Texas Center for Arts + Academics

Minutes

TCA+A Session of the Board

Date and Time

Monday December 7, 2020 at 5:30 PM

Location

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88369976841
 
Meeting ID: 883 6997 6841

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Video/Audio Conferencing NoticePursuant to Governor Abbott’s Temporary Suspension of Open Meetings Laws issued on March 16, 2020, the December 7, 2020 TCAA Special Session of the Board will be conducted via video conference on the Zoom Video Conference platform, which will be audible to the Board and public and allow for two-way communication. The Board Chair, presiding officer, or trustees will not be physically present at one location, but a quorum will be required for the meeting on the video conference or phone.

Directors Present

Charles Reid (remote), Daniel Bates (remote), Leslie Scott (remote), Leslie Wade (remote), Mary A. Zimmerman (remote), Melissa Goodroe (remote), Michael Wellbaum (remote)

Directors Absent

None

Ex Officio Members Present

Paul Gravley (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

Paul Gravley (remote)

Guests Present

Betsy Compton (remote), Janelle Grau (remote), Nancy Vaughan (remote), Penny Clay (remote), Phillip Garrott (remote), Sheyna Ferraro (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

Melissa Goodroe called a meeting of the board of directors of Texas Center for Arts + Academics to order on Monday Dec 7, 2020 at 5:43 PM.

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

  • No Public Comments were made.

III. Consent Agenda

A.

Approve 11/17/2020 Minutes

Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve the minutes from TCAA Board Meeting on 11-17-20.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Approve 11/20/2020 Minutes

Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve the minutes from TCAA Session of the Board on 11-20-20.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Closed Session

A.

Convened to Closed Session at 5:46pm.

  • Opened in Closed Session at 5:49pm.
  • Closed Closed Session at 6:39pm.

B.

Reconvened Open Session at 6:42pm.

V. Academics

A.

TeSA

Discuss and consider grade level structure at TeSA regarding 6th grade

  Removal of 6th grade reasoning:
  • Financial 
    • in order for the school to break even with 2 teachers we need 29.6 sixth grade students enrolled
    • currently there are 32 fifth grade students
    • we've seen a loss of 32% of 5th graders moving into 6th grade each year so that means there would only be 22 students in 6th grade which does not meet the 30 student minimum needed
  • Education
    • 6 graders' needs are better met by multiple teachers teaching core subjects 
    • other local middle schools start at 6th grade
    • social emotional needs are better met with same-age peers
  • Intangible
    • 3 TeSA teachers currently have 5th graders
    • the current class of 5th graders are mostly audition-based students vs complete lottery-based students which may make turn over less for the coming school year
    • time line is tight with open enrollments already happening at other schools
Options: 
  • 1 - Make TeSA a true elementary campus by 2022-2023 year; keep 6th grade for 2021-2022 with the following caveats:
    • best educationally for students to have 2 teachers
    • hit break even point with 30 students enrolled
    • no final decision until auditions are complete
  • 2 - Make TeSA a true elementary by 2021-2022 by not filling 6th grade at all
  • 3 - Continue with 6th grade for 2021-2022 regardless of enrollment numbers; make decision the year after
  • 4 - Continue with 6th grade indefinitely
Recommendation:
  • Mr. Gravley recommends Option 1 due to financial and educational reasons
  • He feels those buckets out weigh other reasons that are just as valid and knows these are real people, real students who love TeSA 
  • We need to ensure long term viability of TeSA and plan for the best educational options for all students
Charles Reid made a motion to approve Option 1 which makes TeSA a true elementary campus by 2022-2023, keeping 6th grade for 2021-2022 with caveats listed above as well as any TEA caveats.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. 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 7:05 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Goodroe

B.

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