HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-14 BOT MinWESTLAKE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
June 2, 2014
PRESENT: President Laura Wheat, Trustees: Michael Barrett, Alesa Belvedere, Carol
Langdon, Rick Rennhack and Wayne Stoltenberg. Michael Barrett arrived at
5:28 p.m.
OTHERS T: Superintendent Tom Brymer, Board Secretary Kelly Edwards,
Executive Principal & Director of Education Dr. Mechelle Bryson,
Primary Principal Rod Harding, Middle Years Principal Dr. 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 5:10 p.m.
President Wheat led the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
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3. REVIEW OF •iNSENT AGENDA ITEMS FORi
AGENDA.REGULAR MEETING
Town Secretary noted a revision which made to the members in attendance for the May
12, 2014, meeting.
Superintendent Brymer provided an overview of the proposed lease agreement which will
be discussed during the budget update.
a. International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) PYP Self -study Summary of Five Year
Evaluation Report.
Superintendent Brymer stated the item would be moved to the August meeting.
b. Update on the curricular changes for the MYP at Westlake Academy.
Dr. Barton and Dr. Bryson responded to questions from the Board.
Discussion ensued regarding the AP curriculum course content, implementation using
the units of study and changes to assist students during Study Hall.
a. Discussion of proposed amendments to the Retention and Transfer Course Credit
Policy.
Dr. Bryson provided a presentation and overview of the proposed revisions to the
policy.
Discussion ensued regarding the review of the Math curriculum and alignment,
creating stricter guidelines for students that may need to make up courses, course
recovery options, acceleration options, partnering with community colleges for dual
credit, additional guidance for parents, and confirmation of course remediation.
Promotion Retention policy shall be prepared for August and the Acceleration policy
would be a separate policy.
b. Discussion of proposed amendments to the secondary grading and assessment Policy.
Dr. Bryson provided a presentation and overview of the proposed revisions to the
policy.
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Discussion ensued regarding the deadline of assignments, working with kids and
parents, formative and substantive assessments, extenuating circumstances, pros and
cons of weighting grades, the implementation, possible effects on students should
grades be weighted, and possible economic disadvantage for students transferring out
to other schools.
President Wheat recessed the work session to call the regular meeting to order at
6:53 p.m.
President Wheat reconvened the work session at 7:19 pm.
c. Discussion of proposed Amendment to the Board's Admissions Policy.
Superintendent Brymer provided an overview of the proposed amendments placing
the requirements into an order of priority.
Discussion ensued regarding the percentage??? Of what.... And offering faculty
member's children admission to the Academy is similar to other ISDs.
d. Discussion of proposed Amendment to the Prevention of Discrimination Policy.
Superintendent Brymer provided an overview of the proposed amendments.
e. Standing Item: Update and discussion regarding Westlake Academy Phase I
expansion project, enrollment projections and technology for the Secondary building.
No additional discussion.
President Wheat recessed the work session at 7:25 p.m.
President Wheat reconvened the work session at 7:45 p.m.
f. Continued Overview Presentation of Proposed Westlake Academy Proposed FY14-15
Operating Budget.
Administrative Coordinator Nibarger provided a presentation and overview of the five
year forecast, service level adjustments and accounting policy revisions.
Discussion ensued regarding the Foundation's contribution and endowment fund,
parking fees and collection, the reduction of athletics, funding for insurances,
insurance policy for the iPad minis, and the Granada subdivision development
timeframe.
Dr. Shelly Meyers, Executive Director, stated the reason revision of contributions by
the Board is to provide less money for operating expenses and more grant
opportunities.
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Director Power provided an overview of the proposed purchase of iPad minis for the
student body.
A Promotion and Retention policy shall be prepared for discussion at the August and the
Acceleration policy would be a separate policy.
Additional information regarding the Grading and Assessment policy would be provided in
August.
Proposed plans with explanations of weighting grades.
A report regarding Athletic programs for the 2014-2015 school year.
Increase parking fees for students and remove fees for teachers.
