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Harmony Public Schools

Minutes

February 22, 2020 Board Meeting

Date and Time

Saturday February 22, 2020 at 9:00 AM

Location

9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S. Houston TX 77099

Directors Present

D. Morales, H. Koc, H. Sherwood, H. Stewart, O. Celepcikay

Directors Absent

O. Kanlioglu, O. Nal

Guests Present

Atila Akyurek, C. Lambert, F. Ay, M. Baca, M. Bayar, M. Schneider-Vogel, N. Bayhan, O. Ozer, 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 Feb 22, 2020 at 9:02 AM.

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

Karen Rodriguez informs the board that she had her son enrolled at Harmony Science Academy Katy this academic year.  Karen informs the board of concerns she has had with the campus principal at the campus and that she followed the HPS grievance process.  She states her son was suspended from the campus in November and during the suspension she moved her office right outside of her son's classroom.  She feels the suspension was retaliation for filing a grievance and that the suspension was illegal because kindergarten through third grades students cannot be suspended.  She is requesting her son's record to be expunged.  

Dr. Celepcikay thanks her for her comments and informs her that she has her grievance coming as the upcoming agenda item that the board will hear.

III. Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR) Public Hearing for all HPS Charters.

A.

Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR) Public Hearing for all HPS Charters.

Mr. Yagci presents Districts Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR) Public Hearing for the 2018-2019 Academic Year. Texas Education Code 39.306 requires each district's board of trustees to publish an annual report and hold a public hearing to discuss each district's annual report.  Mr. Yagci addressed each district's profile which encompassed total number of students, economically disadvantaged students, and total staff members.  The district profile also covered years of experience percentages for the district, students enrollment percentages regarding bilingual/ESL and special education and went over ethnic distribution.  Mr. Yagci then covered each districts performance summary based on the 2018-2019 STAAR results as well as post-secondary readiness and majority of subjects for each districts for Harmony outperformed the state wide average. Upon looking at 2018-2019 Accountability Ratings all Districts received an A rating besides two district which missed it by one point which was Harmony Science Academy Waco and Austin District.  The 2018-2019 Annual report is available on each district's website and paper copies are available at the district's administration office and HPS Central Office.  

IV. Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony Science Academy - Plano

A.

Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony Science Academy - Plano

Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551071, 551082, 5510821

Closed Session begins 10:15 AM

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 10:29 AM

Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
D. Morales made a motion to deny the expulsion appeal and uphold the administrative decision.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

V. Consideration of Staff Grievance Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation – Brownsville

A.

Consideration of Staff Grievance Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation – Brownsville

Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551071, 551074

Closed Session begins 10:15 AM

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 10:29 AM

Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
D. Morales made a motion to uphold the administrative decision and deny the grievance.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VI. Consideration of Parent Grievance Appeal from Harmony Science Academy – Katy

A.

Consideration of Parent Grievance Appeal from Harmony Science Academy – Katy

Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551071, 551074, 551082, 5510821

Closed Session begins 9:34 AM

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 10:15 AM

Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session there was no action was taken.
D. Morales made a motion to uphold the administrative decision and deny the appeal.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VII. Consent Agenda

A.

Consider Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes of January 25, 2020

H. Koc made a motion to approve the minutes from January 25, 2020 Board Meeting on 01-25-20.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Academic Committee Meeting

H. Koc made a motion to approve the minutes and actions of the Academic Committee Meeting held on February 7, 2020.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Finance Committee Meeting

H. Koc made a motion to approve the minutes and actions of the Finance Committee Meeting held on February 7, 2020.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Governance Committee Meeting

Dr. Celepcikay states that can be found within the meeting minutes however the CEO self evaluation will start March 1st and one month later the board members will be able to do their personal CEO evaluation through board on track.  This item will be discussed during the June board meeting.
H. Koc made a motion to approve the minutes and actions of the Governance Committee Meeting held on February 7, 2020.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Approval of School Calendars for 2020-2021 Academic Year.

H. Koc made a motion to approve School Calendars for 2020-2021 Academic Year.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VIII. Review and consider approval of 2019-2020 2nd Quarter Budget Amendments.

A.

Review and consider approval of 2019-2020 2nd Quarter Budget Amendments.

Mr. Ay informs the board that they all have a copy of the report and can ask any questions they would like.  Ms. Morales informs the board that we have reviewed this items during the finance committee meeting and that all questions were asked during that meeting. 
H. Stewart made a motion to approve 2019-2020 2nd Quarter Budget Amendments.
D. Morales seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IX. Review of Quarterly Investment Report as of December 30, 2019.

A.

Review of Quarterly Investment Report as of December 30, 2019.

Dr. Celepcikay states that this was presented during the finance committee meeting and Mr. Stewart agrees and states there are no questions.  Dr. Celepcikay states that our investments are doing well and you can see this in the report provided.

X. Review and consider approval of revised HPS Board Policy Governing Purchasing and Contracting –

A.

Review and consider approval of revised HPS Board Policy Governing Purchasing and Contracting

Mr. Ay informs the board that during the last board meeting it was approved for our CEO to select the means of bidding regarding public works and we are now looking to expand this to non-public works as well.  He informs the board that it will still come to their attention but he will have the authority to choose the method whether through co-op or the bidding process.  This is due to emergency situations and we do not want to wait a month to start the process.
H. Stewart made a motion to approve the revised HPS Board Policy Governing Purchasing and Contracting – Goods and/or Services other than Public Works and Professional Services Contracts – State and/or Local Funds.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XI. Consider proposals received for a partnership to offer a full-day prekindergarten program.

