Delta Charter High School at Cabrillo College
Delta School is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community members representing business, education, and parents. Members must officially be nominated by another Board member and then voted for by a majority of Board members present. There is no designated term of service. Currently there are 6 Delta School Board members. This Board is responsible for all Delta School activities and responsibilities including fulfilling the provisions of this charter and meeting the nonprofit organization requirements of IRS Code Section 501(c) 3. Delta Board members follow all provisions of the Brown Act that govern meetings of public bodies.
The Board's responsibilities:
• To establish, reappraise and revise program mission and goals.
• To formally and intentionally own and support Delta School as an effective nonprofit organization.
• To select, oversee and evaluate the Principal/CEO.
• To conduct effective resource management.
• To advocate for underserved students and their families in the community.
• To set program policies.
• To oversee financial management and budgeting. 16
• To engage in long-range planning and conduct periodic evaluations.
• To meet all legal requirements.
The Delta School Board has established specific job descriptions and performance requirements for Delta staff and holds the staff accountable for student learning outcomes. The Delta School Board grants staff decision-making authority within established Board policies. A student government representative regularly attends Delta School Board meetings to give reports and interact with Board members. A current parent representative also serves on the Board. The current parent representative is simultaneously the chair of the Delta Parents Club, which meets monthly to address parent education and assist Delta staff.
DELTA SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES
Dr. Michelle Donohue-Mendoza - President
Dr. Michelle Donohue-Mendoza has served the Cabrillo Community College District in Aptos, California for six years as the Dean of Students. She has worked in higher education both in four-year universities and 2-year community colleges for 27 years, with significant responsibilities for program oversight, employee performance management, conflict resolution, staff selection and training, and student programs and resources. At Cabrillo, Michelle oversees the Welcome Center, Outreach & Recruitment, Student Health Services, Student Development, Follow-up & Retention, Housing & Food Security Resources, and the Cabrillo Advancement Program. Michelle also serves the campus as the Ombudsperson, facilitates the Student Support & Care Team focused on early intervention for student success, as well as the Disciplinary Hearing Committee who provides due process for students who are proceeding through a disciplinary process. Michelle earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University, her Master of Arts in Student Affairs & Counseling in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and finally, her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Sonoma State University.
Deborah Meacham - Secretary
Deborah Meacham joined the board of Delta High School as a parent representative in 2018, a year after her younger son, Max Pérez entered the school as a sophomore. She transitioned to community member at large after Max's miraculous graduation and subsequent enrollment at Cabrillo Community College, where he studies engineering. A dedicated parent volunteer in Santa Cruz City Schools, Deborah served as Secretary and President of the Gault Elementary GPTA and President of the Branciforte Middle School PTA. Her proudest achievement was bringing together the GPTA and ELAC
parent groups by conducting GPTA meetings simultaneously in English and Spanish.
An enthusiastic supporter of public education, Deborah attended more than a dozen different schools across the country before completing her primary education at Aptos High School. She attended UC Berkeley, where she obtained a bachelor's degree with highest honors in Latin American Studies. After graduation, Deborah had an independent Fulbright scholarship to study music and literature in Brazil and was a Rotary International Ambassador to Santiago, Chile, where she did master coursework in literature and translation at the Universidad de Chile.
Before she returned to Santa Cruz in 2008, Deborah spent nearly 20 years living and working in Central and South America. She served on the board of an AIDS advocacy and service organization in Chile and worked in the women's health movement as an editor and translator for the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network. Deborah speaks English, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. She currently works as a freelance editor and translator for a range of clients, including the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment and the Labor Center at UC Berkeley, as well as writers working in genres as diverse as speculative fiction, ecology action, and memoir.
When she’s not wrangling commas and apostrophes, Deborah is a joyful maker of all things textile. She also enjoys taking ceramics classes in the Cabrillo Art Department and is an enthusiastic supporter of local artists.
Whitney Barnes
Whitney Barnes is the parent of a current Delta student. Barnes believes in and has demonstrated parent involvement in support of local education systems. Barnes served as President of the Lakeside School Community Foundation, partnering closely with parent volunteers, teachers, school administration, district board members, and the surrounding community to identify and meet needs of the teacher, student, and parent bodies in a small single-school district in the Los Gatos Mountains.
Barnes works as a social work supervisor with the County of Santa Cruz, serving older and dependent adults throughout the county. In this work Barnes has experience with social justice advocacy, supporting marginalized and vulnerable communities, building programs to address the unique needs of a community, and effective collaboration within interdisciplinary and government structures. Barnes has also worked in non-profit settings, supervising, and providing direct services for youth and families involved in the child welfare system.