Increase parking fund payment in the 2014-2015 fiscal year budget.
President Wheat adjourned the work session at 8:52 p.m.
President Wheat called the regular session to order at 6:53 p.m.
Boy Scout James Sanders, 411 Forest Trail, Argyle, provided an overview of his Eagle
Scout project, building the circular tree bench located on the academy green engraved
with the IB Learner traits.
Boy Scout Elliot Taylor, 9405 Ellison Street, Keller, provided an overview of his Eagle
Scout project, building three (3) wooden picnic tables on the patios of the PYP building
for students and one that provides for wheelchair accessibility
Ms. Ariana Jones, 4516 Wyvonnes Way, Plano, Grade 10 stated that her family has
receive an opportunity that would require her to withdraw from the academy and that
she would like to Board consider a waiver to the admissions policy allowing her continue
with the DP programme.
Mr. Andres Martinez Murillo, 2001 Hayley Drive, Keller, Grade 10 student, stated his
concerns with recent faculty change regarding Ms. Miller, Mr. Peebles, and Ms.
Kemmerer. He also presented the Board with a petition with student and parent support
regarding these faculty members.
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President Wheat stated that faculty decisions are not made by the Board but all of the
information will be provided to the Superintendent.
Mr. Rahul Tharoor, 7801 Monticello Pkwy., Colleyville, stated his concerns with recent
faculty changes regarding Ms. Miller, Mr. Peebles, and Ms. Kemmerer and believes that
these teachers deserve additional opportunity asking the Board to consider the comments
on the petitions.
Mr. Tristan Maynard, 1624 Fair Oaks Ct., Westlake, submitted a petition regarding recent
faculty changes. He also read several comments from the petition.
Ms. Sarah Pinto, 600 Rustic Ridge Ct., Southlake, stated that she did not understand
Administration setting a mold for teachers at the academy, discussed the move of Ms.
Miller and read additional comments from of the petitions.
Mrs. Melissa Sircar, 804 Timber Lake Circle, Southlake stated her concerns with the
weighting grade policy proposals, how college admissions are reviewing Academy
students transcripts which only contain weighted grades for the DP years, and for the
best interest for students they should not be in a college admissions 'hybrid pile'they
should be weighted or un -weighted to competing equally with other students seeking
admission and scholarships.
Deanne Jepesen, 2008 Wood Thrush Ct., Westlake, supported a policy to weight grades
for all four (4) years and agreed with Mrs. Sircar's statements.
Mrs. Marla Goode, 1405 Lizzy Ct, Keller, asked the Board to consider weighted grades for
all grades on a student's transcript and not to continue with partial weighted grades for
only lit" and 12 grades.
MOTION: Trustee Stoltenberg made a motion to recess the regular meeting
and reconvene the work session at 7:19 p.m. Trustee Langdon
seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
President Wheat reconvened the regular meeting at 8:52 p.m.
a. Consider approval of the minutes from the May 12, 2014, meeting.
b. Consider approval of the minutes from the May 19, 2014, meeting.
c. Consider approval of Resolution 14-7, Amending the Admissions Policy.
d. Consider approval of Resolution 4-8, Amending the Non -Discrimination
Compliance Policy.
e. Consider approval of Resolution 14-09, Authorizing the Superintendent to enter
into a lease agreement with VAR Resources, Inc.
f. Consider approval of Resolution 14-10, Amending the Adherence to the Texas
Education Agency, International Baccalaureate and Charter Guidelines.
Trustee Belvedere made a motion to approve the consent agenda
with a revision to the May 12, 2014 minutes. Trustee Langdon
seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
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No future agenda items.
There being no further business before the Board, President Wheat asked for a motion to
adjourn the meeting.
MOTION: Trustee Rennhack made a motion to adjourn the regular session.
Trustee Barrett seconded the motion. The motion carried by a
vote of 5-0.
President Wheat adjourned the regular session at 8:54 p.m.
ATTEST:
Laur Wheat, President
Kell Edward, Board Secretary
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