The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05-12-14 BOT MinWESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING May 12, 2014 PRESENT: President Laura Wheat, Trustees: Michael Barrett, Clif Cox, Carol Langdon, and Wayne Stoltenberg. Michael Barrett arrived 6:08 p.m. ABSENT: Rick Rennhack OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent Tom Brymer, Board Secretary Kelly Edwards, School Attorney Janet Bubert, Executive Principal & Director of Education Dr. Mechelle Bryson, Primary Principal Rod Harding, Dr. Middle Years Principal Andra Barton, Finance Director Debbie Piper, Director of Facilities and Parks & Recreation Troy Meyer, Administrative Coordinator Ben Nibarger, Executive Director Westlake Academy Foundation Dr. Shelly Myers, Jason Power Director of Information Technology, Director of Communications & Community Affairs Ginger Awtry, and Communications Specialist Susan McFarland. President Wheat called the work session to order at 5:24 p.m. President Wheat led the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags. CONSENT3. REVIEW OF .; ITEMS FOR THE MAY 12,2014, TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING AGENDA. No additional discussion. BOT Minutes 05/12/14 Page 1 of 6 a. Presentation and discussion of the Westlake Academy Athletic Committee (WAAC) update. Mr. Michael Garabedian provided an overview of the committee's activities and initiatives. Discussion ensued regarding parent buy -in, parent volunteers, members, membership fees, and possible sponsorships. b. Performance on the International School's Assessment in Grade 5, 8 and 10 from 2011-2014. Principal Harding provided a presentation and overview of the assessment. He also highlighted the Grade 5 student's accomplishments and scale scores. c. Presentation and Discussion Regarding School Rankings, Curriculum Alignment, and State Standardized Student Assessments. Dr. Bryson and Coordinator Nibarger provided a presentation and overview of the criteria used by the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek/The Daily Beast. Dr. Bryson then provided the steps staff will take moving forward using new the assessment tool and curriculum alignment. Discussion ensued regarding curriculum alignment, standardize testing, the standard for Texas, scope and sequence, and class acceleration. Dr. Bryson ensured that staff would send a letter to parents sharing the rankings and explaining how the rankings are determined. d. Discussion and Update of Campus' Integrated Pest Management System Including Rodent Control Efforts. Director Meyer provided a presentation and overview of the Integrated Pest Management and update to abate rodent issues. Discussion ensued regarding carpet verses tile flooring, bating indoors and outdoors, the use of chemicals use on school campus, State regulations, carpet replacement cost, action taken during the summer and any possible trends. President Wheat recessed the work session to convene regular meeting at 6:02 p.m. President Wheat reconvened the work session at 6:11 p.m. BOT Minutes 05/12/14 Page 2 of 6 e. Presentation and Discussion of an amendment to the Westlake Academy Graduation Policy. Dr. Bryson provided a presentation and overview of the proposed amendment to the policy and a side by side view with the previously adopted Graduation Plan. Discussion ensued regarding students 10th grade personal projects evolving into a course, adding additional language regarding students with extenuating circumstances to graduate under the Distinguished Achievement Diploma (DAP) or recommended diploma, and that a student requesting the alternate track requires Board approval. School Attorney, Bubert read additional language that was discussed since the agenda packet was created. f. Standing Item; Update and discussion regarding Westlake Academy Phase I expansion project, enrollment projections and technology for the Secondary building. Dr. Bryson and Coordinator Nibarger provided and overview of the enrollment discussions with families on the waiting list. Discussion ensued regarding the number of seats that will be held in reserve for new Westlake resident's students, intent to enroll documents, beginning an induction process for new students and the recent teaching job fair. Faculty members Amanda Bunch and Patrice Moon provided a presentation regarding the purchase of SmartBoards and benefits of engaging students. Discussion ensued regarding the cost of the SmartBoards in the new secondary building and other cutting edge technology. g. Presentation and discussion regarding the proposed 2014-2015 Fiscal Year Academy Budget. Coordinator Nibarger provided a presentation and overview of the proposed 2014- 2015 budget. Discussion ensued regarding Blacksmith Foundation contributions, the average Blacksmith student contribution of $1,423.00 per student, construction status of the Granada Development, number of reserve seats per grade, Service Level Adjustments (SLAs), and proposed legislative action regarding school funding. BOT Minutes 05/12/14 Page 3 of 6 S. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board convened into executive session at 6:52 p.m. The Board will conduct a closed session pursuant to Texas Government Code, annotated, Chapter 551, Subchapter D for the following: a. Section 551.071(2) — Consultation with School Attorney on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter: curriculum and state standardized testing. President Wheat reconvened the meeting at 7:46 p.m., moving to item c for discussion. No action to be taken. Staff will prepare additional information regarding SmartBoards. Providing additional history and summary using the International Schools' Assessment (ISA) tool. �`aii�_1��1i1�J:�► u1�►11 President Wheat adjourned the work session at 9:31 p.m. President Wheat called the regular session to order at 6:02 p.m. The Board of Trustees recognized Westlake Academy students Miss Megan Braunas as the Salutatorian and Miss Victoria Garabedian as the Valedictorian for the Class of 2014. President Wheat presented Dr. Clif Cox a token of the appreciation for his service as Board Member and Council Member. BOT Minutes 05/12/14 Page 4 of 6 Angie Schilsky, 1610 Fair Oaks Drive, thanked the administration for the efforts regarding rodent control however, she is concerned about the amount of time that past before action was taken and in her opinion she believes that all of the carpets should be replaced. Mayor Wheat asked for a motion to recess the regular session. Council Member Cox made a motion seconded by Council Member Langdon to recess the meeting at 6:11 p.m., to complete the work session. Mayor Wheat reconvened the regular meeting at 9:31 p.m. a. Consider approval of the minutes from the April 14, 2014, meeting. b. Consider approval of Resolution 14-06, Approving and Adopting an Amendment to the Graduation Policy. TI Trustee Langdon made a motion to remove item from the consent agenda pursuant to discussion during the work session. Trustee Cox seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. MOTION: Trustee Langdon made a motion to approve item a consent agenda. Trustee Cox seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. TI Trustee Cox made a motion to approve the item b of the consent agenda adding additional language to both the existing and new Graduation Polices as follows: In the event a student does not complete all Westlake Academy graduation requirements by the end of the student's twelfth (12th) grade year due to unexpected circumstances, the student may seek Board approval for and the Board may approve an alternate graduation plan consistent with the State's foundation high school program requirements, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the student. Trustee Barrett seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. . EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board did not convene into executive session. The Board will conduct a closed session pursuant to Texas Government Code, annotated, Chapter 551, Subchapter D for the following: a. Section 551.071(2) — Consultation with School Attorney on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter: curriculum and state standardized testing. BOT Minutes 05/12/14 Page 5 of 6 1•��.7x�T•1►1 - ► u ' ► c 8. FUTURE E ITEMS None. 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Trustee Cox made a motion to adjourn the regular session. Trustee Langdon seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0. President Wheat adjourned the regular session at 9:38 p.m. ATTEST: KellyiEdward , Board Secretary Laura Wheat, President BOT Minutes 05/12/14 Page 6of6