CAEP Desert Regional Consortium Meeting Agenda
September 8, 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
Victor Gomez, RCOE –Chair
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 June 9, 2026.
Motion: Second:
Vote:
- Final Quarter 4 NOVA Carryover Compliance Review – Guillermo Mendoza
- Final 2025-26 DIR Report – Guillermo Mendoza
- Approve amended DRC 2026-27 CAEP Allocation in the amount of $4,211,048 which includes a COLA of $18,827 – Guillermo Mendoza
Motion: Second:
Vote:
- Approve amended 2026-27 DRC Member Allocations with COLA distribution. The New Allocation for Coachella Valley USD is $2,156,477, for College of the Desert is $608,497, for Desert Sands USD is $454,372, for Palm Springs USD is $352,044, for Riverside County Office of Education – School of Career Education is $452,687 and for Riverside County Office of Education – Jail Program is $186,971.
Motion: Second:
Vote:
- 2026-27 DRC Member Program Year Budget and Workplan – Guillermo Mendoza
- Informational Only:
2026/27 Member Program Year Budget and Workplan due in NOVA – September 30
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
- Member Roundtable Updates.
Next Meeting: October 6, 2026, RCOE– Room A-33, 47-336 Oasis Street, Indio, CA
ADJOURNMENT –
CAEP Desert Regional Consortium Meeting Agenda Minutes
September 8, 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
Victor Gomez, RCOE –Chair
Guillermo E. Mendoza – Consortium Director
Absent:
- Gomez with no voting representative
Open Session
Call to Order: Roll Call – Time and Date: 8:31 a.m. on September 8 by J. Weischedel
Establishment of a Quorum: Yes. K. Dozier, J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dimick
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: A. Bennett
Vote: Yes. Unanimous. K. Dozier, J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dimick
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 June 9, 2026.
Motion: K. Dozier Second: A. Bennett
Vote: Yes. Unanimous. K. Dozier, J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dimick
- Final Quarter 4 NOVA Carryover Compliance Review – Guillermo Mendoza
As per our Written Compliance Plan, a review of all member 20% ending thresholds was reviewed. As a whole the DRC achieved a final total of 8.6% No member was above the 20% threshold. Members were reminded that their target threshold is between 18-20%. All members are entitled to keep 18 to 20%.
- Final 2025-26 DIR Report – Guillermo Mendoza
As per our DRC Governance Plan a review of ending totals was reviewed for all members.
- Approve amended DRC 2026-27 CAEP Allocation in the amount of $4,211,048 which includes a COLA of $18,827 – Guillermo Mendoza
Motion: K. Dimick Second: J. Weischedel
Vote: Yes. Unanimous. K. Dozier, J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dimick
Previously approved in NOVA in July. A formal vote is required per our DRC Governance Plan.
- Approve amended 2026-27 DRC Member Allocations with COLA distribution. The New Allocation for Coachella Valley USD is $2,156,477, for College of the Desert is $608,497, for Desert Sands USD is $454,372, for Palm Springs USD is $352,044, for Riverside County Office of Education – School of Career Education is $452,687 and for Riverside County Office of Education – Jail Program is $186,971.
Motion: J. Weischedel Second: K. Dimick
Vote: Yes. Unanimous. K. Dozier, J. Weischedel, A. Bennett, K. Dimick
Previously approved in NOVA in July. A formal vote is required per our DRC Governance Plan.
- 2026-27 DRC Member Program Year Budget and Workplan – Guillermo Mendoza
Review of Annual CAEP deliverable for all members. Members were reminded of a maximum of a 5% indirect, expenditure rate of 20%, 40% 60% and 80% per Quarter, and not to wait to the last minute.
- Informational Only:
2026/27 Member Program Year Budget and Workplan due in NOVA – September 30
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
- Member Roundtable Updates.
Next Meeting: October 6, 2026, RCOE– Room A-33, 47-336 Oasis Street, Indio, CA
ADJOURNMENT – 9:15 a.m. on September 8, 22026, by J. Weischedel