye
M. White
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye

V. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items

A.

Local Indicators

B.

Approval of 26-27 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Blanca Alvarado School

C. Wang made a motion to Approve the 26-27 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Blanca Alvarado School.
M. White seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Rosas
Absent
I. Valenzuela
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
M. White
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
R. Benitez
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye

C.

Approval of 26-27 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Jose Hernandez School

C. Wang made a motion to Approve the 26-27 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Jose Hernandez School.
M. White seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Rosas
Absent
N. Guevera
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent
J. Ramirez
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
M. White
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
R. Benitez
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye

D.

Approval of 26-27 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School

A. Santillan made a motion to Approve the 26-27 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School.
M. White seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Wang
Aye
M. White
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
R. Benitez
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
J. Ramirez
Absent
N. Guevera
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent

E.

Approval of 26-27 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Cornerstone Academy

M. White made a motion to Approve the 26-27 Budget Overview for Parents, and 25-26 LCAP- Alpha: Cornerstone Academy.
A. Hendricks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. Benitez
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
M. White
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
N. Guevera
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent

F.

FY27 Budget

C. Wang made a motion to approve Alpha's FY27 Budget.
A. Santillan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Ramirez
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
R. Benitez
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
M. White
Aye

G.

BREAK

6:30-6:45pm

H.

Academics Update

C. Martinez Nava shared a review of CAASPP preliminary results and the Fall-to-Spring CGI.

I.

Declaration of Need Approval- Alpha: Blanca Alvarado School

M. White made a motion to approve the Declaration of Need for Alpha: Blanca Alvarado School.
C. Wang seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
I. Valenzuela
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
R. Benitez
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
M. Rosas
Absent
M. White
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
C. Wang
Aye

J.

Declaration of Need Approval- Alpha: José Hernández School

M. White made a motion to approve the Declaration of Need for Alpha: José Hernández School.
C. Wang seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Santillan
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
M. White
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
R. Benitez
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent

K.

Declaration of Need Approval- Alpha: Cornerstone Academy

C. Wang made a motion to approve the Declaration of Need for Alpha: Cornerstone Academy.
M. White seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Santillan
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
M. White
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
R. Benitez
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
J. Ramirez
Absent
I. Valenzuela
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent

L.

Declaration of Need Approval- Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School

C. Wang made a motion to approve the Declaration of Need for Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School.
M. White seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
I. Valenzuela
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
M. White
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
J. Ramirez
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent
R. Benitez
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent

M.

Appreciation for Outgoing Board Members

S. Hegde and others shared words of appreciations for Alpha's outgoing board members, Mary Anna, Mario, and Alicia.
 

VI. Reconvene Open Session

A.

Report Action Taken During Closed Session

No action taken during closed session. 

VII. CEO Compensation

A.

Board Approval/Ratification of Compensation Comparability Study for CEO Position: Shara Hegde

C. Wang made a motion to approve the Compensation Comparability Study for CEO Position.
M. White seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Rosas
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
R. Benitez
Abstain
M. Cazarez
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
M. White
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent

B.

Board Adoption of Resolution regarding Compensation Comparability Study: Shara Hegde

A. Santillan made a motion to approve the Adoption of Resolution regarding Compensation Comparability Study for Shara Hegde.
C. Wang seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
N. Guevera
Absent
M. White
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
J. Ramirez
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent
M. Rosas
Absent
R. Benitez
Abstain
A. Hendricks
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent

C.

Board Chair: Required Oral Report Regarding CEO Contract: Shara Hegde

P. MacDonald shared oral report with the members of the board. 

D.

Board Ratification/Approval of Amendment to CEO Contract: Shara Hedge

M. White made a motion to approve the Amendment to CEO Contract for Shara Hedge.
A. Santillan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
R. Benitez
Abstain
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
M. White
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
R. Nayak
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
I. Valenzuela
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

M. Cazarez made a motion to adjourn meeting.
A. Santillan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Ramirez
Absent
R. Nayak
Absent
N. Guevera
Absent
M. White
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
I. Valenzuela
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
R. Benitez
Abstain
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
P. MacDonald