School Board & Policies

Board Members

Ben Fung

President

Ben Fung

President

Ben is a Physical Therapist turned Entrepreneur, now in the space of Marketing Strategy and Business Development. Co-founding three companies, he serves in a c-level capacity with a present focus in healthcare, health-tech/health-optimization, and human capital management through organizational excellence. In the course of his career, he has earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Masters of Business Administration, and an undergraduate degree in Bioengineering and Psychology. In his free time, Ben enjoys tough fitness challenges, cooking, and coffee.  Ben will serve on the board until June 30, 2027.

Jessica Ackermann

Secretary

Jessica Ackermann

Secretary

As someone who would have liked to have been homeschooled as a child, the decision to homeschool her own children was an easy choice. Jessica taught her two sons throughout the entirety of their education and hopes to continue in the homeschooling community for many years to come. She is passionate about homeschooling and started an online community for North County San Diego homeschooling parents that currently boasts over 1,700 members. Before serving on the Board, Jessica was the treasurer for the North County San Diego Booster Club for Inspire Charter Schools. In her life before kids, she practiced architecture in San Diego and recently Jessica has taken up the cello in her free time.  Jessica will serve on the board until June 30, 2027

Kim Gill

CFO/Treasurer

Kim Gill

CFO/Treasurer

Kim is an entrepreneur and unexpected teacher who found herself homeschooling two boys during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Professionally, Kim spent over a decade in New York working for a “big-four” public accounting firm focusing on tax and accounting issues for large and small businesses. She currently owns her own tax and consulting practice based in San Diego serving a variety of clients. Her strong financial, tax, and accounting background adds a great breadth of expertise to the board.  Kim will serve on the board until June 30, 2026.

Eric Banatao

Member

Eric Banatao

Member

Eric Banatao is a professional educator with over 25 years of experience in traditional public schools, at all levels, from grades TK-20. Dr. Banatao's professional experience in brick-and-mortar schools includes leading and collaborating as a teacher, teacher-coach, administrator, leadership coach, and university professor. To complement, Eric and family opted for family-choice to homeschool four children, while graduating one of them from a comprehensive public high school, too. This unique and diverse parent, educator, practitioner, and researcher perspective provides Dr. Banatao the ability to successfully advocate and collaborate with Pacific Coast Academy and its wide array of stakeholders. To contact the school board, please email board@pacificcoastacademy.org. Dr. Banatao will serve on the board until June 30, 2027.

Patty Adams

Member

Patty Adams

Member

Patty is a retired middle school teacher who spent her career in the Carlsbad Unified School District. She holds a BA from CSUSM and a Masters of Education from PLNU. She has served as a department chair at her school as well as a master teacher mentoring students in a credential program. Because of her innovative approach to learning and dedication to student success, Patty has been recognized as Teacher of the Year on more than one occasion. She knows the importance of the charter school as she watches the educational growth and success of her seven year old grandson. Patty sees her time as a board member with Pacific Coast Academy to be a chance to give back to the community and continue her advocacy for equity of educational opportunity for all students.  Patty will serve on the board until June 30, 2027.

If you are interested in a future position as a board member, email board@pacificcoastacademy.org.

To contact the school board, email board@pacificcoastacademy.org.

Ethics Training

Board members and some other school officials are required to take ethics training each year. Anyone who wishes to obtain copies of training records of the School's officials, should request a copy under the California Public Records Act by contacting the school records officer at pra@pacificcoastacademy.org.

Board Meeting Calendar, Agendas & Materials

Board meeting agendas are posted here 72 hours before a regular scheduled board meeting and 24 hours before a special board meeting.

Board Meetings are held at the PCA office unless otherwise specified in the agenda.

Pacific Coast Academy Office: 13915 Danielson St. #200, Poway, CA 92064