HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-06 BOT MinMINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORKSHOP
AUGUST 24, 2006
PRESENT: President Scott Bradley and Trustees Bill Frey, Fred Held (left the meeting
at 10:00 a.m.), Don Redding, and Larry Corson
ABSENT: Trustee Buddy Brown
OTHERS PRESENT: Head of School Barbara Brizuela, Secretary Jean Dwinnell,
Human Resource Manager Todd Wood, and Finance
Director Debbie Piper
1. CALL TO ORDER.
President Bradley called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m.
2. DISCUSS FY 2006-2007 BUDGET.
President Bradley asked Ms. Brizuela, Head of School, to lead the workshop.
Ms. Brizuela advised that the proposed budget is based on conservative assumptions.
She explained that the proposed budget allows for 17 days of operating dollars in the
reserve fund, that it included a special education grant, that it provided $5,504 per student
from the State, and that it anticipated contributions from the Blacksmith Apprentice
Program.
Ms. Brizuela informed the Board that $47,000 was pledged to the Blacksmith Apprentice
Program on "meet the teacher night", that HB 1 increased teachers' salaries by $2,000
each, and that the increased salaries for librarians, counselors, office staff, and teachers
not holding a Texas teaching certificate possibly might not be reimbursed by the State.
She reported that the proposed budget would provide as much as an eight percent (8%)
increase for some teachers. She indicated that under current premium quotes, health
insurance costs would rise approximately 34%, but that by joining TRS -Active Care the
Academy could cut the costs of health insurance. She emphasized, however, that once
the school joins, it cannot opt out of the system.
Mr. Todd Wood, Human Resource Manager, made a presentation regarding the TRS -
Active Care Program.
Discussion ensued regarding Blue Cross Blue Shield vs. TRS -Active Care, and
concerning the rates, doctors, and benefits. It was the consensus of the Board that the
Academy should join the TRS -Active Care Program. The Board authorized staff to
review the costs of the plan periodically, and to revise the wording on the proposed
Resolution to "authorize joining" rather than "informing of the intent to join." It was also
the consensus of the Board to decrease the contribution of the Town from $300.00 to
$249.00 per school employee per month.
Further discussion ensued regarding the seventeen (17) day reserve operating fund,
whether the Executive Director of the Westlake Academy Foundation falls under the
Town's or the Academy's budget and benefits, the legality of the Foundation adopting a
separate budget, the number of teachers added to the budget for the 2006/2007 school
year (4.5), the total number of new teachers hired for the 2006/2007 school year (12), the
reasons teachers have left the school, and the percentage of the budget that is required by
the State to be used for instruction (65%).
Discussion was also held regarding: the extension of Ms. Brizuela's contract; what is
being served to the students in the cafeteria; the performance of Bowman Sports;
insurance and bonding of the Academy staff; the significant increase in maintenance and
repair for the new portion of the building; the increase in maintenance supplies;
demographics of the students attending the Academy; and the need to follow the trend of
Westlake residents remaining in the Academy once they reach the MYP.
Ms. Brizuela advised that there are still approximately 750 students on the waiting list,
and that Mr. Rennhack has asked for a commitment from the Board for 100%
participation in the Blacksmith Apprentice Program.
Ms. Brizuela reviewed the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 Blacksmith Apprentice Program
results, advised that Federal Grants were received during the first two years the Academy
was operational, and that external funding is an acute necessity. She stated that non -
participation in the Blacksmith Apprentice Program is not acceptable.
Ms. Brizuela reviewed the Goals and Objectives for the Academy; some of which are:
Hire elementary principal for 2007/2008
Review and revise the Master Plan
Create single -sex physical education classes
Improve the website design
Make mentoring for new students available
Create a senior management team
Create a Westlake Academy brochure which will include the Foundation project
Hold Town meetings to discuss the Academy
Ms. Brizuela advised that there is a list of achievements in the Board's packet for their
review.
The Board expressed concern about the Blacksmith Apprentice Program variable and the
seventeen (17) day reserve operating budget.
3. ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business before the Board, President Bradley declared the meeting
adjourned at 12:03 pm.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON NOVEMBER 13, 2006
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ATTEST: Scott Bradle , President
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Ginger V
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