Alpha Public Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday December 8, 2016 at 9:30 AM

Location

2110 Story Rd. Ste 250 San Jose, CA 95122

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 Maria Arechiga at marechiga@alphapublicschools.org or
(408) 780-0831 x 103.

Directors Present

A. Elliott, A. Holton, A. Roy, D. Garrett, F. Teso, J. Guzman, V. Faillace

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

A. Garcia, D. Jordan, Dena Koren, E. Barrera, J. Glover, M. Arechiga, S. Hegde, Samantha Hanlon

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

A. Elliott called a meeting of the board of directors of Alpha Public Schools to order on Thursday Dec 8, 2016 at 9:36 AM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

  • Alison Elliott:                 Present _x__    Not Present ___
  • Valerie Faillace:             Present __x_    Not Present ___
  • Dick Garrett:                  Present _x__    Not Present ___
  • Jaqui Guzman:              Present _x__    Not Present ___
  • Allison Putnam:             Present _x__    Not Present ___
  • Frances Teso:                Present _x__    Not Present ___
  • Ann Waterman Roy:      Present _x__    Not Present ___

C.

Public Comment

No Public Comment

II. Alpha Updates

A.

View from Alpha: José Hernández Middle School

Hanlon, Alpha: José Hernández principal, presents to the board on what is happening at Alpha: José Hernández Middle School this year. She highlights students who have been successful at Alpha and more speaks more broadly to the 16.17 successes and visions and priorities going forward. Elliott asks more about the PLT program. Guzman asks about the biggest challenges, Putman asks about alignment with all schools. 

III. Board Business - Consent Agenda

A.

Board Business - Consent Agenda

A. Roy made a motion to Approve consent agenda.
A. Holton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
V. Faillace
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
A. Roy
Aye
A. Elliott
Aye
D. Garrett
Aye
F. Teso
Aye
J. Guzman
Aye

IV. Reconvene Open Session

A.

Report out of action taken in closed session

Board chair Elliott reports about that the organizational priorities and org health dashboard have been approved unanimously. 

V. Board Business: Discussion/Action Items

A.

Charter Finance 101

Dena Koren from EdTec provides training and information to board members and staff about charter school finance. 

B.

K-4 Rollout Plan

Glover provides and opportunity for questions based on the K-4 rollout plan presented to board members. Roy asks for overview of current charter terms. 

C.

Board Committee Charters, Chairs and Goals Approval

D. Garrett made a motion to Approve Board Committee Charters, Chairs and Goals as presented.
J. Guzman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Guzman
Aye
F. Teso
Aye
D. Garrett
Aye
V. Faillace
Aye
A. Roy
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
A. Elliott
Aye

D.

403b Plan Recommendation

Jordan provides and overview of the 403b recommendation that staff has worked on. Board asks clarifying questions 

E.

403b Plan Documents and Resolutions

D. Garrett made a motion to Approve 403b resolution.
A. Roy seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Holton
Aye
D. Garrett
Aye
V. Faillace
Aye
A. Elliott
Aye
A. Roy
Aye
J. Guzman
Aye
F. Teso
Aye

F.

Approve Annual Audits for Alpha and Cornerstone

D. Garrett made a motion to accept audits for all sites.
A. Holton seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
V. Faillace
Aye
A. Roy
Aye
F. Teso
Aye
A. Elliott
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
D. Garrett
Aye
J. Guzman
Aye
Garrett talks about the the audits and reports that there were no issues. 

G.

First Interim Budget

Jordan provides and overview of current finances at Alpha and highlights changes in the First Interim Budget. 
D. Garrett made a motion to Approve Alpha's First Interim Budget.
A. Roy seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Garrett
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
A. Roy
Aye
A. Elliott
Aye
F. Teso
Aye
J. Guzman
Aye
V. Faillace
Aye

H.

Talent Landscape and Planning

Garcia provides a summary of the Talent update that was included in the board packet. Some of the highlights include the teacher residency, staff diversity and staff engagement and retention. Garcia then leads board on a thought partnership activity to think through teacher retention. Guzman asks about surveys. Roy asks about leadership development. Teso asks about data collection around hires and terminations. 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Wrap up

Board discusses things that went well with the meeting and things that could be improved for future meetings. 

B.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:28 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Elliott
A. Roy made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
J. Guzman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Garrett
Aye
F. Teso
Aye
J. Guzman
Aye
A. Elliott
Aye
A. Roy
Aye
V. Faillace
Aye
A. Holton
Aye