Texas Center for Arts + Academics

Minutes

TCA+A Board Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday September 19, 2023 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

Charles Reid, Daniel Bates, Leslie Scott, Mary A. Zimmerman, Melissa Goodroe

Directors Absent

Cheryl Bean

Ex Officio Members Present

Paul Gravley

Non Voting Members Present

Paul Gravley

Guests Present

Anika Perkins, Betsy Compton, Celeste Filar, Gabi Galloway, Ginger Watson, Jennifer Roby, Kiera Wallace, Lacey Johnson, Lauren Whitson, Penny Clay, Tommy Fisher

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 Sep 19, 2023 at 6:08 PM.

B.

Record Attendance and Guests

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

Public Comments were made by:

  • Patricia Baumann
  • Elena Lucas - read by Allyson Grand
  • Jeni Stennis

III. Student Recognition

A.

TeSA Recognition

Betsy Compton recognized staff, student, and alumni:

1. Kelsey Kilgore (Theatre Teacher) for her service to students at TeSA and in the community; she'll be taking both Lexi and Kenzie to the Junior Thespian Festival West in Sacramento, CA in February

2. Lexi LaPenna (TeSA Student) for her advancement to Junior Thespian Festival West in Sacramento, CA February 2024 with a 15-minute cut from Junie B. Jones Jr.

3. Kenzie Johnson (TeSA alumni/current FWAFA student) for her advancement to Junior Thespian Festival West in Sacramento, CA February 2024 with a 15-minute cut from Junie B. Jones Jr.

B.

FWAFA Recognition

Kiera Wallace recognized students:

1. Skyla Jennings for leadership contributions to FWAFA and service as 2024 Senior Class President

2. Bella Reale for leadership contributions to FWAFA and service as Student Council Student Body President 2023-2024

IV. Consent Agenda

A.

Approve August 22, 2023 Meeting Minutes

Melissa Goodroe made a motion to approve the minutes from TCA+A Board Meeting - Annual Meeting on 08-22-23.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Finance Statements

Melissa Goodroe made a motion to approve July 2023 Finance Statements.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Closed Session

A.

Convene to Closed Session

  • Closed Open Session at 6:32pm
  • Convened in Closed Session at 6:32pm
  • Adjourned Closed Session at 8:07pm

B.

Reconvene to Open Session

  • at 8:14pm

C.

Action Item

  • No action was taken

VI. Finance

A.

Financial and Transition Authority Resolution

Daniel Bates made a motion to approve the Financial and Transition Authority Resolution.
Melissa Goodroe seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Registered Agent Resolution

Charles Reid made a motion to approve the Registered Agent Resolution.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VII. Academics

A.

Superintendent Resolution

Daniel Bates made a motion to approve the Superintendent Resolution.
Charles Reid seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

TeSA District Improvement Plan/Campus Improvement Plan

Mary A. Zimmerman made a motion to approve TeSA's District Improvement Plan/Campus Improvement Plan.
Melissa Goodroe seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

FWAFA District Improvement Plan/Campus Improvement Plan

Charles Reid made a motion to approve FWAFA's District Improvement Plan/Campus Improvement Plan.
Melissa Goodroe seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

TeSA 2023-2024 Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan

Daniel Bates made a motion to approve TeSA's 2023-2024 Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

FWAFA 2023-2024 Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan

Daniel Bates made a motion to approve FWAFA's 2023-2024 Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan.
Melissa Goodroe seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

TEA Accountability Ratings

Anika Perkins reported out:

  • A-F Accountability Ratings are being delayed by a month perhaps longer
  • Large ISDs are suing Mike Morath - Commissioner of Texas Education Agency
    • for changes made within the methodology of scoring A-F ratings for districts
    • not giving districts enough time to adjust to the changes of methodology after implementing the STAAR Redesign
    • districts are worried they will be penalized and fall at least 2 letter grades from their previous ratings
  • TeSA and FWAFA's raw data is encouraging but is only part of the accountability puzzle when scoring and assigning district grades

VIII. Governance

A.

Proposed Board of Director Member

Daniel Bates made a motion to approve Michael Wellbaum as an incoming Director of the TCA+A Board.
Mary A. Zimmerman seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Leslie Scott
Aye
Mary A. Zimmerman
Aye
Melissa Goodroe
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Daniel Bates
Aye
Charles Reid
No

B.

Board Chair Elect / Board Secretary Election

Melissa Goodroe made a motion to approve Cheryl Prince Bean as the incoming Board Chair Elect / Board Secretary.
Daniel Bates seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Leslie Scott
Aye
Cheryl Bean
Absent
Daniel Bates
Aye
Charles Reid
No
Mary A. Zimmerman
Aye
Melissa Goodroe
Aye

IX. Parent Organization Reports

A.

FWAFA PTSO

  • Ginger Watson is new President
  • Check Writing Campaign - Arts-a-thon fundraiser will run September 29, 2023 through October 12, 2023
  • Holding first ever Book Fair December 4, 2023 through December 8, 2023

X. CEO Report

A.

Updates

Paul Gravley reported out:

  • Shout out to TeSA PTO and FWAFA PTSO organizations for all they do for their schools
  • Accepted a position out of state to lead a non-profit in Virginia and is leaving September 30, 2023 to work on a passion project 
    • Proud of and thankful for- addition of HR department, work of principals and assistant principals, arts programs that continue to grow with leadership like Todd Prickett and Kerra Simmons, community choir that is led by Zack Brasfield
    • TCA+A is in great hands with Anika Perkins, Lauren Whitson, Celeste Filar, and Penny Clay
  • North Texas Giving Day is Thursday, September 21, 2023 - we are already at $1,750 with 10 donors
  • Enrollment as of today 
    • 688 FWAFA
    • 339 TeSA
  • Strategic Planning will be delayed due to an out of state funeral for a family member of one of the consultants 
  • Gala - close to $123K raised thus far and expenses are down from last year so our net amount should be great

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 9:27 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Leslie Scott

B.

CERTIFICATE AS TO POSTING OR GIVING OF NOTICE

Documents used during the meeting
  • TCA+A - July 2023.pdf
  • Cash Analysis Board-July 2023.pdf
  • FWAFA - July 2023.pdf
  • TeSA - July 2023.pdf
  • Approving_Financial_&_Transition_Authority_Resolution_Redacted.pdf
  • TCA+A Change of Agent Resolution 2023-09-19.pdf
  • TCA+A Board Resolution Approving Superintendent.pdf
  • 2023-2024 TeSA DIP_CIP.pdf
  • 23-24 FWAFA DIP_CIP.pdf
  • 2023-2024 TeSA Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations.pdf
  • 2023-2024 FWAFA Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations.pdf
  • FWAFA Data.pdf
  • TeSA Data.pdf
  • TEA delay in 2023 A-F ratings.pdf
  • BOD_App_Candidate Form_2023-2024.pdf