HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-14-08 BOT MinMINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 14, 2008
PRESENT: President Scott Bradley and Trustees Larry Corson, Kevin Maynard, Pete Steger,
and Bob Timmerman.
ABSENT: Trustee Don Redding.
OTHERS PRESENT: Head of School Barbara Brizuela, Board Attorney Stan Lowry,
Secretary Kim Sutter, Facilities and Recreation Director Troy
Meyer, DPS Director Don Wilson, Director of Financial Services
Debbie Piper, Director of Administrative Services Todd Wood,
and Assistant to the Town Manager Ginger Awtry.
1. CALL TO ORDER.
President Bradley called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
2. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS.
There was no one present wishing to address the Board.
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION.
President Bradley recessed the regular meeting of the Westlake Academy Board of
Trustees at 6:09 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, specifically related to the contract for the new
Head of School.
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, specifically related to the Texas Education Agency ruling.
Town of Westlake Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2008
Page 2 of 6
President Bradley convened the executive session at 6:09 p.m. The executive session
adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
4. RECONVENE MEETING.
President Bradley reconvened the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
5. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE
ACADEMY WITH THE SOLE FINALIST TO BECOME THE NEW HEAD OF
SCHOOL.
President Bradley introduced the item and asked for a motion.
MOTION: Trustee Timmerman made a motion to approve Resolution No. 08-07,
authorizing the President of the Board of Trustees to execute a contract
on behalf of the Academy with the sole finalist to become the new Head
of School. Trustee Steger seconded the motion. The motion carried by a
vote of 4-0.
6. DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON WESTLAKE ACADEMY EXIT
INTERVIEW PROCESS.
Head of School Brizuela advised the Board that a quote was received to conduct
interviews for the Town and the School and included an on-line survey.
Trustee Corson advised that the Board discussed the exit interview process at the
February 25, 2008, Town pre -board meeting and that it was suggested that more bids be
considered and the possibility of contacting a university to develop the interviews
questions.
Trustee Timmerman inquired if a separate process should be followed for employees
versus students and their families.
Director of Administrative Services Wood advised the Board that the Town currently
conducts exit interviews internally for Town employees, and stated that from a human
resources perspective, town and school employees should abide by the same basic core
of guiding principles. With regard to students and their families, Mr. Wood advised the
Board that human resources is not typically involved, but a similar process can be
followed.
Trustee Timmerman asked Mr. Wood if he would be comfortable conducting exit
interviews with Academy employees.
Mr. Wood advised the Board that a list of objectives and input from the Board on how
they would like to receive the data would be needed in order to conduct interviews with
exiting Academy employees.
Town of Westlake Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2008
Page 3 of 6
Trustee Steger recommended that further action be put on hold until the new Town
Manager arrives.
Trustee Maynard stated that he did not expect the Town to conduct the interviews with
exiting families, and expressed his support of a parent -led group to survey Westlake
Academy families throughout the year.
Trustee Corson expressed his support to utilize a third party to conduct the interviews
with exiting families.
Trustee Timmerman suggested the Board consider utilizing a university to design the
interviews.
President Bradley asked if the Board would like to consider including families who
participated in the interviews in the past.
Trustee Corson responded that he supports including any data from the past or present
that contributes to the overall success of the Academy.
7. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HEAD OF SCHOOL TO
ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH AN EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT TO
HELP RESOLVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY
(TEA).
President Bradley introduced the item and asked for a motion.
MOTION: Trustee Timmerman made a motion to approve Resolution No. 08-08,
authorizing the President of the Board of Trustees to negotiate a contract
with an educational consultant to help resolve an issue with the Texas
Education Agency (TEA). Trustee Corson seconded the motion. The
motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
8. HEAR REPORT FROM TENNIS COACH TIFFANY DEVIVO AND MEMBERS
OF THE TENNIS TEAM CONCERNING THE TEAM'S ACHIEVEMENTS AT
THE STATE TOURNAMENT.
Westlake Academy Tennis Coach Tiffany Devivo addressed the Board regarding the
Academy's tennis program. Mr. Devivo advised the Board that the tennis program has
generated a significant amount of interest from the students.
