The Board Bulletin December 2023

The Board Brief will be published by the central office following each regular meeting of the OPA Board of Directors. The Brief is designed as a reasonable summary of meeting content to keep the OPA community informed and is not an official record of meetings. To view official meeting minutes, please visit BoardDocs and click on the specific meetings of interest. Each meeting's minutes are presented to the Board for approval at the following meeting. For questions or comments about this Brief, please contact communications@opaschools.org

The School Chancellors, Mrs. Maggie Burdette (Middle School), Mrs. Kerry Velez (South Orange County), and Mr. Adam Wright (Saddleback Valley) presented back-to-school updates and other exciting news from the school sites. Meet Your Professor, 1st Day of School, and University Orientation were highlighted through photos as some of their favorite days of the year.

Shoutouts were given to the PE teachers for pivoting and redirecting activities indoors when schedules were modified due to the Airport Fires, and to our School Counselors for their ongoing work with our students. They also shared some examples of the amazing classrooms where our champions spend time learning and engaging in educational activities. It's a great time to be a student at OPA!

Click the classroom image to view all the photos from the presentation.

Executive Director, Dr. Kimberly Fricker, provided updates on current enrollment and our regular cadence for filling vacancies with families from the OPA waitlist.

Dr. Fricker also shared that preparations for 2025-2026 open enrollment and lottery have already begun. As a School of Choice, OPA receives more applications than can be accommodated each year. Planning well in advance allows OPA to provide early and consistent information, reach a broad range of prospective families, and create a positive admission and enrollment experience for all.

The Middle School will receive 26 iMac computers. These computers will support the Arts, Media, and Entertainment Career and Technical Education (CTE) class pathway at the Middle School.

Historically, the Board has operated with the use of committees in five defined areas:

- Finance and Audit Committee

- Academic Excellence Committee

- Governance Committee

- Strategy and Development Committee

- Agenda Prep Committee

The Board will continue these committees and voted to define the type and author of each committee. The Academic Excellence Committee, Strategy and Development Committee, and Agenda Prep Committee will function as Executive Director Advisory Committees. A resolution was passed for the Governance Committee to function as a Board Advisory Committee. The Board tabled the discussion on the resolution for the Finance Audit Committee until further review could be completed.

Each type of committee has defined obligations, laws, and levels of authority. To read more about the responsibilities of each committee, visit the Board Committee page on our website.

The Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) provides funding for after-school and summer programs for TK-6th grade that do not replicate programs offered during the regular school day. At the elementary level, OPA strategically uses these funds for clubs, activities, and additional academic support. At the Middle School, funds go toward 8th-period classes in Marching Band, eSports, and Athletics.

The Board approved OPA's updated plans which reflect current programs at each site.

The 2024-2025 stipend schedule reflects all current enrichment offerings and extracurricular activities available to staff and students. After careful review and consideration, no modifications or updates were made to the stipend amounts or the activities included compared to the 2023-2024 stipend schedule.

The California Career Technical Education Initiative Grant (CTEIG) program was established as a state education, economic, and workforce development initiative. The purpose of this competitive program is to encourage, maintain, and strengthen the delivery of high-quality career technical education (CTE) programs. If awarded, this grant will offset existing expenses, enhance programs already in progress, and create a positive learning experience for our students.

The Board approved the application OPA will submit for the grant. Applications are due October 11 and results will be determined in early 2025.

The location of meetings rotates between the school sites. Meetings can be attended in-person, viewed via Zoom, and live-streamed on our District YouTube channel.

• October 17, 2024 - Regular Meeting - South Orange County - 5:00 p.m.
  
• November 14, 2024 - Regular Meeting - Saddleback Valley - 6:00 p.m.
• December 12, 2024 - Regular Meeting - South Orange County - 6:00 p.m.