Grow Public Schools
Donations deductibleGrow Public Schools' network
6 people2 organisationsi6 people and 2 organisations on this map.The large node is the subject of this page. Solid lines are what the register itself records (6). Violet dotted lines (2) are likely: the same full name sits on the current board of another organisation in the same register and region. Form 990 filings give names without a person identifier; SEC insider filings carry a CIK. It may be a different person.The board
6 listediTime on the board is observed from the annual filings: the IRS files no appointment date, so the bar counts years from the first filing the person appears on - a lower bound, not a filed start date. Names are exactly as filed. The IRS publishes no person identifier, so this edition does not yet link a person across organisations in the tables. The network map shows same-name matches as likely links only, never as confirmed.Tenure and departures are observed across annual filings. Observed tenure is a lower bound - a member may have joined before the first year on record. The organisation reported 5 voting members of its governing body on its latest Form 990 Part VI, which matches the board listed here.| Name | Role as filed | Since | On the board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ernie Unruh | Board Member | 2019 | 7 yrs |
| Jean Fuller to 73122 | Board Member | 2023 | 3 yrs |
| Kristen Watson | Board Member | 2023 | 3 yrs |
| Manuel Pantoja | Board Secretary | 2019 | 7 yrs |
| Matt Look | Board Member | 2019 | 7 yrs |
| Tom Mestmaker | Board President | 2019 | 7 yrs |
Under 5 years5 to 6 years6 years or more
Officers and senior leadership
21 listediNamed in Part VII as officers, key employees or highest-compensated staff - not board members, shown for completeness.| Name | Title as filed | On the filings |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Alvidrez | Director of Ops | 2022 |
| Brook Webb Term End 422 | Shafter Principal | 2022 |
| Casey Yeazel | Executive Director | since 2019 |
| Casey Yeazel to 71422 | Executive Director | 2023 |
| DOC Ervin | Chief Executive Officer | 2023 |
| Greg West | Director of School Support Services | since 2019 |
| Hurshel Williams | Principal | since 2020 |
| Hurshel Williams to 102822 | Arvin Principal | 2023 |
| Joanna Kendrick | Principal | since 2019 |
| Michelle Lumis to 092922 | Executive Assistant | 2023 |
| Mike Romero | HR Director | since 2019 |
| Mike Romero to 32423 | COO | 2023 |
| Monica Jara Guerra | Dr. of Community Initiatives | since 2021 |
| Monica Jara Guerra to 90622 | Dr. of Community Initiatives | 2023 |
| Paul Escala | Chief Executive Officer | since 2019 |
| RIC Esquivel | Chief of Schools | 2023 |
| Steven Sampson | Principal | 2019 |
| Tatia Hunter-Jennings | Assistant Principal | 2023 |
| Wendy Creek | Chief Academic Officer | since 2021 |
| Wendy Elmore | Special Education Coordinator | 2023 |
| Zulema ELA | Assistant Principal | 2022 |
Pay and hours
year to 30 June 2025iFrom Part VII of the Form 990: compensation reported for each officer, director, trustee, key employee and highest-paid staff member, and the average hours a week they report. Most board members are unpaid; a blank means nothing was reported. Pay from related organisations is shown separately.| Name | Title as filed | Hours a week | Pay from the organisation | Related organisations | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doc Ervin | Executive Liaison | 40 | $247k | $87k | |
| Ric Esquivel | CEO/Superintendent | 40 | $237k | $79k | |
| Steve McClain | Chief Business Officer | 40 | $233k | $22k | |
| Elysa Vargas | Chief Academic Officer (Thru 8/24) | 40 | $214k | $45k | |
| Eric Mendez | Director of Human Resources | 40 | $141k | $8k | |
| Alan Blandon | Dir. Bus. Svcs/Compliance | 40 | $138k | $39k | |
| Lacie Harris | Principal - Shafter | 40 | $135k | $55k | |
| Tanya Kelly | Administrator of Special Projects | 40 | $120k | $59k | |
| Jenny Bard | Principal - Arvin | 40 | $118k | $56k | |
| Tom Mestmaker | Board President | 0.25 | $0 | ||
| Manuel Pantoja | Board Secretary | 0.25 | $0 | ||
| Matt Look | Schools Parent Rep | 0.25 | $0 | ||
| Ernie Unruh | Board Director | 0.25 | $0 | ||
| Kristen Watson | Board Director | 0.25 | $0 |
About
- Legal name
- Grow Public Schools
- EIN
- 273166349
- Address
- 4800 Corporate Ct, Bakersfield, CA, 93311-8706
- State
- California
- Mission
- A network of high-performing schools dedicated to academic excellence that empowers all students to thrive through a foundation of health and wellness, college and career readiness, and lifelong success. (as filed on the Form 990)
- Activity (NTEE)
- B29 Education
- IRS classification
- 501(c)03 (tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) where shown)
- Classified purpose
- Education
- Size band
- 9 (IRS master file code)
- Formed
- 2010
- Principal officer
- Manuel Pantoja (as named on the Form 990)
- IRS ruling date
- 1 December 2011
- Status
- Code 01 (unconditional exemption)
- Form 990 filings on record
- 5, latest 2023
- IRS Publication 78
- PC (contributions deductible)
Most connected
Related organisations (Schedule R)
RelatedTO SUPPORT CHARTER SCHOOLS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIESThe Grimm Family Education FndnRelatedTO PROVIDE CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIESRLG Land Foundation
Longest observed on the filings
≥7years on the filingsErnie Unruh
≥7years on the filingsManuel Pantoja
≥7years on the filingsMatt Look
≥7years on the filingsTom Mestmaker
Latest return
year to 30 June 2025iFigures from the newest Form 990 or 990-EZ in the IRS e-file releases of 2025 and 2026, for the year ending 30 June 2025. US dollars, as filed.- Total assets
- $59.2m
- Total liabilities
- $37.8m
- Net assets or fund balances
- $21.4m
- Contributions and grants received
- $36.4m
- Program service revenue
- $23k
- Employees
- 559
- Volunteers
- 5