Texas Center for Arts + Academics
Minutes
TCA+A Special Session of the Board - Hold in Case of Urgent Action
Date and Time
Tuesday May 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Location
Kathleen E. Connors Theater
Texas School of the Arts (TeSA)
6025 Village Parkway
Edgecliff Village, TX 76134
In-person Meeting Return: Governor Abbott’s March 2020 order temporarily suspending certain provisions of the Open Meetings Act due to the COVID-19 pandemic disaster expired August 31, 2021. Consequently, TCA+A Board Meetings will return to in-person meetings at Texas School of the Arts.
Directors Present
Daniel Bates, Leslie Scott, Michael Wellbaum, Steven Jones, Wes Poole
Directors Absent
Cheryl Bean, Myong Chong
Ex Officio Members Present
Anika Perkins
Non Voting Members Present
Anika Perkins
Guests Present
Betsy Compton, Dean Micknal, Jennifer Jackson, Jocelyn Greenman, Lacey Gaymon, Penny Clay, Torie Skinner
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
Leslie Scott called a meeting of the board of directors of Texas Center for Arts + Academics to order on Tuesday May 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
II. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
- No Public Comments were made
B.
TCA+A Recognition
- Dr. Anika Perkins recognized Dr. Jennifer Jackson with a certificate for her six years of service as Principal of Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts.
III. Consent Agenda
A.
March 25, 2025 Meeting Minutes
Steven Jones made a motion to approve the minutes from TCA+A Board Meeting on 03-25-25.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
April 16, 2025 Strategic Plan Meeting Minutes
Steven Jones made a motion to approve the minutes from TCA+A Strategic Plan Meeting on 04-16-25.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Finance Statements
Steven Jones made a motion to approve February 2025 and March 2025 Finance Statements.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Closed Session
A.
Convene to Closed Session
- Closed Open Session at 6:05pm
- Convened in Closed Session at 6:06pm
B.
Reconvene to Open Session
- Closed Closed Session at 7:06pm
- Recovened in Open Session at 7:07pm
C.
Action Item
- No action taken
V. Finance
A.
Audit Engagement Letter
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve the engagement of Freemon, Shapard & Story for FY2025's audit.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
TeSA 2024-2025 Budget Amendments
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2024-2025 Budget Amendments.
Steven Jones seconded the motion.
- projecting a $501K deficit
- decrease in investiment money due to markets changing
- facility and maintance cost were up
- accounting for Xerox copier contracts - new way to account for leases
C.
FWAFA 2024-2025 Budget Amendments
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2024-2025 Budget Amendments.
Wes Poole seconded the motion.
- projecting a $544K deficit
- decrease in investment money due to markets changing
- error in PEIMS - accounting for that money now but may not be corrected until next school year; depends on TEA
- accounting for Xerox copier contracts - new way to account for leases
D.
TCA+A 2024-2025 Budget Amendments
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2024-2025 Budget Amendments.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
- will not have a deficit
- a decrease in expenses helped overall budget
E.
TeSA 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget with projected cuts.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
- used 2024-2025 budget numbers with a 1% increase
F.
FWAFA 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget with projected cuts.
Wes Poole seconded the motion.
- used 2024-2025 budget numbers with a 1% increase
G.
TCA+A 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
H.
TeSA 2025-2026 Estimated Benefits Calculations
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Estimated Benefit Calculations up to the shortfall listed of $1,371.00.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
- based off a protential 8% increase to benefit costs
- 2 employees will experience a loss of income due to the increase in benefit costs if we do nothing
- proposing to off set their salaries for the difference in the increased benefit costs
I.
FWAFA 2025-2026 Estimated Benefits Calculations
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Estimated Benefit Calculations up to the shortfall listed of $823.60.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
- based off a potential 8% increase to benefit costs
- 5 employees will experience a loss of income due to the increase in benefit costs if we do nothing
- proposing to off set their salaries for the difference in the increased benefit costs
J.
TeSA 2025-2026 Non-Teaching Compensation Analysis/Recommended Pay Adjustments
Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Non-Teaching Compensation Analysis/Recommended Pay Adjustments.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
- Current non-teaching Staff Pay
- recommending to increase one employee's salary to be more in line with the market
K.
FWAFA 2025-2026 Non-Teaching Compensation Analysis/Recommended Pay Adjustments
Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Non-Teaching Compensation Analysis/Recommended Pay Adjustments.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
- Current non-teaching Staff Pay
- recommending to increase five employees' salaries to be more in line with the market
L.
TCA+A Compensation Plan
Daniel Bates made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Compensation Plan.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
- changes tied to increases to align with the market
- separated the salary scales based off school size, etc. for FWAFA & TeSA
VI. Academics
A.
TeSA 2025-2026 Region 11 Contract
Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve TeSA's 2025-2026 Region 11 Contract.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
- cost for 2025-2026 services - $89,228.78
B.
FWAFA 2025-2026 Region 11 Contract
Wes Poole made a motion to approve FWAFA's 2025-2026 Region 11 Contract.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
- cost for 2025-2026 services - $112,762.38
C.
TCA+A 2025-2026 Region 11 Contract
Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve 2025-2026 Region 11 Contract.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
- cost for 2025-2026 services - $9,386.50
D.
TeSA FY2023 Accountability Ratings
Dr. Perkins shared:
- TeSA District Overall
- FY2022 Accountability Rating - 86% B
- FY2023 Accountability Rating - 89% B
E.
FWAFA FY2023 Accountability Ratings
Dr. Perkins shared:
- FWAFA District Overall
- FY2022 - 93% A
- FY2023 - 86% B
- FWAFA Elementary
- FY2022 - 87% B
- FY2023 - 81% B
- FWAFA Secondary
- FY2022 - 89% B with distinctions
- FY2023 - 89% B with distinctions
VII. CEO Report
A.
Updates
Dr. Perkins reported:
- 2025-2026 Enrollment as of today
- FWAFA - 685 students with 35 open seats
- TeSA - 332 students with 42 open seats
- Fine Arts - FWAFA students receiving awards
- Schmidt & Jones High School Musical Awards
- Slaughter Family Arts Awards
- Graduation - May 27, 2025; 7pm; Doxology Bible Church
- Keynote Speaker - Patrick Dohoney, attorney
- 2025 Gala
- Congratulations to Torie Skinner, Development Director
- May 2025 net $20,509.00
- August 2024 net $55,733.00
- Congratulations to Torie Skinner, Development Director
- Teacher Incentive Allotment - teachers receive this payout from TEA for five years
- 4 FWAFA staff; totaling $26,422.00
- 1 teacher receiving $12,673.00
- 1 teacher receiving $6,229.00
- 2 teachers receiving $3,289.00
- 4 TeSA staff; totaling $25,044.00
- 1 teacher receiving $12,475.00
- 1 teacher receiving $6,285.00
- 2 teachers receiving $3,142.00
- 4 FWAFA staff; totaling $26,422.00
- Choirs:
- TBC to sing for the Dallas Mayor & City Council Inaugural Ceremony at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
- SGT to sing for the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce for their 44th Annual Luncheon at the Fort Worth Convention Center
VIII. 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 8:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Leslie Scott