2025-05-05T15:51:29-05:00 2024-06-30 410746749 CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP 2210 EAST ROUTE 66 GLENDORA CA 91740 990 2023-07-01 273166349 GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS GROW 6618856081 4800 CORPORATE COURT BAKERSFIELD CA 93311 MANUEL PANTOJA SECRETARY 6614894621 2025-04-30 1 1 MEI-LI HUANG P02383735 6268577300 2025-04-29 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z MANUEL PANTOJA 4800 CORPORATE COURT BAKERSFIELD CA 93311 38615732 0 X WWW.GROWPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG X 2010 CA TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR RURAL STUDENTS IN KERN COUNTY BY FOSTERING EXCELLENCE. 5 5 512 5 0 0 31980712 37545116 58053 15223 94481 838182 114503 217211 32247749 38615732 0 0 0 0 20367093 23054946 0 0 0 11284306 13834671 31651399 36889617 596350 1726115 49586338 53637931 29622002 31947480 19964336 21690451 X TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR STUDENTS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF KERN COUNTY BY CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE AND WELL-BEING. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. OUR MISSION EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING A SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN THRIVE. BY FOCUSING ON HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION, PERSONALIZED LEARNING, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, WE AIM TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE BELIEVE THAT SUPPORTS NOT ONLY ACADEMIC GROWTH BUT ALSO THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF EACH STUDENT, PREPARING THEM FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE AND A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS. 0 0 32285265 0 232434 GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS A TK-8 PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE GREATER ARVIN AND SHAFTER COMMUNITY, SERVING STUDENTS WHO ARE AT RISK OF UNDERPERFORMING ON STATE ASSESSMENTS. OUR MISSION IS TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR STUDENTS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF KERN COUNTY BY CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE AND WELL-BEING. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A NURTURING AND RIGOROUS LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO EXCEED THEIR POTENTIAL AND PREPARES THEM FOR A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS.EACH YEAR, GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENROLLS APPROXIMATELY 80 STUDENTS IN TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN (TK) AND 176 STUDENTS PER GRADE FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE. THE SCHOOL AIMS TO EDUCATE A TOTAL OF 1,664 STUDENTS ANNUALLY ACROSS TWO SCHOOL SITES, SERVING GRADES TK-8 AT EACH LOCATION.GROW PUBLIC SCHOOL'S VISION IS TO PROVIDE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH A CHOICE IN EDUCATION THAT LEADS TO A LIFE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT IS NOT ONLY COLLEGE-READY BUT ALSO FULLY PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGES OF HIGHER EDUCATION. WE AIM TO EQUIP STUDENTS WITH STRONG ACADEMIC SKILLS, AS WELL AS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING, FOSTERING WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUALS READY TO THRIVE IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE.AT GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE HOLD OUR STUDENTS TO HIGH EXPECTATIONS. OUR CURRICULUM IS BOTH CHALLENGING AND SUPPORTIVE, PUSHING STUDENTS TO ENGAGE WITH CONTENT ACROSS VARIOUS DISCIPLINES WHILE FOSTERING A LOVE OF LEARNING. WE EMPHASIZE THE INTEGRATION OF HUMANITIES AND STEM EDUCATION, ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO THINK CRITICALLY, COLLABORATE, AND EXPLORE REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE. CENTRAL TO OUR ACADEMIC APPROACH IS PERSONALIZED LEARNING, WHICH ALLOWS US TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION IN OUR LEARNING LAB. IN ADDITION, OUR DAILY LITERACY BLOCK ENSURES THAT EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES DEDICATED TIME TO BUILD ESSENTIAL READING AND WRITING SKILLS, WHICH ARE CRUCIAL FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS ACROSS ALL SUBJECTS. A KEY FEATURE OF GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS OUR FOCUS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THROUGH OUR EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD PROGRAM, STUDENTS ENGAGE IN HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT CONNECT THEM TO THE PROCESS OF GROWING HEALTHY FOOD IN THE GARDEN AND PREPARING IT IN THE KITCHEN. THIS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MODEL NOT ONLY TEACHES STUDENTS ABOUT NUTRITION AND HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES BUT ALSO EMPOWERS THEM TO MAKE POSITIVE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH THAT CAN HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND OVERALL WELL-BEING. BY INCORPORATING THESE PRINCIPLES INTO THE SCHOOL DAY, WE AIM TO EQUIP STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. AT GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION GOES BEYOND THE SCHOOL SITES. BY CULTIVATING A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY, FOSTERING A COMMITMENT TO LIFELONG LEARNING, AND