HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-06 BOT Agenda PacketJOINT WORKSHOP MEETING
OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
AND THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY FOUNDATION
AGENDA
NOVEMBER 13, 2006
3:30 P.M.
BOARD ROOM -TOWN HALL
2650 J.T. OTTINGER ROAD
2. HEAR REPORT OF BLACKSMITH APPRENTICE PROGRAM RESULTS.
3. DISCUSS DIRECTION OF FOUNDATION AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS.
3. ADJOURNMENT.
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the above notice was posted on the front door of the Town Hall of the Town of
Westlake, 2650 J.T. Ottinger Road, Westlake, Texas, on Friday, November 10, 2006, at 3 p.m.,
under the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
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Ginger R. ry, Acting Secretary
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WORKSHOP
AGENDA
NOVEMBER 13, 2006
4:30 P.M.
BOARD ROOM -TOWN HALL
2650 J.T. OTTINGER ROAD
2. DISCUSS FORMATION OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY ATHLETIC BOOSTERS
CLUB.
3. ADJOURNMENT.
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the above notice was posted on the front door of the Town Hall of the Town of
Westlake, 2650 J.T. Ottinger Road, Westlake, Texas, on Friday, November 10, 2006, at 3 p.m.,
under the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
C",
Ginger R.4:!,A�cting Secretary
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
AGENDA
NOVEMBER 139 2006
6:00 P.M.
BOARD ROOM - TOWN HALL
2650 J.T. OTTINGER ROAD
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The Board will conduct a closed session under Texas Government Code section .551.074
to discuss personnel matters.
3. RECONVENE MEETING.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION ACTION.
5. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS: This is an opportunity for citizens to address the
Board on any matter whether or not it is posted on the agenda. The Board cannot by law
take action nor have any discussion or deliberations on any presentation made to the
Board at this time concerning an item not listed on the agenda. Any item presented may
be noticed on a future agenda for deliberation or action.
6. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2005/2006
ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT FROM STOVALL, GRANDEY, & ALLEN, LLP.
7. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CHANGE TO THE
AUTHORIZED SIGNERS ON THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BANK ACCOUNT
WITH FIRST FINANCIAL BANK.
8. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADDITION OF AN
EMPLOYEE SICK LEAVE POOL TO THE CURRENT WESTLAKE
ACADEMY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PACKAGE.
9. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING WESTLAKE ACADEMY'S OPEN -
ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOLS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
10. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE
ADMISSION POLICY AND TO THE UNIFORM POLICY IN THE 2006/2007
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK.
11. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INSTALLATION OF THE
ACTRADIO PROGRAM.
12. CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed below are considered routine by the Board and
will be enacted with one motion. There will be no separate discussion of items unless a
Board member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the
general order of business and considered in its normal sequence.
A. Review and approve minutes of the School Board of Trustees meetings held
August 24, 2006, August 28, 2006, September II, 2006 and the School Board of
Trustees workshop held October 10, 2006.
B. Review and approve any outstanding bills.
13. ADJOURNMENT.
1 certify that the above notice was posted on the bulletin board at the front of the Town Hall of
the Town of Westlake, 2650 J.T. Ottinger Road, Westlake, Texas, on Friday, November 10,
2006, at 5 p.m., under the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
Ginger R. A ry, Acting Secretary
If you plan to attend this public meeting and have a disability that requires special needs, please
advise the Town Secretary 48 hours in advance at 817-490-5710 and reasonable
accommodations will be made to assist you.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
ITEM
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
MEMO
Honorable President and Members of the Board of Trustees
Barbara Brizuela, Head of School
Debbie Piper, Finance Director
November 7, 2006
School Board Meeting of November 13, 2006
Consider a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2005/2006 annual audit report from
Stovall, Grandey & Allen, LLP.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval.
BACKGROUND
Stovall, Grandev & Allen, CPAs have completed the Westlake Academy 2005-2006
annual financial audit report. As in prior years, we again had no "Findings", reportable
conditions nor material weaknesses to be reported to TEA. Findings are items required
by TEA to be reported regarding TEA compliance, large variances in budget vs. actual
balances, etc. TEA doesn't necessarily look upon these as bad (they require an
explanation of all "Findings" and review in subsequent years), but it certainly looks good
for the Academy not to have any for the current year.
They will however, verbally report to the board the lack of board member training and
the non -removal of Ginger Crosswy from the bank's signature card upon her leaving the
Town. These are items that did not affect the integrity of the audit but need to be
addressed prior to their arrival to perform the FY 2006-2007 audit.
Upon review of the financials, it should be noted that our ending fund balance increased
by $195,628 providing a fund balance of $427,720 for the year ended August 31, 2006.
Of this amount, $374,734 represents our cash balance.
Expenditures increased 20% from FY 2005 and revenues increased by 17%. Please
review the Management Discussion and Analysis document included in the audit for
additional statistical information and Academy achievements during the year ended
August 31, 2006.
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION NO. 06-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY
APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2005/2006 ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT FROM
STOVALL, GRANDEY & ALLEN, LLP.
WHEREAS, Section 7.3.6 of the Data Collection & Reporting section of the
Financial Accountability System Resource Guide Update 11.0 requires that the annual financial
and compliance report be audited by an independent auditor; and
WHEREAS, Section 7.3.6 of the Data Collection & Reporting section of the
Financial Accountability System Resource Guide Update 11.0 requires the audit report be
submitted to the Division of School Financial Audits of TEA no later than 150 days after the
close of the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the audit report must be approved by the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, a representative of Stovall, Grandey & Allen has appeared before the
Board of Trustees and has satisfactorily responded to all questions propounded by the Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: That the Board of Trustees of w'estlake Academy does hereby approve the
fiscal year 2005/2006 annual audit report from Stovall, Grandey & Allen, LLP.
SECTION 2: That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 13th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006.
ATTEST:
Ginger Awtry, Acting Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Stanton Lowry, Attorney
Scott Bradley, President
Barbara L. Brizuela, Head of School
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
MEMO
TO: Honorable President and Members of the Board of Trustees
FROM: Barbara Brizuela, Head of School
Debbie Piper, Finance Director
DATE: November 7, 2006
SUBJECT: School Board Meeting of November 13, 2006
ITEM
Consider a resolution approving a change to the authorized signers on the Westlake Academy
depository account.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval.
BACKGROUND
Due to the dissolution of Westlake Academy's CEO position. it is necessary to remove that position
as an authorized signer on the school's bank account.
It is recommended that the Head of School be appointed as an authorized signer to this account due
to the change in structure. The Finance Director will continue to be the primary signer on the
account, with the Head of School signing checks over $10,000 or in the event that a check must be
processed in an emergency.
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION NO. 06-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WESTLAKE
ACADEMY APPROVING A CHANGE TO THE AUTHORIZED SIGNERS OF
THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT.
WHEREAS, authorized signers of the Westlake Academy depository account
may require amendments at certain times due to changes in structure and/or personnel;
and
WHEREAS, the dissolution of the CEO position of Westlake Academy
necessitates the appointment of an additional authorized signer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: That the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy does hereby
appoint Barbara L. Brizuela and Debbie J. Piper as authorized signers of the Westlake
Academy depository account with First Financial Bank.
SECTION 2: That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 13TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006.
ATTEST:
Ginger R. Awtry, Acting Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Stanton Lowry, Town Attorney
Scott Bradley, President
Barbara L. Brizuela, Head of School
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
MEMO
TO: Honorable President and members of the Board of Trustees
FROM: Barbara Brizuela, Head of School
DATE: November 9, 2006
SUBJECT: Meeting on November 13, 2006
ITEM
Consider a resolution authorizing the addition of an employee sick leave pool to the current Westlake
Academy employee benefit package.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval.
BACKGROUND
An employee sick leave pool is a benefit that commonly exists in many public entities. The purpose of
this benefit is to provide additional sick leave days to members of the bank in the event of catastrophic
illness, surgery, or temporary disability due to an injury. Employees may request leave from the bank
after all accrued, earned paid leave from their individual leave banks have been exhausted.
Employees join the bank by donating a minimum of two (2) days of local leave. In the event of
catastrophic illness or injury of the member, or of a person in the member's immediate family (as
defined in the policy), the employee may submit a request for days from the bank. Members of the
bank are eligible to apply for up to 15 days of additional pard leave from the Sick Leave Bank for
catastrophic illness or injury, and can apply for a second leave of 10 days during the year.
The Westlake Academy Sick Leave Pool will be different from most public entities in that it will also be
building a maternity leave bank with fewer number of days offered. The staff at the Academy wishes to
support working mothers being able to stay at home with newborns. The Westlake Academy Sick Leave
Pool will be governed internally by a policy document and an elected Board. In the event of
catastrophic illness or injury, or of pregnancy, employees may request additional Ieave time by
submitting a designated form to the Head of School. When an application is received, the Board will
meet to review the application and supporting documentation to determine if the request meets the
criteria defined in the Sick Leave Pool Policy. A simple majority vote of the Board will approve or
deny all requests. Once a determination has been made, the WALB Board will notify the applicant of
the approval or disapproval of the days.
The Sick Leave Bank will be funded by leave days that are not transferable to other districts, and must
be used during employment at Westlake Academy. These unused days are currently forfeited by the
employee when employment terminates. This policy provides a way for employees to assist others at a
time when it is needed most.
Exhibit "A" details the proposed Westlake Academy Sick Leave Pool policy
Westlake Academy
EMPLOYEE SICK LEAVE BANK OVERVIEW
The purpose of the Westlake Academy Sick Leave Bank is to provide additional sick leave days to
members of the bank in the event of catastrophic illness, surgery, or temporary disability due to an
injury. Days may be requested from the bank only after the member has exhausted all accumulated
state and local sick leave, personal business, vacation and extended leave days. Employees wishing
to join the bank donate two or more days of local leave. (Current members of the bank will remain in
the bank unless a signed withdrawal request is returned to the Payroll Department.)
Should there be a catastrophic illness or injury of the member, or of a person in the member's
immediate family (as defined in the policy), necessitating the need for additional days after all
accumulated state and local sick leave, personal, vacation (if applicable) and extended leave days (if
applicable) have been used, the member may submit a request for days from the Bank. Applications
may be submitted by the member twice during the school year. Members of the bank are eligible to
apply for fifteen days per school year with an option to apply for up to ten additional days (pro -rated
for regular employees working less than five days per week). Pregnancy and maternity will be
covered by the Bank as a separate consideration from catastrophic illness or injury. Members may
request a maximum of five days per academic year for pregnancy or maternity leave.
Request forms are available from the school office, or from the Human Resources Department.
Requests should be submitted to the Head of School, who will coordinate a meeting of the Sick
Leave Board. The Board will review the application and supporting documentation to determine if
the request fits within Board Policy. Once a determination has been made, the Board will notify the
applicant of the approval or disapproval of the days.
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION NO. 06-17
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WESTLAKE
ACADEMY AUTHORIZING THE ADDITION OF AN EMPLOYEE SICK
LEAVE POOL PROGRAM TO THE CURRECT WESLAKE ACADEMY
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PACKAGE.
WHEREAS, the goal of Westlake Academy is to provide policies and benefits
that are competitive to surrounding school districts; and
WHEREAS, Westlake Academy desires to implement policies and benefits
which assist employees in the event of pregnancy and/or catastrophic illness of injury.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: That the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy does hereby
approve the creation of the Westlake Academy Sick Leave Pool program.
SECTION 2: That the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy does hereby
approve Exhibit "A", specifying the policies and procedures by which the Westlake
Academy Sick Leave Pool program will be governed.
SECTION 3: That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 13TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006,
ATTEST:
Ginger R. Awtry, Acting Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Stanton Lowry, Town Attorney
Scott Bradley, President
Barbara L. Brizuela, Head of School
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
SICK LEAVE BANK POLICY
The Westlake Academy Sick Leave Bank is to provide additional sick leave days to members
of the tank in the event of catastrophic illness, surgery, or temporary disability due to an
injury. Days may be requested from the bank only after the member has exhausted all
accumulated state and local sick leave, personal business, and extended leave days.
II. ELIGIBILITY:
All regularly employed personnel are eligible to participate. Participation is voluntary, but
requires contribution to the bank.
III. ENROLLMENT:
Open enrollment to the bank shall begin from the beginning of each school year through
September 30. New employees hired during a school year may enroll in the bank within 30
days of employment. Those employees who elect not to enroll in the bank shall not be
permitted to enroll until the following annual open enrollment period.
IV. CONTRIBUTIONS:
.Any employee who is eligible to enroll in the Westlake Academy Sick Leave Bank may do so
by donating two or more days of his or her accrued local sick leave days the first year and one
day each year thereafter (pro -rated for regularly employed personnel working less than 40
hours per week) as needed to maintain days in the bank equal to double the number of
bank's members. Any member, however, using 15 or more days from the bank must donate
two local sick leave days at the beginning of the next school year to be reinstated in WSLB.
The days donated will be subtracted from the member's total local sick days. ALL donations
will remain in force and cannot be returned, even upon cancellation of membership.
V. RULES AND PROCEDURES:
A. Should there be a catastrophic illness or injury to the member, or of a person in the
member's immediate family (as defined in the policy), necessitating the need for
additional days after all accumulated state and local sick leave, personal, and extended
leave days (if applicable) have been used, the member may submit a request for days
from the bank. Requests should be made through the Head of School.
B. A member who requests days from the bank must submit to the Head of School within
30 days, forms containing the following information.
1. A statement signed by the member attesting to the fact that the condition which
necessitated the request for days from the bank was unknown to the employee at
the time he/she became a member of the bank.
2. Completion of the attending physician's statement which includes:
a. Identification of the nature of the illness and/or extent of injury.
b. Date of initial onset of this particular condition.
C. Anticipated date eligible to return to work on a full or part-time basis.
d. Statement from the physician that the condition is not a pre-existing
condition. This statement is waived for the 2006 initial enrollment period and
for new employees at their first opportunity to join the bank.
3. Anticipation of days, if any for follow-up examinations (May be limited by the
Board of Directors).
C. Forms for the above purposes have been prepared and are available from the school
office or Human Resources Department.
D. The Board of Directors may refuse to consider an application that does not contain the
required information.
E. If the member is critically ill and unable to file an application for sick leave days from
the bank, the Head of School may initiate the application form at the request of the
family.
F. An applicant may be required to undergo a medical review by a second opinion
physician of the Board's choice at any time, at the member's expense.
G. Granting of days from the bank.
1. Conditions known to exist by the employee on or before the date of joining the Sick
Leave Bank will not be covered under provisions of the Sick Leave Bank. This
statement is waived for the 2006 initial enrollment period and for new employees at
their first opportunity to joint the bank.
2. Sick leave days from the Bank will be granted only after the member has exhausted
all accumulated state and local sick leave days, personal days, or any other form of
paid leave. Members must also incur five days of uncompensated absence before
requesting time from the Bank.
