Mercedes Ibarra

The Multicultural Learning Center's Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Plan aims to expand its existing educational program, specifically through a Spanish/English dual language model focused on early language acquisition, global and social-emotional competencies, and project-based learning. The plan details the integration of full-day extended learning opportunities through strategic partnerships, ensuring comprehensive programming for students. Key focus areas include vision and coherence, community engagement, workforce recruitment and professional learning, curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and facilities, services, and operations. It outlines specific curricula for social-emotional development, language arts, general studies, and mathematics, while also addressing support for students with disabilities and multilingual learners within a single-site, integrated TK-8 program.

The Multicultural Learning Center's 2025-26 Local Control and Accountability Plan is a roadmap designed to foster academic, social, and intrapersonal success within a diverse learning community. The plan prioritizes three main goals: addressing learning gaps and enhancing academic performance in literacy and math across all student groups, cultivating a safe, resilient, welcoming, and inclusive school environment that supports staff, students, and families through an an anti-bias approach, and ensuring the growth, development, and retention of highly trained and effective staff, particularly bilingual teachers. These efforts align with the center's core values of equity, diversity, inclusion, global citizenry, bi-literacy, social and environmental justice, and social-emotional competency, aiming to prepare students as bilingual, biliterate global citizens.

The board reviewed and approved the School Accountability Report Card and received a mid-year LCAP report covering mental health services, attendance metrics, and NWEA academic growth data. In financial matters, the board discussed mental health program funding and approved revisions to the organization's financial policy. Additionally, the board reviewed and approved the Comprehensive School Safety Plan with requested documentation edits, and adopted updates to various policies, including the immigration policy, directory information, and anti-hazing and bullying prevention protocols.

The board participated in a retreat focused on vision, mission, and core values, conducting exercises to strengthen board identity and collaboration. Community agreements were established to improve operational effectiveness. Management presented organizational data, LCAP goals including academic, culture, and organizational focus areas, and a timeline for school renewal. The board also defined 2025-2026 strategic goals, such as strengthening relationships with the school community, increasing knowledge of the renewal process, developing an understanding of charter school funding, and improving data collection through new committees. Additionally, the board approved the revised employment offer for the Executive Director.

The board discussed the renewal review for the charter, specifically focusing on discipline policies and student re-integration plans. They approved minor edits to the Board By-Laws and considered the logistics of teleconferencing for subsidiary body meetings to enhance public access. Financially, the board accepted the annual audit and reviewed December financials, noting the impact of IRS statute changes on the budget forecast and strategies for maintaining covenant accountability. Additionally, the board approved a new policy regarding referral protocols for addressing pupil behavioral health concerns within the multi-tiered system of support framework.