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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-08 BOT Min49 MINUTES OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING January 14, 2008 PRESENT: President Scott Bradley and Board Trustees Larry Corson, Kevin Maynard, 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 6:04 p.m. 2. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS. There was no one present wishing to address the Board. 3. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A WESTLAKE ACADEMY PARENT TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE HEAD OF SCHOOL SEARCH COMMITTEE AND APPOINT A WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD MEMBER OR PARENT AND A WESTLAKE ACADEMY FACULTY MEMBER TO SERVE AS ALTERNATE MEMBERS. President Bradley introduced the item and read the names of the proposed committee members. President Bradley explained that the committee would recruit, interview, and identify a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) finalists to be considered by the Board to serve as the new Head of School. MOTION: Trustee Redding made a motion to approve Resolution No. 08-01, as presented. Trustee Steger seconded the motion. 4/ Town of Westlake Board of Trustees Page 2 of 5 Regular Meeting January 14, 2008 4. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FORMATION OF A CAMPUS LEADERSHIP TEAM. Head of School Brizuela advised that the school's charter requires the creation of a campus leadership team. Ms. Brizuela outlined the composition of the leadership team and advised that she will appoint the members to serve on the initial team. Ms. Brizuela added that the team will meet on a bimonthly basis and at a time to be determined by the leadership team. MOTION: Trustee Steger made a motion to approve Resolution No. 08-02, as presented. Trustee Redding seconded the motion. Trustee Timmerman asked the Head of School to elaborate on the distinction between the Campus Leadership Team and the House of Commons as they relate to interacting with the Academy. Head of School Brizuela responded that the House of Commons focuses on building community and offers suggestions for improvement to the school, while the leadership team would focus on how to promote the school and communicate with the community concerning Westlake Academy. Trustee Timmerman suggested the team might consider an orientation process for new students and their parents. Discussion ensued with regard to the purpose of the committee. Alderman Maynard asked the Head of School if the leadership team is the group that could be utilized to field complaints and/or review a proposed exit interview process. Alderman Timmerman stated that he did not feel this team was the appropriate group for that purpose. Mr. Timmerman inquired as to the status of the discussion concerning an exit interview process, as well as an arbitration process. President Bradley responded that a workshop will be held to discuss the process, and also asked the Board to give some thought to a satisfaction survey that would include receiving feedback from both the school population and the town in an effort to monitor satisfaction issues on a regular basis. Head of School Brizuela added that the Foundation is considering a survey tool that could possibly be utilized for the purpose of obtaining feedback. Alderman Corson inquired as to how the results would be reported. President Bradley responded that the results should be reported on a recurring basis and shared with the community. 45 Town of Westlake Board of Trustees Page 3 of 5 Regular Meeting January 14, 2008 VOTE ON MOTION: The motion carried by a vote of 5-0. 5. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PROPOSED 2008-2009 SCHOOL CALENDAR. Head of School Brizuela introduced the item and advised that surrounding school districts were consulted when preparing the calendar. Ms. Brizuela added that the calendar is pending TEA approval. MOTION: Trustee Timmerman made a motion to approve Resolution No. 08-03, as presented. Trustee Steger seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0. 6. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR AN EXPANSION AMENDMENT TO THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY CHARTER THAT WOULD ADD ADDITIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS. Head of School Brizuela introduced the item to the Board and advised of the proposed amendment. Ms. Brizuela stated that the expansion amendment includes the addition of 25 school districts. MOTION: Trustee Timmerman made a motion to approve Resolution No. 08-04, approving an application for an expansion amendment to the Westlake Academy Charter. Trustee Redding seconded the motion. Trustee Timmerman inquired if there were any known downsides to expanding the transfer boundaries. Head of School Brizuela responded that she has not identified any downsides related to the expansion of the boundaries. Trustee Corson stated that he does not oppose expanding the boundaries in the context of a logical radius. However, he feels the expansion does not support the original purpose of the creation of the Academy as it relates to creating a sense of community for the town. President Bradley stated that as Westlake continues to grow, there will not be room for transfer students. Alderman Steger stated that he is not opposed to expanding the boundaries, but is not certain the boundaries need to be expanded to this degree. Alderman Maynard stated that some of the proposed additions make sense while others do not, and inquired if any of the proposed districts could be stricken from the resolution. 43 Town of Westlake Board of Trustees Regular Meeting January 14, 2008 Page 4 of 5 President Bradley responded that any of the proposed districts may be stricken from the resolution. Head of School Brizuela advised the Board that the Charter amendment deadline is February 1, 2008. Alderman Corson recommended the Board consider establishing an acceptable radius from the school and identify districts that fall within the proposed radius. President Bradley suggested the Board adopt the amendment and if any problems or issues arise as a result, the Board can amend the boundaries next year. Alderman Corson expressed his desire to take the opposite approach and identify a smaller radius and consider expanding the radius next year, if needed. Mrs. Rebecca Rollins, 13239 Roanoke Road, Westlake, stated that a federal law permits employees to attend school in the district where they work. President Bradley stated that the Board has been advised that the TEA is moving toward a position that would require children of staff members to live within the transfer boundaries to be eligible for enrollment. VOTE ON MOTION: The motion carried by a vote of 4-1, with Trustee Corson voting in opposition. 7. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE 2008 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING SCHEDULE. Mayor Bradley introduced the item and asked for a motion. Head of School Brizuela advised the Board that she is requesting one additional meeting to be held on June 23, 2008, to discuss the proposed FY 2008-09 budget. MOTION: Trustee Redding made a motion to approve the 2008 Board of Trustees meeting schedule as presented. Trustee Steger seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0. 8. 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 December 10, 2007. B. Review and approve minutes of the School Board of Trustees/Board of Aldermen special meeting held on December 15, 2007. Town of Westlake Board of Trustees Page 5 of 5 Regular Meeting January 14, 2008 C. Review and approve any outstanding bills. MOTION: Trustee Timmerman made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Trustee Maynard seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0. 9. ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business, President Bradley adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m. APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008. Scott Bradle , President ATTEST: Kim utter, TRMC, Town Secretary 41