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
Mary Altier - President
Mary Altier has been involved in public education in California for 50 years. Although she has taught many grade levels from elementary to adult, most of her experience has been in a continuation high school setting where she taught a variety of subjects. The main thrust of her work there however was as a work experience co-ordinator and career counselor, where she encouraged ROP classes, employment, job shadowing, internships, and college visits. Throughout her professional and volunteer career, she has dedicated her life to the concept of all students finding a place where they can be respected, enlightened and realize their dreams while preparing for their futures.
Ms. Altier is also a well-published and exhibited travel photographer and writer who brings a view of the larger world from her many years of traveling to and documenting 95 countries. Her other community involvement includes stints on the boards of The Arts Council of Santa Cruz County and The Pajaro Valley Arts Council in Watsonville. She is currently on the board of the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz where she chooses the movies for and co ordinates a film series dedicated to current and classic Italian films.
Felix Robles - Vice President
Felix is a retired college dean with deep ties to the K-12 community. In his position as division dean of Business, English and Language Arts at Cabrillo College, he has a history of service to students. Mr. Robles has spent 32 years in education and education administration, with seven years as a K-12 trustee for Santa Cruz City Schools. In addition to his work in education, Mr. Robles has been a board member with the Cabrillo Music Festival, the Santa Cruz County Symphony, and an art museum. He is past president of the Santa Cruz County Cultural Council and the Central Coast Counties Development Corporation. Mr. Robles’ impact is felt throughout Delta as he participates in supporting Delta students as they transition to Cabrillo College, offering students a glimpse into their possibilities that exist for their own futures. He holds a B. A. in Spanish/French Language and Literature and an M.A. in Spanish Literature, both from San Jose State University.
Dr. Michelle Donohue-Mendoza
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.
Claudia Vestal
Claudia Vestal is currently serving her 12th year as a board member on the Santa Cruz City Schools Board. As a trustee, she serves on the district's Wellness Committee, the City Council/City Schools Committee, the Schools Plus Board, and the Delta High School Board. Claudia is the coordinator of Casa Pequeña, which is a network of child care homes serving low-income families and Cabrillo College students. She also owns a preschool in Live Oak and has worked as an infant/toddler specialist for WestEd. She holds a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, San Jose State College, a teaching credential in early childhood education, Cabrillo College, and a master's degree in human development, Pacific Oaks College.
Kevin Newhouse
Kevin grew up in Aptos and takes great pride in giving back to the community. He graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and has been in the financial industry since 2009 as both a Financial Analyst and Advisor. In addition to his professional career, Kevin also teaches mindfulness meditation at Insight Santa Cruz. He is also part of the recovery community and is responsible for bringing in a mindfulness-based recovery program to the Santa Cruz County Jail.
Kevin is a Certified Local Historian and has published close to 50 history articles in the Aptos Times. In 2013, he published a book titled, "Images of America: Aptos" and has donated 100% of the proceeds to the Aptos History Museum. He is currently working on his second local history book, “The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.”In addition to Delta, Kevin has been a board member of Insight Santa Cruz, Aptos History Museum, Santa Cruz Old Timers Club, and Cabrillo Host Lions Club. In his free time, Kevin enjoys training for triathlons, playing music with friends, watching movies, and spending time with his wife Jennifer.
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
Mary Altier - President
Mary Altier has been involved in public education in California for 50 years. Although she has taught many grade levels from elementary to adult, most of her experience has been in a continuation high school setting where she taught a variety of subjects. The main thrust of her work there however was as a work experience co-ordinator and career counselor, where she encouraged ROP classes, employment, job shadowing, internships, and college visits. Throughout her professional and volunteer career, she has dedicated her life to the concept of all students finding a place where they can be respected, enlightened and realize their dreams while preparing for their futures.
Ms. Altier is also a well-published and exhibited travel photographer and writer who brings a view of the larger world from her many years of traveling to and documenting 95 countries. Her other community involvement includes stints on the boards of The Arts Council of Santa Cruz County and The Pajaro Valley Arts Council in Watsonville. She is currently on the board of the Dante Alighieri Society of Santa Cruz where she chooses the movies for and co ordinates a film series dedicated to current and classic Italian films.
Felix Robles - Vice President
Felix is a retired college dean with deep ties to the K-12 community. In his position as division dean of Business, English and Language Arts at Cabrillo College, he has a history of service to students. Mr. Robles has spent 32 years in education and education administration, with seven years as a K-12 trustee for Santa Cruz City Schools. In addition to his work in education, Mr. Robles has been a board member with the Cabrillo Music Festival, the Santa Cruz County Symphony, and an art museum. He is past president of the Santa Cruz County Cultural Council and the Central Coast Counties Development Corporation. Mr. Robles’ impact is felt throughout Delta as he participates in supporting Delta students as they transition to Cabrillo College, offering students a glimpse into their possibilities that exist for their own futures. He holds a B. A. in Spanish/French Language and Literature and an M.A. in Spanish Literature, both from San Jose State University.
Dr. Michelle Donohue-Mendoza
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.
Claudia Vestal
Claudia Vestal is currently serving her 12th year as a board member on the Santa Cruz City Schools Board. As a trustee, she serves on the district's Wellness Committee, the City Council/City Schools Committee, the Schools Plus Board, and the Delta High School Board. Claudia is the coordinator of Casa Pequeña, which is a network of child care homes serving low-income families and Cabrillo College students. She also owns a preschool in Live Oak and has worked as an infant/toddler specialist for WestEd. She holds a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, San Jose State College, a teaching credential in early childhood education, Cabrillo College, and a master's degree in human development, Pacific Oaks College.
Kevin Newhouse
Kevin grew up in Aptos and takes great pride in giving back to the community. He graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and has been in the financial industry since 2009 as both a Financial Analyst and Advisor. In addition to his professional career, Kevin also teaches mindfulness meditation at Insight Santa Cruz. He is also part of the recovery community and is responsible for bringing in a mindfulness-based recovery program to the Santa Cruz County Jail.
Kevin is a Certified Local Historian and has published close to 50 history articles in the Aptos Times. In 2013, he published a book titled, "Images of America: Aptos" and has donated 100% of the proceeds to the Aptos History Museum. He is currently working on his second local history book, “The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park.”In addition to Delta, Kevin has been a board member of Insight Santa Cruz, Aptos History Museum, Santa Cruz Old Timers Club, and Cabrillo Host Lions Club. In his free time, Kevin enjoys training for triathlons, playing music with friends, watching movies, and spending time with his wife Jennifer.
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.
