Overview
P.E.P. stands for Palisades Enrichment Programs -- our parent organization here at Pali. PEP is where we come together to engage in community, raise funds for our school, and help to bring supplementary programs and activities to all our kids. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all Pali Parents are automatically members of PEP!
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To learn more about what enrichments PEP supports at Pali click here »
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Initiatives PEP supports, such as Yearbook and the annual Gala, are driven by Parent-led committees. All parents are encouraged to join at least one committee. We have lots of options, from graphic design to party planning, to corporate partner outreach. Find out more here »
PEP Board
For the 2026 - 2027 school year, our PEP Board members include:
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Hilary Cannon, Co-Chair
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Meredith Einbinder, Co-Chair
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Kara Alia, Co-Chair
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Ashley Polmateer, Co-Chair
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Natasha Perez, Treasurer
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Chantal Oberman, Secretary
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Jessica Lazarus, Administrator
Please feel free to reach us at: pep@palielementary.org
School Governance
Palisades Charter Elementary is an LAUSD Affiliated Charter School governed by its Charter which outlines the school's autonomy from LAUSD (budget flexibility, hiring oversight, class sizes, technology integration and other policies) while maintaining LAUSD funding and oversight by the LAUSD Board of Education and Superintendent. We utilize a collaborative, consensus-driven model involving parents, teachers, and the administration.
Two Key Bodies
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Governing Council (GC): The charter-mandated body made up of 11 voting members (1 principal (chair), 6 teachers, and 4 parents) oversees curriculum, budget, hiring, technology, and school policy through 5 subcommittees (Budget, Curriculum & PD, Parent Outreach, Personnel, and Technology). The GC has authority over all school decisions outside of LAUSD mandates and meets monthly. All GC meetings are public and Brown Act compliant. All decisions must comply with LAUSD policy.
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Palisades Enrichment Programs (PEP): Independent from the GC and run by parents alone. Every enrolled parent is automatically a member with voting rights in PEP.
How Decisions Are Made: The Consensus Process
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An idea (originated by any parent, teacher, staff, student) is brought to the appropriate GC subcommittee
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GC Subcommittee researches, discusses, and estimates costs, creating a proposal for the GC
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Faculty Meeting reviews and refines the proposal
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Governing Council reviews subcommittee findings
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Decision: GC approves (requires ⅔ vote if not unanimous), refines, or sends back for more analysis
Funding at a Glance
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LAUSD funds: Core curriculum, standard class sizes (K–3: 27:1, 4–5: 36:1), essential facilities
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PEP funds: Reduced class sizes, supplemental enrichment programs, instructional aides, and community and social events.
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PEP funding is voluntary and the GC cannot mandate PEP contributions. New requests over $300 require a PEP member vote - this will happen in PEP monthly meetings.
Key Principles
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Shared governance: No single person holds unilateral authority - all ideas travel through representative bodies
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Transparency: Agendas posted 72 hours in advance; minutes published within 10 days; all meetings open to the whole community (except the GC budget and GC personnel committees)
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Parent power: Parents can serve on the GC, join any subcommittee of the GC, propose ideas, vote in elections, and participate in PEP