Alpha Public Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday November 13, 2024 at 5:30 PM

Location

Alpha: Cindy Avitia High School 1881 Cunningham Ave, 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 Angelica Ruiz at aruiz@alphapublicschools.org or
408)780-1550 x 102.

Directors Present

A. Hendricks, A. Santillan, C. Funches (remote), C. Wang (remote), E. Retuta, J. Ramirez, L. Alvarez (remote), M. Cazarez, N. Guevera, P. MacDonald, S. Mahan

Directors Absent

J. Wallner, M. Rosas

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

J. Ramirez, S. Mahan

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 Nov 13, 2024 at 5:38 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Discussion and/or Modification(s) of the Agenda

E. Retuta made a motion to approve meeting agenda.
A. Santillan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Rosas
Absent
E. Retuta
Aye
N. Guevera
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye
S. Mahan
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
L. Alvarez
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
C. Funches
Aye

D.

Public Comment

No public comment 

E.

Mission Moment: Dr. José M. Hernández and Gordon Philanthropies

S.Hegde shared pictures, articles and an overview of Dr. José M. Hernández and Gordon Philanthropies event at Alpha: Jose Hernandez. 

 

II. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items

A.

Consent Agenda

A. Hendricks made a motion to approve items on the consent agenda.
E. Retuta seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. Wallner
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
C. Funches
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
A. Santillan
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
S. Mahan
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye
N. Guevera
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
L. Alvarez
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye

B.

8/14/24 Board Meeting: Approval of Minutes

A. Santillan made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Board Meeting on 08-14-24.
E. Retuta seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Hendricks
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
C. Funches
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
N. Guevera
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
S. Mahan
Absent
L. Alvarez
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye

C.

Development Update

S. Mahan arrived at 6:00 PM.

S. Michael shared fundraising updates and began planning ahead with the board members. 

D.

Unaudited Actuals

A. Hendricks made a motion to approve the Unaudited Actuals.
A. Santillan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Alvarez
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
N. Guevera
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
C. Funches
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
M. Rosas
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye

E.

Committee and Working Group Board Goals

A. Hendricks shared an overview of the goal setting process.

  1. Given renewals & staff constraints, suggested simplify goals to “one big rock”  

F.

AJH School Improvement Plan

A. Santillan made a motion to approve AJH School Improvement Plan.
E. Retuta seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Wang
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
S. Mahan
Aye
C. Funches
Aye
N. Guevera
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
M. Rosas
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
L. Alvarez
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye

G.

Academic Update

S. Hegde and R. Carlson shared the 23-24 CASPP data (3-8 & 11th) to set the foundation for December academic update 

H.

Break

7:30-7:40pm

III. Closed Session

A.

CEO Evaluation

J. Ramirez arrived at 7:40 PM.

IV. Reconvene Open Session

A.

Report Action Taken During Closed Session

no action taken during closed session

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

A. Santillan made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
A. Hendricks seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
N. Guevera
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
A. Santillan
Aye
J. Ramirez
Aye
J. Wallner
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
L. Alvarez
Aye
M. Rosas
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
E. Retuta
Aye
C. Funches
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
S. Mahan
Aye
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
P. MacDonald