PRIORITIZING OVERALL WELL-BEING, WE AIM TO EQUIP OUR STUDENTS TO BE RESILIENT, CAPABLE, AND PREPARED TO FACE ANY CHALLENGES AHEAD. WE TAKE IMMENSE PRIDE IN OUR ROLE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BOTH OUR STUDENTS AND THE BROADER KERN COUNTY COMMUNITY. THROUGH OUR UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, AND STUDENT SUCCESS, WE ARE NOT MERELY CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP, WE ARE PAVING THE WAY FOR A BRIGHTER, MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE. THIS COMMITMENT IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR MISSION: TO EMPOWER EVERY STUDENT TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL AND BECOME THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW. 32285265 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 77 0 1 512 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CA X MELODY N CASTILLO 6618856070 4800 CORPORATE CT BAKERSFIELD CA 93311 DOC ERVIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 40.00 X 254250 0 154695 RIC ESQUIVEL CHIEF OF SCHOOLS 40.00 X 223285 0 74835 ELYSA VARGAS CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER 40.00 X 176412 0 61415 JENNY BARD PRINCIPAL - ARVIN 40.00 X 141919 0 73451 ALAN BLANDON DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES AND COMPLIANCE 40.00 X 158526 0 27721 LACIE HARRIS PRINCIPAL - SHAFTER 40.00 X 135853 0 49185 TANYA KELLY ADMINISTRATOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS 40.00 X 119166 0 54243 STEVE MCCLAIN CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER 40.00 X 159149 0 6302 RICHARD PHILLIPS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS(THRU 12/2023) 40.00 X 131886 0 10080 ERIC MENDEZ DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES 40.00 X 131524 0 8905 TOM MESTMAKER BOARD PRESIDENT 0.25 X X 0 0 0 MANUEL PANTOJA BOARD SECRETARY 0.25 X X 0 0 0 MATT LOOK SCHOOLS PARENT REP 0.25 X 0 0 0 ERNIE UNRUH BOARD DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 KRISTEN WATSON BOARD DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 1631970 0 520832 27 0 1 0 DP TOWER II LP 8665 WILSHIRE BLVD SUITE 410 BEVERLY HILLS CA 90211 BUILDING LEASING SERVICES 125448 YOUNG MINNEY & CORR LLP 655 UNIVERSITY AVENUE SUITE 150 SACRAMENTO CA 95825 LEGAL SERVICES 116611 DANIEL LANE 2300 MOUNTAIN OAK RD BAKERSFIELD CA 93311 REPAIR SERVICES 114920 CLASS LEASING LLC PO BOX 95431 CHICAGO IL 606945431 BUILDING LEASING SERVICES 109192 4 37256080 289036 37545116 SCHOOL EVENTS 611600 13696 13696 UNIFORMS 611600 1527 1527 15223 838182 838182 REFUNDS AND CREDITS 611600 194232 194232 OTHER INCOME 900099 22979 22979 217211 38615732 232434 0 838182 1293777 1254964 38813 17639541 17110355 529186 1699776 1630247 69529 1638318 1572298 66020 783534 767863 15671 106657 28797 77860 77230 20852 56378 1552634 1335655 216979 149148 119318 29830 101072 27289 73783 642260 173410 468850 3868591 2243783 1624808 379715 379715 243326 182494 60832 175663 175663 ALL OTHER EXPENSES 3195117 2302490 892627 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS 2075237 1867714 207523 NONCAPITALIZED EQUIPMEN 1268021 1268021 36889617 32285265 4604352 0 16024899 589020 5076520 15543864 2272144 3130033 258616 206419 7945209 2016164 1975895 5929045 23978264 28239550 49586338 53637931 1454184 3426944 4189006 134648 23978812 28385888 29622002 31947480 X 19357755 20842750 606581 847701 19964336 21690451 49586338 53637931 1726115 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1277925 160481 1117444 2191686 1855683 336003 4475598 4475598 5929045 OPERATING RIGHT-OF-USE ASSET 28239550 28239550 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 28385888 28385888 X 38615732 0 38615732 0 38615732 36889617 0 36889617 0 36889617 PART X, LINE 2: GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS A NONPROFIT ENTITY EXEMPT FROM THE PAYMENT OF INCOME TAXES UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 501(C)(3) AND CALIFORNIA REVENUE AND TAXATION CODE SECTION 23701D. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR INCOME TAXES. MANAGEMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT ALL INCOME TAX POSITIONS ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT OF BEING SUSTAINED UPON POTENTIAL AUDIT OR EXAMINATION; THEREFORE, NO DISCLOSURES OF UNCERTAIN INCOME TAX POSITIONS ARE REQUIRED. GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS SUBJECT TO INCOME TAX ON NET INCOME THAT IS DERIVED FROM BUSINESS ACTIVITIES THAT ARE UNRELATED TO THE EXEMPT PURPOSES. GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS FILES AN EXEMPT SCHOOL RETURN AND APPLICABLE UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME TAX RETURN IN THE U.S. FEDERAL JURISDICTION AND WITH THE CALIFORNIA FRANCHISE TAX BOARD. 