3. Days from the Bank shall be granted only for catastrophic illness, surgery,
maternity, and other temporary disability due to an injury.
4. ` Sick Leave Bank days shall be granted only for absences from working days and
will not be granted for holidays, vacation days or other such days for which a
member is not paid.
5. Sick leave bank grants will not be authorized for illness or disability resulting from
self-inflicted injury or act of war.
6. The maximum number of days that can be granted to any one member of the bank
will be up to fifteen days per school year with an option to apply for up to ten
additional days (pro -rated for regular employees working less than four hours per
day).
7. The bank may not grant more days than its members have contributed.
8. If a member of the sick leave bank qualifies to receive days from the bank due to the
illness of someone in the immediate family as defined in this policy, but has used all
` of the days allowed under the above provision, and if his/her spouse is a member of
the bank and qualifies to receive days for the same illness, the days may be shared
with the spouse who has no more days left. (Personal illness of either employee
does not qualify for sick leave bank sharing of days.)
9. If a request to draw upon the bank is for other than consecutive days of illness, a
separate request, including a physician's statement on the required form, must be
submitted for each period of illness. Each separate application must meet the initial
criteria of just cause.
10. All requests to draw upon the bank must be accompanied by the appropriate
physician's signed statement confirming actual treatment, the cause of illness, and
certification of the existence of a disability to perform assigned duties. Elective
surgery is not included.
11. The Board may request a medical review by a physician at the member's expense.
12. A contributor will lose the right to utilize the benefits of the bank by:
a. Termination of employment at Westlake Academy.
b. Notice of cancellation of participation by the member on the proper form.
e. Being on approved leave of absence.
d. Attempted abuse of the bank and/or its policies.
e. Refusal to continue regular contributions.
H. Pregnancy/Maternity requests.
I . Pregnancy and maternity will be covered by the bank as a separate consideration
from catastrophic illness or injury. Members may request a maximum of five days
per academic year for pregnancy or maternity leave.
2. Rare complications occurring after and arising from childbirth may be considered by
the Board as a catastrophic injury or illness provided the recovery period requires
longer than six weeks and medical documentation is provided. In these instances,
the Board may grant up to fifteen days per school year with an option to apply for up
to ten additional days (pro -rated for regular employees working less than four hours
per day)
3. The Board may consider pregnancy complications as a catastrophic injury or illness
only in the event that those complications delay the expected return of the employee.
Employees who have made arrangements for maternity leave of a specified length
will not be eligible for this consideration.
4. All policies, procedures and guidelines pertaining to the Sick Leave Bank will apply
to pregnancy or maternity requests.
VI. DEFINITION OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
A. Definition of immediate family.
1. For the purposes of this policy, the term "immediate family" shall include:
a. Spouse.
b. Son, and stepson.
c. Daughter, and stepdaughter.
d. Parents.
e. Any relative who may be residing in the employee's household at the time of
illness or death.
f. Other immediate family as defined in Board Policy may be considered at the
discretion of the Board of Directors.
VII. GOVERNING COMMITTEE:
A. Name.
1. The governing committee, which will approve or disapprove all requests for sick
leave bank days, shall be called "The Westlake Academy Sick Leave Bank Board
of Directors."
B. Composition of membership of Board of Directors.
1. Members of the Board of Directors must be members of the pool to hold office.
2. Voting members of the Board of Directors shall consist of the Head of School,
one classroom teacher, and one non -classroom employee.
C. Term of Office.
The term of office will be two years, with initial members drawing lots for
one or two year terms in order to establish staggered terms. The term of
office shall run from October 1 to September 30. A member may sen e a
maximum of two consecutive terms.
D. EIection procedures.
1. Elections will be held in September. Only members of the bank are eligible to
vote.
2. Members of each group named above may file as candidates from their group.
Candidates must file for office with the Head of School by August 31 of each
year. A form will be provided.
3. Voting will be by secret paper ballot. Ballots will be distributed and returned
through the school mail. The Head of School shall call a meeting of the Board of
Directors to tabulate the ballots no later than one week following the election.
The candidate with the plurality of the vote will be elected.
4. In the event no one files as a candidate for one of the positions on the Board of
Directors, the Board shall fill such position by appointment at the first Board
Meeting following the filing deadline. The selection will be made from the group
which would be represented by the vacant position.
5. If a member of the Board is representing one group on the Board and accepts or is
transferred to a new classification then, he/she must resign his/her position.
E. Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors.
1. At the first meeting of the year for the newly elected Board members, the Board
shall select from its group a chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary. All
applications for sick leave bank days shall be reviewed individually by the Board
in a called meeting.
2. A member may be requested to appear before the Board to substantiate his/her
case.
3. The Board of Directors shall determine the number of days approved up to 40
days and reserves the right to approve, disapprove, or modify the days requested.
4. A member may appeal the decision of the Board by writing a letter to the Human
Resources Office requesting to appear in person before the Board of Directors.
5. The decision of the Board of Directors will be final.
6. Vacancies on the Board of Directors that arise during the school year will be
filled by the person who received the next highest total of votes from the Iast
election. The selection will be made from the group which was represented by the
member who resigned.
7. The Human Resources Manager shall process all approved sick Ieave days for
members through the Payroll Department.
8. The Board of Directors shall review the policies and procedures annually in
March and submit recommended changes to the membership only at the
September election (except as required to comply with School Board Policy or
applicable law). A simple majority of voting members shall decide the issues.
9. Any amended policies and procedures which could have an impact on the district
will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
MEMO
TO: Honorable President and members of the Board of Trustees
FROM: Barbara Brizuela, Head of School
DATE: November 7, 2006
SUBJECT: Meeting of November 13, 2006
Consider a resolution to approve Westlake Academy s Open -Enrollment Charter Schools
Policies and Procedures.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval.
BACKGROUND
The Town and Academy staff has prepared Westlake Academy's Open -Enrollment
Charter Schools Policies and Procedures as required by 34 Code of Federal Regulations
§300.21. The attached document includes the detailed description. Although many of
these policies and procedures have been in effect previously and have been published in
Westlake Academy Charter documents, Staff or Parent -Student Handbooks, Texas
Education Agency nevertheless requires that we file these policies in this enclosed
format.
`W14 4I:Li .__ 0 a u 1
RESOLUTION NO. 06-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WESTLAKE
ACADEMY APPROVING THE OPEN -ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOLS
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL REGULATION
§300.241.
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees is governed by certain Open -Enrollment
Charter Schools Policies and Procedures; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to 34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.201, each Open -
Enrollment Charter School must have on file with the Texas Education Agency its
policies, procedures and programs that are consistent with State policies and procedures
governing authorities, standards, organization and special education.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: That the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy does hereby
approve for filing with the Texas Education Agency the Open -Enrollment Charter
Schools Policies and Procedures, attached as Exhibit "A".
SECTION 2: That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 13th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006.
ATTEST:
Ginger Awtry, Acting Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Stanton Lowry, Attorney
Scott Bradley, President
Barbara L. Brizuela, Head of School
EXHIBIT A
MODEL POLICIES FOR OPEN -ENROLLMENT
CHARTER SCHOOLS
(AS REQUIRED BY 20 U.S.C. 51413(A)(1))
INTRODUCTION
To further promote local initiative, the 1995 revision of the Texas Education Code
(TEC) established a new type of public school, known as a charter school. Charter
schools are subject to fewer state laws than other public schools with the idea of
ensuring fiscal and academic accountability without undue regulation of
instructional methods or pedagogical innovation. Like school districts, charter
schools are monitored and accredited under the statewide testing and
accountability system.
According to the TEC, the purposes of charter schools are to (1) improve student
learning; (2) increase the choice of learning opportunities within the public school
system; (3) create professional opportunities that will attract new teachers to the
public school system; (4) establish a new form of accountability for public schools;
and (5) encourage different and innovative learning methods.
Westlake Academy, assures that it has policies and procedures in place that
ensure implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004
(IDEA) and all federal regulations, Texas laws, State Board of Education (SBOE)
rules, and commissioner's rules concerning students with disabilities receiving
special education services, including those related to the areas listed below, and
further assures that any future amendments to the regulations, laws, and rules
will be incorporated into policies and procedures and implemented by the charter
school.
Westlake Academy adopts as policy the definitions and provisions under State and
Federal law concerning Open -Enrollment Charter School authority and
responsibility, including:
DEFINITIONS
(20 U.S.C. §§1401(6), 1401(27); TEC §12.1012)
With respect to federal and State laws concerning children with disabilities:
(1) The term 'elementary school' means a nonprofit institutional day or residential
school, including a public elementary charter school that provides elementary
education, as determined under State law.
(2) The term `secondary school' means a nonprofit institutional day or residential
school, including a public secondary charter school that provides secondary
education, as determined under State law, except that it does not include any
education beyond grade 12.
LF PERSONNEL STANDARDS Policy LF PERSON 1
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
In addition, in this policy:
�(1)
"Charter holder" means the entity to which a charter is granted under this
subchapter.
(2)
"Governing body of a charter holder" means the board of directors, board of
trustees, or other
(3)
governing body of a charter holder.
"Governing body of an open -enrollment charter
school" means the board of
directors, board of trustees, or other governing body of an
open -enrollment
charter school. The term includes the governing body of a charter holder
if
that body acts as the governing body of the
(4)
open -enrollment charter school.
"Management company" means a person, other than a charter holder,
(5)
who
Provides management services for an open -enrollment charter school.
"Management
services" means services related to the management or
operation of an open -enrollment charter school, including:
(A) Planning, operating, supervising, and evaluating the school's
educational programs, services, and facilities;
(B) Making recommendations to the governing body of the school
relating
to the selection of school
personnel;
(C) Managing the school's day-to-day operations as its administrative
manager;
(D) Preparing and submitting to the governing body of the school a
proposed budget;
(E) Recommending policies to be adopted by the governing body of the
school, developing appropriate
procedures to implement policies
adopted by the governing body of the school, and
overseeing the
implementation of adopted policies; and
(F) Providing leadership for the attainment of student performance at the
school based on the indicators adopted under TEC 39.051 or by the
governing body of the school.
(6)
"Officer of an open -enrollment charter school"
means:
(A) The principal, director, or other chief operating officer of an open -
enrollment charter school;
(B) An assistant principal or assistant director of an open -enrollment
charter school; or
(C) A person charged with managing the finances of an open -enrollment
charter school.
AUTHORITY
(TEC §12.102)
An open -enrollment charter school:
(1) Shall provide instruction to students at one or more elementary or secondary
grade levels as provided by the charter;
(2) Is governed under the governing structure described by the charter;
(3) Retains authority to operate under the charter contingent on satisfactory
student performance as provided by the charter in accordance with TEC
12.111; and
(4) Does not have authority to impose taxes.
LF PERSONNEL STANDARDS Policy LF PERSON 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
GENERAL APPLICABILITY OF LAWS, RULES, AND
ORDINANCES TO OPEN -ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOL
(TEC §12.103)
Except as provided below, an open -enrollment charter school is subject to federal
and state laws and rules governing public schools and to
governing public schools. municipal zoning ordinances
An open -enrollment charter school is subject to the TEC and rules adopted under the
TEC only to the extent the applicability to an open -enrollment charter school of a
provision of TEC or a rule adopted under TEC is specifically provided.
A campus of an open -enrollment charter school located in whole or in part in a
municipality with a population of 20,000 or less is not subject to a municipal zoning
ordinance governing public schools.
IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY
(TEC §12.1056)
In matters related to operation of an open -enrollment charter school, an open -
enrollment charter school is immune from liability to the same extent as a school
district, and its employees and volunteers are immune from liability to the same
extent as school district employees and volunteers. A member of the governing
body of an open -enrollment charter school or of a charter holder is immune from
liability to the same extent as a school district trustee.
CONTENT OF AN OPEN -ENROLLMENT CHARTER
(TEC §12.111)
Each charter granted under this subchapter must:
(1) Describe the educational program to be offered, which must include the
required curriculum as provided by TEC §28.002 (relating to required
curriculum);
(2) Specify the period for which the charter or any charter renewal is valid;
(3) Provide that continuation or renewal of the charter is contingent on
acceptable student performance on assessment instruments adopted under
Subchapter B, Chapter 39 of the TEC (relating to assessment of academic
skills), and on compliance with any accountability provision specified by the
charter, by a deadline or at intervals specified by the charter;
(4) Establish the level of student performance that is considered acceptable for
purposes of (3) above;
(5) Specify any basis, in addition to a basis specified by this subchapter, on which
the charter may be placed on probation or revoked or on which renewal of the
charter may be denied;
(6) Prohibit discrimination in admission policy on the basis of sex, national origin,
ethnicity, religion, disability, academic, artistic, or athletic ability, or the
LF PERSONNEL STANDARDS Policy LF PERSON 3
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
district the child would otherwise attend in accordance with this code,
although the charter may:
(A) Provide for the exclusion of a student who has a documented history of
a criminal offense, a juvenile court adjudication, or discipline problems
under Subchapter A, Chapter 37 of the TEC (relating to alternative
settings for behavior management); and
(B) Provide for an admission policy that requires a student to demonstrate
artistic ability if the school specializes in performing arts;
(7) Specify the grade levels to be offered;
(8) Describe the governing structure of the program, including:
(A) The officer positions designated;
(B) The manner in which officers are selected and removed from office;
(C) The manner in which members of the governing body of the school are
selected and removed from office;
(D) The manner in which vacancies on that governing body are filled;
(E) The term for which members of that governing body serve; and
(F) Whether the terms are to be staggered;
(9) Specify the powers or duties of the governing body of the school that the
governing body may delegate to an officer;
(10) Specify the manner in which the school will distribute to parents information
related to the qualifications of each professional employee of the program,
including any professional or educational degree held by each employee, a
statement of any certification under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, held by each
employee, and any relevant experience of each employee;
(11) Describe the process by which the person providing the program will adopt an
annual budget;
(12) Describe the manner in which an annual audit of the financial and
programmatic operations of the program is to be conducted, including the
manner in which the person providing the program will provide information
necessary for the school district in which the program is located to
participate, as required by this code or by State Board of Education rule, in
the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS);
(13) Describe the facilities to be used;
(14) Describe the geographical area served by the program; and
(15) Specify any type of enrollment criteria to be used.
A charter holder of an open -enrollment charter school shall consider including in the
school's charter a requirement that the school develop and administer personal
graduation plans under TEC §28.0212 (personal graduation plan).
REVISION OF CHARTER
(TEC § 12.114)
A revision of a charter of an open -enrollment charter school may be made only with
the approval of the commissioner.
Not more than once each year, an open -enrollment charter school may request approval
to revise the maximum student enrollment described by the school's charter.
LF PERSONNEL STANDARDS Policy LF PERSON 4
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
GOVERNING BODY OF AN OPEN ENROLLMENT CHARTER
SCHOOL
The governing body of an open -enrollment charter school is responsible for the
management, operation, and accountability of the school, regardless of whether
the governing body delegates the governing body's powers and duties to another
person (TEC §12.121).