A.

Consider proposals received for a partnership to offer a full-day prekindergarten program.

Harmony Public School's Director of Student Recruitement, Dr. Akyurek presents proposals received for a partnership to offer a full-day prekindergarten program.  He informs the board that the purpose of this item is to request an exemption for 3 of our campuses for a half-day prekindergarten program for this current year.  He states that out of the 14 Harmony campuses offering a pre-K program only 3 were not able to extend their half day program to a full day.  TEA has given option for a 3 year waiver but we would only like to use this for the current year but next year all of our programs will be for a full year.  Mr. Akyurek informs the board that we did not receive any proposals for this agenda item from any outside entities.

Mr. Ay informs the board that due to space we are unable to provide full day pre-K programs for 3 out of our 14 campuses who offer pre-K.  However, next academic year we will be able to do so.

Ms. Morales asks if we only have 3 campuses offering pre-K and Mr. Ay states that we have 14 campuses offering pre-K and that 11 of them were able to offer full-day but 3 were not able to do so due to space.  Ms. Morales requested to have a list of all of the campuses who offer pre-K programs.

Mr. Stewart asks if we are applying for a 3 year waiver and Mr. Akyurek states we are only applying for a 1 year waiver because we will have all full day programs for next year.

Ms. Sherwood asks if we are planning to provide for all of our elementary campuses and Mr. Ay states that yes this is the plan we just have to assure there is room and adjust our enrollment plans.  Mr. Akyurek states that in the long run we want all of our campuses to offer full day pre-K programs.

Dr. Celepcikay informs the board since there were no proposals received no action is needed for this item.

XII. Approval of a resolution to file a waiver from the requirements of TEC 29.153(c).

A.

Approval of a resolution to file a waiver from the requirements of TEC 29.153(c).

Dr. Celepcikay states that this was discussed during our previous agenda item unless there are any further questions.

Dr. Koc asks what specifically TEA is requiring us to waive.  Mr. Akyurek states that 3 of our campuses have only a half day pre-K program and the waiver is for these 3 campuses to continue with a half-day program as all of our other campuses have a full day program.  Again, this is only for this academic year as next year all will move to a full day program.
H. Koc made a motion to approve resolution to file a waiver from the requirements of TEC 29.153(c).
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XIII. Approval of Resolution to revise HPS Mission Statement and submit a charter amendment

A.

Approval of Resolution to revise HPS Mission Statement and submit a charter amendment

Ms. Baca presents Approval of Resolution to revise HPS Mission Statement and submit a charter amendment for the Bylaws revised on November 16, 2019, and revised mission statement for all HPS Charters.  Mr. Ay informs that these Bylaws were revised several months ago and in order to get them approved at TEA level we need a board resolution.

Dr. Celepcikay asks anytime we update our by-laws we have to submit through TEA and Mr. Ay states this is correct.  Ms. Baca states this is a non-expansion amendment.

Dr. Koc asks if this must be approved by TEA and Ms. Baca states that once the board approves it they will just update our file as they do not approve our bylaws or mission statement.
H. Stewart made a motion to approve Resolution to revise HPS Mission Statement and submit a charter amendment for the Bylaws revised on November 16, 2019, and revised mission statement for all HPS Charters.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XIV. Review and Approve a Board Resolution to submit to TEA the Charter Renewal Application

A.

Review and Approve a Board Resolution to submit to TEA the Charter Renewal Application

Ms. Baca presents Review and Approve a Board Resolution to submit to TEA the Charter Renewal Application for the following Charters:  Harmony Science Academy – San Antonio (CDN# 015-828). Harmony Science Academy El Paso (CDN# 071-806), Harmony School of Excellence (CDN# 101-858).  She states that these three districts applications to TEA expire July 31, 2020 and since these districts are in good standings TEA expedited our application process and we just need to submit these documents to them.  Upon submission we will receive the Charter Renewal approve letter which is good for ten years.  

Ms. Scheider-Vogel asks if the attached bylaws are current and Ms. Baca states that we had to have them approved in this board meeting and we will attach the new ones to the application now that they were just approved.
D. Morales made a motion to approve a Board Resolution to submit to TEA the Charter Renewal Application for the following Charters: Harmony Science Academy – San Antonio (CDN# 015-828). Harmony Science Academy El Paso (CDN# 071-806), Harmony School of Excellence (CDN# 101-858).
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XV. Approval of entering into a licensing agreement with Harmony Education Solutions.

A.

Approval of entering into a licensing agreement with Harmony Education Solutions.

Dr. Celepcikay announces that board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meeting Act Chapters 551071

Closed Session begins 10:54 AM

Ms. Morales had to excuse herself during closed session at 11:01 AM due to prior engagements.

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 11:14 AM

Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board heard from our attorney and there was no action was taken.
H. Koc made a motion to approve entering into a licensing agreement with Harmony Education Solutions.
H. Stewart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

XVI. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

H. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:16 AM.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED 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 11:16 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Lambert