Mr. Devivo reported that four members of the team participated in the Trinity Christian
Academy State Tennis Tournament and placed as follows:
- Patrick Watson (G9) — First Place — Boys Consolation
- Olivia Flowers (G10) -Second Place— Girls Consolation
- Tyler Springer (G10) — Semi-finals Consolation Round
- Joelle Jung (G9) — First Place — Girls Singles
Town of Westlake Board of Trustees Page 4 of 6
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2008
Joelle Jung shared her experience as a participant in the tournament.
The Board and those in attendance congratulated the students.
Head of School Brizuela expressed her appreciation to Ms. Devivo for her leadership in
coaching the tennis team.
9. HEAR REPORT FROM GOLF COACHES BOB KAI AND JUAN CARLOS
HERRERA AND MEMBERS OF THE GOLF TEAM CONCERNING THE
TEAM'S ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT.
Mr. Juan Carlos Herrera and Mr. Bob Kai addressed the Board regarding the item.
Mr. Herrera advised the Board that the golf team has participated in three (3) golf
tournaments, and one team finished third in the regional competition and advanced to
the state tournament.
The following members were present:
- Kent Bordelon (G10) — 19th place at state tournament
- Noah Rollins (G10)
- Kyle Applegate (G7)
- Jonah Rollins (G7)
- Tyler Tews (G9) — 6th place at state tournament
The following members were not in attendance:
- Andrew Venezio (G) — 18th phlace at state tournament
- Michael Chandra (G7) — 20t place at state tournament
- Connor Smith (G7)
- Nicole Stevens (G9) — qualified for state, but was not able to participate.
- Anisha Chandra (G10)
- Tyler Springer (G 10)
10. HEAR REPORT FROM MICHAEL AND MATTHEW SHIN REGARDING
THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE STATE MATH COMPETITION.
Special Education teacher Deborah Peebles addressed the Board regarding the item and
introduced Michael and Matthew Shin who addressed the Board regarding their recent
experience as participants in the state math competition.
Michael Shin (G6) advised the Board that he placed first in General Mathematics and
second in Number Sense. Michael expressed his appreciation to his math coach, his
parents, and his brother.
Matthew Shin (G7) advised the Board that he placed first in General Mathematics and
fourth in Number Sense.
Town of Westlake Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2008
Page 5 of 6
Additionally, Ms. Peebles announced that the two member team, placed fourth in
General Mathematics and fifth in Number Sense. Ms. Peebles pointed out that most
teams consist of four (4) participants.
11. HEAR REPORT FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL CONCERNING THE TAKS TEST
RESULTS.
Head of School Brizuela addressed the Board regarding the item, and reviewed the 2008
preliminary TAKS results:
Grade
Met Standard
WA
Met -State
Commended
WA
Commended
State
Perfect Score
WA
3
100%
88%
68%
38%
13.2%
5
100%
83%
58%
29%
9.7%
8
100%
92%
79%
51%
18%
Head of School Brizuela announced that three Westlake Academy students, representing
two teams participated in the state level Science Fair and one of the teams placed fourth
at the event.
Head of School Brizuela announced that 21 students from the American School of
Bilboa arrived in town and are staying with host families. Mrs. Brizuela added that
students from the Westlake Academy will visit Bilboa in May.
Additionally, Mrs. Brizuela announced that following the flag raising ceremony today, a
tree was planted surrounded by a hexagon bench in memory of Taylor Moon.
12. CONSENT AGENDA.
President Bradley introduced the item and asked for a motion.
A. Review and approve minutes of the School Board of Trustees pre -board and regular
meetings held on March 10, 2008.
B. Review and approve any outstanding bills.
MOTION: Trustee Steger made a motion to approve the consent agenda as
presented. Trustee Maynard seconded the motion. The motion carried
by a vote of 4-0.
Head of School Brizuela asked that a correction be made to the regular meeting minutes
with regard to item #5 to correct the title of Ms. Deborah Peebles to Special Education
teacher.
Town of Westlake Board of Trustees Page 6 of 6
Regular Meeting
April 14, 2008
VOTE ON
MOTION: The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
13. ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business, President Bradley adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ON MAY 5, 2008.
Scott Bradl , President
ATTEST:
*iSutter, TRMC, Town Secretary