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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-11-08 BOT MinMINUTES OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS BOARD OF TRUSTEES / ALDERMEN PRE -BOARD MEETING February 11, 2008 PRESENT: President / Mayor Scott Bradley and Trustees / Aldermen Larry Corson, Kevin Maynard, Don Redding, Pete Steger, and Bob Timmerman. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Interim Town Manager Joe Hennig, Head of School Barbara Brizuela, Education Counsel Robert Schulman, Town Secretary Kim Sutter, Financial Services Director Debbie Piper, Facilities and Recreation Director Troy Meyer, DPS Director Don Wilson, Planning and Development Director Eddie Edwards, Public Works Superintendent Jarrod Greenwood, Executive Assistant Ginger Awtry, and Director of Administrative Services Todd Wood. 1. CALL TO ORDER. President / Mayor Bradley called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION. President Bradley recessed the pre -board meeting of the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees at 4:08 p.m., as he read the following items 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. B. The Board will conduct a closed session under Texas Government Code section 551.071 to seek advice of counsel on legal matters involving pending or contemplated litigation, settlement offers, or other legal matters not related directly to litigation or settlement. Town of Westlake Board of Aldermen/Trustees Pre -Board Meeting February 11, 2008 page 2 of 4 President Bradley convened the executive session at 4:09 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 5:12 p.m. 3. RECONVENE MEETING. President Bradley reconvened the meeting at 5:15 p.m. 4. DISCUSS COMPLAINT AND PROCEDURE POLICY FOR THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY. President Bradley introduced Mr. Robert Schulman with Feldman & Rogers, L.L.P. and asked him to address the item. Mr. Robert Schulman gave a brief summary of the rules and laws associated with complaints in Charter schools. Mr. Schulman stated that he has been given direction by the Board to draft a parent and student complaint and procedure policy for the Board's consideration and approval. Mr. Schulman reminded everyone to be cognizant of privacy issues with regard to discussing parent and student complaints. Trustee Timmerman added the he feels problems are better addressed at the level at which they occur, and expressed his desire for open communication, and a better mechanism to conduct surveys of parents, teachers, and students. Mr. Timmerman added that he supports a structured, workable policy. President Bradley suggested that the Board postpone action on this item until Mr. Schulman has had an opportunity to revise the policy. Mr. Bradley added that the proposed policy would be made available to the public prior to consideration by the Board. Trustee Steger expressed his desire to have a discussion in a pre -board meeting concerning the policy. President Bradley suggested the Board hold a special meeting on February 25, 2008, to discuss and consider the complaint and procedure policy. 5. REVIEW OF REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS. A. Board of Trustees Meeting Head of School Brizuela reviewed the Board of Trustees regular meeting agenda with the Board. Interim Town Manager Hennig inquired if staff should be preparing information for the Board related to a survey or exit interviews. MINUTES OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING February 11, 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, Education Counsel Robert Schulman, Secretary Kim Sutter, Finance Director Debbie Piper, Executive Assistant Ginger Awtry, DPS Director Don Wilson, Facilities and Recreation Director Troy Meyer, and Public Works Superintendent Jarrod Greenwood. 1. CALL TO ORDER. President Bradley called the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Bradley recessed the regular session of the Town of Westlake Board of Aldermen and Trustees meeting at 6:13 p.m., as he read the following items 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. B. The Board will conduct a closed session under Texas Government Code section 551.071 to seek advice of counsel on legal matters involving pending or contemplated litigation, settlement offers, or other legal matters not related directly to litigation or settlement. Mayor Bradley convened the executive session at 6:17 p.m. The executive session adjourned at 7:17 p.m. Westlake Academy Board of Trustees February 11, 2008 3. RECONVENE MEETING. Mayor Bradley reconvened the meeting at 7:19 p.m. 4. EXECUTIVE SESSION ACTION. There was no action taken. 5. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS. Page 2 of 5 PYP Student Council members, Isabel Stack and Lauren Valentine, addressed the Board regarding the P.J. Day event hosted at the school on February 6, 2008. The students donated the proceeds from the event ($204.00) to the Westlake Academy Foundation to be applied toward the Arts and Sciences Center project. Mrs. Rebecca Rollins, 13239 Roanoke Road, Westlake, addressed the Board concerning parental involvement in a child's education and specifically referenced chapters 11 and 12 of the Texas Education Code. Mr. Robert Schulman responded to Mrs. Rollins' comments and advised that chapter 11 of the Texas Education Code does not apply to charter schools, then proceeded to explain how chapter 12 of the Code operates relative to open enrollment charter schools. Mrs. Patty Frey, 5400 Yellow Birch Drive, Keller, addressed the Board regarding her family's favorable experience as a Westlake Academy family over the past years. Mr. David Jenkins, 433 Taylor Street, Keller, responded to comments made at the January 28, 2008, Board of Aldermen meeting during the citizens' presentation portion of the meeting. Mr. Rene Rodriquez, 3512 Burts Drive, Fort Worth, addressed the Board regarding his favorable experiences with the Westlake Academy. Ms. Christine Smith, 800 Parkdale Court, Southlake, addressed the Board regarding her family's favorable experience with the Westlake Academy. Ms. Madison Smith, 800 Parkdale Court, Southlake, registered to speak regarding her IB Experience, but was not present to address the Board. Mr. George Ledak, 1220 Mount Gilead Road, Roanoke, addressed the Board regarding an IB college night event hosted by the H -E -B School district, and expressed his support for the Westlake Academy. Mr. Ledak expressed appreciation to Head of School Barbara Brizuela for her efforts associated with the school. Mr. Rick Rennhack, 1762 Hidden Springs Court, Westlake, addressed the Board regarding his children's experience at the Westlake Academy, and expressed his support of the school. Westlake Academy Page 3 of 5 Board of Trustees February 11, 2008 6. HEAR REPORT FROM SCIENCE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS REGARDING THE FIRST WESTLAKE ACADEMY SCIENCE FAIR. Head of School Brizuela introduced the item and advised the Board that the first Westlake Academy Science Fair was held on January 18, 2008, and introduced Mr. Mark LeSurf, MYP Chemistry Teacher. Mr. LeSurf addressed the Board regarding the science fair and introduced Westlake Academy students Taylor Bates, Sabrina Freire, and Joelle Jung. Mr. LeSurf announced that the team won first place in the grade 9-12 division and will compete at the regional competition on March 4, 2008, at the University of North Texas. Westlake Academy students Joelle Jung, Taylor Bates, and Sabrina Freire addressed the Board regarding their science fair project. 7. HEAR REPORT FROM HISTORY TEACHER ABOUT HISTORY DAY. Ms. Heidi Kloempken, MYP Humanities teacher, addressed the Board regarding the Westlake Academy History Day event held on February 11, 2008. 8. HEAR REPORT FROM MYP COUNSELOR ON PSAT SCORES. Ms. Glynda Davis, MYP Counselor, advised that a PSAT test was administered at Westlake Academy in October 2007, and presented the PSAT test scores of the Westlake Academy students who participated in the testing. She stated that these were the best results she had experienced in her many years in public schools. 9. HEAR REPORT FROM MRS. CAROL LANGDON AND STUDENTS ABOUT STUDENT ART FOR GALLERY NIGHT. Mrs. Carol Langdon, 1832 Broken Bend Drive, Westlake, addressed the Board regarding Gallery Night, and showed a few of the student art pieces that will be auctioned to raise funds the Academy. 10. HEAR REPORT FROM JOELLE JUNG AND LELA GANNON ON POETRY PUBLICATION. Westlake Academy student Joelle Jung addressed the Board regarding a poetry contest in which she participated. Ms. Jung read a poem entitled "Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places", and advised the Board that her poem was selected to be published. 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A COMPLAINT POLICY AND PROCEDURE BASED ON RESULTS OF PRE -BOARD MEETING. President Bradley advised that the Board has studied examples of policies adopted by various schools in the area, as well as forms promulgated by the Texas Association of School Boards and others, and has received advice from Robert Schulman, the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees February 11, 2008 Page 4 of 5 Academy's education lawyer. Mr. Schulman is drafting a proposed policy which will be scheduled for consideration at an upcoming Board meeting. Westlake Academy Page 5 of 5 Board of Trustees February 11, 2008 12. DISCUSS PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ADMISSION POLICY. President Bradley advised that the admissions policy has been studied by the Board and Mrs. Brizuela, and Mr. Schulman is drafting a proposed policy that is intended to comply with U. S. as well as Texas policies, which sometimes do not mesh. This item will be scheduled for consideration at an upcoming Board meeting. 