Board pulls Cadino Academy MOU from tonight's agenda after allegation of noncompliance

Trustees at the Cajon Valley Union governing board meeting voted to remove agenda item 11I, the proposed memorandum of understanding with Cadino (Cadino/Cadino Academy), after a board member said an allegation of legal noncompliance had arisen that required further review.

Board members debated whether the matter should be discussed in closed session under potential litigation. One trustee said the allegation was significant and "should be reviewed in detail so that you can get an opinion and make an informed decision," and recommended legal counsel brief the board in closed session. The mover asked that the discussion be limited until all trustees were brought "up to speed." The motion to remove the item from tonight's agenda was seconded and passed, with the transcript recording the tally for the amendment as three yes, one no and one absent.

Trustees clarified that removing the item postpones acknowledgement of a prior board action and allows staff and legal counsel time to gather documents and prepare for a future closed‑session briefing. Members asked whether the board or superintendent had the original charter and renewal documents for Cadino Academy and how a negotiated cap in an MOU would interact with charter law and district oversight duties.

Public commenters during the meeting questioned the district's process for negotiating enrollment caps for charter schools, arguing that annual reviews and caps could set an unfavorable precedent. Board members acknowledged the public's concerns and said the item would return in April with legal analysis and any proposed contract language.

The board's decision to remove item 11I does not itself decide the charter school's MOU terms; it pauses consideration so trustees can receive legal counsel and ensure compliance with applicable statutes and board bylaws. The matter will be placed on a future agenda with staff and counsel recommendations.