Texas Center for Arts + Academics
Minutes
TCA+A Special Session Meeting - Hold In Case of Urgent Action
Date and Time
Monday May 18, 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
Cheryl Bean, John Bolser, Leslie Scott, Michael Wellbaum, Steven Jones, Wes Poole
Directors Absent
Myong Chong
Ex Officio Members Present
Anika Perkins
Non Voting Members Present
Anika Perkins
Guests Present
Amber Ledbetter, Flor Cabrera, Jocelyn Greenman, Kiera Wallace, Lacey Gaymon, Lisa Gonzales, Ross Mitchel
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
Cheryl Bean called a meeting of the board of directors of Texas Center for Arts + Academics to order on Monday May 18, 2026 at 6:05 PM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
II. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
- Victoria Petty (TeSA graduate) - Spoke on the importance of summer theatre camps and the positive impact of teacher Ms. Kilgore.
- Stephanie Ballew ( FWAFA parent) - Projected enrollment numbers, staff vacancies, funding shortfalls, questioned fiscal responsibility.
- Alycia Bennett (TeSA parent) - Submitted a written packet requesting transparency on public records, board packet items, finance, CEO compensation, procurement, and audit processes. Concerned over CEO pay/rent increases while running deficits and laying off teachers; requested written responses within 30 days.
- Mario Garza (TeSA parent) - Submitted written requests regarding MOU execution, academic outcomes, staffing, IEP/504 transition plans, and Open Meeting Act compliance. Requested clarity on services for students with IEP/504 plans during staff vacancies and written transition plans for upcoming year.
III. Recognition
A.
TeSA Recognition
Ms. Wallace recognized:
- James Carter
- Natalie Bransford
B.
FWAFA Recognition
Ms. Ledbetter recognized:
- Kaitlin Barker
- Diane Sapp
C.
TCA+A-SHAC Committee Meetings' Updates
Mrs. Roby and Mrs. Soza:
- Improved communication on health, nutrition, and mental health services.
- Parent and staff involvement in selecting new food service provider (Crave Nutrition), with positive feedback on quality and minimal price increase.
- Commitment to ongoing collaboration for student wellness.
IV. Consent Agenda
A.
Approve April 27, 2026 Meeting Minutes
Steven Jones made a motion to approve the minutes from TCA+A Special Session Meeting - Hold In Case of Urgent Action on 04-27-26.
Wes Poole seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
B.
Finance Statements
Steven Jones made a motion to approve April 2026 income statements.
Wes Poole seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
V. Closed Session
A.
Convene to Closed Session
- Closed open session at 6:31 PM
- Opened in closed session at 6:32 PM
B.
Reconvene to Open Session
- Closed closed session at 7:45 PM
- Reconvened open session at 7:49 PM
C.
Action Item
- No action was taken.
VI. Finance
A.
Budget Amendment- TeSA
Steven Jones made a motion to approve TeSA's April budget amendment.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
B.
Audit Engagement Letter
Wes Poole made a motion to approve the 26/27 audit engagement letter with Freemon, Shapard, and Story.
Leslie Scott seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
VII. Academics
A.
Memorandum of Understanding with TEA for the Consolidation of FWAFA and TeSA
Leslie Scott made a motion to approve the MOU with TEA for Consolidation of FWAFA and TeSA.
Steven Jones seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
VIII. Operations
A.
Security Company Contract with Calvis
Steven Jones made a motion to approve Calvis Security Company contract for the 26/27 school year.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
B.
Contract with Crave It Nutrition
Steven Jones made a motion to approve Crave It Nutrition contract for the 26/27 school year with the change in the contract from 36 month period to 12 month period.
Wes Poole seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
IX. Governance
A.
PG-4.504 Family and Medical Leave
Steven Jones made a motion to approve PG-4.504 Family and Medical Leave with a change to strike paragraph i, page 9.
John Bolser seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
B.
PG-4.502 Leave Offerings
Wes Poole made a motion to approve PG-4.502 Leave Offerings.
Steven Jones seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
C.
Integrated Pest Management Policy
Michael Wellbaum made a motion to defer Integrated Pest Management Policy until June board meeting.
Leslie Scott seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Michael Wellbaum |
Aye
|
| Leslie Scott |
Aye
|
| Cheryl Bean |
Aye
|
| John Bolser |
Aye
|
| Steven Jones |
Aye
|
| Myong Chong |
Absent
|
| Wes Poole |
Aye
|
X. CEO Report
A.
Updates
- Conservator's April progress Report
- Leadership team is on track; positive agency feedback
- 2026-2027 Preliminary Enrollment Numbers
- TeSA 333 students; FWAFA 710 students; 90 students on waitlist.
- TCA+A's Afterschool Conservatories
- 220 students in after-school conservatories (net profit: $89,000)
- TCA+A's Summer Camp
- 126 students enrolled in summer camp (projected revenue: $33,841)
- 2026 FWAFA Graduation
- May 26, 2026 at 7 PM
XI. 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 8:22 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Bean