Home / About NHCA / Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Board of Directors | Board Policies | Instructions for Presentations to the Board | Board Agendas | Board Minutes

Board of Directors 2023-2024

David Sams, Chair
Dr. Mario Castaneda
Ilana Youngheim
Arsen Alekyan
Gilbert Najm
Sharen Hansel-Cohen
Mary Minassian

New Horizons Charter Academy would like to recognize the efforts of the founding Board of Directors who worked to bring this Charter to life and give this wonderful opportunity to our students. Thank you Donnalyn Anton, Ana Ramos, Pat Greyson, Pauline Furman, Steve Else, and John Nagle. Also a special thank you for the tremendous support from our city councilmen – Tom La Bonge and Paul Kerkorian. Special Recognition to all the countless hours and organization of the entire process by Dr. Susan Kumar, Founder, for writing and bringing the Charter Petition to Los Angeles Unified School District for approval. None of this would have been possible without her vision of place for learning and opportunity.

Board Policies

Instructions for Presentations to the Board by Parents and Citizens

New Horizons Charter Academy welcomes your participation at the School’s Board meetings. The purpose of a public meeting of the Board of Directors is to conduct the affairs of the school in public. Your participation assures us of continuing community interest in our school. To assist you in the ease of speaking/participating in our meetings, the following guidelines are provided:

Agendas are available to all audience members at the door to the meeting.
“Request to Speak” forms are available to all audience members who wish to speak on any agenda items or under the general category of “Oral Communications.” “Oral Communications” is set aside for members of the audience to raise issues that are not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed fifteen (15) minutes. The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested item.
You may also complete a “Request to Speak” form to address the Board on Agenda items. With regard to such agenda items, you may specify that agenda item on your “Request to Speak” form and you will be given an opportunity to speak for up to five (5) minutes when the Board discusses that item.
When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to state their name and address from the podium and adhere to the time limits set forth.
Any public records relating to an agenda item for an open session of the Board which are distributed to all, or a majority of all, of the Board members shall be available for public inspection at 6501 Fair Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91601.

Board Agendas (PDF)

2014-2015 – July 25, August 21, August 28, September 18, October 23, November 4, November 19, December 18, January 29, February 26, March 26, April 30, June 22,