Download minutes PDF Minutes Draft

Texas Center for Arts + Academics

Minutes

TCA+A Special Session Meeting - Hold In Case of Urgent Action

Date and Time

Monday February 23, 2026 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

John Bolser, Leslie Scott, Michael Wellbaum, Steven Jones, Wes Poole (remote)

Directors Absent

Cheryl Bean, Myong Chong

Ex Officio Members Present

Anika Perkins

Non Voting Members Present

Anika Perkins

Guests Present

Adrian Sovik, Amber Ledbetter, Jocelyn Greenman, Kiera Wallace, Lacey Gaymon, Penny Clay, ross@leasorcrass.com (remote)

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 Monday Feb 23, 2026 at 6:08 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

  • There were no public comments

III. Recognition

A.

TeSA Recognition

Ms. Wallace recognized:

  • Students
    • Rosie Arnett
    • Hank Kline
  • Staff
    • Mary Sapp
    • Ashley Robb
    • Cynthia Rey

B.

FWAFA Recognition

Ms. Ledbetter recognized:

  • January 2026 Teachers of the Month
    • Ryan Wiggins
    • Michelle Klaustermeier
  • February Staff/Teacher of the Month
    • Jordan Heddins
    • Tamara Harris

IV. Consent Agenda

A.

Approve January 20, 2026 Meeting Minutes

Steven Jones made a motion to approve the minutes from TCA+A Board Meeting - Audit Presentation on 01-20-26.
John Bolser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Wes Poole
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
John Bolser
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Steven Jones
Aye

B.

Finance Statements

Steven Jones made a motion to approve January 2026 Finance Statements.
John Bolser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Myong Chong
Absent
John Bolser
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Steven Jones
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent

V. Finance

A.

Technology Contracts

Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve revised Technology Contracts through August 31, 2026 with no greater than 10% increase, pending legal review.
Steven Jones seconded the motion.

Dr. Perkins reported 

  • A surplus in TCA+A's FY2026 budget 
  • Use of EMAT funds to make up the difference in the FWAFA and TeSA FY2026 budgets, showing surplus EMAT balances for both
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Steven Jones
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
John Bolser
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye

B.

Annual Written Certifications

Wes Poole made a motion to approve the Annual Written Certifications subject to comparables or other data points that would be able to stand for Section 4 that the rents are at fair market value.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Dr. Perkins:

  • The 89th Legislative Session voted to give Public Charter Schools Subchapter D a 2026-2028 State Facilities Incentive Grant (SFIG)
  • If awarded, it is projected to give $250/student for facility funding
    • FWAFA would receive around $157,500.00
    • TeSA would receive around $82,500.00
  • The application requires each district to have on record an Annual Written Certification 
  • Grant applications are due March 27, 2026
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Steven Jones
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
John Bolser
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye

VI. Closed Session

A.

Convene to Closed Session

  • Convened to Closed Session at 6:50pm
  • Opened in Closed Session at 6:56pm

B.

Reconvene to Open Session

  • Closed Closed Session at 8:21pm
  • Reconvened Open Session at 8:29pm

C.

Action Item

  • No action was taken

VII. Academics

A.

2024-2025 Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR)

Dr. Perkins reported:

 

FWAFA Report- Enrolled Membership 670 Students

  • Accountability Summary - 2023 and 2024 TEA changed the methodology to make receiving an A and B harder
    • Elementary Ratings
      • 2021 - no rating due to COVID
      • 2022 - B (87%) rating
      • 2023 - B (81%) rating
      • 2024 - B (81%) rating
      • 2025 - B (87%) rating
    • Middle/High School Ratings
      • 2021 - no rating due to COVID
      • 2022 - B (89%) rating: Distinctions in ELAR, Comparative Academic Growth and Post Readiness
      • 2023 - B (89%) rating: Distinctions in ELAR, Science and Social Studies
      • 2024 - B (86%) rating: Distinctions in ELAR, Science and Social Studies
      • 2025 - B (86%) rating: Distinctions in ELAR and Science
    • Overall District Ratings
      • 2021 - no rating due to COVID
      • 2022 - A (93%) rating
      • 2023 - B (86%): Distinctions in Postsecondary Readiness
      • 2024 - B (84%): Distinctions in Postsecondary Readiness
      • 2025 - B (86%): Distinctions in Postsecondary Readiness
  • Accreditation Status - Accredited
  • Special Educaiton - Meets Requirements
  • Grows 
    • Math - however, FWAFA hired a principal who is certified in Math to help remedy this
    • 5th grade Science 
    • 8th grade Social Studies
  • Glows 
    • Literacy overall
    • 3rd grade Reading and Math
    • EOC exams 
  • Violent & Criminal Incidents - 0
  • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board information - FY2024 65 graduates
  • Budget Outline

 

TeSA Report- Enrolled Membership 337 Students

  • Accountability Summary - 2023 and 2024 TEA changed the methodology to make receiving an A and B harder
    • 2021 - no rating due to COVID
    • 2022 - B (86%) rating
    • 2023 - B (89%) rating
    • 2024 - B (83%) rating
    • 2025 - C (79%) rating
      • Mrs. Barlow - TeSA's STAAR teacher moved from TeSA to FWAFA 
      • TeSA is collaborating with Mrs. Barlow to find out how they can better support the teachers
  • Special Educaiton - Meets Requirements
  • Grows - Math
  • Glows - Literacy
  • No Violent & Criminal Incidents - 0
  • Financial Report

B.

