HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-04 BOT MinMINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP AND MEETING
December 13, 2004
Present: Scott Bradley, President
Buddy Brown, Member
Bill Frey, Member
Fred Held, Member
Don Redding, Member
Larry Sparrow, Member
Trent Petty, CEO
Barbara Brizuela, Head of School
Ginger Crosswy, Secretary
Absent: No one
Item #1: President Bradley called the workshop to order at 3:05 p.m. by announcing a quorum.
Item #2: Hear and discuss a report from the President of the Westlake Academy Foundation
Board concerning the Blacksmith Apprentice Program. President Bradley introduced Mr. Rick
Rennhack who told the Board that the program has generated $255,000 which includes the
matching funds. 85% of the Academy families participated with 100 % participation from the
Town employees and Academy employees. There were 27 Academy families who did not
participate and after the first of the year they will be contacted to find out if this issue should be
addressed differently next year.
Item #3: Hear and discuss a report from the Head of School concerning the use of funds received
from the Blacksmith Apprentice Program for current school year 2004-05. Ms. Brizuela stated
that these funds would be used for operations to cover the budget shortfall. She said that she
would like to hire one additional teacher but she intends to stay within the budget. She told the
Board that the Book Fair was a huge success in selling over $10,000 in books to 167 students.
The Academy will receive 25% of this in cash and $1300.00 in kind. She reported that there
would be a sports camp held during the Christmas vacation, spring break and the summer break
as well. The Academy will be starting a math program in the near future as an after school
program.
Item #4: Hear and discuss a report from the Head of School concerning the recent IBO and ECIS
visits. Ms. Brizuela said the IBO consultant was here for a PYP visit on November 22 and 23.
She stated this was a very productive visit and proceeded to give the Board the steps that would
be followed to obtain the IBO designation for the Academy. She then explained that the
Academy has submitted a membership application to the ECIS and that was the reason for their
visit.
Item #5: Discuss desirability of establishing an early childhood center for three and four year old
children. President Bradley told the Board he placed this item on the agenda to get everyone's
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opinion before pursuing this matter. He said there are several questions that will have to be _
answered before it will be known if this is even possible and he would like the Board's direction
before he begins this process. After a lengthy discussion the Board asked President Bradley to
gather information regarding these questions and put this item on a future agenda to discuss
again.
Item #6: Hear and discuss a report from the CEO on the legislative agenda. Mr. Petty spoke
outlining the items that he sees as the important matters that Ms. Jody Richardson, the Town's
lobbyist, should concentrate on this year. Mr. Brown left during this item.
Item #7: Hear and discuss a report from the CEO and the Head of School concerning schedule
and financing of future staffing and campus expansion. Ms. Brizuela stated that as the older
students reach the 12th grade there will be policy decisions to be made regarding the funding of
the IBO exams. The Academy can either charge the student for the cost or seek outside funding.
Mr. Petty briefly explained his ideas for classroom expansion during the next two school years.
Item #8: Discuss future planning issues for staff consideration. President Bradley asked for
anyone's ideas or comments regarding the future of the Academy. There were several ideas
mentioned including an exchange program for 5th graders, a career fair, and a sister school
program.
Item #9: The workshop was recessed at 5:45 p.m.
Item #10: The Board reconvened into the regular meeting at 6:05 p.m.
Item #11: The Board recessed into executive session at 6:07 p.m. as President Bradley read the
items to be discussed. The Board reconvened into open session at 6:09 p.m.
Item #12: There was no action needed coming out of executive session.
Item #13: Citizens' Presentations: Kelly and Mark Mayhew, of 2650 Dove Road spoke regarding
the policy stating that if a family moves out of Westlake their child has to go into the lottery the
next year. They have lived in Westlake for 3 years and have a child who started kindergarten this
year. They would like there to be some time limit that if a family lives in Westlake and a child
attends the Academy for a certain time period the child would be allowed to stay in the Academy
if the family has to move out of Town.
Item #14: Special Recognition: This item was moved to a future agenda.
Item #15: Hear and discuss a report from the President of the Westlake Academy Foundation
Board concerning the Blacksmith Apprentice Program. Mr. Rennhack gave the Board an update
on the program stating that at the next Foundation meeting he is going to put forth a motion that
the Foundation write a check to the Academy for $100,000. (See Item #3 for details.) The Board
thanked Mr. Rennhack and his committee for their efforts given to this program. Mr. Rennhack
thanked Mr. Petty and Ms. Carolyn Sims for their work as well.
Item #16: Consider a Resolution approving the annual audit report from Weaver and Tidwell,
L.L.P. for FY 2003/04. President Bradley stated that the representative from Weaver and
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Tidwell, L.L.P. has not arrived due to traffic problems and this item will be moved to a later time
on the agenda.
Item #17: Consider a Resolution adopting an amendment to the Parent/Student Handbook. Ms.
Brizuela explained this item to the Board. Ms. Brizuela was asked if the section of the
amendment that reads "Girls in Grades 1 - 7" could be changed to "1 - 12" so it would not have
to be amended again next year. Ms. Brizuela directed the Secretary to change "1-7" to read "1
onward". There was a motion by Mr. Frey, seconded by Mr. Redding, to adopt Resolution No.
04-16 with the noted correction. There was no further discussion and the motion carried
unanimously.
Item #18: Consent Agenda. There was a motion by Mr. Held, seconded by Mr. Sparrow, to
approve the consent agenda which included the following:
A. Review and approve minutes of the regular meeting held on November 22, 2004.
B. Review and approve any outstanding bills.
There was no discussion and the motion carried unanimously.
Item #16: Mr. Jerry Gaither with Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. arrived at this time and Mr. Petty
introduced him to the Board. Mr. Gaither gave a report on the annual audit for FY 2003/04 that
has just been completed. There was a motion by Mr. Redding, seconded by Mr. Held, to adopt
Resolution No. 04-15 which approves the annual audit. After a short discussion the motion
carried unanimously.
Item #19: There was a motion by Mr. Held, seconded by Mr. Frey, to adjourn. The motion
carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Approved by the School Board on February 14, 2005.
Scott Bradley, President
ATT ST:
Ginger rosswy, ooecret
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