Alpha Public Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday October 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM

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. Holton (remote), A. Santillan (remote), E. Retuta (remote), J. Mejia (remote), J. Wallner (remote), P. MacDonald (remote), S. Mahan (remote)

Directors Absent

J. Ramirez

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

J. Mejia

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 Wednesday Oct 13, 2021 at 6:01 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Board Finding re: Health & Safety Measures

A. Hendricks made a motion to approve Finding re: Health & Safety Measures.
E. Retuta seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Wallner
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Mejia
Absent

D.

Public Comment

No Public Comment 

E.

Mission Moment

J. Mejia arrived at 6:05 PM.
Alumni Advisor, I. Ruiz-Gonzalez to share Juliana's progress since graduating from Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School. 

II. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items

A.

Board Appointment: Board Vice Chair

S. Mahan made a motion to appoint Peter MacDonald as the Vice Chair.
A. Hendricks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Hendricks
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
P. MacDonald
Abstain
J. Mejia
Aye
A. Holton
Aye

B.

Board Appointment: Lex Alvarez

A. Hendricks made a motion to approve Lex Alvarez as new Board Member.
P. MacDonald seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Mahan
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
A. Holton
Aye

C.

ESSER III Plans: Alpha Blanca Alvarado School

P. MacDonald made a motion to approve ESSER III Plans: Alpha Blanca Alvarado School.
J. Wallner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. MacDonald
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
A. Holton
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye

D.

ESSER III Plans: Alpha José Hernández School

A. Hendricks made a motion to approve ESSER III Plans: Alpha José Hernández School.
J. Wallner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye

E.

ESSER III Plans: Alpha Cornerstone Preparatory

P. MacDonald made a motion to approve ESSER III Plans: Alpha Cornerstone Preparatory.
J. Wallner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Ramirez
Absent
E. Retuta
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye

F.

ESSER III Plans: Alpha Cindy Avitia High School

J. Wallner made a motion to approve ESSER III Plans: Alpha Cindy Avitia High School.
P. MacDonald seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Santillan
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye

G.

Public hearing: Educator Effectiveness Block Grant

D. Jordan held public hearing for Educator Effectiveness Block Grant.
Pending additional guidance from CDC.
Final numbers will be shared during the December meeting and spending plan will be up for approval. 

H.

COVID-19 Q&A

C. Kang shared APS COVID-19 updates. 
- No recent exposure/cases in the last couple of weeks
- No additional questions/comments from board members at the moment. 

I.

Board Education: Charter School Finance 101

Quick update from B. Paige. 
  1. Recurring resource will be shared with all board members.
    1. Short video + survey for feedback that will help set the stage for questions answered for future meetings. 

J.

BREAK

K.

Staffing Challenges

S. Hegde shared framing question with board members for this conversation. "What strategies can be helpful this year and years to come?"
  1. Board Members + Staff brainstormed ideas/possible solutions to keep people who are staying + figure out what would/has cause people to leave

L.

Consent Agenda

A. Hendricks made a motion to approve consent agenda.
P. MacDonald seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Mahan
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
A. Holton
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye

M.

Approve Minutes: Board Meeting 6/16/21

E. Retuta made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 09-22-21.
S. Mahan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Mahan
Aye
J. Wallner
Abstain
E. Retuta
Aye
J. Mejia
Abstain
A. Hendricks
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye

III. Closed Session

A.

54956.8: Real Estate Negotiations

Board went into closed session at 7:53pm.

IV. Reconvene Open Session

A.

Report Action Taken During Closed Session

Board reconvened open session at 8:17pm. 
No action taken during closed session. 

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

P. MacDonald made a motion to adjourn meeting.
S. Mahan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Ramirez
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Holton