HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-08 BOT MinMINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
August 11, 2008
PRESENT: President Laura Wheat and Trustees Tim Brittan, Larry Corson, Carol Langdon,
and Rebecca Rollins.
ABSENT: Trustee Don Redding.
OTHERS PRESENT: Chief Executive Officer Thomas Brymer, Head of School Mark
Rosevear, School Attorney Matthew Boyle, Secretary Kim Sutter,
Finance Director Debbie Piper, DPS Director Don Wilson,
Assistant to the Town Manager Ginger Awtry, Director of
Administrative Services Todd Wood, Public Works
Superintendent Jarrod Greenwood, and Assistant to the Head of
School Darcy McFarlane.
1. CALL TO ORDER.
President Wheat called the meeting to order at 6:22 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Wheat led the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
3. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS.
There was no one present wishing to speak.
4. CONSENT AGENDA.
Mayor Wheat introduced the consent agenda and asked for a motion.
a. Review and approve minutes of the School Board of Trustees special meeting held
on May 19, 2008.
Westlake Academy Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2008
Page 2 of 5
b. Review and approve minutes of the School Board of Trustees regular meeting held
on June 9, 2008.
c. Review and approve minutes of the School Board of Trustees special meeting held
on July 14, 2008.
d. Review and approve minutes of the School Board of Trustees special meeting held
on July 28, 2008.
e. Resolution No. 08-11 - Consider a Resolution authorizing Westlake Academy to
join the Region XI Benefits Cooperative.
f. Resolution No. 08-12 - Consider a Resolution amending the current signers on the
Westlake Academy bank account.
Trustee Langdon requested item `B' be considered separately.
MOTION: Trustee Corson made a motion to approve the consent agenda, excluding
item B. Trustee Rollins seconded the motion. The motion carried by a
vote of 4-0.
MOTION: Trustee Corson made a motion to approve consent agenda item B as
presented. Trustee Rollins seconded the motion. The motion carried by
a vote of 4-0.
5. HEAR REPORT REGARDING WESTLAKE ACADEMY SCHOOL UNIFORM
PROVIDERS.
CEO Tom Brymer advised the Board that parents have been advised of an alternative to
acquire school uniforms.
Assistant to the Head of School Darcy McFarlane stated that the decision was made to
allow for the purchase of school uniforms from both French Toast and Mills as a result
of feedback received from parents regarding service concerns.
Board discussion ensued regarding the item.
Trustee Rollins suggested that surveys might be utilized in the future to determine
satisfaction with services.
6. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FY 2008-2009
PROFESSIONAL SALARY SCALE.
Director of Administrative Services Wood Addressed the Board regarding item. Mr.
Wood advised the Board that the proposed salary scale is within 3% of the median of
surveyed districts, and is recommended in order to remain competitive with surrounding
school districts.
Westlake Academy Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2008
Page 3 of 5
Discussion ensued with regard to pay for performance, stipends for international
teachers, teacher recruitment and turnover.
Mr. Wood responded that pay for performance has not been a consideration in the past,
and international teachers qualify for a $9,000 per year stipend. Additionally, local
recruitment is accomplished through advertising in the Town's paper of record and the
website.
MOTION: Trustee Brittan made a motion to approve Resolution No. 08-13,
approving the FY 2008-2009 Professional Salary Scale. Trustee Rollins
seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
7. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ESTIMATED YEAR-END
BUDGET FOR WESTLAKE ACADEMY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
AUGUST 31, 2008, AND ADOPTING THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 2009.
Head of School Mark Rosevear addressed the Board regarding the item and presented
the following program objectives:
o To establish IB Diploma Programme
o To maintain existing high standards of education
o To work on PYP evaluation (required five (5) years after authorization)
o To establish policy documents
o To establish an organized working structure at the Academy
o To aid the Westlake Academy Foundation in raising the funds for the Arts and
Sciences Center building.
Mr. Rosevear expressed his appreciation to Finance Director Piper, Assistant to the
Head of School McFarlane, and former Head of School Brizuela for their assistance in
preparing the budget.
Finance Director Piper presented the proposed budget to the Board. Mrs. Piper advised
the Board that the increase in revenue is a result of increased enrollment (367 to 420).
Mr. Rosevear advised the Board that class sizes will not exceed 20 students.
Discussion ensued with regard to the size of enrollment in grades 9, 10, and 11, the need
for additional teachers with the addition of grade 12, sports offerings, and availability of
grants.
Mr. Rosevear advised the Board that the proposed budget contemplates an increase in
staff from 41'/2 to 46'/2, and includes the addition of a Spanish teacher,
Humanities/English teacher, and 1'/2 administrative positions.
Mrs. Piper advised the Board that the projected number of days in the operating fund is
74 as opposed to 41 in the 2007-2008 FY Budget.
Westlake Academy Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2008
Page 5 of 5
Discussion ensued with regard to the process for submitting items for discussion.
MOTION: Trustee Corson made a motion to recess the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Trustee Rollins seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-
0.
Mayor Wheat reconvened the meeting at 8:46 p.m.
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION.
President Wheat recessed the regular session of the Town of Westlake Board of
Trustees meeting at 8:46 p.m., as Attorney Matthew Boyle 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 Wheat convened the executive session at 8:48 p.m. The executive session
adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
11. RECONVENE MEETING.
President Wheat reconvened the meeting at 10:09 p.m.
12. ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business to come before the Board, President Wheat asked for a
motion to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION: Trustee Brittan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Langdon
seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
President Wheat adjourned the meeting at 10:10 p.m.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2008.
La a Wheat, President
ATTE
Sutter, TRMC, Town Secretary