Harmony Public Schools
Minutes
July 27, 2019 Board Meeting
Date and Time
Saturday July 27, 2019 at 12:00 PM
Location
9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston TX 77099
Items will not necessarily be discussed or considered in the order they are printed on the agenda above. If, during the course of the meeting, discussion of any item on the agenda should be held in an executive or closed session, the Board will convene in such executive or closed session as permitted by and in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 551. Before any closed meeting is convened, the presiding officer will publicly identify the section or sections of the Texas Open Meetings Act authorizing the closed meeting. All final votes, actions, or decisions will be taken in open meeting.
Directors Present
E. MacDonald, H. Koc, H. Stewart, O. Celepcikay, O. Kanlioglu, O. Nal
Directors Absent
D. Morales
Guests Present
C. Lambert, D. Polat, E. Altun, F. Ay, M. Bayar, M. Schneider-Vogel, N. Bayhan, O. Ozer, R. Avsar, U. Alpaslan
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
O. Celepcikay called a meeting of the board of directors of Harmony Public Schools to order on Saturday Jul 27, 2019 at 12:04 PM.
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Public Comments
Angel Ayika addresses the Board of Directors. She informs the board the pictures that were shared the comment was because a mean girl who was coming about.
D.
Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony Science Academy-Fort Worth
Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551071 and Chapters 551074.
Closed Session begins 12:16 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 1:51 PM.
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
Closed Session begins 12:16 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 1:51 PM.
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
H. Stewart made a motion to uphold the decision of the area superintendent and deny the appeal.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Excellence-Sugar Land
Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551071 and Chapters 551074.
Closed Session begins 12:16 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 1:51 PM.
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
Closed Session begins 12:16 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 1:51 PM.
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
O. Kanlioglu made a motion to uphold the administrative decision and deny the appeal.
O. Nal seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation – Houston
Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551071 and Chapters 551074.
Closed Session begins 12:16 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 1:51 PM.
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
Closed Session begins 12:16 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 1:51 PM.
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
H. Stewart made a motion to allow the student to re-enroll for the 2019-2020 school year provided the student enrolls at another campus other than Harmony School of Innovation-Houston and directs the administration to impose alternative disciplinary consequences.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
G.
Consider and possible action on employee grievance(s)
Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551071, 551074, 551082
Closed Session begins 2:04 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 3:33 PM
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board heard from their attorney and there was no action was taken.
Closed Session begins 2:04 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 3:33 PM
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board heard from their attorney and there was no action was taken.
H. Stewart made a motion to deny grievance one and two as considered by the board on June 15, 2019.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
H.
Consideration of Communications with the TEA
Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551082 , Chapters 551074, and Chapters 551071 .
Closed Session begins 2:04 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 3:33 PM.
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
Dr. Celepcikay states that during the charter school application process there were some comments about Harmony and several people found that there were inaccuracies and these were brought to the boards attention. With the input from our legal counsel we wanted to address these inaccuracies and also showcase Harmony's accomplishments in this recent academic year. We have a letter to share with appropriate personnel from TEA.
Closed Session begins 2:04 PM
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 3:33 PM.
Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
Dr. Celepcikay states that during the charter school application process there were some comments about Harmony and several people found that there were inaccuracies and these were brought to the boards attention. With the input from our legal counsel we wanted to address these inaccuracies and also showcase Harmony's accomplishments in this recent academic year. We have a letter to share with appropriate personnel from TEA.
O. Kanlioglu made a motion to authorize the letter to be sent to the appropriate parties at TEA.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Consent Agenda
A.
Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes for June 15, 2019
H. Stewart made a motion to approve minutes from the June 15, 2019 Board Meeting on 06-15-19 June 15, 2019 Board Meeting on 06-15-19.
E. MacDonald seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Approval of Resolution of non-expansion amendment to Texas Education Agency
H. Stewart made a motion to approve the Resolution of non-expansion amendment to Texas Education Agency for contingency plan for HSA-Cypress (Campus ID# 101-858-009) for possible delayed opening.
E. MacDonald seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
III. Finance
A.
Consider approval of delegation of authority to the
Dr. Bayhan presents approval of delegation of authority to the CEO, Deputy Superintendent, CFO, and their designees to negotiate, finalize, and execute amendments and renewals for all existing contracts between HPS and vendors that were previously approved and awarded by the HPS Board of Directors. Dr. Bayhan states that this was mentioned by Dr. Celepcikay in the last Finance Committee Meeting since there were over 30 different renewal items we spoke to our attorney and board approval would be enough and we do not need a policy update. If approved, we would have the ability to not have to bring renewal items to the Finance Committee or Board Meeting for approval as we would just sign as a renewal.
