HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-09 BOT MinMINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
February 9, 2009
PRESENT: President Laura Wheat and Trustees Tim Brittan (left at 7:10 p.m. due to a
family emergency), Larry Corson, Carol Langdon, Don Redding, and Rebecca
Rollins.
ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Chief Executive Officer Thomas Brymer, Head of School Mark
Rosevear, School Attorney Stan Lowry, Secretary Kim Sutter,
Administrative Coordinator Darcy MacFarlane, Public Works
Superintendent Jarrod Greenwood, and Finance Director Debbie
Piper.
1. CALL TO ORDER.
President Wheat called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
President Wheat led the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
3. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS.
Mrs. Beth Bonham, 1818 Broken Bend Drive, Westlake, addressed the Board regarding
the proposed field trip policy, specifically regarding the number of field trips per year,
chaperones for overnight field trips, and the ratio of one teacher to 10 students.
Mrs. Melissa Sircar, 804 Timber Lake Circle, Southlake, addressed the Board regarding
the proposed field trip policy, specifically the chaperone/student ratio, excluding parents
from participating in field trips, overnight trips, policy for students who utilize alternate
transportation, and consequences for parents who do not comply with the policy. Ms.
Sircar requested the item be tabled until the concerns raised by the parents can be
addressed.
Westlake Academy Board of Trustees Page 2 of 4
Regular Meeting Agenda
February 9, 2009
Mayor Wheat read letters regarding the proposed field trip policy submitted by:
- Lizann Cundall, 2811 Manchester Lane, Grapevine
- Ann Dunlap, 800 Victoria, Southlake
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 regular meeting held
on January 12, 2009.
MOTION: Trustee Redding made a motion to approve the consent agenda as
presented. Trustee Corson seconded the motion. The motion carried by
a vote of 5-0.
5. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY REGARDING THE
WRITING, AMENDING AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE PARENT/STUDENT
HANDBOOK. (Tabled at the January 12, 2009, meeting).
CEO Brymer presented the item to the Board. Mr. Brymer added that the policy would
charge the Academy staff with identifying and making amendments to the handbook as
needed.
MOTION: Trustee Redding made a motion to approve Resolution No. 09-04,
adopting a policy regarding the writing, amending, and distribution of the
parent/student handbook. Trustee Brittan seconded the motion. The
motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
6. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
WESTLAKE ACADEMY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE
REGION XI EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER TO JOIN IN A MULTI-
REGIONAL PURCHASING COOPERATIVE (MRPC).
HOS Rosevear presented the item to the Board, and added that the agreement permits
Westlake Academy to purchase supplies at discounted prices.
MOTION: Trustee Corson made a motion to approve Resolution No. 09-05,
authorizing the Superintendent of Westlake Academy to enter into a
contract with the Region XI Service Center to join in a multi-regional
purchasing cooperative. Trustee Langdon seconded the motion. The
motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
7. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY REGARDING THE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PERSONNEL DECISIONS.
CEO Brymer presented the item to the Board and stated that the policy is consistent
with today's practices and as well as TEA guidelines.
Westlake Academy Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting Agenda
February 9, 2009
Page 3 of 4
CEO Brymer addressed questions from the Board regarding the policy, specifically
regarding the salary scale and the selection process of new personnel.
Trustee Corson suggested the policy be revised to clarify the Board's role in setting
compensation and the selection process for the hiring of section heads.
In response to Trustee Corson's suggestion, Town Manager Brymer recommended the
following changes to the policy:
1) Add c.) All compensation will be in accordance with the Board approved salary
scales and establishment of new positions shall be approved by the Board.
2) Add d.) The Board shall have input into the process utilized for the selection of
section head positions.
President Wheat suggested language be added to item b) to qualify the word
`qualifications' to include qualifications as identified by the Board.
Town Manager Brymer suggested inserting language to further define qualification as
those established by the Board.
MOTION: Trustee Corson made a motion to approve Resolution 09-06, adopting a
policy regarding the responsibility for personnel decisions with the
changes 1) add c.) All compensation will be in accordance with Board
approved teacher salary scales and establishment of new positions shall
be approved by the Board, 2.) add d.) The Board shall have input into the
process utilized for the selection of section head positions; 3.) Insert
(Excepting those that may be established by the Board) following the
word qualifications under Policy Description (b). Trustee Redding
seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0 (Trustee
Brittan was not present for the vote).
8. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY ESTABLISHING
BOARD PARAMETERS FOR SCHOOL SANCTIONED TRIPS.
CEO Brymer presented the item to the Board, and stated that the policy is intended to
create the framework for the Board's endorsement of field trips to pursue, promote and
enhance IB learning goals for Academy students as well as sets out the parameters by
which trips will be conducted.
Board discussion ensued regarding the need for parent input regarding the policy.
HOS Rosevear recommended teacher input be sought as well.
MOTION: Trustee Rollins made a motion to table consideration of the item pending
discussion at a future workshop. Trustee Langdon seconded the motion.
Westlake Academy Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting Agenda
February 9, 2009
Page 4 of 4
The motion carried by a vote of 4-0 (Trustee Brittan was not present for
the vote).
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
No items were presented for consideration.
10. BOARD CALENDAR.
Mayor Wheat reviewed the Board calendar.
- 2009 Westlake Academy Foundation Gallery Night, An Evening at the
Louvre
o Friday, February 20, 2009; 7:00 prn —11:00 pm at the Marriott
Solana Hotel
- TEA Charter School Orientation Session I
o February 23-25, 2009; Austin
- 12th Annual Charter School Conference
o April 13- 15th, 2009; San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter Hotel
- TEA Charter School Orientation Session II
o May 4-6, 2009; Austin
11. ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business before the Board, President Wheat asked for a motion to
adjourn.
MOTION: Trustee Rollins made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Langdon
seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0 (Trustee
Brittan was not present for the vote).
President Wheat adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON MARCH 9, 2009.
Laura Wheat, President
ATTES
Kim,Sutter, TRMC, Town Secretary