Asthma 411 Program MOU

Steven Jones made a motion to approve Asthma 411 Program MOUs.
John Bolser seconded the motion.

Dr. Perkins:

  • First SHAC committee meeting February 12, 2026
  • Will meet once per month for the remainer of the school year to ensure it meets the 4 meeting requirment
  • The first act - Nurse Dede reached out to UNTHSC for them to provide a program and medication for students with Asthma
  • It is a free program
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Steven Jones
Aye
John Bolser
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Leslie Scott
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye

VIII. Governance

A.

PG-4.207 Employee Fraternization

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.207 Employee Fraternization.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Steven Jones
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
John Bolser
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye

B.

PG-4.205 Reporting Child Ause and Neglect

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.205 Reporting Child Ause and Neglect.
John Bolser seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Steven Jones
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
John Bolser
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Leslie Scott
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye

C.

PG-4.208 Employee Compliants and Grievances

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.208 Employee Compliants and Grievances.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Myong Chong
Absent
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Steven Jones
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye
John Bolser
Aye

D.

PG-1.105 Ethics, Conflict of Interest, and Nepotism

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-1.105 Ethics, Conflict of Interest, and Nepotism.
John Bolser seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Leslie Scott
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye
Steven Jones
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
John Bolser
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent

E.

PG-1.202 Public Information Requests

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-1.202 Public Information Requests.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Myong Chong
Absent
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Steven Jones
Aye
John Bolser
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye

F.

PG-1.205-Public Complaints

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-1.205 Public Complaints.
John Bolser seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Cheryl Bean
Absent
John Bolser
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Steven Jones
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye

G.

PG-4.101 Equal Employment Opportunity

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.101 Equal Employment Opportunity.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Leslie Scott
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Wes Poole
Aye
Steven Jones
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
John Bolser
Aye

H.

PG-4.102 Nondiscrimination Policy

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.102 Nondiscrimination Policy with the replacement of the word Gender in Section 2 with the word Sex.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
John Bolser
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Wes Poole
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Steven Jones
Aye

I.

PG-4.103 Whistleblower Protection

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.103 Whistleblower Protection.
John Bolser seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Wes Poole
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Steven Jones
Aye
John Bolser
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent

J.

PG-4.201 Employment Practices

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.201 Employment Practices.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Leslie Scott
Aye
Steven Jones
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Wes Poole
Aye
John Bolser
Aye

K.

PG-4.202 Pre-Employment Credentials and Employee Records

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.202 Pre-Employment Credentials and Employee Records.
John Bolser seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Wes Poole
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Leslie Scott
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Steven Jones
Aye
John Bolser
Aye

L.

PG-4.203 Criminal History and Credit Reports

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.203 Criminal History and Credit Reports.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
John Bolser
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Steven Jones
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Myong Chong
Absent
Wes Poole
Aye

M.

PG-4.206 Employee Dress and Grooming Standards

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.206 Employee Dress and Grooming Standards.
John Bolser seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Wes Poole
Aye
John Bolser
Aye
Leslie Scott
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Myong Chong
Absent
Steven Jones
Aye

N.

PG-4.604 Personnel Technology Resources

Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.604 Personnel Technology Resources.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Full board review prior to meeting

The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Steven Jones
Aye
John Bolser
Aye
Myong Chong
Absent
Leslie Scott
Aye
Wes Poole
Aye
Michael Wellbaum
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent

IX. CEO Report

A.

Updates

Dr. Perkins reported

  • FWAFA's DFW Rating according to Niche Report
    • Voted #18 out of top 25 best school districts in DFW
    • 1 of 2 charter school systems listed and were the highter of the two
  • 2026-2027 Open Enrollment Status
    • FWAFA has 62 openings and received 215 applications
    • TeSA has 114 openings and received 110 applications
    • 1st round of auditions were held February 16th and February 21st
  • 2026 Gala - Reflections: A Legacy in the Making
    • March 28, 2026 at the Social Space
    • Recognizing TBC's 80th Anniversary - student performances
    • Dr. Johnson is trying to get one of TBC's Grammies onsite
  • 2026 PREP Program Allotment - Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnerships Program - through LASO 4 application grant
    • Established by House Bill 2 in June 2025
    • Provides funding to strenghten teacher recruitment, preparation, and mentorship
    • Provides high-quality training to mentors, supports new teachers, and requires $1000+ stipends for mentors
    • Teachers with 0-2 years experience at both FWAFA and TeSA can participate to receive support and fellow teachers can participate as mentors
  • FWAFA's Music Man performances are February 26th - March 1st
  • TBC's 80th Anniversary Texas Tour - March  8th - March 22nd

X. 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 8:56 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Leslie Scott

B.

CERTIFICATE AS TO POSTING OR GIVING OF NOTICE