Dr. Celepcikay requests for Dr. Bayhan to describe why this is needed to the board members who were not present during the finance meeting. Dr. Bayhan states we have contracts coming to the finance committee every 2-3 years and we are renewing the same contract with minor changes. This would allow our CEO, Deputy Superintendent, CFO, and their designee the ability to sign and move forward.
Dr. Celepcikay requests for Dr. Bayhan to describe why this is needed to the board members who were not present during the finance meeting. Dr. Bayhan states we have contracts coming to the finance committee every 2-3 years and we are renewing the same contract with minor changes. This would allow our CEO, Deputy Superintendent, CFO, and their designee the ability to sign and move forward.
H. Stewart made a motion to approve the delegation of authority to the CEO, Deputy Superintendent, CFO, and their designees to negotiate, finalize, and execute amendments and renewals for all existing contracts between HPS and vendors that were previously approved and awarded by the HPS Board of Directors.
O. Kanlioglu seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IV. Other Business
A.
Consider Approval of 2019-2020 Compensation Plan
Mr. Altun presents the Approval of 2019-2020 Compensation Plan. He states that in our last board meeting we discussed our proposal to House Bill 3 (HB3). In addition to those changes we also had updates to the plan. Mr. Altun informs the board that in the documents provided they will be able to see the list of the updates. The main proposal is the pay raises due to HB3. We do not anticipate any changes to our plan and have brought the same document to your attention.
Dr. Celepcikay asks if there are any updates to the plan and Mr. Altun states no change to the salary. Dr. Celepcikay asks if we know the final numbers. Mr. Ay states we do and we feel comfortable bringing this as an approval item. Dr. Celepcikay states it was beneficial to share with our stakeholders.
Dr. Koc asks the last board meeting it was an information item and now you are seeking approval and Mr. Altun states yes so that we can put these numbers into employees' salaries and they can sign for them.
Dr. Kanlioglu asks how you compare the numbers to nearby ISD’s and Mr. Altun states only 30 percent was required but we allocated almost all to salaries. Homer states HISD is at 20 percent and with us being at 30 percent we are looking good. Dr. Kanlioglu asks the reason for not raising CTE and Mr. Altun states they are already receiving 6500 and also receive more for each course. Mr. Ay states that our competitors have similar stipends.
Dr. Nal asks is this temporary or permanent and Mr. Altun states as long as the state does change the numbers we will not make any changes.
Dr. Celepcikay asks if there are any updates to the plan and Mr. Altun states no change to the salary. Dr. Celepcikay asks if we know the final numbers. Mr. Ay states we do and we feel comfortable bringing this as an approval item. Dr. Celepcikay states it was beneficial to share with our stakeholders.
Dr. Koc asks the last board meeting it was an information item and now you are seeking approval and Mr. Altun states yes so that we can put these numbers into employees' salaries and they can sign for them.
Dr. Kanlioglu asks how you compare the numbers to nearby ISD’s and Mr. Altun states only 30 percent was required but we allocated almost all to salaries. Homer states HISD is at 20 percent and with us being at 30 percent we are looking good. Dr. Kanlioglu asks the reason for not raising CTE and Mr. Altun states they are already receiving 6500 and also receive more for each course. Mr. Ay states that our competitors have similar stipends.
Dr. Nal asks is this temporary or permanent and Mr. Altun states as long as the state does change the numbers we will not make any changes.
H. Koc made a motion to approve the 2019-2020 Compensation Plan.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Closing Items
A.
Closing Remarks
Dr. Celepcikay states that August is the month we do the CEO evaluation. He states that he already started the process through board on track and the first step is for the CEO to do the self-evaluation. Once he completes this evaluation he will share with all board members. Ideally we would like to be done a week before our August 24th meeting.
Mr. Stewart congratulates Dr. Koc on the new addition to his family.
Ms. MacDonald asks if there is any news on the retreat. Dr. Celepcikay states that due to summer break we will bring this to our August meeting.
Mr. Stewart congratulates Dr. Koc on the new addition to his family.
Ms. MacDonald asks if there is any news on the retreat. Dr. Celepcikay states that due to summer break we will bring this to our August meeting.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
H. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
O. Nal seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 3:38 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
C. Lambert