The governing body of Westlake Academy, the Westlake Academy Board of
Trustees, agrees to comply with the requirements of the IDEA 2004 and all federal
regulations, Texas laws, State Board of Education (SBOE) rules, and
commissioner`s rules concerning students with disabilities receiving special
education services.
Westlake Academy adopts as policy the provisions under State law concerning the
authority and responsibility of the governing body, including:
BYLAWS AND ANNUAL REPORT
(TEC §12.119)
A charter holder shall file with the State Board of Education a copy of its articles of
incorporation and bylaws, or comparable documents if the charter holder does not
have articles of incorporation or bylaws, within the period and in the manner
prescribed by the board.
Each year within the period and in a form prescribed by the State Board of
Education, each open -enrollment charter school shall file with the board the following
information:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of each officer and member of the
governing body of the open -enrollment charter school; and
(2) The amount of annual compensation the open -enrollment charter school pays
to each officer and member of the governing body.
On request, the State Board of Education shall provide the information required by
this section and TEC 12.111(8) (content of a charter) to a member of the public.
The board may charge a reasonable fee to cover the board's cost in providing the
information.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR OPEN -ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOL
(TEC §12.121)
The governing body of an open -enrollment charter school is responsible for the
management, operation, and accountability of the school, regardless of whether the
governing body delegates the governing body's powers and duties to another person.
LF GOVERNING BODY OF AN OPEN ENROLLMENT Policy LF GOVERN 1
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 11/01/06
LIABILITY OF MEMBERS OF GOVERNING BODY OF OPEN -
ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOL
(TEC §12.122)
Notwithstanding the Texas Non -Profit Corporation Act (Article 1396-1.01 et seq.,
Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) or other law, on request of the commissioner, the
attorney general may bring suit against a member of the governing body of an open -
enrollment charter school for breach of a fiduciary duty by the member, including
misapplication of public funds.
The attorney general may bring suit under for:
(1) Damages;
(2) Injunctive relief; or
(3) Any other equitable remedy determined to be appropriate by the court.
This section is cumulative of all other remedies.
TRAINING FOR MEMBERS OF GOVERNING BODY OF SCHOOL
AND OFFICERS
(TEC §12.123)
The commissioner shall adopt rules prescribing training for:
(1) Members of governing bodies of open -enrollment charter schools; and
(2) Officers of open -enrollment charter schools.
The rules adopted by the commissioner may:
(1) Specify the minimum amount and frequency of the training;
(2) Require the training to be provided by:
(A) The agency and regional education service centers;
(B) Entities other than the agency and service centers, subject to approval
by the commissioner; or
(C) Both the agency, service centers, and other entities; and
(3) Require training to be provided concerning:
(A) Basic school law, including school finance;
(B) Health and safety issues;
(C) Accountability requirements related to the use of public funds; and
(D) Other requirements relating to accountability to the public, such as
open meetings requirements under Chapter 551, Government Code,
and public information requirements under Chapter 552, Government
Code.
LF GOVERNING BODY OF AN OPEN ENROLLMENT Policy LF GOVERN 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
RESTRICTIONS ON SERVING AS A MEMBER OF GOVERNING
BODY OF CHARTER HOLDER OR OPEN -ENROLLMENT
CHARTER SCHOOL OR AS OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
(TEC §12.120)
A person may not serve as a member of the governing body of a charter holder, as a
member of the governing body of an open -enrollment charter school, or as an officer
or employee of an open -enrollment charter school if the person:
(1) Has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
(2) Has been convicted of an offense listed in TEC §37.007(a) (expulsion for
serious offenses);
(3) Has been convicted of an offense listed in Article 62.001(5), Code of Criminal
Procedure; or
(4) Has a substantial interest in a management company.
A person has a substantial interest in a management company if the person:
(1) Has a controlling interest in the company;
(2) Owns more than 10 percent of the voting interest in the company;
(3) Owns more than $25,000 of the fair market value of the company;
(4) Has a direct or indirect participating interest by shares, stock, or otherwise,
regardless of whether voting rights are included, in more than 10 percent of
the profits, proceeds, or capital gains of the company;
(5) Is a member of the board of directors or other governing body of the
company;
(6) Serves as an elected officer of the company; or
(7) Is an employee of the company.
LF GOVERNING BODY OF AN OPEN ENROLLMENT Policy LF GOVERN 3
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE
Westlake Academy understands that renewal of its application depends on the
evaluation of its special education programs under the IDEA. Lack of compliance
with federal statutes, including with the IDEA can result in non -renewal or
revocation of its Charter. The performance of children with disabilities is
considered a critical part of the School's progress toward achieving its overall
performance goals. Westlake Academy understands that it is not free from
regulation and oversight in the area of special education.
Westlake Academy understands that it is fully subject to compliance monitoring
with respect to:
(1) Texas Education Code §29.001(5) relating to the statewide plan for special
education;
(2) Texas Education Code §29.010(a) relating to compliance with federal and
state laws relating to special education;
(3) Texas Education Code §39.074 relating to on-site investigations of the TEA;
and
(4) Texas Education Code §39.075 relating to special accreditation
investigations.
The governing body of an open -enrollment charter school has primary
responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all applicable
requirements of state educational programs (TEC §7.028).
Westlake Academy adopts as policy the provisions under State law concerning
funding and compliance responsibilities of open -enrollment charter schools, and
accepts and understands the possible sanctions for non-compliance, including:
STATE FUNDING
(TEC §12.106)
A charter holder is entitled to receive for the open -enrollment charter school funding
under Chapter 42 (Foundation School Program) as if the school were a school district
without a tier one local share for purposes of TEC §42.253 (distribution of Foundation
School Fund) and without any local revenue ("LR") for purposes of TEC §42.302
(Allotment). In determining funding for an open -enrollment charter school,
adjustments under TEC §§42.102, 42.103, 42.104, and 42.105 and the district
enrichment tax rate ("DTR") under TEC §42.302 are based on the average
adjustment and average district enrichment tax rate for the state.
An open -enrollment charter school is entitled to funds that are available to school
districts from the agency or the commissioner in the form of grants or other
discretionary funding unless the statute authorizing the funding explicitly provides
that open -enrollment charter schools are not entitled to the funding.
The commissioner may adopt rules to provide and account for state funding of open -
enrollment charter schools under this section. A rule adopted under this section may
be similar to a provision of the TEC that is not similar to TEC §12.104(b)
LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy LF FUND COM I
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
(applicability of the TEC to open -enrollment charter schools) if the commissioner
determines that the rule is related to financing of open -enrollment charter schools
and is necessary or prudent to provide or account for state funds.
RECOVERY OF CERTAIN FUNDS
(TEC §12.1061)
The commissioner may not garnish or otherwise recover funds paid to an open -
enrollment charter school under TEC §12.106 (state funding) if:
(1) The basis of the garnishment or recovery is that:
(A) The number of students enrolled in the school during a school year
exceeded the student enrollment described by the school's charter
during that period; and
(B) The school received funding under TEC §12.106 (state funding) based
on the school's actual student enrollment;
(2) The school:
(A) Submits to the commissioner a timely request to revise the maximum
student enrollment described by the school's charter and the
commissioner does not notify the school in writing of an objection to
the proposed revision before the 90th day after the date on which the
commissioner received the request, provided that the number of
students enrolled at the school does not exceed the enrollment
described by the school's request; or
(B) Exceeds the maximum student enrollment described by the school's
charter only because a court mandated that a specific child enroll in
that school; and
(3) The school used all funds received under TEC §12.106 (state funding) to
provide education services to students.
S TA TUS AND USE OF FUNDS
(TEC §12.107)
Funds received under TEC 1§2.106 (state funding) after September 1, 2001, by a
charter holder:
(1) Are considered to be public funds for all purposes under state law;
(2) Are held in trust by the charter holder for the benefit of the students of the
open -enrollment charter school;
(3) May be used only for a purpose for which a school may use local funds under
TEC §45.105(c) (authorized expenditures); and
(4) Pending their use, must be deposited into a bank, as defined by TEC §45.201,
with which the charter holder has entered into a depository contract.
A charter holder shall deliver to the agency a copy of the depository contract
between the charter holder and any bank into which state funds are deposited.
LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy LF FUND COM 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
EFFECT OF ACCEPTING STATE FUNDING
(TEC §12.1071)
A charter holder who accepts state funds under TEC §12.106 (state funding) after
the effective date of a provision of this subchapter agrees to be subject to that
Provision, regardless of the date on which the charter holder's charter was granted.
A charter holder who accepts state funds under TEC §12.106 (state funding) after
September 1, 2001, agrees to accept all liability under this subchapter for any funds
accepted under that section before September 1, 2001. This subsection does not
create liability for charter holder conduct occurring before September 1, 2001.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE INDICATORS; ACCREDITATION
STANDARDS
(TEC §§39.051, 39.072)
TEC §39.072(b). The academic excellence indicators TEC §39.051(b) (1) through
(7) (below) and the district's current special education compliance status with the
TEA shall be the main considerations of the TEA in the rating of the district under
TEC §39.072.
TEC §39.072(c). The TEA shall evaluate against state standards and shall, not later
than August 1 of each year, report the performance of each open -enrollment charter
school on the basis of the indicators TEC §39.051(b) (1) through (7) (below).
Consideration of the effectiveness of the school's programs under (2) or (3) (below)
must be based on data collected through the Public Education Information
Management System for purposes of accountability under this chapter and include
the results of statewide assessments.
TEC §39.051(b). Performance on the indicators below shall be compared to state -
established standards. The degree of change from one school year to the next in
performance on each indicator shall also be considered. The indicators must be
based on information that is disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and
socioeconomic status and must include:
(1) The results of assessment instruments required under TEC §§39.023(a), (c),
and (1) (statewide assessments), aggregated by grade level and subject area;
(2) Dropout rates, including dropout rates and district completion rates for grade
levels 9 through 12, computed in accordance with standards and definitions
adopted by the National Center for Education Statistics of the United States
Department of Education;
(3) High school graduation rates, computed in accordance with standards and
definitions adopted in compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act of
2001 (Pub. L. No. 107-110);
(4) Student attendance rates;
(5) The percentage of graduating students who attain scores on the secondary
exit -level assessment instruments required under Subchapter B of the TEC
that are equivalent to a passing score on the test instrument required under
TEC §51.306;
LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy LF FUND COM 3
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
(6) The percentage of graduating students who meet the course requirements
established for the recommended high school program by State Board of
Education rule;
(7) The results of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the American College
Test (ACT), articulated postsecondary degree programs described by TEC
§61.852, and certified workforce training programs described by Chapter 311,
Labor Code;
(8) The percentage of students, aggregated by grade level, provided accelerated
instruction under TEC §28.0211(c), the results of assessments administered
under that section, the percentage of students promoted through the grade
Placement committee process under TEC §28.0211, the subject of the
assessment instrument on which each student failed to perform satisfactorily,
and the performance of those students in the school year following that
promotion on the assessment instruments required under TEC §39.023;
(9) For students who have failed to perform satisfactorily on an assessment
instrument required under TEC §39.023(a) or (c), the numerical progress of
those students on subsequent assessment instruments required under those
sections, aggregated by grade level and subject area;
(10) The percentage of students exempted, by exemption category, from the
assessment program generally applicable under this chapter; and
(11) The percentage of students of limited English proficiency exempted from the
administration of an assessment instrument under TEC §§39.027(a) (3) and
(4).
ELEMENTARYAND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT
(20 U.S.C. §6311)
Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as reauthorized by
the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, requires each State, as a condition of
receiving funds under the Title I program, to implement a "single, statewide State
accountability system" applicable to all its public schools, including charter schools.
A component of that system is a definition of "adequate yearly progress" that
measures the extent to which schools succeed in educating all students to proficiency
in at least reading (or language arts), mathematics and science (beginning in 2007-
2008). The accountability provisions of NCLB are overseen for charter schools in
accordance with state charter school law. In addition, a charter school that receives
Title I funds is covered by the school improvement provisions of Title I.
COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS RELATING TO
SPECIAL EDUCATION
(TEC §29.010)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, federal regulations, state statutes,
regulations and requirements implementing the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, apply to charter schools.
LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy LF FUND COM 4
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has adopted and implements a comprehensive
system for monitoring school district and charter school compliance with federal and
state laws relating to special education. The monitoring system provides for ongoing
analysis of special education data and of complaints filed with the TEA concerning
special education services and for inspections of school districts and charter schools
at district/charter school facilities.
The TEA uses the information obtained through analysis of district and charter school
data and from the complaints management system to determine the appropriate
schedule for and extent of the inspection. The TEA has developed and implements a
system of sanctions for school districts and charter schools whose most recent
monitoring visit shows a failure to comply with major requirements of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act, federal regulations, state statutes, or agency
requirements necessary to carry out federal law or regulations or state law relating
to special education`. Subsequent sanctions may range in severity up to the
withholding of funds.
The TEA's complaint management division has developed a system for expedited
investigation and resolution of complaints concerning a district/charter school's
failure to provide special education or related services to a student eligible to
Participate in the district/charter school's special education program.
This section does not create an obligation for or impose a requirement on a school
district or open -enrollment charter school that is not also created or imposed under
another state law or a federal law.
COMPLIANCE WITH BILINGUAL EDUCATION AND ,SPECIAL
LANGUAGE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
('PEC §29.061)
The TEA evaluates the effectiveness of bilingual education and special language
programs based on the academic excellence indicators adopted by the state,
including the results of assessment instruments. The TEA may combine evaluations
under this section with federal accountability measures concerning students of
limited English proficiency.
The areas to be monitored shall include:
(1) Program content and design;
(2) Program coverage;
(3) Identification procedures;
(4) Classification procedures;
(5) Staffing;
(6) Learning materials;
(7) Testing materials;
(8) Reclassification of students for either entry into regular classes conducted
exclusively in English or reentry into a bilingual education or special education
program; and
(9) Activities of the language proficiency assessment committees.
LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy LF FUND COM 5
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
Not later than the 30th day after the date of an on-site monitoring inspection, the
TEA reports its findings to the open -enrollment charter school and to the division of
accreditation. The TEA will notify the open -enrollment charter school found in
noncompliance in writing, not later than the 30th day after the date of the on-site
monitoring. It is the policy of the [name] Open -Enrollment Charter School to take
immediate corrective action.
If the open -enrollment charter school fails to satisfy appropriate
s ad
by the commissioner, the TEA will apply sanctions, which may include he (removal odf
accreditation, loss of foundation school funds, or both.
EVALUATION OF OPEN -ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOLS
(TEC §12.118)
The commissioner shall designate an impartial organization with experience in
evaluating school choice programs to conduct an annual evaluation of open -
enrollment charter schools.
