HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-10-15 BOT MinPRESENT:
ABSENT:
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
August 10, 2015
President Laura Wheat, Trustees: Alesa Belvedere, Carol Langdon, Rick
Rennhack, and Wayne Stoltenberg.
Michael Barrett
OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent Tom Brymer, Assistant to the Superintendent
Amanda DeGan, Board Secretary Kelly Edwards, Executive
Principal & Director of Education Dr. Mechelle Bryson, MYP
Principal Dr. Andra Barton, PYP Principal Rod Harding, DP
Principal/Coordinator Stacy Stoyanoff, Director of Information
Technology Jason Power, Facility and Parks & Recreation Director
Troy Meyer, Director of Communications & Community Affairs
Ginger Awtry, Director of HR & Administrative Services Todd
Wood and Communications Specialist Susan McFarland.
Work Session
1. CALL TO ORDER
President Wheat called the work session to order at 5:14 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Wheat led the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
3. REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE AUGUST 10, 2015, TRUSTEES
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA.
Discussion ensued regarding Item 3c - reasons for changing in Janitorial services
companies.
Discussion ensued regarding Item 3b - revisions to policies of the Family Medical Leave
Act (FMLA) and employees absences both sick and personal days.
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4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a. HOC Annual Update.
Dr. Bryson asked that this item be moved to the September meeting.
b. Discussion regarding the MYP, STARR and EOC results.
Principal Harding provided an overview of the PYP STARR testing results, reading
scores in G5, critical reading deductive/inductive reasoning, critical thinking,
comparisons to other schools, Lucy Calkins writing program, and boys to girls
testing scores.
The Board asked that next year's report contain predictors each year.
Dr. Barton provided an overview of MYP testing results, benefits of booking English
and Humanities together, writing, self -study completion, and a further review of
Math scores.
c. Discussion regarding the IB Diploma results.
Principal/Coordinator Stoyanoff provided a presentation and overview of the
Diploma Programme results from 2010-2015, adding additional courses, mock
exams, student teacher ratio and impact on scores, teacher data dive and
submitting an action plan for improvement.
d. Discussion regarding Faculty recruitment and retention processes.
Dr. Bryson provided a presentation and overview regarding Faculty recruitment and
retention strategy.
Discussion ensued regarding the meaning of constructivists, potential teachers
explaining a mock lesson to students during the interview process, hiring the right
teachers with or without IB experience, and a monthly event, breakfast with the
Principals.
Superintendent Brymer provided a presentation and overview of the Teacher
Turnover and Student/Teacher Ratios.
Discussion ensued regarding the rate comparisons to private schools if data can be
provided, comparison to other IB schools, regrettable loses, and educating parents
on the type of faculty turnover.
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5. BOARD RECAP / STAFF DIRECTION
- Staff to provide predictions on the annual IB Diploma Results report.
- Human Resources to provide retention data from private schools, if available and show
WA Teacher tenure on the annual retention report.
- Staff to reach out to other schools with a higher than 83% Reading level in G4 and
evaluate their strategies.
6. ADJOURNMENT
President Wheat adjourned the work session at 7:16 p.m.
Regular Session
1. CALL TO ORDER
President Wheat called the regular session to order at 7:47 p.m.
2. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
No one addressed the Board.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Consider approval of the minutes from the June 1, 2015, meeting.
b. Consider approval of Resolution 15-11, Approving Amendments to the Academy
Personnel Manual for the 2015-2016 school year.
c. Consider approval of Resolution 15-12, Authorizing the Town Manager to enter
into an agreement with Pruitt Building Services, Inc. for janitorial services at the
Westlake Academy Campus.
d. Consider approval of Resolution 15-13, Awarding the bid for property/casualty
insurance products and services to Box Insurance Agency for FY 2015-2016.
Discussion ensued regarding the Social Media Policy in the Personnel Manual. Director
Wood stated that the policy is aligned with the Texas Association of School Boards
model handbook which is updated annually.
MOTION: Trustee Stoltenberg made a motion to approve the consent
agenda. Trustee Belvedere seconded the motion. The motion
carried by a vote of 4-0.
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4. PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 15-14, APPROVING
THE ESTIMATED YEAR-END BUDGET FOR WESTLAKE ACADEMY FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 2015 AND ADOPTING THE PROPOSED
BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 2016.
Superintendent Brymer and Director Piper provided a presentation and overview of the
proposed budget.
Discussion ensued regarding the inclusion of the Town's indirect number, average facility
funding per student, showing how the contributions by the WAF are funded, taxes, state
funding, support staff positions, new and restructured staffing, Counselors, professional
consults, communicating the consultant options for Counseling Services, salary increases,
athletic assistance, salary comparisons, Granada economic agreement funds, total cost of
a student including the debt service costs, debt service for technology, survey results
verbiage, and a breakdown of cost per programme.
The Board asked staff to report back regarding MYP Counseling services addressing
parent's concerns.
President Wheat opened the public hearing.
No one address the Board.
President Wheat closed the public hearing.
MOTION: Trustee Langdon made a motion to approve Resolution 15-14.
Trustee Belvedere seconded the motion. The motion
carried by a vote of 4-0.
5. BOARD CALENDAR
- A Faculty reception will be held at Mr. & Mrs. Wheat's home on August 13, 2015,
at 6:00 p.m.
- Rescheduling the October meeting to Tuesday, 20th allowing for the Baja Event to be
held on October 19th
6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Board Member Rennhack
Discussion, review and formally determine Comparison Schools for Westlake
Academy.
Trustee Stoltenberg seconded Trustee Rennhack to discuss this item at a future
meeting.
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Discuss how does Westlake Academy define a great teacher. The measurement
process.
Trustee Rennhack stated that this item had been satisfied in the reports
presented during the work session.
7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, President Wheat asked for a motion to
adjourn the meeting.
MOTION: Trustee Rennhack made a motion to adjourn the regular session.
Trustee Langdon seconded the motion. The motion carried by a
vote of 4-0.
President Wheat adjourned the regular session at 8:57 p.m.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2015.
ATTEST:
Kell} Edwars, Board Secretary
Laura Wheat, President
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