Barnes is committed to furthering social justice and advocating for empowerment of marginalized communities. Barnes has served in leadership and volunteer capacities with LGBTQA+ organizations and has developed and delivered culturally relevant and engaging training curriculum for social workers statewide.
Barnes earned a Master in Social Work (MSW) from San Jose State University (San Jose, CA), and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology with a minor in Women’s Studies at Truman State University (Kirksville, MO). Barnes lives among the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains and enjoys fishing, hiking, live music, and volunteering with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.
Ray Shurson
A retired educator, Ray Shurson has served in local public schools as both a teacher and an administrator, including twenty one years as a teacher and then principal at Renaissance High School, fifteen as assistant principal and principal at San Lorenzo High School, and a variety of middle and high school leadership positions in post-retirement.
Shurson received his degrees from Chico State, San Jose State, and UC Santa Cruz. In addition to supporting Delta as a community representative, he serves on the Queer Youth Board, and is the president of the La Selva Beach Recreation District.
Mary Anne Robb
Mary Anne has been a teacher and administrator in Santa Cruz since 1987. Starting as an bilingual elementary teacher, she had a variety of roles in education, including classroom teacher, reading specialist, Special Education resource teacher, principal, and curriculum director in Santa Cruz City Schools. After retiring in 2019, she returned to teach high school independent studies at the Ark for three years - working with students during the pandemic to successfully graduate and move into both college and careers. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with our Spanish speaking students and families to ensure that every student finds their place of belonging and growth in our schools.
Mary Anne received degrees from UC Santa Cruz and San Jose State University. In addition to serving as a trustee on the Santa Cruz City Schools board, she is a CASA advocate, gardener, and beekeeper.
Mary Gaukel
Mary is a retired educator, having served as a K -12 teacher and administrator in the county for over 33 years including 9 years as principal at Delta High School. As an educator she served all students, with an additional focus on alternative education and second language learners. Upon retirement, Mary served as the Executive Director for Your Future Is Our Business, a non-profit dedicated to providing career exploration opportunities for every student in Santa Cruz County. She continues with Your Future Is our Business serving Educational Partnerships, is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth in the foster care system, the Vocational Service Chair for the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise, and is becoming a Hospice Volunteer. Her professional and community service has been recognized with awards for ACSA Administrator of the Year, Santa Cruz County Administrator of the Year, and the Red Cross Central Coast Educator Hero Award. Mary plans to continue to support student success through serving on the Delta Board. She holds a degree in English from San Jose State University and a Masters in Education Administration from Santa Clara University.
The Board's responsibilities:
• To establish, reappraise and revise program mission and goals.
• To formally and intentionally own and support Delta School as an effective nonprofit organization.
• To select, oversee and evaluate the Principal/CEO.
• To conduct effective resource management.
• To advocate for underserved students and their families in the community.
• To set program policies.
• To oversee financial management and budgeting. 16
• To engage in long-range planning and conduct periodic evaluations.
• To meet all legal requirements.
The Delta School Board has established specific job descriptions and performance requirements for Delta staff and holds the staff accountable for student learning outcomes. The Delta School Board grants staff decision-making authority within established Board policies. A student government representative regularly attends Delta School Board meetings to give reports and interact with Board members. A current parent representative also serves on the Board. The current parent representative is simultaneously the chair of the Delta Parents Club, which meets monthly to address parent education and assist Delta staff.
DELTA SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES
Dr. Michelle Donohue-Mendoza - President
Dr. Michelle Donohue-Mendoza has served the Cabrillo Community College District in Aptos, California for six years as the Dean of Students. She has worked in higher education both in four-year universities and 2-year community colleges for 27 years, with significant responsibilities for program oversight, employee performance management, conflict resolution, staff selection and training, and student programs and resources. At Cabrillo, Michelle oversees the Welcome Center, Outreach & Recruitment, Student Health Services, Student Development, Follow-up & Retention, Housing & Food Security Resources, and the Cabrillo Advancement Program. Michelle also serves the campus as the Ombudsperson, facilitates the Student Support & Care Team focused on early intervention for student success, as well as the Disciplinary Hearing Committee who provides due process for students who are proceeding through a disciplinary process. Michelle earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University, her Master of Arts in Student Affairs & Counseling in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and finally, her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Sonoma State University.
Deborah Meacham - Secretary
Deborah Meacham joined the board of Delta High School as a parent representative in 2018, a year after her younger son, Max Pérez entered the school as a sophomore. She transitioned to community member at large after Max's miraculous graduation and subsequent enrollment at Cabrillo Community College, where he studies engineering. A dedicated parent volunteer in Santa Cruz City Schools, Deborah served as Secretary and President of the Gault Elementary GPTA and President of the Branciforte Middle School PTA. Her proudest achievement was bringing together the GPTA and ELAC
parent groups by conducting GPTA meetings simultaneously in English and Spanish.
