Alpha Public Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday February 12, 2025 at 4:30 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, C. Funches (remote), C. Wang (remote), J. Ramirez, J. Wallner, M. Cazarez, M. Rosas (remote), P. MacDonald, S. Mahan (remote)

Directors Absent

A. Santillan, E. Retuta, L. Alvarez, N. Guevera

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

J. Ramirez, J. Wallner

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

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 Feb 12, 2025 at 4:58 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

C.

Discussion and/or Modification(s) of the Agenda

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

D.

Public Comment

no public comment 

E.

Mission Moment: Shrek Jr.

N. Wais shared video and photos of the performance of Shrek the Musical, Jr  at Alpha: Cornerstone

II. Board Business - Discussion/Action Items

A.

Consent Agenda

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

B.

12/11/24 Board Meeting: Approval of Minutes

C. Wang made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 12-11-24.
C. Funches seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
C. Wang
Aye
A. Hendricks
Abstain
M. Cazarez
Aye
J. Ramirez
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
E. Retuta
Absent
M. Rosas
Abstain
N. Guevera
Absent
A. Santillan
Absent
L. Alvarez
Absent
C. Funches
Aye
S. Mahan
Abstain
P. MacDonald
Aye

C.

Board Elections: Parent Appointment- Rosa Benitez

J. Ramirez arrived at 5:05 PM.
A. Hendricks made a motion to approve parent appointment: Rosa Benitez.
C. Wang seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Mahan
Aye
A. Santillan
Absent
J. Wallner
Absent
E. Retuta
Absent
C. Funches
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
C. Wang
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
A. Hendricks
Aye
L. Alvarez
Absent
J. Ramirez
Aye
M. Rosas
Aye

D.

Supporting Alpha’s Development Efforts

J. Wallner arrived at 5:16 PM.

S. Michael discussed various aspects of Alpha’s Development efforts, including:

  1. Information about the Stars of Tomorrow event in March
  2. How to promote and pitch the alumni success program 
    1. Board members then broke in to groups to practice delivering a compelling pitch for the Alumni Success Program.
  3. Work Burst around a variety of actions to promote the event
S. Mahan left at 6:00 PM.

E.

Board Development: Planning for 25-26

A. Hendricks shared updates around board development.

Board spent time brainstorming on warm introductions for potential new board members 

F.

BREAK

6:15-6:24pm

G.

LCAP Midyear Update

N. Wais presented the LCAP Mid Year Update for each school (Metric performance, expenditures)

H.

Board Health: Mid-year Assessment

A. Hendricks led the board to meet in committees to discuss performance against committee goals

  1. Governance: Focus on finding new board members
  2. Finance: Ensuring earlier calendaring; effective onboarding to committee
  3. Audit: Start to plan for succession around Jen (ending in June 2026) and Audit Firm Partner lead
  4. Academic Excellence: On track, operationalize approved budget (staff) additions
  5. Development: Focus on stars of tomorrow (on track); focus on 100% participation

I.

2025-26 Budget 1.0

B. Paige shared timeline, inputs around 2025-26 budget.

J.

Alpha Teacher Salary Schedule: effective July 1, 2025

J. Wallner made a motion to approve Alpha Teacher Salary Schedule: effective July 1, 2025.
J. Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
L. Alvarez
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
E. Retuta
Absent
C. Funches
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
M. Rosas
Aye
A. Santillan
Absent
J. Ramirez
Aye
P. MacDonald
Aye
M. Cazarez
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
S. Mahan
Absent

III. Closed Session

A.

CEO Evaluation

7:27pm

IV. Reconvene Open Session

A.

Report Action Taken During Closed Session

7:37pm

No action taken during closed session

V. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

J. Wallner made a motion to adjourn meeting.
J. Ramirez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
E. Retuta
Absent
C. Wang
Aye
N. Guevera
Absent
M. Cazarez
Aye
C. Funches
Aye
J. Wallner
Aye
M. Rosas
Aye
A. Hendricks
Aye
L. Alvarez
Absent
J. Ramirez
Aye
S. Mahan
Absent
P. MacDonald
Aye
A. Santillan
Absent
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
P. MacDonald