An evaluation under this section must include consideration of the following items
before implementing the charter and after implementing the charter:
(1) Students' scores on assessment instruments administered under Subchapter
B, Chapter 39 of the TEC;
(2) Student attendance;
(3) Students' grades;
(4) Incidents involving student discipline;
(5) Socioeconomic data on students' families;
(6) Parents' satisfaction with their children's schools; and
(7) Students satisfaction with their schools.
The evaluation of open -enrollment charter schools must also include an evaluation
of:
(1) The costs of instruction, administration, and transportation incurred by open -
enrollment charter schools;
(2) The effect of open -enrollment charter schools on school districts and on
teachers, students, and parents in those districts; and
(3) Other issues, as determined by the commissioner.
LIMI TA TION ON COMPLIANCE MONITORING
(TEC § 7.028)
The governing body of an open -enrollment charter school has primary responsibility
for ensuring that the school complies with all applicable requirements of state
educational programs. The state may monitor applicable programs to determine
compliance.
LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy
Date Adopted by GoverningBody:LF FUND COM 6
Date Revised: 10/10/06 -
BASIS FOR MODIFICA TION, PLACEMENT ON PROBA TION,
REVOCATION, OR DENIAL OF RENEWAL
(TEC §12.115)
The commissioner may modify, place on probation, revoke, or deny renewal of the
charter of an open -enrollment charter school if the commissioner determines that the
charter holder has:
(1) Committed a material violation of the charter, including failure to satisfy
accountability provisions prescribed by the charter;
(2) Failed to satisfy generally accepted accounting standards of fiscal
management;
(3) Failed to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the students enrolled at the
school; or
(4) Failed to comply with this subchapter or another applicable law or rule.
The action the commissioner takes shall be based on the best interest of the school's
students, the severity of the violation, and any previous violation the school has
committed.
PROCEDURE FOR MODIFICATION, PLACEMENT ON
PROBATION, REVOCATION, OR DENIAL OF RENFWA I
(TEC §12.116)
The commissioner shall adopt a procedure to be used for modifying, placing on
probation, revoking, or denying renewal of the charter of an open -enrollment charter
school. The procedure must provide an opportunity for a hearing to the charter
holder and to parents and guardians of students in the school. A hearing must be
held at the facility at which the program is operated. Chapter 2001, Government
Code, does not apply to a hearing that is related to a modification, placement on
probation, revocation, or denial of renewal under this subchapter.
EFFECT OF REVOCATION, DENIAL OF RENEWAL, OR
SURRENDER OF CHARTER
(TEC £12.1161)
Except as provided below, if the commissioner revokes or denies the renewal of a
charter of an open -enrollment charter school, or if an open -enrollment charter school
surrenders its charter, the school may not:
(1) Continue to operate under this subchapter; or
(2) Receive state funds under this subchapter.
An open -enrollment charter school may continue to operate and receive state funds
for the remainder of a school year if the commissioner denies renewal of the school's
charter before the completion of that school year.
it LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy LF FUND COM 7
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised. 10/10/06
ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS
(TEC §§12.1162, 39.131)
In the case of an open enrollment charter school, if a school has been rated as
academically unacceptable for a period of two years or more, the commissioner may,
to the extent the commissioner determines necessary, order closure of all programs
operated under the school's charter.
In addition, the commissioner shall take any of the actions described below, to the
extent the commissioner determines necessary, if an open -enrollment charter
school, as determined by a report issued under TEC §39.076(b) (preliminary
investigation findings):
(1) Commits a material violation of the school's charter;
(2) Fails to satisfy generally accepted accounting standards of fiscal
management; or
(3) Fails to comply with this subchapter or another applicable rule or law.
The commissioner may temporarily withhold funding, suspend the authority of an
open -enrollment charter school to operate, or take any other reasonable action the
commissioner determines necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of
students enrolled at the school based on evidence that conditions at the school
present a danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the students.
After the commissioner acts, the open -enrollment charter school may not receive
funding and may not resume operating until a determination is made that:
(1) Despite initial evidence, the conditions at the school do not present a danger
of material harm to the health, safety, or welfare of students; or
(2) The conditions at the school that presented a danger of material harm to the
health, safety, or welfare of students have been corrected.
Not later than the third business day after the date the commissioner acts, the
commissioner shall provide the charter holder an opportunity for a hearing.
Immediately after a hearing, the commissioner must cease the action under or
initiate action under §TEC 12.116 (procedure for modification, placement on
probation, revocation, or denial of renewal).
The commissioner shall adopt rules implementing this section. Chapter 2001,
Government Code, does not apply to a hearing under this section.
A UDI TS BY THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
(TEC §12.1163)
To the extent consistent with this section, the commissioner may audit the records
of:
(1) An open -enrollment charter school;
(2) A charter holder; and
(3) A management company.
LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy LF FUND COM 8
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
The audit described above must be limited to matters directly related to the
management or operation of an open -enrollment charter school, including any
financial and administrative records.
Unless the commissioner has specific cause to conduct an additional audit, the
commissioner may not conduct more than one on-site audit under TEC §12.1163 (audit
by commissioner) during any fiscal year, including any financial and administrative
records. For purposes of this subsection, an audit of a charter holder or management
company associated with an open -enrollment charter school is not considered an audit of
the school.
LF FUNDING AND COMPLIANCE Policy
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: l0/10/06
LF FUND COM 9
NONDISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, or disability in any of their programs or activities. Westlake
Academy ensures that its programs and activities, when viewed in their entirety,
are readily accessible to individuals with disabilities. Westlake Academy selects
facilities that do not have the effect of excluding or limiting enrollment or
participation of children with disabilities from any school program or activity.
Westlake Academy complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
Westlake Academy complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs.
Westlake Academy complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibit
discrimination on the basis of disability. Westlake Academy does not deny
services to students with disabilities due to lack of funds.
NONDISCRIMINATION IN ADMISSION
(TEC §12.111(a)(6))
Each open -enrollment charter school must prohibit discrimination in admission policy
on the basis of sex, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, academic, artistic,
or athletic ability, or the district the child would otherwise attend in accordance with
this code, although the charter may:
(A) Provide for the exclusion of a student who has a documented history of a
criminal offense, a juvenile court adjudication, or discipline problems under
Subchapter A, Chapter 37 of the TEC (relating to alternative settings for behavior
management); and
(8) Provide for an admission policy that requires a student to demonstrate artistic
ability if the school specializes in performing arts.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION RELATED TO HATE CRIMES LAWS
(TEC §29.905)
The attorney general, in cooperation with the TEA, has developed a program that
provides instruction about state laws on hate crimes:
(1) At appropriate grade levels, to students; and
(2) To the community at large.
The TEA will make the program available to an open -enrollment charter school on
the request of the governing body of the school.
LF NONDISCRIMINATION Policy LF NONDIS 1
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 11/01/06
FULL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GOAL
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to provide full educational opportunity for all
children with disabilities consistent with the state's goal of providing full
educational opportunity for all Texas children with disabilities.
Westlake Academy ensures that it does not deny admission to a child with a
disability solely because of that child's need for special education or related aids
and services, regardless of cost.
Westlake Academy adopts as policy the provisions under State law ensuring
educational opportunities for all children including children with disabilities
through its admission practices, enforcement of compulsory attendance, and
delivery of services, including:
RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR PUBLIC
EDUCATION
(TEC §11.002)
The charter school is responsible for implementing the State's system of public
education and ensuring student performance in accordance with State law.
ADMISSION
(TEC §12.117)
For admission to an open -enrollment charter school, the governing body of the
school shall:
(1) Require the applicant to complete and submit an application not later than a
reasonable deadline the school establishes; and
(2) On receipt of more acceptable applications for admission under this section
than available positions in the school:
(A) Fill the available positions by lottery; or
(B) Subject to the paragraph below, fill the available positions in the order
in which applications received before the application deadline were
received.
An open -enrollment charter school may fill applications for admission only if the
school published a notice of the opportunity to apply for admission to the school.
The notice must:
(1) State the application deadline; and
(2) Be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the community in which
the school is located not later than the seventh day before the application
deadline.
LF FULL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GOAL Policy LF FULL ED 1
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
CHILDREN RESIDING IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES
(TEC §29.012)
For purposes of enrollment in a school, a person who resides in a residential facility
is considered a resident of the school district or geographical area served by the
open -enrollment charter school in which the facility is located.
TUITION AND FEES RESTRICTED
(TEC §12.108)
An open -enrollment charter school may not charge tuition to an eligible student who
applies under TEC §12.117 (admission).
The governing body of an open -enrollment charter school may require a student to
pay any fee that the board of trustees of a school district may charge under TEC
§11.158(a) (permissible fees). The governing body may not require a student to pay
a fee that the board of trustees of a school district may not charge under TEC
11.158(b) (impermissible fees).
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
(TEC §§25.093, 25.095)
An open -enrollment charter school shall notify a student's parent in writing at the
beginning of the school year that if the student is absent from school on 10 or more
days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year or on three
or more days or parts of days within a four-week period:
(1) The student's parent is subject to prosecution under TEC §25.093 (parent
contributing to nonattendance); and
(2) The student is subject to prosecution under Texas Education Code §25.094
(failure to attend school) or to referral to a juvenile court in a county with a
population of less than 100,000 for conduct that violates that section.
At the trial of any person charged with violating this section, the attendance records
of the child may be presented in court by any authorized employee of the open -
enrollment charter school.
TRA NSPORTA TION
(TEC §12.109)
An open -enrollment charter school shall provide transportation to each student
attending the school to the same extent a school district is required by law to provide
transportation to district students.
LF FULL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GOAL Policy LF FULL ED 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
ACCESS TO TEACHING MATERIALS
(TEC §26.006)
A student's parent is entitled to request that the school district or open -enrollment
charter school the student attends allow the student to take home any textbook used
by the student. Subject to the availability of a textbook, the district or school shall
honor the request. A student who takes home a textbook must return the textbook
to school at the beginning of the next school day if requested to do so by the
student's teacher. In this subsection, "textbook" has the meaning assigned by TEC
§31.002.
BREAKFAST PROGRAMS
(TEC §33.901)
If at least 10 percent of the students enrolled in one or more schools in an open -
enrollment charter school are eligible for free or reduced -price breakfasts under the
national school breakfast program provided for by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42
U.S.C. Section 1773), the governing body of the open -enrollment charter school shall
participate in the program and make the benefits of the program available to all
eligible students in the schools or school.
COUNSELING REGARDING HIGHER EDUCATION
(TEC §33.007)
Each counselor at an elementary, middle, or junior high school, including an open -
enrollment charter school offering those grades, must advise students and their
parents or guardians regarding the importance of higher education, coursework
designed to prepare students for higher education, and financial aid availability and
requirements.
During the first school year a student is enrolled at the high school level in an open -
enrollment charter school, and again during a student's senior year, a counselor shall
provide information about higher education to the student and the student's parent
or guardian. The information must include information regarding:
(1) The importance of higher education;
(2) The advantages of completing the recommended or advanced high school
program adopted under Texas Education Code §28.025(a) (curriculum
requirements);
(3) The disadvantages of taking courses to prepare for a high school equivalency
examination relative to the benefits of taking courses leading to a high school
diploma;
(4) Financial aid eligibility;
(5) Instruction on how to apply for federal financial aid;
(6) The center for financial aid information established under Texas Education
Code §61.0776 (Center for Financial Aid Information);
LF FULL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GOAL Policy LF FULL ED 3
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
(7) The automatic admission of certain students to general academic teaching
institutions as provided by Texas Education Code §51.803 (automatic
admission all institutions); and
(8) The eligibility and academic performance requirements for the TEXAS Grant
as provided by Subchapter M, Chapter 56 of the TEC, as added by Chapter
1590, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999.
LF FULL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GOAL Policy LF FULL ED 4
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to locate and identify any child who contacts
or enrolls in Westlake Academy who may have a disability and be in need of
special education and related services, regardless of the severity of the disability,
in accordance with its procedures as reflected in the CHILD FIND legal framework
of the Legal Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education Process, located
at: http://framework.esclS.net/.
Referral of students for a full and individual initial evaluation for possible special
education services shall be a part of the district's overall, general education
referral or screening system. Prior to referral, students experiencing difficulty in
the general classroom should be considered for all support services available to all
students, such as tutorial, remedial, compensatory, and other services. If the
student continues to experience difficulty in the general classroom after the
provision of interventions, district personnel must refer the student for a full and
individual initial evaluation. This referral for a full and individual initial evaluation
may be initiated by school personnel, the student's parents or legal guardian, or
another person involved in the education or care of the student. (19 T.A.C.
§89.1011).
Westlake Academy will collaborate with the Region 11 Education Service Center
(ESC), the local Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program, and the following
agencies in its Child Find efforts:
LF CHILD FIND Policy LF CHILD 1
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 11/01/06
LF CHILD FIND Policy LF CHILD 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
in Find Process)
To indicate the extent of participation insert an X in the appropriate box(es)
below
Makes
Referrals
Accepts
Referrals
Conducts
Evaluations/Makes
Dia nosis
Provides
Services
College and University Clinics
• University Hospital Child
Evaluation Center
X
• Speech and Hearin. Clinics
X
• Child Evaluation Clinics;
Rehabilitation Centers
X
;
Private Care Providers
• Physicians
X
• Aucliofocjists
X
• Speech and Hearing Clinics
X
• Optometrists
X
• Psych iatri sts/ Psych olog i sts
X
• Child Care Centers
X
• Other:
State Agencies/ Programs
• Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services
DA RS
X
• Department of Health and
Human Services
X
• Youth Correctional
Centers/Juvenile Detention
Centers
X
• Mental Health and Mental
Retardation (MHMR) Centers
X
• Texas School for the Blind
and Visually Impaired
TS BVI
X
• Texas School for the Deaf
(TSD)
X
• Public Child Care Centers
X
• Other:
Federal Programs
• Head Start Programs
X
• Title I
X
• Other: I
LF CHILD FIND Policy LF CHILD 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
Support services available to all students, such as tutorial, remedial, compensatory, and
other services may include those specified accelerated instruction, below:
ACCELERATED INSTRUCTION
(TEC §28.0211)
An open -enrollment charter school shall provide students required to attend
accelerated programs under TEC §28.0211 (satisfactory performance on assessment
instruments required; accelerated instruction) and the CHILD FIND framework with
transportation to those programs if the programs if the programs occur outside of
regular school hours.
(TEC §42.152)
KINDERGARTEN AND PRE -KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS
(TEC §29.155)
From amounts appropriated for the purposes of this section, the commissioner may
make grants to open -enrollment charter schools to implement or expand
kindergarten and pre -kindergarten programs. An open -enrollment charter school
may use funds received under this section to employ teachers and other personnel
for a kindergarten or pre -kindergarten program and acquire curriculum materials or
equipment, including computers, for use in kindergarten and pre -kindergarten
programs. To be eligible for a grant under this section, an open -enrollment charter
school must apply to the commissioner in the manner and within the time prescribed
by the commissioner.
