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← GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Totals

Total revenue
$38,615,732
Total expenses
$36,889,617
Contributions and grants received
$37,545,116
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$15,223
Investment income
$838,182
Other revenue
$217,211
Total assets, end of year
$53,637,931
Total liabilities, end of year
$31,947,480
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$21,690,451
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$32,285,265
Management and general expenses
$4,604,352
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$32,285,265

Program services were 87.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $37,256,080

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $289,036

  • 2a · Program service revenue: SCHOOL EVENTS

    total $13,696 · related or exempt $13,696

  • 2b · Program service revenue: UNIFORMS

    total $1,527 · related or exempt $1,527

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $838,182 · excluded $838,182

  • 11a · Other revenue: REFUNDS AND CREDITS

    total $194,232 · related or exempt $194,232

  • 11b · Other revenue: OTHER INCOME

    total $22,979 · related or exempt $22,979

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $217,211

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,293,777 · program services $1,254,964 · management and general $38,813

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $17,639,541 · program services $17,110,355 · management and general $529,186

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,699,776 · program services $1,630,247 · management and general $69,529

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,638,318 · program services $1,572,298 · management and general $66,020

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $783,534 · program services $767,863 · management and general $15,671

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $106,657 · program services $28,797 · management and general $77,860

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $77,230 · program services $20,852 · management and general $56,378

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,552,634 · program services $1,335,655 · management and general $216,979

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $149,148 · program services $119,318 · management and general $29,830

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $101,072 · program services $27,289 · management and general $73,783

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $642,260 · program services $173,410 · management and general $468,850

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $3,868,591 · program services $2,243,783 · management and general $1,624,808

  • 17 · Travel

    total $379,715 · program services $379,715

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $243,326 · program services $182,494 · management and general $60,832

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $175,663 · management and general $175,663

  • 24a · Other expenses: ALL OTHER EXPENSES

    total $3,195,117 · program services $2,302,490 · management and general $892,627

  • 24b · Other expenses: INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

    total $2,075,237 · program services $1,867,714 · management and general $207,523

  • 24c · Other expenses: NONCAPITALIZED EQUIPMEN

    total $1,268,021 · program services $1,268,021

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $16,024,899 · end of year $589,020

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $5,076,520 · end of year $15,543,864

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $2,272,144 · end of year $3,130,033

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $258,616 · end of year $206,419

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $7,945,209

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $2,016,164

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,975,895 · end of year $5,929,045

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $23,978,264 · end of year $28,239,550

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,454,184 · end of year $3,426,944

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $4,189,006 · end of year $134,648

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $23,978,812 · end of year $28,385,888

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $19,357,755 · end of year $20,842,750

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $606,581 · end of year $847,701

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR STUDENTS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF KERN COUNTY BY CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE AND WELL-BEING. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. OUR MISSION EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING A SAFE, INCLUSIVE, AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN THRIVE. BY FOCUSING ON HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION, PERSONALIZED LEARNING, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, WE AIM TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE BELIEVE THAT SUPPORTS NOT ONLY ACADEMIC GROWTH BUT ALSO THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF EACH STUDENT, PREPARING THEM FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE AND A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR RURAL STUDENTS IN KERN COUNTY BY FOSTERING EXCELLENCE.

  • GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS A TK-8 PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE GREATER ARVIN AND SHAFTER COMMUNITY, SERVING STUDENTS WHO ARE AT RISK OF UNDERPERFORMING ON STATE ASSESSMENTS. OUR MISSION IS TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR STUDENTS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF KERN COUNTY BY CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE AND WELL-BEING. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A NURTURING AND RIGOROUS LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO EXCEED THEIR POTENTIAL AND PREPARES THEM FOR A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS.EACH YEAR, GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENROLLS APPROXIMATELY 80 STUDENTS IN TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN (TK) AND 176 STUDENTS PER GRADE FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE. THE SCHOOL AIMS TO EDUCATE A TOTAL OF 1,664 STUDENTS ANNUALLY ACROSS TWO SCHOOL SITES, SERVING GRADES TK-8 AT EACH LOCATION.GROW PUBLIC SCHOOL'S VISION IS TO PROVIDE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH A CHOICE IN EDUCATION THAT LEADS TO A LIFE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT IS NOT ONLY COLLEGE-READY BUT ALSO FULLY PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGES OF HIGHER EDUCATION. WE AIM TO EQUIP STUDENTS WITH STRONG ACADEMIC SKILLS, AS WELL AS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING, FOSTERING WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUALS READY TO THRIVE IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE.AT GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE HOLD OUR STUDENTS TO HIGH EXPECTATIONS. OUR CURRICULUM IS BOTH CHALLENGING AND SUPPORTIVE, PUSHING STUDENTS TO ENGAGE WITH CONTENT ACROSS VARIOUS DISCIPLINES WHILE FOSTERING A LOVE OF LEARNING. WE EMPHASIZE THE INTEGRATION OF HUMANITIES AND STEM EDUCATION, ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO THINK CRITICALLY, COLLABORATE, AND EXPLORE REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE. CENTRAL TO OUR ACADEMIC APPROACH IS PERSONALIZED LEARNING, WHICH ALLOWS US TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION IN OUR LEARNING LAB. IN ADDITION, OUR DAILY LITERACY BLOCK ENSURES THAT EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES DEDICATED TIME TO BUILD ESSENTIAL READING AND WRITING SKILLS, WHICH ARE CRUCIAL FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS ACROSS ALL SUBJECTS. A KEY FEATURE OF GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS OUR FOCUS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THROUGH OUR EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD PROGRAM, STUDENTS ENGAGE IN HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT CONNECT THEM TO THE PROCESS OF GROWING HEALTHY FOOD IN THE GARDEN AND PREPARING IT IN THE KITCHEN. THIS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MODEL NOT ONLY TEACHES STUDENTS ABOUT NUTRITION AND HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES BUT ALSO EMPOWERS THEM TO MAKE POSITIVE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH THAT CAN HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND OVERALL WELL-BEING. BY INCORPORATING THESE PRINCIPLES INTO THE SCHOOL DAY, WE AIM TO EQUIP STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. AT GROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION GOES BEYOND THE SCHOOL SITES. BY CULTIVATING A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY, FOSTERING A COMMITMENT TO LIFELONG LEARNING, AND PRIORITIZING OVERALL WELL-BEING, WE AIM TO EQUIP OUR STUDENTS TO BE RESILIENT, CAPABLE, AND PREPARED TO FACE ANY CHALLENGES AHEAD. WE TAKE IMMENSE PRIDE IN OUR ROLE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BOTH OUR STUDENTS AND THE BROADER KERN COUNTY COMMUNITY. THROUGH OUR UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, AND STUDENT SUCCESS, WE ARE NOT MERELY CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP, WE ARE PAVING THE WAY FOR A BRIGHTER, MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE. THIS COMMITMENT IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR MISSION: TO EMPOWER EVERY STUDENT TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL AND BECOME THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

    Expenses $32,285,265 · Revenue $232,434

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Doc Ervin

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $408,945
    From this org
    $254,250
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $154,695
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $221,679
    Bonus
    $30,000
    Other
    $2,571
    Deferred
    $60,635
    Nontaxable benefits
    $94,060
    Filer's total
    $408,945

  • Ric Esquivel

    CHIEF OF SCHOOLS

    Total calculated
    $298,120
    From this org
    $223,285
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $74,835
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $198,830
    Bonus
    $22,000
    Other
    $2,455
    Deferred
    $44,465
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,370
    Filer's total
    $298,120

  • Elysa Vargas

    CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $237,827
    From this org
    $176,412
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $61,415
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $157,457
    Bonus
    $16,500
    Other
    $2,455
    Deferred
    $35,264
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,151
    Filer's total
    $237,827

  • Jenny Bard

    PRINCIPAL - ARVIN

    Total calculated
    $215,370
    From this org
    $141,919
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $73,451
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $141,919
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $28,283
    Nontaxable benefits
    $45,168
    Filer's total
    $215,370

  • Alan Blandon

    DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES AND COMPLIANCE

    Total calculated
    $186,247
    From this org
    $158,526
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,721
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $147,651
    Bonus
    $10,875
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $1,300
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,421
    Filer's total
    $186,247

  • Lacie Harris

    PRINCIPAL - SHAFTER

    Total calculated
    $185,038
    From this org
    $135,853
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $49,185
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $135,853
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $28,337
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,848
    Filer's total
    $185,038

  • Tanya Kelly

    ADMINISTRATOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS

    Total calculated
    $173,409
    From this org
    $119,166
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $54,243
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $113,999
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $5,167
    Deferred
    $23,497
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,746
    Filer's total
    $173,409

  • Steve McClain

    CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $165,451
    From this org
    $159,149
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,302
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $156,694
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $2,455
    Deferred
    $1,622
    Nontaxable benefits
    $4,680
    Filer's total
    $165,451

  • Richard Phillips

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS(THRU 12/2023)

    Total calculated
    $141,966
    From this org
    $131,886
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,080
    Hours/week
    40

  • Eric Mendez

    DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

    Total calculated
    $140,429
    From this org
    $131,524
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,905
    Hours/week
    40

  • Tom Mestmaker

    BOARD PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.25

  • Manuel Pantoja

    BOARD SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.25

  • Matt Look

    SCHOOLS PARENT REP

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.25

  • Ernie Unruh

    BOARD DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.25

  • Kristen Watson

    BOARD DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.25

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S PAY IS DETERMINED BASED ON DATA PROVIDED BY EXTERNAL CHARTER MANAGEMENT AND THROUGH COMPARISON STUDIES OF OTHER CHARTER SCHOOLS. THE BOARD MUST VOTE TO APPROVE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S COMPENSATION AS A DIRECT ACTION.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
30 April 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202531259349302918

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