HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-12-07 BOT MinMINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
November 12, 2007
PRESENT: President Scott Bradley and Board Trustees Larry Corson, April Gallagher, Don
Redding, Pete Steger, and Bob Timmerman.
ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Head of School Barbara Brizuela, Secretary Kim Sutter, Finance
Director Debbie Piper, Executive Assistant Ginger Awtry, DPS
Director Don Wilson, and Facilities and Recreation Director Troy
Meyer.
1. CALL TO ORDER.
President Bradley called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION
President Bradley recessed the regular session of the Town of Westlake Board of
Trustees meeting at 6:00 p.m., as he read the following item to be discussed in executive
session:
A. The Board will conduct a closed session under Texas Government Code section
551.074 to discuss personnel matters.
President Bradley convened the executive session at 6:01 p.m. The executive session
adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
3. RECONVENE MEETING.
The Board reconvened into regular session at 6:46 p.m.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION ACTION.
There was no action taken.
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Town of Westlake Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
November 12, 2007
5. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS.
Page 2 of 5
Ms. Shannon LaRue, 1855 Broken Bend Drive, Westlake, Texas, addressed the Board
regarding the need for a dispute resolution process to include students, parents, faculty,
and community members to address unresolved parent concerns and staffing issues.
President Bradley advised that the subject will be discussed at a future workshop.
Ms. Rebecca Rollins, 13239 Roanoke Road, Westlake, Texas, addressed the Board
regarding the status of the parent/student handbook as she has not received a copy.
Head of School Brizuela responded that the handbook should be available from the
Academy's website.
Ms. Carol Langdon, 1832 Broken Bend Drive, Westlake, Texas, addressed the Board
regarding the need to add and modify existing programs. Ms. Langdon suggested the
expansion of the current buddy system, and the possibility of hosting an introduction
and welcome program for new students entering the International Baccalaureate (IB)
program.
6. HEAR REPORT FROM WESTLAKE ACADEMY STUDENT COUNCIL
OFFICERS.
Head of School Brizuela introduced the 2007-2008 Westlake Academy Student Council
officers.
President Patrick Watson, Vice President Tyler Springer, Treasurer Brooke Awtry, and
Secretary Noah Rollins addressed the Board regarding recent events, planned activities
and goals for the year, fundraisers, and school dances.
7. HEAR REPORT FROM WESTLAKE ACADEMY STUDENTS WHO
ATTENDED THE YOUNG NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.
Head of School Brizuela introduced the following 71h grade students who participated in
the Young National Leadership Conference: Ms. Taylor Braun, Ms. Bridget Ledak, Ms.
Casey Gallagher, Ms. Marsha Kubyshko, and Ms. Jordan Lee.
The students shared their experiences of the six day trip with the Board.
8. HEAR REPORT FROM WESTLAKE ACADEMY STUDENTS REGARDING
HALLOWEEN CANDY DRIVE.
Mrs. Courtney Jenkins advised the Board that a total of 199.1 pounds of candy was
collected by the students and donated to Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange
(GRACE) to be included in Holiday baskets.
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Town of Westlake Board of Trustees Page 3 of 5
Regular Meeting
November 12, 2007
11. HEAR REPORT FROM WESTLAKE STAFF REGARDING PARTICIPATION
IN THE FEAST OF SHARING.
Mrs. Courtney Jenkins addressed the Board regarding the item, and stated that the
faculty helped serve meals to 3,000 families on November 7, 2007. Mrs. Jenkins
advised the Board that the Feast of Sharing is an opportunity for faculty and staff to
become involved.
Mrs. Jenkins outlined community service opportunities available to the students and
outlined community service opportunities in which students have participated.
Ms. Bailey Cockrum, 1825 Broken Bend Drive, stated that she participated in a school -
wide service trip last year by greeting troops arriving at DFW Airport, and expressed
her desire to continue to participate in this service trip and suggested the project be
expanded to include the second grade as well. Ms. Cockrum shared a letter with the
Board from a soldier who was greeted at the airport by Westlake Academy students.
9. HEAR REPORT FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL REGARDING GOLD MEDAL
TEA AWARD AND RECENT STANFORD ACHIEVEMENT TEST RESULTS.
Head of School Brizuela addressed the Board regarding the item and stated that the
Gold Medal Award was given for student achievement in the areas of reading, math,
writing, social studies, science, and attendance.
Head of School Brizuela highlighted the results of the recently administered Stanford
Achievement Test.
10. HEAR REPORT FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL REGARDING 10 -YEAR
PROJECTIONS FOR THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY.
Head of School Brizuela summarized the 10 -year projection plan to the Board. Ms.
Brizuela reviewed the assumptions utilized to create the report. In summary, Ms.
Brizuela explained that the projection assumes only a small increase in state revenue
and a 3% increase in student revenue annually, as well as a 3.5% salary increase for
staff.
Trustee Corson complimented the Head of School on the detail and approach of the
plan, and suggested including the projections as a part of the budget process in the
future. Mr. Corson inquired as to the decision to address capital expenditure
assumptions regarding operational aspects of the Academy.
Head of School Brizuela advised that the original Academy building has not been
included in the assumptions as the Town owns the facility. However, Ms. Brizuela
noted that the projections include a recommendation to consider a capital expenditure
item in 2010-11 to include the expansion of the dining room facilities.
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Town of Westlake Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
November 12, 2007
Page 4 of 5
Trustee Corson suggested that staff consider presenting capital expenditure
requirements for the Town and the Academy, and establish a process to identify the
priority between the two. Trustee Corson further recommended that a reserve fund be
established to address the needs of a physical building.
12. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CHANGES TO THE
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK REGARDING UNIFORM POLICY, AND
THE PARENT COMPLAINT PROCESS.
Head of School Brizuela outlined the changes to the uniform policy. Ms. Brizuela
stated that the changes are recommended to accommodate students enrolled in the MYP,
and to provide further clarification regarding the parent complaint process.
MOTION: Trustee Redding moved to approve Resolution No. 07-11, authorizing
changes to the Parent/Student Handbook as presented. Trustee Gallagher
seconded the motion.
Trustee Timmerman stated that he feels the complaint procedure policy requires further
review to clearly outline the steps in the parent complaint process and suggested action
not be taken at this time.
Mayor Bradley asked if the Board would consider adopting the changes as presented
and hold a workshop to consider additional changes.
AMENDED
MOTION: Trustee Redding amended the motion to approve the Resolution as
presented, and conduct a workshop to revisit the parent complaint policy
at a later date. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
13. CONSENT AGENDA.
President Bradley introduced the item and asked for a motion.
A. Review and approve minutes of the School Board of Trustees meeting held on
October 22, 2007.
B. Review and approve any outstanding bills.
MOTION: Trustee Timmerman moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Trustee Steger seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 5-
0.
Town of Westlake Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
November 12, 2007
14. ADJOURNMENT.
Page 5 of 5
There being no further business, President Bradley adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ON DECEMBER 10, 2007.
I�F /A4d&�
Scott Bradley, President
ATTEST:
i Sutter, TRMC, Town Secretary
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