CAEP Desert Regional Consortium Meeting Agenda
October 6, 2026
Location: RCOE – Room A-33
47-336 Oasis Street, Indio, CA 92201
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Desert Regional Consortium Members:
Kimberly S. Dozier, COD
Jereme Weischedel, CVUSD – Vice-Chair
Alpercy Bennett, Jr., DSUSD
Karen Dimick, PSUSD
Louvie Benitez-Taitano, RCOE
Guillermo E. Mendoza – Consortium Director
Absent:
Open Session
Call to Order: Roll Call – Time and Date:
Establishment of a Quorum:
Board Meeting Agenda: Pursuant to the Desert Regional Consortium Governance Plan, the consortium member’s relative voting power will be one vote for each member. A quorum is three members present. A majority of the quorum is necessary for approval of decisions. Votes will be voiced by stating yes or no. Abstentions will be noted. Votes will be recorded in the minutes, including the names of the members making and seconding the motion.
Approval/Addition to Agenda:
Motion: Second:
Vote:
There will be an allotment of time (up to 3 minutes per person) given to members of the public for comment. Additional time will be given to the voting members to consider public comments. After discussion, the executive voting committee will vote or agree to pull the item for a second reading if members feel more time is necessary.
Public Comments:
Agenda Items
- Approve Agenda Minutes from September 8, 2026.
Motion: Second:
Vote:
- Welcome new RCOE Lead, Mrs. Louvie Benitez-Taitano, Alternative Education Student Transition Coordinator– Guillermo Mendoza
- Nomination and approval of New DRC Chair – Guillermo Mendoza
Motion: Second:
Vote:
- Nomination and approval of New DRC Vice Chair – Guillermo Mendoza
Motion: Second:
Vote:
- NOVA Carryover Compliance 2026-27 – Guillermo Mendoza
- July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 Instructional Hours and Expenses by Program Area – Guillermo Mendoza
- Informational Only:
Annual Director’s Summit – Santa Clara Convention Center – October 27
CAEP Summit – Santa Clara Convention Center – October 28–30
DRC Quarter 1 Student Data Due in TOPSpro – October 31
DRC Employment and Earnings Follow-up Survey Due in TOPSpro – October 31
Quarter 1 2026-27 Member Expense Report Due in NOVA – December 1
July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 Instructional Hours and Expenses by Program Area
(Actuals) due in NOVA – December 1
End of Quarter 2 – December 31
- Member Roundtable Updates.
Next Meeting: November 3, 2026, RCOE– Room A-33, 47-336 Oasis Street, Indio, CA
ADJOURNMENT –
CAEP Desert Regional Consortium Meeting Agenda Minutes
October 6, 2026
Location: RCOE – Room A-33
47-336 Oasis Street, Indio, CA 92201
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Desert Regional Consortium Members:
Kimberly S. Dozier, COD
Jereme Weischedel, CVUSD – Vice-Chair
Alpercy Bennett, Jr., DSUSD
Karen Dimick, PSUSD
Louvie Benitez-Taitano, RCOE
Guillermo E. Mendoza – Consortium Director
Absent:
- Dimick, represented by Michael Duran, with voting rights.
Open Session
Call to Order: Roll Call – Time and Date: By J. Weischedel on 10/6/26 at 8:37 a.m.
Establishment of a Quorum: Yes. J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dozier, L. Benitez-Taitano.
Board Meeting Agenda: Pursuant to the Desert Regional Consortium Governance Plan, the consortium member’s relative voting power will be one vote for each member. A quorum is three members present. A majority of the quorum is necessary for approval of decisions. Votes will be voiced by stating yes or no. Abstentions will be noted. Votes will be recorded in the minutes, including the names of the members making and seconding the motion.
Approval/Addition to Agenda:
Motion: K. Dozier Second: J. Weischedel
Vote: Yes. Unanimous. J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dozier, L. Benitez-Taitano, M. Duran
There will be an allotment of time (up to 3 minutes per person) given to members of the public for comment. Additional time will be given to the voting members to consider public comments. After discussion, the executive voting committee will vote or agree to pull the item for a second reading if members feel more time is necessary.
Public Comments: None.
Agenda Items
- Approve Agenda Minutes from September 8, 2026.
Motion: M. Duran Second: J. Weischedel
Vote: Yes. Unanimous. J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dozier, L. Benitez-Taitano, M. Duran
- Welcome new RCOE Lead, Mrs. Louvie Benitez-Taitano, Alternative Education Student Transition Coordinator– Guillermo Mendoza
Mrs. Louvie Benitez-Tatiano warmly welcomed by DRC members and guests.
- Nomination and approval of New DRC Chair – Guillermo Mendoza
Motion: K. Dozier Second: A. Bennett, Jr.
Vote: Yes. Nominating J. Weischedel as New DRC Chair. Unanimous. J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dozier, L. Benitez-Taitano, M. Duran
DRC Governance Plan requirement.
- Nomination and approval of New DRC Vice Chair – Guillermo Mendoza
Motion: M. Duran Second: K. Dozier
Vote: Yes. Nominating A. Bennett, Jr. as New DRC Vice Chair. Unanimous. J. Weischedel, A. Bennett K. Dozier, L. Benitez-Taitano, M. Duran
DRC Governance Plan requirement.
- NOVA Carryover Compliance 2026-27 – Guillermo Mendoza
Quarterly progress towards CAEP 20% threshold remains in place for 2026-27 as per DRC Governance Plan.
- July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 Instructional Hours and Expenses by Program Area – Guillermo Mendoza
TOPSPro Program Hours provided to all members. Expenditures by program for 2025-26 are to be entered by member business departments.
- Request for Letter of Support for the EDD WIOA Farmworkers Advancement Program, Program Year 2026-27 – Gisell Rojas
Motion: M. Duran Second: K. Dozier
Vote: Yes. Unanimous. J. Weischedel, A. Bennett K. Dozier, L. Benitez-Taitano, M. Duran
Through this grant, Riverside County Workforce Connect will expand access to workforce development services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents throughout Riverside County.
- Informational Only:
Annual Director’s Summit – Santa Clara Convention Center – October 27
CAEP Summit – Santa Clara Convention Center – October 28–30
DRC Quarter 1 Student Data Due in TOPSpro – October 31
DRC Employment and Earnings Follow-up Survey Due in TOPSpro – October 31
Quarter 1 2026-27 Member Expense Report Due in NOVA – December 1
July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 Instructional Hours and Expenses by Program Area
(Actuals) due in NOVA – December 1
End of Quarter 2 – December 31
- Member Roundtable Updates.
Next Meeting: November 3, 2026, RCOE– Room A-33, 47-336 Oasis Street, Indio, CA
ADJOURNMENT – A. Bennett, Jr. on 10/6/26 at 9:17 a.m.