Alpha Public Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday December 8, 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. Holton (remote), A. Santillan (remote), E. Retuta (remote), J. Mejia (remote), J. Ramirez (remote), J. Wallner (remote), L. Alvarez (remote), P. MacDonald (remote), S. Mahan (remote)

Directors Absent

A. Hendricks

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

A. Santillan, 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 Dec 8, 2021 at 6:02 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Board Finding re: Health & Safety Measures

A. Santillan arrived at 6:04 PM.
S. Mahan made a motion to approve Board Finding re: Health & Safety Measures.
E. Retuta seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Ramirez
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
A. Hendricks
Absent
L. Alvarez
Aye

D.

Public Comment

No public comment.

E.

Mission Moment

D. Alvarez led mission moment. Shared success stories about a couple of the alumni. 

II. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items

A.

Board Appointment: Cindy Wang - Board of Directors

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

B.

Board Appointment: Peter MacDonald - Board Chair

S. Mahan made a motion to approve Peter MacDonald as board chair effective 2/1/22.
J. Wallner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. MacDonald
Abstain
A. Holton
Aye
A. Hendricks
Absent
J. Mejia
Absent
L. Alvarez
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
J. Ramirez
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye

C.

Appreciation for Departing Board Chair

J. Mejia arrived at 6:24 PM.

Board Members and guests took a few minutes to share appreciations and gratitudes for departing board member/chair, Allison Holton. 

D.

Educator Effectiveness Block Grant

S. Mahan made a motion to approve Educator Effectiveness Block Grant.
J. Wallner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
L. Alvarez
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
A. Hendricks
Absent
J. Wallner
Aye
J. Ramirez
Aye

E.

Public Hearing: A-G Completion Improvement Grant Program

B. Paige opened the public hearing for the A-G Completion Improvement Grant Program at 6:37pm. 

 

1. Input from the public how we will use the funds for the A-G grant (no input from the public.)
2. Shared the vision how APS plans on spending the funds

    - Using states template once it is published 

 

B. Paige closed the public hearing at 6:40pm. 
 

F.

Audit

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

G.

Strategic Plan Progress & Updates

N. Wais provided an update for the Strategic Plan. Cabinet Members (Principals + Executive Team) had an offsite planning day. More information/work will happen during the February board meeting. 

H.

BREAK

Break from 7:21-7:31pm. 

I.

Staff Retention Incentive

J. Wallner made a motion to approve the Staff Retention Incentive plan.
P. MacDonald seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. MacDonald
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
A. Hendricks
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Ramirez
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
L. Alvarez
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye

J.

College Success Update

D. Alvarez provided an update on the College Success Program. 

He also provided an introduction of himself and his background and provided a quick introduction of the team working on this program.  

K.

Glover Scholarship Update

A refresher and an update were provided for the Glover Scholarship. Last year was the first year, same criterias will remain, but one more will be added, Eligibility for free/reduce lunch. 

L.

1601 Construction Approval

E. Retuta made a motion to approve the 1601 construction of 2 additional portables.
A. Santillan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Wallner
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
J. Ramirez
Aye
L. Alvarez
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Hendricks
Absent
J. Mejia
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye

M.

Consent Agenda

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

N.

Approve Minutes: Board Meeting 10/13/21

L. Alvarez made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 10-13-21.
J. Wallner seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Wallner
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
A. Hendricks
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
L. Alvarez
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Ramirez
Abstain
J. Mejia
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye

III. Closed Session

A.

54956.8: Real Estate Negotiations

Board moved to closed session at 8:29pm. 

B.

Public Employment: Chief Executive Officer Evaluation

IV. Reconvene Open Session

A.

Report Action Taken During Closed Session

Board reconvened open session at 9:21pm.

No action was taken during closed session. 

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

S. Mahan made a motion to adjourn meeting.
J. Mejia seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
P. MacDonald
Aye
J. Mejia
Aye
J. Ramirez
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Holton
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
L. Alvarez
Aye
A. Hendricks
Absent
A. Santillan
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 9:23 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Holton