Alpha Public Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Friday October 25, 2019 at 9:30 AM

Location

2110 Story Rd, Suite 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. Hendricks, A. Holton, D. Seifert, K. Lemmon, P. Castorena, P. MacDonald, V. Faillace

Directors Absent

F. Teso

Guests Present

A. Ruiz

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

A. Holton called a meeting of the board of directors of Alpha Public Schools to order on Friday Oct 25, 2019 at 9:34 AM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Public Comment

No public comment.

II. WELCOME + MISSION MOMENT

A.

Welcome + Mission Moment

A. Holton and V. Faillace shared the experience they had when they attended the College Essay Writing Workshop at Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School. 
Board Members watched a short video of the Public Hearing for Alpha: Cornerstone Academy. 

III. Alpha's Progress

A.

Unaudited 18-19 Financials

D. Jordan shared the 18-19 Finances with the Board. 
P. MacDonald commented that the fact that enrollment is one of the factors helping finances is worth noting. 

B.

Students & Teacher Retention 18-19 to 19-20

C. Kang shared data on student retention from 2018-2019 to 2019-2020. Retention overall increased by 3%. V. Faillace asked what has changed at Alpha: Cindy Avitia that has helped with retention. S. Hegde shared that J. Arellano, the principal there, has had a great strategy, investing time with student events and getting in front of families. 

C.

College Matriculation- Class of 2019

L. Koehler shared data on where the Class of 2019 currently stands around college matriculation. K. Lemmon asked if this is data that is being shared with our students as well. L. Koehler, based on conversations with them, students do not have a "why" they should attend. Would like the board's support with this if they have any ideas on how to work on this. 

D.

Local Indicators

C. Kang shared some context of what this looks like with the board. There are local-level data that is self-reported and State data that is based on performance levels. All schools will have their data on this.

E.

Academic Priority- First 6 Weeks

H. Evans shared updates on the Literacy Priority and Quarter 1 goals and results. 

IV. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items

A.

Fundraising Strategy Update

J. Glover reminded the board why this work is being done, support for Alumni cannot be funded by Public Money because they are no longer Alpha Students. He talked about the progress that has been made, the strategy and the contributions and grants that have been received.

B.

Alum Rock Facilities Use Agreement

C. Kang updated the board on what the process and timeline look like. Initial conversations with the district are happening. 

C.

APS Board Meetings Day/Time Review

Item was tabled. No discussion during this meeting. 

D.

Alpha Planning: Strategic Plan Roadmap

Item was tabled. No discussion during this meeting. 

E.

New Legislation Impacting California Charter Schools

Regional Advocate joined the meeting to share information about the new legislation with Board Members. 

V. Closing Items

A.

Approve Consent Agenda

This item was tabled- nothing to approve. 

B.

Approve Minutes for 08/30/19 Board Meeting

A. Hendricks made a motion to approve minutes from the Board Meeting on 08-30-19 Board Meeting on 08-30-19.
K. Lemmon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. Castorena
Abstain
A. Hendricks
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
K. Lemmon
Aye
F. Teso
Absent
A. Holton
Aye
V. Faillace
Abstain
D. Seifert
Aye

C.

Approve Minutes for 09/18/19 Special Board Meeting

P. MacDonald made a motion to approve minutes from the Special Board Meeting on 09-18-19 Special Board Meeting on 09-18-19.
K. Lemmon seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
F. Teso
Absent
K. Lemmon
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
V. Faillace
Aye
P. Castorena
Aye
D. Seifert
Abstain
A. Holton
Aye

D.

Adjourn Meeting

K. Lemmon made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
P. MacDonald seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. MacDonald
Aye
K. Lemmon
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
P. Castorena
Aye
V. Faillace
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
D. Seifert
Aye
F. Teso
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:02 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Holton