HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-28-08 BOT MinMINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING
APRIL 28, 2008
PRESENT: President Scott Bradley and Trustees Larry Corson, Kevin Maynard, Don
Redding, Pete Steger, and Bob Timmerman.
ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Head of School Barbara Brizuela, Board Attorney Stan Lowry,
Secretary Kim Sutter, Facilities and Recreation Director Troy
Meyer, DPS Director Don Wilson, Finance Director 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 6:36 p.m.
2. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS.
President Bradley introduced his mother-in-law, Mrs. Ruth Campbell Pace Norton, who
was in the audience.
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION.
President Bradley recessed the regular meeting of the Westlake Academy Board of
Trustees at 6:37 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
551.071 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.
President Bradley convened the executive session at 6:38 p.m. The executive session
adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
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Special Meeting
April 28, 2008
4. RECONVENE MEETING.
President Bradley reconvened the meeting at 6:51 p.m.
5. HEAR A REPORT FROM THE CAMPUS LEADERSHIP TEAM REGARDING
ITS FIRST INAUGURAL SEMESTER IN THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR.
Head of School Brizuela introduced the item and stated that the leadership team was
formed this year and is made up of three (3) parents, three (3) students, and three (3)
teachers, one from each section of the school (PYP, MYP, and DP), and two (2)
community members. Mrs. Brizuela advised the Board that the President of the Board
of Trustees and the Head of School also sit on the team as non-voting members.
Member Carol Langdon reviewed the current members on the Team:
- Carol Langdon, non-voting member
- Derrell Johnson, community member
- Dr. Cynthia Tech, MYP/DP teacher
- Simon Aisthorpe, MYP/DP teacher
- Livia Miller, PYP teacher
- Blanco Labato, community member
- Amanda DeGan, MYP/DP parent
- Maureen Rodriquez, DP parent
- Cristia Duncan, PYP/MYP parent
- Isabelle Stack, student (G5)
- Summer Sherrod, student (G7)
- James Grover, student (G10)
- President of School Board of Trustees
- Head of School
Mr. Simon Aisthorpe advised that the Team has developed a mission statement:
The Campus Leadership Team will facilitate the flow and exchange of ideas
between members of the Westlake Academy community, which includes students,
staff, parents, and Westlake residents and plan and implement ways to increase
the schools effectiveness in allowing students to maximize their potential.
Additionally, Mr. Aisthorpe advised the Board that the Team has adopted bylaws that
include general powers, composition and selection of members and terms, and the role
of each committee member. Other initiatives of the Team include the expansion of the
newcomers guide as a tool to ease the introduction of students to the Academy, setting
Student Council deadlines, and raising community awareness.
6. PRESENTATION BY EDITORS OF BLACK COW REGARDING UIL
i AWARDS.
Head of School Brizuela introduced Editor -in -Chief Taylor Jolissaint (G10), Nick Ford
(G9), and Mr. Dave Lieber.
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Special Meeting
April 28, 2008
Page 3 of 4
Ms. Taylor Jolissaint advised the Board that The Black Cow staff members recently
attended workshop sessions in Austin. Ms. Jolissaint announced that the paper was
presented with 47 awards, including one award of distinguished merit. In closing, Ms.
Jolissaint expressed her appreciation to the Board and the community for their support.
Mr. Nick Ford, Design Editor, advised the Board that he was presented with 13 awards,
and expressed his appreciation to Mr. Dave Lieber for his support.
Mr. Lieber recognized Sarah Malik (G7) for her top award in the category of student art
and Nick Ford for his 13 awards, and announced that newspaper staff members will be
recognized by the Tarrant County Commissioner's Court on May 6, 2008, and the
annual awards banquet will be held on May 24, 2008, at Austin Ranch.
7. HEAR REPORT FROM STUDENTS REGARDING RESULTS OF STUDENT
PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE SCIENCE FAIR.
Head of School Brizuela introduced Westlake Academy students and 2008 Exxon
Mobile Science Fair event participants' Mimi Jacobs (G7) and Taylor Braun (G7).
Mimi Jacobs addressed the Board and stated that the event was held in San Antonio,
Texas, with more than 1,500 students participating.
Taylor Braun addressed the Board and announced that the team placed fourth in the
team projects category, and expressed her appreciation to Mr. David Jenkins, Dr.
Cynthia Tech, and Mrs. Dana Braun for their support.
8. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE
ACADEMY 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 Steger made a motion to approve Resolution 08-09, authorizing
the President of the Board of Trustees to execute a contract on behalf of
the Academy with an educational consultant to help resolve an issue with
the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for a term of two (2) months.
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 7:12 p.m.
Town of Westlake Board of Trustees Page 4 of 4
Special Meeting
April 28, 2008
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ON MAY 19, 2008.
Scott Bradley, ffresident
ATTEST:
Ki Sutter,fiRMC, Town Secretary