In awarding grants under this section, the commissioner will give priority to districts
and open -enrollment charter schools in which the level of performance of students
on statewide assessment instruments to students in grade three is substantially
below the average level of performance on those assessment instruments for all
school districts in the state.
An open -enrollment charter school may use funds granted to the district or school
under this subsection in contracting with another entity, including a private entity.
LF CHILD FIND Policy LF CHILD 3
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/10/06
PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to afford the IDEA's procedural safeguards to
children with disabilities and their parents including by providing an explanation
of procedural safeguards to the parent or adult student one time a year, and upon:
initial referral or request for evaluation; the first occurrence of the filing of a due
process hearing complaint; and parental request.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure the rights of parents of children
with disabilities are protected including by complying with its procedures as
reflected in the PARENT legal framework of the Legal Framework for the Child -
Centered Special Education Process located at: httP://framework.escl8.net/.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure the rights of adult students with
disabilities are protected including by complying with its procedures as reflected
in the ADULT STUDENT legal framework of the Legal Framework for the Child -
Centered Special Education Process located at: http://framework.escl8.net/.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to afford parents and adult students with
disabilities prior written notice by complying with its procedures as reflected in
the PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE legal framework of the Legal Framework for the
Child -Centered Special Education Process located at:
http://framework.escl8.net/.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to afford parents and adult students with
disabilities the consent protections of the IDEA by complying with its procedures
' - as reflected in the CONSENT legal framework of the Legal Framework for the
Child -Centered Special Education Process located at:
http.,Ilframework.esclS.net/.
LF PRO SAFE Policy LF PRO SAFE 1
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
EVALUATION AND DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY
It is the Policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that procedures are in place for
evaluating children and determining eligibility for special education and related
services in accordance with the FULL AND INDIVIDUAL EVALUATION frameworks
of the Legal Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education Process, located
at: http.,Ilframework.esclS.net/.
Evaluation procedures and materials will be selected and administered so as not to
be racially or culturally discriminatory. Such procedures or materials shall be
provided and administered in the language and form most likely to yield accurate
information on what the child knows and can do academically, developmentally,
and functionally, unless it is not feasible to do so. No single procedure shall be the
sole criterion for determining an appropriate educational program for a child.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to use qualified and /or licensed personnel to
conduct special education assessments (including for related services) and
participate as multidisciplinary assessment team members for children who may
have disabilities.
LF EVALUATION AND DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY Policy LF EVAL I
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
Westlake Academy complies with the IDEA, which guarantees the provision of a
free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that all eligible children with
disabilities who are within Westlake Academy's jurisdiction have a FAPE available
in accordance with its procedures as reflected in the Legal Framework for the
Child -Centered Special Education Process located at:
http://framework.escl8.net/.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that an individualized education
program (IEP) is developed, reviewed, and revised for each child with a disability
in accordance with its procedures as reflected in the ARD MEETING legal
frameworks of the Legal Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education
Process, located at: http://framework.escl8.net/. Westlake Academy ensures
that each of its children with disabilities receives all of the special education,
related services, and supplementary aids and services identified in the child's IEP.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that the need for extended school
year (ESY) services for children with disabilities will be considered on an
individual basis by the child's ARD committee, in accordance with its procedures
as reflected in the EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR SERVICES legal framework of the
Legal Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education Process, located at:
http:j/framework.esclS.net/. ESY will be provided to children with disabilities as
determined by their ARD committee according to their IEP.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to provide a FAPE to children with disabilities
who transfer from within and outside the State in accordance with its procedures
as reflected in TRANSFER STUDENTS legal framework of the Legal Framework for
the Child -Centered Special Education Process, located at:
http://framework.escl8.net/.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to provide a FAPE to expelled students who
are eligible for special education services under the IDEA in accordance with its
procedures as reflected in the DISCIPLINE legal framework of the Legal
Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education Process, located at:
http.,Ilframework.escl8.net/.
LF FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION Policy LF FREE I
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 11/01/06
LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that each eligible child with a
disability is placed in the least restrictive environment (LRE) that is appropriate to
the child's educational needs, in accordance with its procedures as reflected in the
ARD MEETING and LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT legal frameworks of the
Legal Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education Process, located at:
http://framework.esclS.net/.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to have a continuum of alternative
placements available to meet the unique needs of children who are eligible for
special education services. To the maximum extent appropriate, children with
disabilities will be educated with children who are not disabled, and special
classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the
regular education environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the
disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of
supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
Least Restrictive
Available
Available
Available
Environment: Continuum
at the
within the
through a
of Alternative
Charter
Charter
Contract with
Educational Placements
School
School
Another Charter
System
School, District
or Facility
To indicate how the charter school makes the continuum available,
lease insert an X in the appropriate column on each row below.
Mainstream
X
Homebound
X
Hospital Class
X
Speech Therapy
X
Resource Room/Services
X
Self -Contained (mild,
X
moderate or severe
Off Home Campus
X
Nonpublic Day School
X
Vocational adjustment
X
class/program
State school for persons
X
with mental retardation
Residential care and
X
treatment facility (not
school district resident
LF LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT Policy LF LEAST I
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
DISCIPLINE
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure the rights of children with
disabilities are protected in the context of discipline including by complying with
its procedures as reflected in the DISCIPLINE legal framework of the Legal
Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education Process located at:
http.,Ilframework.escl8.net/.
The governing body of an open -enrollment charter school shall adopt a code of
conduct for its district or for each campus. In addition to establishing standards
for behavior, the code of conduct shall outline generally the types of prohibited
behaviors and their possible consequences. The code of conduct shall also outline
the school's due process procedures with respect to expulsion. Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, a final decision of the governing body of an open -
enrollment charter school with respect to actions taken under the code of conduct
may not be appealed. (TEC §12.131)
An open -enrollment charter school may not elect to expel a student for a reason
that is not authorized by TEC §37.007 (expulsion for serious offenses) or specified
in the school's code of conduct as conduct that may result in expulsion (TEC
§12.131).
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to provide a FAPE to expelled students who
are eligible for special education services under the IDEA.
Westlake Academy will report data to the TEA to determine if significant
discrepancies are occurring in the rate of long-term suspensions and expulsions of
children with disabilities (20 U.S.C. §1412(a)(22)).
Westlake Academy adopts as policy the provisions under State and federal law
concerning disciplining students attending open -enrollment charter schools,
including:
NOTICE OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION
(TEC §37.022)
If the Charter School takes disciplinary action against a student and the student
subsequently enrolls in another district or charter school before the expiration of the
period of disciplinary action, the school taking the disciplinary action must provide to
the district or school in which the student enrolls, at the same time other records of
the student are provided, a copy of the order of disciplinary action.
Subject to the provisions of the Gun Free Schools Act, the district or school in which
the student enrolls may continue the disciplinary action under the terms of the order
or may allow the student to attend regular classes without completing the period of
disciplinary action.
LF DISCIPLINE Policy LF DISCIPLINE I
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
GUN FREE SCHOOLS ACT
(20 U.S.C. §§1415, 7151; TEC §37.007(e))
In accordance with 20 U.S.C. §7151, a LEA, including a school district, home -rule
school district, or open -enrollment charter school, shall expel a student who brings a
firearm, as defined by 18 U.S.C. Section 921, to school. The student must be
expelled from the student's regular campus for a period of at least one year, except
that:
(1) The superintendent or other chief administrative officer of the school district
or of the other local educational agency, as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section
7801, may modify the length of the expulsion in the case of an individual
student;
(2) The district or other local educational agency shall provide educational
services to an expelled student in a disciplinary alternative education program
as provided by TEC §37.008 if the student is younger than 10 years of age on
the date of expulsion; and
(3) The district or other local educational agency may provide educational
services to an expelled student who is 10 years of age or older in a
disciplinary alternative education program as provided in TEC §37.008.
The provisions of the Gun Free Schools Act must be construed in a manner
consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Consistent with
federal law, the Charter School must conduct a manifestation determination review
for a child with a disability before making a disciplinary change of placement.
Charter School personnel may remove a student to an interim alternative educational
setting for not more than 45 school days without regard to whether the behavior is
determined to be a manifestation of the child's disability where a child carries or
possesses a weapon to or at school, on school premises, or to, or at a school function
under the jurisdiction of a State or local educational agency. 20 U.S.C. 1415(k) (1)
(G)•
REMOVAL BYA TEACHER
(TEC §12.131(c))
Notwithstanding any other provision, TEC §37.002 concerning removal by a teacher,
wherever referenced, are not applicable to an open -enrollment charter school unless the
governing body of the school so determines.
LF DISCIPLINE Policy LF DISCIPLINE 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS
Westlake Academy complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA), which protects the privacy of student education records. Westlake
Academy further complies with the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act pertaining to. the education records of children with disabilities.
Education records of children with disabilities are safeguarded in accordance with
Westlake Academy procedures as reflected in the ADMINISTRATION OF RECORDS
legal framework of the Legal Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education
Process, located at: http:/jframework.escl8.net/.
Westlake Academy personnel are responsible for timely closing, preparing student
records for transfer, and transferring student records to another school, school
system, where the student seeks or intends to enroll pursuant to the TRANSFER
STUDENTS legal framework of the Legal Framework for the Child -Centered Special
Education Process, located at: http://framework.escl8.net/.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to safeguard the confidentiality of any
personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained regarding all
students, including children with disabilities.
Westlake Academy adopts as policy the provisions under federal law concerning
education records, including:
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT
(28 U.S.C. §1232g)
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records.
These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends
a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred
are "eligible students."
Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's
education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide
copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for
parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for
copies.
Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records
which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend
the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After
the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible
student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her
view about the contested information.
Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student
in order to release any information from a student's education record. However,
LF CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS Policy LF CONFID I
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 11101106
FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following
parties or under the following conditions:
(1) School officials with legitimate educational interest;
(2) Other schools to which a student is transferring;
(3) Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
(4) Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
(5) Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
(6) Accrediting organizations;
(7) To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
(8) Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
(9) State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to
specific State law.
Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name,
address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of
attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory
information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to
request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must
notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual
means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or
newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.
LF CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS Policy LF CONFID 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
PUBLIC INFORMATION
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to provide parents of children with
disabilities and the general public access to documents relating to Westlake
Academy's IDEA program eligibility.
Westlake Academy adopts as policy the provisions under State law concerning
open meetings and public information, including:
APPLICABILITY OF OPEN MEETINGS AND PUBLIC
INFORMATION LAWS
(TEC §12.1051)
With respect to the operation of an open -enrollment charter school, the governing
body of a charter holder and the governing body of an open -enrollment charter
school are considered to be governmental bodies for purposes of Chapters 551 and
552, Government Code.
With respect to the operation of an open -enrollment charter school, any requirement
in Chapter 551 or 552, Government Code, that applies to a school district, the board
of trustees of a school district, or public school students applies to an open -
enrollment charter school, the governing body of a charter holder, the governing
body of an open -enrollment charter school, or students attending an open -
enrollment charter school.
APPLICABILITY OF LAWS RELATING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CODES
(TEC § 12.1052)
With respect to the operation of an open -enrollment charter school, an open -
enrollment charter school is considered to be a local government for purposes of
Subtitle C, Title 6, Local Government Code, and Subchapter J, Chapter 441,
Government Code.
Records of an open -enrollment charter school and records of a charter holder that
relate to an open -enrollment charter school are government records for all purposes
under state law.
Any requirement in Subtitle C, Title 6, Local Government Code, or Subchapter J,
Chapter 441, Government Code, that applies to a school district, the board of
trustees of a school district, or an officer or employee of a school district applies to
an open -enrollment charter school, the governing body of a charter holder, the
governing body of an open -enrollment charter school, or an off=icer or employee of an
open -enrollment charter school except that the records of an open -enrollment
charter school that ceases to operate shall be transferred in the manner specified by
the commissioner.
LF PUBLIC INFORMATION Policy LF PUBLIC I
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 11/01/06
The records of an open -enrollment charter school that ceases to operate shall be
transferred in the manner specified by the commissioner to a custodian designated
by the commissioner. The commissioner may designate any appropriate entity to
serve as custodian, including the agency, a regional education service center, or a
school district. In designating a custodian, the commissioner shall ensure that the
transferred records, including student and personnel records, are transferred to a
custodian capable of:
(1) Maintaining the records;
(2) Making the records readily accessible to students, parents, former school
employees, and other persons entitled to access; and
(3) Complying with applicable state or federal law restricting access to the
records.
If the charter holder of an open -enrollment charter school that ceases to operate or
an officer or employee of such a school refuses to transfer school records in the
manner specified by the commissioner under Subsection (d), the commissioner may
ask the attorney general to petition a court for recovery of the records. If the court
grants the petition, the court shall award attorney's fees and court costs to the state.
REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION
(TEC §26.0085)
An open -enrollment charter school that seeks to withhold information from a parent
who has requested public information relating to the parent's child under Chapter
552, Government Code, and that files suit as described by Section 552.324,
Government Code, to challenge a decision by the attorney general issued under
Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government Code, must bring the suit not later than the
30th calendar day after the date the school district or open -enrollment charter school
receives the decision of the attorney general being challenged. A court shall grant a
suit described by this section precedence over other pending matters to ensure
prompt resolution of the subject matter of the suit. Notwithstanding any other law,
an open -enrollment charter school may not appeal the decision of a court in a suit
filed under this section. This section does not affect the right of a parent to appeal
the decision.
If the open -enrollment charter school does not bring suit within the period
established by above, the open -enrollment charter school shall comply with the
decision of the attorney general.
An open -enrollment charter school that receives a request from a parent for public
information relating to the parent's child shall comply with Chapter 552, Government
Code. If an earlier deadline for bringing suit is established under Chapter 552,
Government Code, the timelines above do not apply. This section does not affect the
earlier deadline for purposes of Section 532.353(b) (3) for a suit brought by an officer for
public information.
LF PUBLIC INFORMATION Policy LF PUBLIC 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that personnel standards for all
individuals serving children with disabilities are met in accordance with the IDEA
and its procedures as reflected in the ADMINISTRATION OF PERSONNEL legal
framework of the Legal Framework for the Child -Centered Special Education
Process, located at: http:j/framework.escl8.net/.
Westlake Academy recognizes that both the No Child Left Behind Act and the IDEA
provide that charter school teachers must meet the requirements set forth in the
State's public charter school law. 20 U.S.C. §7801(23) (A) (i); 20 U.S.C.
§1401(10) (B) (i). In Texas, that means that the charter school special education
teacher must be certified and highly qualified.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to make an ongoing good -faith effort to
recruit and hire appropriately and adequately certified and/or licensed personnel
to provide a wide range of special education and related services to children with
disabilities who are eligible for special education services. Special education
staffing needs come from the individualized decisions made by the ARD
committee.
It is the policy of Westlake Academy to ensure that all personnel necessary to
carry out the requirements of the IDEA 2004 are appropriately and adequately
certified and/or licensed and prepared.
