Compass Rose Public Schools

Minutes

Board Meeting

Date and Time

Friday January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Location

6648 Hornwood Drive

Houston, TX 77074

Directors Present

A. Herrera Jr., C. Hernandez, C. Reed, D. Barfield (remote), K. Colombero (remote), K. Indorf (remote), M. Walker (remote), S. Mekuria-Grillo (remote), T. Morenz (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Directors who arrived after the meeting opened

A. Herrera Jr., M. Walker

Guests Present

C. Chambers

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

K. Indorf called a meeting of the board of directors of Compass Rose Public Schools to order on Friday Jan 20, 2023 at 11:05 AM.
A. Herrera Jr. arrived at 11:09 AM.

C.

Approve Minutes

D. Barfield made a motion to approve the minutes from December 2, 2022 Compass Rose Board Meeting on 12-02-22.
C. Reed seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Program Highlight

A.

Leaders in Residence

  • Paul Morrissey introduced campus leaders who are participating in the Leader in Residence program.
  • Nicole Winsett gave background for the inaugural class of leaders in residence. The program is a 1-2 year leader readiness program with monthly cohort time and individual leadership coaching.
  • Leaders in residence introduce themselves and their aspirations for leadership within Compass Rose (Brittany Gourdine, Jamie Pellant, Jesse Samudio, Stephanie Parga, Evelyn Rodriguez, and Julie Mock)

III. Finance & Facility

A.

Audit Presentation & Approval

  • Larry Ray Reed provided an overview of the audit and introduced the auditor.
  • Phil Vaughn presented the approved audit. There was an issue with TRS contributions, but that has been resolved. 
  • The finance subcommittee reviewed the audit in the previous week.
  • There is a possibility that the FIRST score could drop a little. Unsure if it will be a B or C. Added debt may impact the final rating. The board had an opportunity for questions.
  • Larry Ray discussed the potential for lost points on ADA projections, but TEA did exclude the component last year. It is possible that another exclusion can occur, but it is uncertain.
A. Herrera Jr. made a motion to approve the audit.
T. Morenz seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Dream Financing Resolution

  • Tyler Baier presented on the Dream Financing construction to include bidding and plan for process to select the contractor.
  • $20 million loan target but requesting a loan of up to $22 million
  • Board Member Morenz asked a question about the zoning issue, and Tyler confirmed that it has been resolved.
  • Board Member Indorf asked a question about playground in the middle of a parking lot and what boundary would be provided for safety.
  • Question was asked about whether the building will be complete in time. Tyler talked through the backup plan in case construction is not complete.
T. Morenz made a motion to approve BlueHub campus loan.
A. Herrera Jr. seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Teacher Salary Schedule - 23-24 Proposal

  • Larry Ray Reed presented an overview of the 23-24 Teacher Salary proposal.
    • 3% increase overall and would allow Compass Rose to be more competitive.
    • There is a difference between the Standard and Loyalty schedule -- after 3 years of service with Compass Rose.
  • Board Member Indorf asked if the schedule could work with the current model or if there would be a change based on per pupil funding.
  • Larry Ray Reed confirmed that it would work with potentially a 2% change.
A. Herrera Jr. made a motion to approve the 2023-2024 Teacher Salary Schedule.
K. Indorf seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Finance Committee Report

  • Larry Ray Reed provided an overview of the finance report.
  • Compass Rose has received slightly more federal revenue than anticipated and less state revenue.
  • Local revenue will have a lag during the year but will have a large jump at the end of the fiscal year.
M. Walker arrived at 12:26 PM.

IV. Academic & Talent

A.

Academic & Talent Committee Report

  • Board Member Barfield asked about whether we have staff adjustments that could be made. "Are people in the right place?"
  • Board Member Indorf asked that the next board meeting be mostly focused on a deep dive of academic data.
  • Board discussed 

B.

Resolution: Board Policy Regarding Research

Will be added to the next board meeting

V. CEO Report

A.

CEO Update

No items

VI. Governance

A.

Board Policy Manual - Gift Policy Change Proposal

  • Larry Ray Reed introduced the gift policy change to the board.
  • Previous discussion from the board retreat yielded a need for policy review and update.
  • Board Member Indorf asked what the difference is between a gift and philanthropy.
K. Indorf made a motion to approve the updated gift policy.
K. Colombero seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 1:32 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Chambers
A. Herrera Jr. made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
D. Barfield seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.