Texas Center for Arts + Academics

Minutes

TCAA Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday June 22, 2021 at 6:00 PM

Location

  • Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82421226250
  • Meeting ID: 824 2122 6250
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Video/Audio Conferencing NoticePursuant to Governor Abbott’s Temporary Suspension of Open Meetings Laws issued on March 16, 2020, the June 22, 2021 TCA+A Board Meeting 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), Mary A. Zimmerman (remote), Melissa Goodroe (remote), Michael Wellbaum (remote)

Directors Absent

Leslie Wade

Ex Officio Members Present

Paul Gravley (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

Paul Gravley (remote)

Guests Present

Betsy Compton (remote), Janelle Grau (remote), Jennifer Jackson (remote), Lacey Gaymon (remote), Luke Byford (remote), Nancy Vaughan (remote), Penny Clay (remote), Phillip Garrott (remote), Sheyna Ferraro (remote), Tommy Fisher (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Melissa Goodroe called a meeting of the board of directors of Texas Center for Arts + Academics to order on Tuesday Jun 22, 2021 at 6:08 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

  • No Public Comments were made.

III. Consent Agenda

A.

Approve Minutes

Leslie Scott made a motion to approve the minutes from TCAA Board Special Session on 04-27-21.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Finance Statements

Leslie Scott made a motion to approve April and May 2021 Finance Statements.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

FWAFA - ESC Region 11 Contract 2021-2022

Leslie Scott made a motion to approve FWAFA's 2021-2022 ESC Region 11 Contract.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

TeSA - ESC Region 11 Contract 2021-2022

Leslie Scott made a motion to approve TeSA's 2021-2022 ESC Region 11 Contract.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

FWAFA - TEA Missed School Days Waiver

Leslie Scott made a motion to approve FWAFA's TEA Missed School Days Waiver.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

TeSA - TEA Missed School Days Waiver

Leslie Scott made a motion to approve TeSA's TEA Missed School Days Waiver.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

FWAFA Graduation

Leslie Scott made a motion to approve moving FWAFA's Graduation to Monday, May 23, 2022.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Closed Session

A.

Times

  • Adjourned to Closed Session at 6:12pm
  • Convened in Closed Session at 6:17pm
  • Adjourned Closed Session at 7:44pm
  • Convened in Open Session at 7:47pm

V. Financial

A.

TCA+A FY2022 Budget

Daniel Bates made a motion to approve TCA+A's FY2022 Budget as presented by Mrs. Grau.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
  • Estimating revenue FY2022 at $2.345 million dollars up from FY2021 due to in-person performance ticket sales and special events like the Gala, etc.
  • Travel fees line represents TBC & SGT Korea trip - TCA+A is the middle man; parents pay us and we turn around and pay the tour company so it's a wash
  • Expenses is $1.36 million dollars showing a surplus of $984,000 but those funds are to pay for TeSA and FWAFA's principal loan payments plus the line of credit at Plains Capital payments
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

TeSA FY2022 Budget

Charles Reid made a motion to approve TeSA's FY2022 Budget as presented by Mrs. Grau.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
  • FY2022 Budget - Revenue is $2.9 million 
  • TEA FSP number of $2.6 million which includes 307 enrolled students however the current number is 334 enrolled
  • Small deficient of $62,600 but with 334 students TeSA can make up the difference
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

FWAFA FY2022 Budget

Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve to FWAFA's FY2022 Budget as presented by Mrs. Grau.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
  • FY2022 Revenue is $6.2 million paying close attention to TEA FSP number of $5.7 million which  is based on 685 students enrolled but as of today there are 710 students enrolled
  • Expenses are $6 million which includes additional staff needed
  • Surplus of $154,000
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. Academics

A.