Westlake Academy uses the following strategies for accessing adequately certified
and/or licensed personnel:
Strategy
Check with an
X if applicable
Hiring faculty with dual certification and/or licensure
X
Hiring consultants to provide special education services
X
Hiring retired teachers to work part-time to deliver special
education services
Developing collaborative agreements with other local
educational agencies (LEAs), including with other charter
schools to share special education teachers and related
service providers
Forming partnerships with institutions and/or agencies
X
that employ related services professionals
Westlake Academy adopts as policy the provisions under State and Federal law
concerning personnel, including:
LF PE SONNEL STANDARDS Policy LF PERSON 1
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 11/01/06
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER DEFINED
(20 U.S.C. §1401(10) (B) (i))
When used with respect to any public elementary school or secondary school special
education teacher teaching in a State, such term means that --(i) the teacher has
obtained full State certification as a special education teacher (including certification
obtained through alternative routes to certification), or passed the State special
education teacher licensing examination, and holds a license to teach in the State as
a special education teacher, except that when used with respect to any teacher
teaching in a public charter school, the term means that the teacher meets the
requirements set forth in the State's public charter school law.
MINIMUM GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
(TEC §12.129)
A person employed as a teacher by an open -enrollment charter school must hold a
high school diploma.
NOTICE OF TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
(TEC §12.130)
Each open -enrollment charter school shall provide to the parent or guardian of each
student enrolled in the school written notice of the qualifications of each teacher
employed by the school.
(TEC §§25.088, 25.089, 25.090)
The school attendance officer may be selected by the governing body of an open -
enrollment charter school.
An attendance officer may be compensated from the funds of the open -enrollment
charter school.
An attendance officer may be the probation officer or an officer of the juvenile court
of the county.
If the governing body of an open -enrollment charter school has not selected an
attendance officer, the duties of attendance officer shall be performed by the peace
officers of the county in which the school is located. Additional compensation may
not be paid for services performed under this section.
LF PERSONNEL STANDARDS Policy LF PERSON 2
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS
(TEC §22.083)
An open -enrollment charter school shall obtain from any law enforcement or criminal
justice agency all criminal history record information that relates to:
(1) A person whom the school intends to employ in any capacity; or
(2) A person who has indicated, in writing, an intention to serve as a volunteer
with the school.
An open -enrollment charter school may obtain from any law enforcement or criminal
justice agency all criminal history record information that relates to:
(1) A volunteer or employee of the district, school, service center, or shared
services arrangement; or
(2) An employee of or applicant for employment by a person that contracts with
the district, school, service center, or shared services arrangement to provide
services, if:
(A) The employee or applicant has or will have continuing duties related to
the contracted services; and
(B) The duties are or will be performed on school property or at another
location where students are regularly present.
The superintendent of an open -enrollment charter school shall promptly notify the
State Board for Educator Certification in writing if the person obtains or has
knowledge of information showing that an applicant for or holder of a certificate
issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21 of the TEC (certification of educators), has a
reported criminal history.
ACCESS TO CRIMININAL HISTORY RECORDS OF SCHOOL BUS
DRIVERS, BUS MONI TORS, AND BUS AIDES
(TEC §22.084)
Except as provided below, an open -enrollment charter school that contracts with a
person for transportation services shall obtain from any law enforcement or criminal
justice agency all criminal history record information that relates to:
(1) A person employed by the person as a bus driver; or
(2) A person the person intends to employ as a bus driver.
Except as provided below, a person that contracts with an open -enrollment charter
school to provide transportation services shall submit to the school the name and
other identification data required to obtain criminal history record information of
each person described above. If the school obtains information that a person
described above has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude, the school shall inform the chief personnel officer of the person with whom
the school has contracted, and the person may not employ that person to drive a bus
on which students are transported without the permission of the governing body of
the open -enrollment charter school.
A commercial transportation company that contracts with an open -enrollment
charter school to provide transportation services may obtain from any law
LF PERSONNEL STANDARDS Policy LF PERSON 3
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
enforcement or criminal justice agency all criminal history record information that
relates to:
(1) A person employed by the commercial transportation company as a bus
driver, bus monitor, or bus aide; or
(2) A person the commercial transportation company intends to employ as a bus
driver, bus monitor, or bus aide.
If the commercial transportation company obtains information that a person
employed or to be employed by the company has been convicted of a felony or a
misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, the company may not employ that person to
drive or to serve as a bus monitor or bus aide on a bus on which students are
transported without the permission of the governing body of the open -enrollment
charter school.
REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE AND TERMINATION OF
EMPLOYMENT BASED ON CONVICTION OF CERTAIN
OFFENSES
(TEC §21.058)
An open -enrollment charter school that receives notice under TEC §21.058(a) of the
revocation of a certificate shall:
(1) Immediately remove the person whose certificate has been revoked from
campus or from an administrative office, as applicable, to prevent the person
from having any contact with a student; and
(2) As soon as practicable, terminate the employment of the person in
accordance with the person's contract and with State law governing
certification of educators.
LF PERSONNEL STANDARDS Policy LF PERSON 4
Date Adopted by Governing Body:
Date Revised: 10/12/06
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
MEMO
TO: Honorable President and members of the Board of Trustees
FROM: Barbara Brizuela, Head of School
DATE: November 9, 2006
SUBJECT: Meeting of November 13, 2006
ITEM
Consider a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Admissions Policy and to the Uniform Policy
in the 2006/2007 Parent/Student Handbook.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval.
BACKGROUND
Admissions Policy
As the Academy expands, situations arise that were not contemplated four years ago. As a result of cases
when a Westlake resident would be unduly jeopardized for remaining in school when a lottery, student
isn't, the Academy proposes adding the following to the Westlake Academy- Admissions Policy.
If a Primary Geographic Boundary Student (or the parents or guardians with whom he; she resides),
who is not a member of an Initial Primary Geographic Boundary Family, removes his/her residency-
from Westlake, then that student nevertheless will be eligible for enrollment if on the date the residency
is removed, the student has a presently enrolled sibling who was admitted under the lottery system prior
to the Primary Geographic Boundary Student's admission.
Uniform Polio
Defining when it is cold has become a moot point. The following changes to the Uniform Policy
will clarify when students are allowed to wear non-uniform coats.
Staff recommends adding the following bold text to the Uniform Policy where it pertains to outer
wear:
Additional optional items will include light weight outerwear in school colors purchased from the
official supplier for Westlake Academy uniforms. This will be the only accepted outerwear allowed on
the school campus Reith the exception of rainwear or heavy minter coats.' Students may wear heavy
winter coats beginning on the first school day after Fall Break and ending upon return from
Spring Break.
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION NO. 06-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WESTLAKE
ACADEMY AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE ADMISSION POLICY
AND UNIFORM POLICY IN THE 2006/2007 PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK.
WHEREAS, in order to avoid the imposition of inequities to Primary Geographic
Boundary Students who subsequently move from the Primary Geographic Boundary, in
relation to those students who are admitted under the lottery and may move freely without
being removed from enrollment, the Board of Trustees finds that it is in the best interest
of all concerned to amend the Admissions Policy; and
WHEREAS, the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees finds that it is in the best
interests of the students to amend the Uniform Policy to delineate the season during
which the students may wear heavy coats.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: That the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy does hereby
- amend the 2006/2007 Parent/Student Handbook by adding the language set out in bold
type on the attached page of the Admissions and Uniform Policies, Exhibit "A"
SECTION? 2: That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 13th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006.
ATTEST:
Scott Bradley, President
Ginger Awtry, Acting Secretary Barbara L. Brizuela, Head of School
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Stanton Lowry, Attorney
Admission Order:
FIRST ADMITTED
Primary Geographic Boundary Students and Initial Primary Geographic
Boundary Family Students
SECOND ADMITTED BASED ON AVAILABLE SPACE
Siblings of students enrolled in Westlake Academy.
THIRD ADMITTED BASED ON AVAILABLE SPACE
Transfer Students
No student will be admitted unless the Westlake Academy has received a completed
application. Applications must be resubmitted each year to enable the Westlake
Academy to maintain accurate and current information.'
Siblings
The Sibling of an enrolled student may be admitted as space becomes available according
to the order in which the first continuously -enrolled sibling was admitted to the Westlake
�cademv.
Year to Year Admission
Once admitted to the school, an eligible student automatically qualifies for enrollment in
subsequent years without being subject to a Lottery. If, however, a student leaves the
school, then that student must reapply and will be moved to the bottom of the Waiting List.
\Vesdake _academy will not enroll any student who has been subject to expulsion or who is
awaiting expulsion from any school.
If a \1'estlake Academy student's parent is transferred out of the geographic area for no
more than three years by his/her employer and the student attends an International
Baccalaureate AWorld School during that time, the student will be readmitted."
If a Primary Geographic Boundary Student (or the parents or guardians with whom he/she
resides), who is not a member of an Initial Primary Geographic Boundary Family, removes
his/her residency from Wcstlakc. then that student nevertheless will be eligible for
enrollment if on the date the residency is removed, the student or at least one of his/her
Siblings has completed at least five academic years in Westlake Academy.
If a Primary Geo ra hie Boundary Student (or the parents or guardians with
whom he/she resides), who is not a member of an Initial Primary Geographic
Boundary Family, removes., his/her residency from then that student
nevertheless will be eligible for enrollment if on the .date ...the reside_is
removed, the student has a.presenth, enrolled_s.iblinL, who was admitted under
the lottery system _prior _tothe Primary_Geo ra hic Boundary Student's
April, 2005
June 2006
A student of a Torn of Westlake or Westlake _academy employee is eligible for year-to-year
admission so long as his/her parent or guardian remains employed by the Town of Westlake
or Westlake _academy. 3 student of a Town of Westlake or Westlake _-academy employee
whose employment terminates before the employee has completed fire continuous years of
service will no longer be eligible for admission and kill be mored to the bottom of the
Waiting List.
Except as provided above, a student -rill be allowed to remain in the school only until the
end of the semester in which his/her parents' or guardian's residency- or employment (as the
case may be) is terminated.
If two or more siblings tie for an available position by virtue of their positions on the
gaiting list, the order of admission will be determined by Lottery.
ARRIVING AND LEAVING SCHOOL
Westlake _Academy does not provide transportation to or from school. For the safety of our
students, staff and visitors are to follow the designated traffic flow patterns and speed.
Please be extra cautious when dropping off or picking up children and be patient and
courteous. Pull all the way forward and pay close attention to those monitoring traffic.
Students are not permitted to cross in front of traffic xrithout adult supervision. If a
meeting with the teacher is necessary, please park in a designated spot.
Students are welcome on campus at or after 7:10 a.m. Those arriving between 7:=10 a.m. and
-:50 a.m. must wait in the Commons until 7:50 a.m. when they will be allowed in their
classrooms. Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. for all grades. Kindergarten will be dismissed at 3: -FS
p.m. and all other glades will be dismissed at 3:4-) p.m.
Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. are considered tardy. Parents must sign their student(s) in
at the school office to pick up a tardy pass prior togoing to class. Students arriving after
10:30 ann without an acceptable excuse, such as are listed on page 9 will be considered
absent and receive a 0 for that day's ,vork!
Security
If a parent or guardian needs to pick up a child from school prior to dismissal time, the
administrative office grill call for the student once the parent has arrived. Parents and/or
guardians will be required to sign out the child on the student check in/out notebook
maintained in the administrative office. Students will only be released to individuals
September 2005
September 2005
Students shall be required to shoe proper attention to personal cleanliness, neatness, and
school standards of dress and appearance. To that effect:
1. Distracting hairstyles, haircuts or distractive hair coloring is prohibited. Bois
hairstyles should be no longer than collar length in the back and must be above the
eyebrow in the front."
2. Headwear is prohibited.
3. Flail coloring must not be distractive and must be neatly applied and maintained.
4. Jewelry must complement the uniform. Jewelry forgirls is stud earrings, a necklace,
a bracelet, a ring, and a basic wristwatch. BoN-s may swear religious medal, a ring,
and a basic wristwatch. Jewelry- is not to be dangerous or of the body piercing type,
except earrings. Students may not swear heavy chains such as studded or wallet
types.
5. Shoes should be clean and offer protection to the feet and must not distract from
the uniform. Dress shoes must be dark and appropriate for the dress uniform. Boys
and girls mai- gear boots that do not distract from the uniform when swearing casual
uniform long pants. Boots may not be acorn with the dress uniform, nor with shorts,
culottes, jumpers or skirts. 'Tennis shoes may- be sworn with the casual uniform and
must be worn with the gym uniform. Tenfus shoes must be all white with white
Iaces, soles must be flat and must be secured with either laces, velcro or zippers.';
No shoes may be worn with open toe or open heel. Flip-flops, sandals, water shoes,
elevated heels, lace up arms- type boots and unstrapped shoes may not be sworn.
Shoe laces must be tied.
6. Matching socks must be worn at all times. This includes ankle socks, tri -fold bobby
socks, and white tights instead of socks with the casual uniform only. Girls dress
socks are a required garment to be worn when in dress uniform. Boys andgirls must
swear white socks xwhen in gym uniform.
Boys must wear belts uvith any trousers or shorts that have belt loops.
8. Hats or sunglasses are not pernutted on campus ,vithout the Head of School's
permission.
9. Girls in Grades 1 onwards, may swear, if desired, fitted, footed, white tights kith
their dress uniforms during the winter months."
10. Girls in Grades 1 — 5 may- wear, if desired, fitted, footed, white tights with their
casual uniforms during the xvinter months.'`'
11. The dress uniform will include a navy- blazer. The blazer will be required for certain
extra -curricular activities such as choir, AIUN etc. and will be optional for all other
students."
12. Additional optional items will include light weight outerwear in school colors
purchased from the official supplier for Westlake Academy uniforms. This will be
33 June 2006
'' June 2006
3' December 2004
3G December 21')(.)4
'' June 2006
23
the only accepted outerwear allowed on the school campus with the exception of
' rainwear or heavy winter coats. 39 Students may wear heavy winter coats
beginning on the first school day after Fall Break and ending upon return
from Spring Break.
Dress Uniform Requirements
Dress Uniform Daws will be perscribed be the Head of School in advance. Students will be
required to swear their full dress uniform on dress uniform dat-s. Dress uniform
requirements are available through the Mills website at Nvww.millsweancom (Web ID
Code: 151).;' Boys must swear socks that match the dress uniform pants.
Consequences for Uniform Violations
During the course of a school year, students who do not comply with the uniform polio\
.will face the following consequences:
Minor Infractions (easily remedied; examples: shirt not tucked in; shirt unbuttoned)
1" Violation:'\Terbal warning to student.
2"d Violation: Written twarning with parent signature required.
3`d Violation: Written discipline form with;
Phone call to parent by classroom teacher, or
kIn-school service, or
Next day detention
*In -school service duties will depend on the needs of the school at the time of the violation.
Duty maw include, but is not liruited to: trash pick-up, lunchroom cleanup, and sweeping.