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 January 14, 2008. B. Review and approve any outstanding bills. MOTION: Trustee Steger made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Trustee Redding seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0. 14. HEAD OF SCHOOL'S REPORT. Head of School Brizuela recognized the students of Westlake Academy for taking a role in the school, being a positive force and an agent for change. 15. PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES REPORTS AND COMMENTS. Trustee Maynard commended the teachers and staff at Westlake Academy. 16. ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business, President Bradley adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m. APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ON MARCH 10, 2008. Scott Bradley, President ATTEST: im utter, TRMC, Town Secretary Town of Westlake Board of Aldermen/Trustees Pre -Board Meeting February 11, 2008 page 3 of 4 President Bradley responded that the Head of School has spoke with a research company and is expecting a proposal to conduct a survey and exit interviews. B. Board of Aldermen Meeting Interim Town Manager Joe Hennig reviewed the Board of Aldermen regular meeting agenda with the Board and responded to questions from the Board. 7. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE JOINT ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT WITH GRAHAM ASSOCIATES, INC. AND THE CITY OF KELLER, CITY OF SOUTHLAKE AND TOWN OF WESTLAKE FOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN SERVICES REGARDING THE FM 1938 EXPANSION PROJECT. Mayor Bradley recommended the Town pay particular attention to the landscaping along the roadway, and more specifically the Town's ability to supplement the landscape design. Interim Town Manager Hennig advised that TxDOT has typically allowed for upgrades in landscaping designs. Alderman Corson expressed his concern that the Town has been advised this late in the process of a fee increase because of the change to a two phase construction process. 9. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING A BUDGET AMENDMENT AND RELATED AGREEMENT WITH RODGERS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR THE WEST SIDE PUMP STATION IMPROVEMENTS. Interim Town Manager Hennig advised the Board that the project cost exceeds the budgeted amount as the scope of the project has been expanded. Alderman Corson inquired if the improvements represent a complete solution to the problems associated with the pump station, and inquired as to the current utility fund balance. Public Works Superintendent Greenwood responded that the improvements would provide staff the ability to operate the pump station and verify the Fort Worth meter readings. Finance Director Piper responded that the current utility fund balance is $1.3 million. 10. CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE RELEASE OF A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) AS IT RELATES TO THE WESTLAKE ARTS AND SCIENCES CENTER PROJECT. Town of Westlake Board of Aldermen/Trustees Pre -Board Meeting February 11, 2008 page 4 of 4 Interim Town Manager Hennig introduced the item and advised the Board that additional items related to civil engineering and relocation of the utilities will be presented to the Board at a later date. Alderman Corson inquired if the relocation of the utilities would be considered under a separate contract, and if the cost associated with the relocation of the utilities is included in the project cost estimates provided to the Board. Facilities and Recreation Director Meyer responded that a separate contract will be considered for the relocation of the utilities, and the cost is included in the estimates provided to the Board. 11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF A BUILDING COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT TO TOWN STAFF CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING OF MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS. Interim Town Manager Hennig introduced the item. Alderman Maynard suggested including a member from the school and a member of the Westlake Academy Foundation to the committee. Interim Town Manager Hennig requested the Board consider including the Head of School as a member of the committee. 6. HEAD OF SCHOOL REPORT. No report was given. 7. TOWN MANAGER REPORT. No report was given. 8. ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business, Mayor / President Bradley adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m. APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008. AT EST: Scott Brad ey, Mayor / P sident im utter TRMC, Town Secretary / Secretary