An enthusiastic supporter of public education, Deborah attended more than a dozen different schools across the country before completing her primary education at Aptos High School. She attended UC Berkeley, where she obtained a bachelor's degree with highest honors in Latin American Studies. After graduation, Deborah had an independent Fulbright scholarship to study music and literature in Brazil and was a Rotary International Ambassador to Santiago, Chile, where she did master coursework in literature and translation at the Universidad de Chile.
Before she returned to Santa Cruz in 2008, Deborah spent nearly 20 years living and working in Central and South America. She served on the board of an AIDS advocacy and service organization in Chile and worked in the women's health movement as an editor and translator for the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network. Deborah speaks English, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. She currently works as a freelance editor and translator for a range of clients, including the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment and the Labor Center at UC Berkeley, as well as writers working in genres as diverse as speculative fiction, ecology action, and memoir.
When she’s not wrangling commas and apostrophes, Deborah is a joyful maker of all things textile. She also enjoys taking ceramics classes in the Cabrillo Art Department and is an enthusiastic supporter of local artists.
Whitney Barnes
Whitney Barnes is the parent of a current Delta student. Barnes believes in and has demonstrated parent involvement in support of local education systems. Barnes served as President of the Lakeside School Community Foundation, partnering closely with parent volunteers, teachers, school administration, district board members, and the surrounding community to identify and meet needs of the teacher, student, and parent bodies in a small single-school district in the Los Gatos Mountains.
Barnes works as a social work supervisor with the County of Santa Cruz, serving older and dependent adults throughout the county. In this work Barnes has experience with social justice advocacy, supporting marginalized and vulnerable communities, building programs to address the unique needs of a community, and effective collaboration within interdisciplinary and government structures. Barnes has also worked in non-profit settings, supervising, and providing direct services for youth and families involved in the child welfare system.
Barnes is committed to furthering social justice and advocating for empowerment of marginalized communities. Barnes has served in leadership and volunteer capacities with LGBTQA+ organizations and has developed and delivered culturally relevant and engaging training curriculum for social workers statewide.
Barnes earned a Master in Social Work (MSW) from San Jose State University (San Jose, CA), and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology with a minor in Women’s Studies at Truman State University (Kirksville, MO). Barnes lives among the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains and enjoys fishing, hiking, live music, and volunteering with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.
Ray Shurson
A retired educator, Ray Shurson has served in local public schools as both a teacher and an administrator, including twenty one years as a teacher and then principal at Renaissance High School, fifteen as assistant principal and principal at San Lorenzo High School, and a variety of middle and high school leadership positions in post-retirement.
Shurson received his degrees from Chico State, San Jose State, and UC Santa Cruz. In addition to supporting Delta as a community representative, he serves on the Queer Youth Board, and is the president of the La Selva Beach Recreation District.
Mary Anne Robb
Mary Anne has been a teacher and administrator in Santa Cruz since 1987. Starting as an bilingual elementary teacher, she had a variety of roles in education, including classroom teacher, reading specialist, Special Education resource teacher, principal, and curriculum director in Santa Cruz City Schools. After retiring in 2019, she returned to teach high school independent studies at the Ark for three years - working with students during the pandemic to successfully graduate and move into both college and careers. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with our Spanish speaking students and families to ensure that every student finds their place of belonging and growth in our schools.
Mary Anne received degrees from UC Santa Cruz and San Jose State University. In addition to serving as a trustee on the Santa Cruz City Schools board, she is a CASA advocate, gardener, and beekeeper.
Mary Gaukel
Mary is a retired educator, having served as a K -12 teacher and administrator in the county for over 33 years including 9 years as principal at Delta High School. As an educator she served all students, with an additional focus on alternative education and second language learners. Upon retirement, Mary served as the Executive Director for Your Future Is Our Business, a non-profit dedicated to providing career exploration opportunities for every student in Santa Cruz County. She continues with Your Future Is our Business serving Educational Partnerships, is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth in the foster care system, the Vocational Service Chair for the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise, and is becoming a Hospice Volunteer. Her professional and community service has been recognized with awards for ACSA Administrator of the Year, Santa Cruz County Administrator of the Year, and the Red Cross Central Coast Educator Hero Award. Mary plans to continue to support student success through serving on the Delta Board. She holds a degree in English from San Jose State University and a Masters in Education Administration from Santa Clara University.