Major Infractions (not easily remedied; examples: out of uniform; no socks;
incorrect color/style)
1" Violation: Removed from classroom and sent to the office
Parent phone call,,with the following options:
• Bring a clothing change for student (unexcused absence until
clothing is delivered)
• Pick up student (unexcused absence)
2"d Violation: In -school Suspension (unescused absence)
3`d Violation: Out of school Suspension (unexcused absence)
'R June 2006
June 2006
24
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
MEMO
TO: Honorable President and members of the Board of Trustees
FROM: Barbara Brizuela, Head of School
DATE: November 9, 2006
SUBJECT: Meeting of November 13, 2006
ITEM
Consider a resolution approving a proposal to install an ActRadio Program, donated for
the campus of Westlake Academy.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval
BACKGROUND
The ActRadio program will allow Westlake Academy staff to record and update
important messages on the system which the parents will be able to listen via their car
stereos, while they are in the school pick-up and drop-off lanes.
The ActRadio program will be donated to Westlake Academy by The Mijol Group. The
physical component of the ActRadio program will be placed in the front of the school and
will have a sign stating the name of the program and that it is being donated by The Mijol
Group. Description of the ActRadio program is attached as Exhibit "A".
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION NO. 06-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WESTLAKE
ACADEMY APPROVING THE INSTALLATION OF THE ACTRADIO
PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, the installation of the Actradio program, as described in the attached
Exhibit "A", will assist the staff of Westlake Academy in keeping the parents up to date
on activities and important announcements; and
WHEREAS, the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees finds that it is in the best
interests of the parents, students and faculty that the ActRadio program be installed on the
campus of the Westlake Academy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1: That the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy does hereby
approve the installation of the ActRadio program.
SECTION 2: That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 13th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006.
ATTEST:
Scott Bradley, President
Ginger Awtry, Acting Secretary Barbara L. Brizuela, Head of School
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Stanton Lowry, Attorney
ACTRADIO
ActRadio is a new kind of radio transmitter - the first of its kind! No bigger than a
small VCR - weighs less than 4 pounds! Anyone can use to broadcast their own pre-recorded
advertising messages directly to the radio's of cars stopped near their location. As simple to use
as a telephone answering machine. Here's how its works:
1. Place the Transmitter in a convenient office or room anywhere inside your school.
Install the exterior antenna near where parents pull into the the parking lot. Each
morning and afternoon, record your message onto digital voice chip using handheld
microphone.
actra d i o
TUNE CAR RADIO
AM
FOR INFORMATION
Sample Sian
Actradio
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
TUNE YOUR CAR RADIO NOW
TO 1 6 0 V AM
FOR YOUR DAILY NEWS &
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. Alert parents and students via your newsletter, a sign or banner encouraging them to
tune -in to your updates and last minute school news.
3. Parents and students hear your voice, your message, every day - just as if you were
standing outside greeting them personally! The result? Better -informed parents
And Students at every grad level.
ActRadio can be use by a School's principal to broadcast their own pre-recorded messages to the
car radios of parents and students as they drive onto the school's grounds. It's a great Nay to
remind everyone about what's going on. For example:
Did the basketball team win last night? Announce it on ActRadio!
Did the PTA or PTO meeting time change? Get the word out fast on ActRadio!
Are concert tickets going fast? Spread the word with ActRadio'.
Does the fundraiser need one final push to meet its goal? Rally support - immediately --
through ActRadio!
Is the school picnic on or off because of bad weather? Broadcast the final word on
ActRadio!
ActRadio can be a lifesaver when you need to get out last-minute information, or announce
unexpected changes to plans fast. It's the most immediate way to communicate with parents and
students available.
Plus, with the simple flip of a bypass switch, ActRadio goes live ... and so can you and your
students! It's a great opportunity to have a lot of fun, and learn at the same time. Introduce
students to radio broadcasting by starting a club or offering a class. This student "radio station"
will easily cover the school grounds, but be assured, the signal will not reach into the surrounding
neighborhoods and cause any problems.
ActRadio Schools - Transmitter Specs
actra�do
Welcome Schools
Schools Menu
".-*'Home
Transmitter Specs
Parent Comments
��.� FAQuestions
Products/Pricing
Sample Scripts
News Articles
Home
Contact Us Company Info
New *Advanced*
(KOA)
actradio
Page 1 of 3
800-444-8:
Important Features:
Longer Message Time - 5 minutes of message time lets you say all you need
You don't need to fill it all, however! Your message repeats immediately wid
air time.
117 Stations Available on LED Display = Transmits on any A -M station 530 -
Two -Part Message Option - You can record the first part of the message, the
add to the end of it. This means you can lock in a perfect message that you "al
want on the transmitter, and later only add the information about a new locati,
promotion.
Enhanced Sound Quality - The new generation of memory chips have a 270/
"Sampling Rate." You sound crisp and clear. (This does NOT use a tape!)
Solid State Memory for Message Storage - Message stored on computer chi
wears out!
Hand Held Microphone - This is in addition to the built-in microphone, and
recordings easier to do, and better sounding.
No -Drift Frequency Control/ Better Range - Sophisticated quartz locked, c
tuning system keeps your transmitter perfectly tuned for strongest output. Get
http://www.actradio.com/schools/transmitterspecs.htm 11/8/2006
ActRadio Schools - Transmitter Specs Page 2 of 3
every inch of range allowed by the F.C.C.
Key Lock - When you pull out the key, no one can tamper with your messagc
frequency
Simple Push Button Controls - One button record, one button transmit. Plus
stop during your recording, then start up again.
External Transmitter - For those tough locations that need greatly extended
External ATU will cover a larger geographic area -- often up to a quarter mile
more.
Fully FCC Approved - No license needed. Just plug in and you're on the air.
Technical Specifications
• Range*: 900 ft.
• Frequency Choices: 530-1700 AM
• Message Length: Up to 5 min.
• Message Storage: Computer Chips
• Microphone: Built-in and hand-held
• Size: 8" x 14" x 3"
• Weight: 4lbs.
• Antenna: 3 meters
• Power: 11OAC/ 12v DC
http://ww,w.actradio.com/schools/transmitterspecs.htm 11/8/2006
ActRadio Schools
{(1 "A
a c t r a dice
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Nome Contact Us Company Info 800-444-8:
Welcome Schools .
Sample Scripts
90• <<
The following are some sample scripts:
Schools Menu
Home "Good morning and thanks for tuning in! This is (Gail Silver), principal
Transmitter Specs (Lakeside Elementary) School with this week's announcements. This we,
Parent Comments will be holding a canned food drive to support the local food pantry. PleE
' FAQuestions canned item with your child to benefit the needy. Wednesday from 5-8pr
`Products/Pricing having book fair in the gym, proceeds from the sale will go toward the p
+.,, Sample Scripts of equipment for the new computer lab, personal checks and credit cards
`_-'News Articles accepted. Report cards are coming home on Friday, be sure to sign and r,
them on Monday. Thanks again for tuning in, if you have any questions I
call the main office at (555-1234). Have a good day!"
• "Good morning and thanks for tuning in! This is (Gail Silver), principal
(Lakeside Elementary) School. Today is (Monday, February 12th) and sc
closed today due to the bad weather. We hope to get the snow cleared in
school tomorrow. You may call (555-1234) tomorrow morning to confin
whether school is open. Kids, enjoy your day off!"
"Hi, this is (Gail Silver), principal of (Lakeside Elementary) School and
tuned into "School Radio". We have a fund raiser going on this week. In,
is being sent home with _your child today so be sure to look for it. Procee
help to pay for the art museum field trip coming up next month. Also, wl
looking for volunteers to help plan this year's Fun Fair. If you are interes
please call Judy Jones, head of the PTO, at (555-1234). Saturday is the 4
5th grade band concert at 1pm in the gym. Everyone is welcome to atten.
PTO will be selling baked goods and other refreshments will be available
Thanks for tuning in, if you have any questions, call the main office at (5
1234)."
Go To
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ActKadl o Schools
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800-444-8:
This is an article that was run for the customer of one
customers. Over the years we have had a number of sch(
our transmitter. They have used it for everything from
broadcasting the daily lunch menu to use at school sport
events. They have found it to be a great tool to communi
with parents on a daily basis.
wom
�w At the same time, they have made it part of the curriculu
allowing the children to produce the message. Thus givii
real com-munication experience. A large elementary sch
Michigan is using our unit to communicate with parents
not speak English. We've also had college's use our unit
mini school radio station, playing requests for students c
campus.
W�
us a call!
l:
'' _` '_ u' ►� It's morning and you can't rem
what your children's school ha
store far lunch. Should you pa(
goodies or send them off with
The parents of kids who attend
Beavertown Elementary Schoc
101111OUG -a Kettering, Ohio have it easy. V
they can't remember what's on
menu
for grub, they just tune in to K.I.D.S. Beavertown Radio, 1580 AM to get a we
report.
Listeners of the station can also hear school news, birthday announcements, fu
information, interviews of the school principal and other V.I.P.'s, and songs fr,
recent school productions - all broadcast from the mouths and hearts of the sch
fifth grade class.
Mary Lou Holland, a teacher at Beavertown school, keeps it all going. She is c
proud of her radio enthusiasts and says they rarely get nervous at all.
"We've done surveys, interviews. The next thing we will do is spotlight differ
classes. The kids have come up with some really good ideas," she says. "They
so natural on the air. Their delivery is so good."
It all started when Holland's brother, who owns his own business, wanted to to
http://www.actradio-com/schools/news.htm
ActRadio Schools
Page 2 of 3
AM radio equipment for future sale to schools, churches and other non-profit i
His business specializes in closed circuit radio devices and has installed equips
cam ground sites and the Walt Disney parking lot.
"He's done most of the major airports in the country," relates Holland. "He cal
and asked if I knew of any classrooms that wanted to test the equipment."
Holland has a passion for developing writing skills in young people so the brai
was right up her alley. Her brother donated the necessary equipment - includin
antenna on the roof - and, as of Labor Day, 1998, Beavertown Elementary Sch
been broadcasting 24 hours a day.
Larry Casey, age 10, admits it's a little easier because the broadcast isn't live.
to re -do it if we don't like it," he says. The project is open to all fifth graders a-
about 10 faithfully stay after school one day a week to update the on -air broad.
The school had a contest to name the station; K.I.D.S. radio does not need any
FCC registration. It works similarly to the broadcasts travelers can tune into as
approach the airprot or drive down the highway. The other classrooms at Beav
school have radios so they can listen to their peers whenever they want.
"This signal goes out for about two miles," explains Holland, "so some of the I
hear it in their neighborhood houses. And, people can tune in as they drive by.
The broadcast has a twelve -minute loop at which point the tape is re -run. One
runs for a week at a time. Preparing a weekly broadcast doesn't just teach thes.
graders about confidence, news reporting and good speaking skills. It also acts
math lesson, according to Holland, since the students must add munutes and se
in order to update each tape.
Samantha Brown, age 10, likes the research phase of radio production. "I like s
the interviews, gathering up all the information," she says. Brown has intervies
school's music teacher and volleyball tournament coach. Meam4hile, Amber N
- also age 10 - likes writing the scripts the best.
The participants in K.I.D.S. Beavertown Radio, 1580 AM got to meet other ra(
buffs when students from nearby Fairmont High School visited for career day.
also have their own radio station at school. Holland said all the students instan
found a common connection.
If two students want to do the same task, they flip a coin. It usually takes abou
hour to update the tape each week. Holland believes getting to interview the pi
was an eye-opener for students.
"They wanted to know about his life outside the building. They found out he h
teenage kids and likes to play golf. They thought that was neat." In addition to
learning new math skills and conducting the interviews, radio club participants
understand what makes writing for radio different than other forms of written
communication.
"It's a form of stylized writing. We count syllables. They learn to keep it simp
the point. We talk about how to punch different words. They write the script o;
board and underline the words they are going to punch," explains Holland.
http://wNk,w.actradio.com/schools/news.htm I I N/1)AnA
ActKaalo Schools
Page 3 of 3
Some other classrooms have participated in the broadcasts by taping a word-ol
month segment. One classroom was assigned the word, respect, and gave exan
what it means. "They ended it with Aretha Franklin music," laughs Holland.
was really fun."
Holland isn't sure where the project will go from here. But she is certain that tl
fifth graders are hooked on radio. Brown, Casey and Mitchell expect to do live
once they get to high school, and Casey is especially looking forward to the ch
cover sports on the air.
After all, with the experience these 10 -year olds now have, going live is just th
logical step. Casey is sure he can do it. "It wouldn't be that hard."
http://www.actradio.com/schools/news.htm 11/8/2006
ActRadio FAQuestions
actracl'o
Welcome Schools
90'_ to RA n:1 L
Schools Menu
Home
;-- Transmitter Specs
is Parent Comments
FAQuestions
Products/Pricing
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r� ., News Articles
Page I of 5
Home • Contact Us Company Info 800-444-8:
The Most Frequently Asked Questions...
Q: What is ActRadio?
A: ActRadio is a new kind of easy to operate, low power AM radio transmitte
used by you and your staff to broadcast a pre-recorded message to the car radi
or students as they drive onto your school's grounds. ActRadio is no larger th,
VCR. It weighs only 4 pounds, and operates on standard 120 -volt AC power.
Q: Where does the Transmitter go?
A: The transmitter can be placed anywhere inside the school; in the principal':
administrative area, and you run a cable to the exterior antenna. It can even bf
the microphone for the School's internal PA system. Safe and completely silei
bother anyone. Installation takes about 30 minutes. Importantly, ActRadio wil
with other radio stations, or with any other electronic equipment at the school
neighborhoods.
Q: What kind of antenna is used?
A: ActRadio broadcasts its signal from a building -mounted antenna that is onl
in length, and requires no special permit. With a signal range averaging over i
ActRadio can deliver a crisp, clear radio signal to drivers listening in parking
off areas, and on nearby streets. Signal range will vary with installation style
environmental factors such as line -of -sight and other interference.
Q: Is ActRadio easy to use?
A: Yes. Your message is loaded onto a five-minute digital recording/playback
simply by speaking into a handheld microphone. Or, a professionally produce
can be downloaded using a cassette or CD player. The message can be any ler
want, up to five minutes, and can be changed as often as you'd like. Because i
there is never any denigration in its quality. Your message will just repeat in
hours a day, 7 days a week.
Q: Do I need a license?
http://www.actradio.com/schools/faquestions.htm
I r 1Q117nnr1
ActKaalo PAQuestions
Page 2 of 5
A: No. ActRadio is safe, legal, and trouble free. It is in full compliance with F
regulations, so it does not require a separate license. It broadcasts on any fregi
entire AM band (560 to 1700 AM). Changing the broadcast frequency is as ez
changing your car radio. Because there are no commercial radio stations open
U.S. above 1600, it is always easy to find an open frequency.
Q: What would I use ActRadio for?
