HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-14 BOT MinWESTLAKE ACADEMY
PRESENT: President Laura Wheat, Trustees: Michael Barrett, Carol Langdon, and Wayne
Stoltenberg.
ABSENT: Alesa Belvedere and Rick Rennhack
OTHERSS T: Superintendent Tom Brymer, Board Secretary Kelly Edwards,
School Attorney Janet Bubert, Executive Principal & Director of
Education Dr. Mechelle Bryson, Middle Years Principal Dr. Andra
Barton, Primary Principal Rod Harding, DP Coordinator & College
Counselor Chris Hill, Asst. Secondary Principal & Athletic Director
Alan Burt, Finance Director Debbie Piper, Jason Power Director of
Information Technology, Director of HR & Administrative
Services Todd Wood and Communications Specialist Susan
McFarland.
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President Wheat called the work session to order at 5:11 p.m.
President Wheat led the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
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No additional discussion.
a. Discussion regarding the ACT testing results.
DP Coordinator Hill and Dr. Bryson provided a presentation and overview of the
results in comparison to the State averages and five (5) year trends.
Discussion ensued regarding the ACT and SAT college preferences, extending the
correlation of results using the IB curriculum, increasing our student's minimum
scores, the role of the guidance counselor assisting students with testing selection,
and selecting a cohort of ISDs to use as a comparison.
b. Discussion regarding Initiatives for Improving K-12 Mathematics.
Principals Harding and Dr. Barton provided an overview of the initiatives.
Discussion ensued regarding grants obtained to continue the current initiatives,
double booking of Mathematics for 6th and 7th grades, block scheduling and
determining enrichment and remediation opportunities for students.
c. Discussion regarding the One-to-one Technology Initiative.
Director Powers & Dr. Bryson provided a presentation and overview of the initiative,
iPad deployment schedule and Teacher training.
Discussion ensued regarding the FAQ website and collection process of iPads at the
end of the school year.
d. Discussion regarding proposed amendments to the Board Parameters for School
Sanction Trips.
Ms. Heather McCown, Director of Student Life and Dr. Bryson provided a presentation
and overview of the proposed amendments.
Discussion ensued regarding leadership symposiums, booking trips using a third party
vendor, non-refundable fees due to disciplinary actions, determining the value of a
trip location, procedures to apply for a trip other than traditional trips, determining
the price point, fund raising opportunities, past Senior trips, the ratio of students to
chaperones and alternatives for students not taking trips.
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e. Discussion regarding teacher turnover and student/teacher ratios for Westlake
Academy and three surrounding school districts over a five-year period.
Director Wood provided an overview of the report.
Director Wood stated other districts directed him to Texas Education Agency's (TEA)
website however TEA will not post Teacher turnover rates for fiscal year 2013-2014
until December or January.
Discussion ensued regarding the Academy's turnover, the use of the great teacher
profile aligning interviewing questions, using the Gallup instrument, and methods to
retain teachers.
f. Update on school funding lawsuits pending before the courts.
Superintendent Brymer and Attorney Bubert provided an update.
Discussion ensued regarding the budgeting process, the ISDs maximum tax rate, and
the possibility of a decision in June 2015.
g. Standing Item; Update and discussion regarding Westlake Academy Phase I
expansion project, enrollment projections and technology for the Secondary building.
Dr. Bryson provided an update regarding installation of landscaping, sidewalks,
SmartBoards, and key cards.
Update on the deployment of the iPads regarding the One-to-one initiative.
President Wheat adjourned the work session at 7:32 p.m.
President Wheat called the regular session to order at 7:32 p.m.
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No one addressed the Board.
a. Consider approval of the minutes from the August 11, 2014, meeting.
Trustee Langdon made a motion to approve consent agenda.
Trustee Barrett seconded the motion. The motion carried by a
vote of 3-0.
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Meeting date for MYP Grading communication.
No future items.
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There being no further business before the Board, President Wheat asked for a motion to
adjourn the meeting.
MOTION: Trustee Stoltenberg made a motion to adjourn the regular
session. Trustee Langdon seconded the motion. The motion
carried by a vote of 3-0.
President Wheat adjourned the regular session at 7:44 p.m.
Laur Wheat, President
Kelly Edw 9 s, Board Secretary
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