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 3 GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS POSTS ITS NON DISCRIMINATE POLICIES ON ITS WEBSITE VIEWABLE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC. SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 6 GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONSISTS OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS FUNDED PRIMARILY THROUGH GOVERNMENT FUNDING. AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT IS SUBJECT TO OPEN ENROLLMENT, GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS NOT REQUIRED TO MEET THE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES SET FORTH IN REV. PROC. 75-50 X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 DOC ERVIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 221679 0 30000 0 2571 0 60635 0 94060 0 408945 0 0 0 RIC ESQUIVEL CHIEF OF SCHOOLS 198830 0 22000 0 2455 0 44465 0 30370 0 298120 0 0 0 ELYSA VARGAS CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER 157457 0 16500 0 2455 0 35264 0 26151 0 237827 0 0 0 JENNY BARD PRINCIPAL - ARVIN 141919 0 0 0 0 0 28283 0 45168 0 215370 0 0 0 ALAN BLANDON DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES AND CO 147651 0 10875 0 0 0 1300 0 26421 0 186247 0 0 0 LACIE HARRIS PRINCIPAL - SHAFTER 135853 0 0 0 0 0 28337 0 20848 0 185038 0 0 0 TANYA KELLY ADMINISTRATOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS 113999 0 0 0 5167 0 23497 0 30746 0 173409 0 0 0 STEVE MCCLAIN CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER 156694 0 0 0 2455 0 1622 0 4680 0 165451 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 3 THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S PAY IS DETERMINED BASED ON DATA PROVIDED BY EXTERNAL CHARTER MANAGEMENT AND THROUGH COMPARISON STUDIES OF OTHER CHARTER SCHOOLS. THE BOARD MUST VOTE TO APPROVE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S COMPENSATION AS A DIRECT ACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1A THE MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES OF COMMITTEES WITHIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MUST ADHERE TO THE BYLAWS, BOARD ACTIONS, AND THE BROWN ACT, IF APPLICABLE. THE SCHEDULE FOR GENERAL AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS CAN BE DETERMINED BY A BOARD RESOLUTION OR, IF NONE EXISTS, BY A COMMITTEE RESOLUTION. EACH MEETING'S MINUTES MUST BE RECORDED AND FILED WITH THE CORPORATE RECORDS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CAN ESTABLISH RULES FOR COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE, PROVIDED THEY ALIGN WITH THE BYLAWS. IF THE BOARD HAS NOT SET ANY RULES, THE COMMITTEE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO SO. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S OUTSIDE PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS' MANAGEMENT. THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY LEADERSHIP BEFORE BEING SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW AND FINAL APPROVAL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, AND DIRECTORS ARE COVERED UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. ALL DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO ANNUALLY DISCLOSE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS, AS WELL AS WHEN THEY ARISE. MONITORING IS PERFORMED REGULARLY BY THE OFFICERS TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. THE BOARD OR DESIGNATED COMMITTEE REVIEWS ANY CONFLICTS PRESENTED BY INTERESTED PARTIES. THE CHAIRPERSON APPOINTS A DISINTERESTED PERSON OR COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE TRANSACTION IN QUESTION AND REPORT FINDINGS TO THE BOARD. ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION ARE IDENTIFIED AND COMPARED TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. ANY QUESTIONS OF A CONFLICT ARE ADDRESSED WITH THE DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE, WHO IS REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THE EXISTENCE OF ANY MATERIAL FINANCIAL INTEREST AND BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCLOSE ALL MATERIAL FACTS TO THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE BOARD VOTES ON THE MOST BENEFICIAL OPTION FOR THE ORGANIZATION. IF THE BOARD HAS REASON TO BELIEVE AN INTERESTED PERSON HAS FAILED TO DISCLOSE THE POTENTIAL CONFLICT, THE BOARD WILL INVESTIGATE FURTHER AND IF NECESSARY, TAKE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY AND CORRECTIVE ACTION. IF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS IDENTIFIED, THE ORGANIZATION WILL NOT ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION IN WHICH A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE HAS A MATERIAL INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 POLICIES ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY LEADERSHIP, KEY MANAGEMENT, AND GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS' LEGAL TEAM BEFORE BEING SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL IN JUNE FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR AS AN ACTION ITEM. THE COMPENSATION OF LEADERSHIP, OFFICERS, AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS DETERMINED BASED ON DATA PROVIDED BY EXTERNAL CHARTER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND THROUGH COMPARISON STUDIES OF OTHER CHARTER SCHOOLS. THE BOARD MUST VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION AS A DIRECT ACTION. THE PROCESS DESCRIBED HERE WAS LAST COMPLETED IN 2024. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE PROCESS FOR OVERSIGHT AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. THE GRIMM FAMILY EDUCATION FNDN 11001 RIVER RUN BLVD BAKERSFIELD CA 93311 273194151 TO SUPPORT CHARTER SCHOOLS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES CA 501(C)(3) PF 0 RLG LAND FOUNDATION 11001 RIVER RUN BLVD BAKERSFIELD CA 93311 274299338 TO PROVIDE CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES CA 501(C)(3) PF 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0