May 2026 eNewsletter

I am pleased to report that Vista Springs Charter School has reached an exciting milestone in its charter renewal process. On April 7, the school received a positive recommendation from California Department of Education staff and unanimous support from the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS) for the renewal of its charter. This is an important step forward for our school and a reflection of the strength of our program and community.

Students, families, and staff who attended the ACCS meeting also had the opportunity to spend time together at the State Capitol. Principal Kimberly Bagby noted, “It was a special moment to walk the Capitol grounds with our students and families. Experiences like this bring civics to life and connect what students are learning in the classroom to the real-world processes that impact their education.”

Charter schools go through a renewal process every few years to ensure they are continuing to provide high-quality education and strong support for students. This recommendation and support signal that Vista Springs is meeting those expectations and continuing to serve students well.

The next step in the process is a final vote by the California State Board of Education, scheduled for May 12–13. We are grateful for the continued support of our Vista Springs students, families, teachers, and staff, whose commitment makes this success possible.

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Mourning the Loss of a Dedicated Leader: As we have announced, Springs is mourning the unexpected passing of Kim Ballantyne Morse, principal of Springs’ Del Rio Student Center, from complications related to illness. Kim was a popular and talented professional who joined the Springs team as a teacher in 2012. In the years following, she served as a vice principal and principal before coming to Del Rio in 2022.

As I indicated in the April 12 announcement of her passing, Kim was the embodiment of the Springs Way in everything she did and was a vital voice for our school. We offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends; she will be very much missed.