Megan Engbring

The meeting is scheduled as a hybrid-access event, allowing for in-person or virtual participation, and the Board reserves the right to alter the agenda order. Key agenda items include the Superintendent's Report, the Executive Director's Report covering updates on approved amendments, termination agreements, board legal actions, and legislative matters. The agenda also includes a Call to the Public for comments, consideration and possible action on charter amendments for Self Development Charter School, Inc. and Young Scholar's Academy Charter School Corporation, and a discussion and possible action on Compliance Matters involving Franklin Phonetic Primary School, Inc. (two entities) and StrengthBuilding Partners concerning breaches of financial performance expectations. Furthermore, the Board will hold a second opportunity for public comment regarding the adoption of proposed changes to the Financial Performance Framework.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, a Moment of Silence, and a Roll Call confirming quorum. Key discussions included the Superintendent's Report on current events and the Executive Director's Report, which covered updates on approved amendments, termination agreements, Board legal actions, and legislative matters. The Call to the Public featured verbal comments regarding Unbound Academy and general school choice concerns. The Consent Agenda included the approval of minutes from the February 3, 2026, and February 13, 2026 Special meetings. Under Charter Amendments, the Board approved grade level changes for Self Development Charter School, Inc. dba Self Development Academy, and approved grade level changes and a program of instruction amendment for Young Scholar's Academy Charter School Corporation, contingent upon an enrollment cap agreement. The Compliance Matters section involved discussions and actions regarding three charter holders (Franklin Phonetic Primary School, Inc. Entity ID 4495 and 92596, and StrengthBuilding Partners) for failing to meet minimum financial performance expectations, resulting in motions to issue Notices of Intent to Revoke or enter into consent agreements. Finally, the Board adopted proposed changes to the Financial Performance Framework, directing staff to implement the changes starting with the fiscal year 2026 audits.

The meeting commenced with procedural items, including the pledge of allegiance and housekeeping rules regarding microphone use for in-person and Zoom participants. Key discussion items included the Superintendent Design's report on educational technology updates, specifically focusing on the 'Hour of AI' initiative as an evolution of the successful 'Hour of Code'. The Executive Director's report provided updates on approved contract amendments, school visits, and renewal reviews. Legal updates covered the ongoing administrative hearing continuance for Prima Vera Virtual Academy regarding its charter contract revocation. A legislative update detailed the session's progress following crossover week, focusing on discussions around school choice, ESAs, accountability, and the future of Proposition 123. During the call to the public, a representative from Unbound Academy provided statistics on student academic growth, highlighting student achievements such as publishing authors and financial literacy projects. Another public commenter raised concerns regarding ESA program access and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in charter schools. The board unanimously approved the consent agenda and proceeded to discuss a charter amendment request from Self-Development Charter School, Inc. (DBA Self-Development Academy) to increase the grades served from K-8 to K-12 beginning in fiscal year 2027.

The meeting began with standard formalities including the Pledge of Allegiance, a Moment of Silence, and a Roll Call confirming a quorum. The primary substantive agenda item involved discussion and possible action regarding Primavera Virtual Academy Inc.'s (formerly American Virtual Academy) Notice of Intent to Revoke its charter contract. The Board convened in an executive session for legal consultation regarding this item, including discussing pending or contemplated litigation or settlement discussions. Following the executive session, the Board moved to authorize the Board's attorney, executive director, and Board president to proceed as instructed in the executive session concerning the notice of intent to revoke the charter contract for Primavera Virtual Academy.

The meeting included administrative items such as the election of officers, where the current president and vice president were nominated for reappointment. The Superintendent Design Miller provided a report highlighting National School Choice Week 2026, noting the significant participation across the country and emphasizing that school choice is becoming a mainstream expectation. The report also stressed accountability for charter schools to federal and state agencies, with the child and parent as the primary measure of success. The Executive Director reported on contract approvals and school visits, including 47 approved amendments and numerous reviews conducted in December and January. It was noted that three charter holders who initially missed the FY2025 audit deadline subsequently submitted their audits, leading to the release of withheld state aid. The legislative update detailed the start of the 2026 session, the process for bill introduction and committee hearings, and mentioned key legislative topics like school safety, funding, and ESAs. A presentation was given by Chad Gaston of the Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy, focusing on the need to evolve education beyond its century-old model, highlighting a statewide coalition dedicated to advancing future-focused educational models, as current structures are failing to meet the needs of employers, parents, and students.