A: Imagine if you could stand in the school parking lot every morning and aft
greet parents as they drop off and pick up their kids. Imagine if you could per;
everyone know about last-minute news or unexpected schedule changes. Of c
don't have time to talk to parents in person every day, but you can talk to then
every day... and you can do it from the comfort of your office with ActRadio.
ActRadio to broadcast your own pre-recorded messages to the car radios of p,
students as they drive onto your school's grounds. They hear your voice, your
every day -just as if you were standing there greeting them personally!
• Did the basketball team win last night? Announce it on ActRadio!
Did the PTA or PTO meeting time change? Get the word out fast on ActRad
Are concert tickets going fast? Spread the word with ActRadio!
Does the fundraiser need one final push to meet its goal? Rally support - imr
through ActRadio!
• Is the school picnic on or off because of bad weather? Broadcast the final w(
ActRadio!
ActRadio can be a lifesaver when you need to get out last-minute information
unexpected changes to plans fast. It's the most immediate way to communicat
and students available.
Q: Is there any kind of security against unwanted broadcasts?
A: Yes, for your peace of mind, ActRadio has a special key -lock feature that I
unauthorized frequency or message changes. You don't have to be nervous th,
will be able to broadcast an unwanted message.
Q: Can I broadcast "live"?
A: Yes. ActRadio has a bypass audio input for switching to live broadcast. Ju;
how excited your students will be to be able to have their own radio station fc
broadcasting on the school grounds. It's a great opportunity to have a lot of fu
http://www.actradio.com/schools/faquestions.htm 11/8/2006
ActRadio FAQuestions
Page 3 of 5
the same time. (Please note: signal range is 900 feet, so this student radio stati
reach into the surrounding neighborhoods and cause any problems.) One of of
accessories is a Basic DJ Station that makes it easy for you to set-up a broadc:
club. (Click here to read related news article.)
Q: Why do you transmit on th AM radio band?
A: Two big reasons. First, almost every car has an AM radio. Your message r
everyone. Second, the FCC is much too restrictive on FM. We can legally go
on AM. On FM, the FCC only lets you go about 60 ft. (Some companies have
transmitters that go farther than 60 ft., but they always get fined and shut dow
just not enough for many applications. Also, AM is where most people turn ft
so ActRadio fits right in. Remember, you are giving helpful information, not 1
music concert. AM is great for that.
Q: Can I use ActRadio for fund raising?
A: Yes. ActRadio can promote fundraising activities like Market Days 24 hoc
your school raises money by selling candy, candles, wrapping paper, or anyth
ActRadio can generate enthusiasm and interest and keep the momentum goini
involved.
Q: Must I use 1610 AM?
A: No. You can set the transmitter to any frequency. Just like tuning your car
the most popular because it is "open" almost everywhere. It's never given out
commercial station. There are also other open frequencies in your area you ca
Q: Do the transmitters use a tape to hold my message?
A: No. Your voice is stored on a computer chip. They shouldn't wear out, and
always crisp. Your message, up to 5 minutes long, repeats over and over.
Q: How do they sound?
A: Just like you. The chips that store your voice are very "crisp".
Q: How does your 3 -Month Satisfaction Guarantee work?
http://v,-ww.actradio.com/schools/faquestions.htm 11/8/2006
MINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORKSHOP
AUGUST 24, 2006
PRESENT: President Scott Bradley and Trustees Bill Frey, Fred Held (left the meeting
at 10:00 a.m.), Don Redding, and Larry Corson
ABSENT: Trustee Buddy Brown
OTHERS PRESENT: Head of School Barbara Brizuela, Secretary Jean Dwinnell,
Human Resource Manager Todd Wood, and Finance
Director Debbie Piper
President Bradley called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m.
2. DISCUSS FY 2006-2007 BUDGET.
President Bradley asked Ms. Brizuela, Head of School, to lead the workshop.
Ms. Brizuela advised that the proposed budget is based on conservative assumptions.
She explained that the proposed budget allows for 17 days of operating dollars in the
reserve fund, that it included a special education grant, that it provided $5,504 per student
from the State, and that it anticipated contributions from the Blacksmith Apprentice
Program.
Ms. Brizuela informed the Board that $47,000 was pledged to the Blacksmith Apprentice
Program on "meet the teacher night", that HB 1 increased teachers' salaries by $2,000
each, and that the increased salaries for librarians, counselors, office staff, and teachers
not holding a Texas teaching certificate possibly might not be reimbursed by the State.
She reported that the proposed budget would provide as much as an eight percent (8%)
increase for some teachers. She indicated that under current premium quotes, health
insurance costs would rise approximately 34%, but that by joining TRS -Active Care the
Academy could cut the costs of health insurance. She emphasized, however, that once
the school joins, it cannot opt out of the system.
Mr. Todd Wood, Human Resource Manager, made a presentation regarding the TRS -
Active Care Program.
Discussion ensued regarding Blue Cross Blue Shield vs. TRS -Active Care, and
concerning the rates, doctors, and benefits. It was the consensus of the Board that the
Academy should join the TRS -Active Care Program. The Board authorized staff to
review the costs of the plan periodically, and to revise the wording on the proposed
Resolution to "authorize joining" rather than "informing of the intent to join." It was also
the consensus of the Board to decrease the contribution of the Town from $300.00 to
$249.00 per school employee per month.
Further discussion ensued regarding the seventeen (17) day reserve operating fund,
whether the Executive Director of the Westlake Academy Foundation falls under the
Town's or the Academy's budget and benefits, the legality of the Foundation adopting a
separate budget, the number of teachers added to the budget for the 2006/2007 school
year (4.5), the total number of new teachers hired for the 2006/2007 school year (12), the
reasons teachers have left the school, and the percentage of the budget that is required by
the State to be used for instruction (65%).
Discussion was also held regarding: the extension of Ms. Brizuela's contract; what is
being served to the students in the cafeteria; the performance of Bowman Sports.
insurance and bonding of the Academy staff, the significant increase in maintenance and
repair for the new portion of the building; the increase in maintenance supplies;
demographics of the students attending the Academy; and the need to follow the trend of
Westlake residents remaining in the Academy once they reach the MYP.
Ms. Brizuela advised that there are still approximately 750 students on the waiting list,
and that Mr. Rennhack has asked for a commitment from the Board for 100%
participation in the Blacksmith Apprentice Program.
Ms. Brizuela reviewed the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 Blacksmith Apprentice Program
results, advised that Federal Grants were received during the first two years the Academy
was operational, and that external funding is an acute necessity. She stated that non -
participation in the Blacksmith Apprentice Program is not acceptable.
Ms. Brizuela reviewed the Goals and Objectives for the Academy; some of which are:
Hire elementary principal for 2007/2008
Review and revise the Master Plan
Create single -sex physical education classes
Improve the website design
Make mentoring for new students available
Create a senior management team
Create a Westlake Academy brochure which will include the Foundation project
Hold Town meetings to discuss the Academy
Ms. Brizuela advised that there is a list of achievements in the Board's packet for their
review.
The Board expressed concern about the Blacksmith Apprentice Program variable and the
seventeen (17) day reserve operating budget.
3. ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business before the Board, President Bradley declared the meeting
adjourned at 12:03 pm.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON NOVEMBER 13, 2006
ATTEST:
Ginger R. Awtry, Acting Secretary
Scott Bradley, President
MINUTES OF THE
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
AUGUST 28, 2006
PRESENT: President Scott Bradley and Trustees Bill Frey, Fred Held, and Larry Corson
ABSENT: Trustees Buddy Brown and Don Redding
OTHERS PRESENT: Head of School Barbara Brizuela, Secretary Jean Dwinnell,
Finance Director Debbie Piper, Facilities and Recreation Director
Troy Meyer, Assistant to the Head of School Darcy McFarlane,
and Human Resource Manager Todd Wood
1. CALL TO ORDER.
President Bradley called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
2. CITIZENS' PRESENTATIONS.
Ms. Brizuela presented a "Thank you" card to the Board of Trustees from the MYP students for
the new parking lot.
3. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WESTLAKE ACADEMY TO
JOIN THE TRS -ACTIVE CARE PROGRAM.
President Bradley explained the proposed Resolution and advised that this Program had been
covered in a workshop held previously by the Board, that there was no new information, and
that the price for the insurance coverage is more affordable.
President Bradley also advised that the Academy will absorb 75% of the increase for the first
two months of the fiscal year before the change to the TRS Program is effective.
Mr. Frey moved to approve Resolution No. 06-12, authorizing Westlake Academy to join the
TRS -Active Care Program.
Mr. Held seconded the motion.
There was no further discussion and the vote on the motion was as follows:
Ayes: Trustees Frey, Held, and Corson
Nays: None
President Bradley declared the motion carried unanimously.
4. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AWARD OF A BANK
DEPOSITORY BID FROM FIRST FINANCIAL BANK.
Human Resource Manager Todd Wood explained the proposed Resolution. He advised that the
banking industry is competitive, that the interest earned by the Academy will be approximately
$5 —10,000 per year, and that no fees will be charged by the bank.
Discussion ensued regarding the financial stability of the bank and the securities to be pledged
by the bank in support of the account.
Mr. Held moved to approve Resolution No. 06-13, approving the award of a bank depository
bid from the First Financial Bank.
Mr. Corson seconded the motion.
There was no further discussion and the vote on the motion was as follows:
Ayes: Trustees Frey, Held, and Corson
Nays: None
President Bradley declared the motion carried unanimously.
5. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE REVISED BUDGET FOR
WESTLAKE ACADEMY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 2006
AND ADOPTING THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING AUGUST 31, 2007.
President Bradley explained the proposed Resolution. He advised that the budget details had
been covered by Head of School Barbara Brizuela, Finance Director Debbie Piper, and Human
Resource Manager Todd Wood.
Ms. Brizuela advised that there had been some new information received since the workshop
held by the Board on August 24, 2006. She advised that all of the teachers at the Academy had
been accepted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the $2,000 salary increase authorized
by the State, that the State had increased its contribution "per student," and that the Westlake
Academy Foundation had released approximately $30,000 to the Academy; thus giving the
Academy a 41 day fund balance rather than the seventeen (17) days as reported at the
workshop.
Ms. Brizuela also reported findings and entered evidence (attached) on three questions raised at
the budget workshop held on August 24`h, 2006. The first concerned the Westlake resident
student population and the changes in that since the Academy opened. The summary shows that
since 2003, Primary Boundary students have grown from 20% to 61% of the total student
population. The second question was in reference to the distribution of numbers on the waiting
list. The ensuing study revealed that of the 900 students on the waiting list as of August 25,
2006, there were - at every grade level except G9 - enough students on the waiting list to
complete at minimum 2 additional classrooms. The third query referred to the proposed State
65% rule for instructional expenses. A study revealed that when considering funds received
from the State, Westlake Academy spends 95% on instructional expenses; when taking total
revenues into account, Westlake Academy spends 73% on instructional expenses.
Mr. Held moved to approve Resolution No. 06-14, adopting the revised budget for Westlake
Academy for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2006 and adopting the proposed budget for the
fiscal year ending August 31, 2007.
Mr. Corson seconded the motion.
There was no further discussion and the vote on the motion was as follows:
Ayes: Trustees Frey, Held, and Corson
Nays: None
President Bradley declared the motion carried unanimously.
6. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Review and approve minutes of the Special School Board of Trustees meeting held June
26, 2006
B. Review and approve any outstanding bills.
M . Frey moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Mr. Held seconded the motion.
There was no discussion and the vote was as follows:
Ayes: Messrs. Frey, Held, and Corson
Nays: None
President Bradley declared the motion carried unanimously.
7. ADJOURNMENT.
Mr. Corson moved to adjourn.
Mr. Held seconded the motion.
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Ayes: Messrs. Frey, Held, and Corson
Nays: None
President Bradley declared the meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON NOVEMBER 13, 2006.
ATTEST:
Ginger R. Awtry, Acting Secretary
Scott Bradley, President
Student Population: Residents
Grade
2003-4
2004-5 2005-6
2006-7
K 028/7/2
�116r3 31 116/3
1 33/11/2
31/5/2 30/14/1
37271 a V
moves from 29 to 32
232/2/3
34/13/3 36/17/1
35/18/2
moves from 9 to 15 to 20
333/1/4
36/3/7 39/19/4
35/16/3
moves from 7 to 18 to 19
4
34/3/4 39/11/6
34/17/3
moves from 13 to 16 to 23 to 20
5 33 14 12
34 16 i 5
39 /14/5
moves from 5 to 10 to 17 to 19
63 I3 !„'
35 i 7 / 3
34 /9/4
moves from 5 to 7 to 11 to 13
7
3113 ! 3.. ; 42 / 7 / 3
�,� ' "'°
moves from 5 to 9 to 12 to 11
832
/ 3 / '�`
."_ 41 /9/3
moves from 6 to 10 to 10 to 12
9
32 F 41.3
moves from 5 to 6 to 6 to 7
10
11
12
195
264
320 352
KEY
Total #
students/ residents / founders and employees
Resident
12.80%
17.80% 34.70%
34.40%
Primary B
20%
28%
44% 61%
Total #/residents/primary boundary (founders and employees)
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
Waiting List
Friday, August 25, 2006 Siblings on
list Total on list
(including sibling)
Kindergarten 0
87
1st 4
117
2nd 1
163
3rd 2
123
4th 9
101
5th 8
106
6th 4
68
7th 0
85
8th 01
40
9th 1
I 1 10
Westlake Academy
65% Rule for Instructional Expenses
Function Description
Amount $ Percentage
11 Salaries, teachers
1,562,876
11 Salaries, teachers, Sp Ed
26,260
11 Supplies
162,350
12 Library books
7,350
13 Staff stipend
546
21 Staff stipend
8,787
31 Testing supplies
20,000
31/23 Testing supplies
1,500
36 Sport stipend
10,788
36 Coaches, officials
37,135
36 Supplies, ECA
3,500
53 Tech. stipend
36,435
61 Community service
3.152
Total
1,880,679
State revenues
1,980,912 95%
Total revenues, excluding
2,584,488 73%
reserve roll-over fund
MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL CALLED
WESTLAKE ACADEMY
SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
SEPTEMBER 119 2006
PRESENT: President Scott Bradley and Trustees Bill Frey, Buddy Brown, Fred Held, and Don
Redding
ABSENT: Trustee Larry Corson
OTHERS PRESENT: Secretary Jean Dwinnell
1. CALL TO ORDER.
President Bradley called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The Board convened into executive session at 6:03 p.m., as President Bradley read the item to be
discussed.
The Board reconvened at 6:50 p.m.
3. ADJOURNMENT.
Mr. Held moved to adjourn.
Mr. Frey seconded the motion.
The vote on the motion was as follows:
Ayes: Trustees Frey, Brown, Held, and Redding
Nays: None
President Bradley declared the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON NOVEMBER 13, 2006.
ATTEST:
Ginger R. Awtry, Acting Secretary
Scott Bradley, President