STAAR and EOC Results 2020-2021

  • We don't have the State STAAR averages yet
  • We're still giving the final EOC test for 2021 this week to a few students
  • House Bill 3906 said by 2022-2023 we must have all testing online, by the end of this school year we are just about 1 to 1 student to computer ratio
    • 2021 testing did not count for our accountability rating so this was the time to practice online testing
    • all assessments we are testing for in FY2023 are going to be brand new
  • We know there is going to be a learning loss but we'll be able to tell more once the State scores/averages come out
  • TeSA - Betsy Compton
    • put in terms of 2019 accountability system since State percentages haven't been released yet
    • drilled down to the individual student level and looked at how many students in each grade did not even make 'approaches' which means they are pretty far behind and are going to need assistance
    • most of those students were students who were at-home learners
    • very few of the students who did not approach were the general education students; most are already identified as students who need support like a 504 plan, English as a Second Language, etc.
    • bringing in Multi Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) to give us a better system to help all students
    • 2019 to now we have dropped across the board but we are working in a more collaborative way to help each other and the students
  • FWAFA - Jennifer Jackson
    • mirror TeSA's scores as far as at-home learners
    • maintained As in reading but struggled in math
    • putting our eyes on the whole math department in vertical alignment going up to 6th and 7th grade
    • slipped a tiny bit mostly just in math

B.

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III

  • Early in the year last year, campuses that received Title I funds received ESSER I funds
    • FWAFA received funds 
    • TeSA did not but that was corrected 
  • ESSER II and ESSER III money
    • ESSER III was released before ESSER II money
    • FWAFA will receive around $76,378 and TeSA will receive $71,215 from ESSER III alone; funds run through 2024
  • Texas Legislature released ESSER II money
    • each campus should receive a little more than $30,000
  • Over the next 2 to 3 years both campuses will receive over $100,000 for learning loss
    • we need to overcome the impact of COVID 19
    • our purpose is to respond to the pandemic, address student learning loss, and supplemental needs
  • Local Education Agency (LEA) - each campus/districts is an LEA
    • we'll have to put together something similar to a campus/district plan with TEA requirements
  • Have to hold a Public Meeting to talk about the Funds and what they will be used for
  • State has Four (4) Required Domains
    • Health and Safety as related to COVID 19
    • Expense plan for the Funds
    • Have to set aside 20% of the Funds
    • Implement Interventions for Academic Success
  • Provide a Safe Return to Instruction
  • Two-thirds of ESSER III money is available now
    • Allowable Expenses are spelled out regarding Special Populations, COVID Prevention, Training and Professional Development, etc.
    • Unallowable activities include things like hosting conferences, debt repayment, etc.
  • Academic Committee will be put together to talk about the funds and create a plan
    • monitor plan annually - adjust as needed

C.

FWAFA 2021-2022 Student Handbook

Charles Reid made a motion to approve FWAFA's 2021-2022 Student Handbook as presented by administration.
Michael Wellbaum seconded the motion.

Mr. Gravley
  • Professional look by adjusting formatting
  • Added Mission Statement
  • New Communication Policy
  • Added a section on Virtual Learning Policy
  • School Logistics / After-School Programs / Conservatory info
  • Special Services updated
  • Edited names to position titles so names do not have to be update when staff changes
  • Gifted and Talent verbiage update according to TEA
  • In-school Counselors even though Charters are not required to have them
  • Extracurricular activity eligibility 
  • Promotion and Retention added language to be consistent with TEA
  • Credit Outside of FWAFA - added ways to receive credit by exam for acceleration/recovery
  • Academic Honesty aligned with Student Code of Conduct
  • Student Club info added particularly about outgoing communications
  • School Clinic added COVID procedures
  • Celebratory Treats added 
  • Non Discrimination changed to employee titles instead of employee names to contact
  • Dress Code shift from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021
    • Changed from Boys and Girls headings to reading Tops and Bottoms
    • Grooming requirements changed regarding jewelry, piercings, and hair color
    • Administration recommends keeping these changes 
      • best for student mental health
      • best to retain and secure funding
      • reflects the entire administration's sentiments
      • best for student learning
  • Motion passed 4 - 2
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

TeSA 2021-2022 Student Handbook

Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve TeSA's 2021-2022 Student Handbook as presented by administration without the dress code.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.

Mr. Gravley
  • Reflects the same sentiments as FWAFA to create a uniformed TCA+A system 
  • Professional look by adjusting formatting
  • Added Mission Statement
  • New Communication Policy
  • Added a section on Virtual Learning Policy
  • Drop-off practices updated
  • School Logistics / After-School Programs / Conservatory info
  • Spirit Dress Days - now allows any past TeSA spirit shirts
  • Special Services updated
  • In-school Counselor even though Charters are not required to have them
  • Grading Scale update particularly on the fine arts side with alignments
  • Progress/Grade Reporting updated the heading
  • New procedures for injuries and inability to participate added
  • Promotion and Retention added language to be consistent with TEA
  • Academic Honesty aligned with Student Code of Conduct
  • Student Club info added particularly about outgoing communications
  • School Clinic added COVID procedures
  • Celebratory Treats added 
  • Change Nutrition title to read Meals because going to add breakfast
  • Lost and Found procedure info added
  • Moved Bullying to Student Code of Conduct Section
  • Kindergarteners no longer have to change into dance/PE attire - due to loosing 15 to 20 minutes of instructional time
  • Dress Code to mirror that of FWAFA's keeping Tops and Bottoms headings
    • Mrs. Compton shared her position on the handbook moving forward with Dress Code to not delay communication to TeSA families
    • Handbook will be voted on with everything except dress code; dress code will be voted on at a Special Session when all 7 board members are in attendance
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

FWAFA 2021-2022 Personnel Handbook

Michael Wellbaum made a motion to approve FWAFA's 2021-2022 Personnel Handbook as presented by administration.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.

Mr. Gravley
  • Vacation, Personal days, and Sick Leave - planned absent request to be submitted to supervisor 3 days in advance
  • Personal Days and Vacation Leave - may not be taken for more than 5 consecutive days per semester
  • Employee Dress Code - updated by identifying what is and is not acceptable in a school setting; administration may require an employee to cover tattoos, adjust distracting hair coloring, and/or remove facial jewelry
  • American Disabilities Act and First Amendment Religious Freedoms
  • New Policy regarding Letter of Reasonable Assurances
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

TeSA 2021-2022 Personnel Handbook

Leslie Scott made a motion to approve TeSA's 2021-2022 Personnel Handbook as presented by administration.
Charles Reid seconded the motion.

Mr. Gravley
  • Exact same language and changes as FWAFA's Personnel Handbook
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

TCA+A 2021-2022 Personnel Handbook

Mary A. Zimmerman made a motion to approve TCA+A's 2021-2022 Personnel Handbook as presented by administration.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
  • The same changes as TeSA and FWAFA's with a few differences due to year round employees
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VII. Parent Organization Updates

A.

TeSA PTO

  • TeSA PTO wants to express appreciation and thanks to the TCA+A administration and Board for their hard work and support in such a unique and challenging year.
  • To add a bit fun, we'd like to ask the board to vote - unofficially - on TeSA's 2021-2022 theme
    • Galactic choices "Shoot for the Stars" vs. "TeSA is Out of this World"
    • Shoot for the Stars wins

VIII. CEO Updates

A.

Updates

  • Communication sent to all parents and staff that instruction will be in-person on both campuses; Texas Legislature did not vote so Virtual Learning is not an option
  • Korea World Choir Games
    • SGT and TBC traveling to Korea to compete
    • We are still working out logistics and funding for the trip
  • Summer Camps
    • 181 sessions as of right now that have been paid for; by far the most amount of sessions we've ever had
  • New Hiring: Chief Academic Officer / Deputy Superintendent
    • Anika Perkins starts July 1, 2021
    • thankful to board member Charles Reid who participated in the interview process

IX. 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 9:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Goodroe

B.

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