Dr. Celepcikay announces our new board member, Ms. Kimberly House and informs her that we are excited to have her as a new board member!

Carmen Carter, parent from Harmony School of Innovation Katy has been a parent of a harmony student for the last ten years.  Dr. Carter informs the board of her concern for a more diverse administration and staff to suit the needs of the school's diverse student population.  Dr. Carter particularly would like diversity in college and career counselors.

T'wala Lochner, parent from Harmony School of Innovation Katy has two students one in eighth grade and another in tenth grade.  Ms. Lochner goes over the numbers regarding diversity in the school and the need for diversity in campus administration.  She informs the board that her children are homebound and are receiving inadequate instruction and is concerned that they are being removed from GT and advanced courses due to missing deadlines because of being homebound students.  Ms. Lochner would like policies to be in place for homebound students as she is concerned with teachers not putting assignments and grades in on time.  

Doctor Green states it is important that we have diversity, inclusion, and visible diversity in the school, especially staff and those responsible for making decisions including the principals.  Dr. Green mentions utilizing the individuals who attended today to make a change in the system.  

Dr. Celepcikay mentions during the governance committee meeting the committee members discussed the annual board retreat.  He informs the board that the annual board retreat  will be held on the last weekend of September and to be sure to mark their calendars.  This retreat will be similar to last year's retreat where board members arrive late Friday and we start on Saturday morning with the monthly board meeting and will continue all day Saturday and a half day Sunday.  

Dr. Celepcikay made a motion for "Review and Approval of Harmony Public Schools 2023-2024 Student Parent Handbook" to be removed from the consent agenda and be placed as a separate action item.  

Dr. Argin seconded the motion.  All board members approved for the item to be placed as a separate action agenda item.

Ms. Baca, Chief Compliance Officer HPS presents Review and Approval of Harmony Public Schools 2023-2024 Student Parent Handbook.  Ms. Baca reviews the presentation for each change with the board members. 

Ms. Sherwood asks for clarification regarding the addition to level two offenses of selling, exchanging, or renting items and/or services on campus without the principal's permission and Mr. Alpaslan, Deputy Superintendent HPS states this was brought about as students at some of the campuses are bringing technology devices and are trading and/or exchanging consoles for money which is why we are adding this language.  

Ms. Gonzalez asks about the handbook change to black and blue colors and Ms. Baca states this is to assure students are uniform and do not wear jeans with tears or designs.  

Dr. Argin asks how the changes are made to the handbook and Ms. Baca states that each department from central office comes with possible changes after communicating with the campus administration and district offices.  These changes are then brought to our legal team for review and then to the board.

Dr. Celepcikay asks if we share a table with parents that show the changes made to the handbook and Ms. Baca states yes we typically do this with an attachment online with the handbook.

Dr. Celepcikay presents Approval of Board Committee Assignments.  He informs the board that the recommendations were discussed during the Governance Committee Meeting held on May 5, 2023.  The recommended changes include adding our new board member, Kimberly House to the Finance Committee, Mehmet Argin chairing the Finance Committee, and adding Helen Sherwood to the Governance Committee to replace former board member Homer Stewart.

Mrs. Akyildiz, Chief Finance Officer HPS presents Review of HPS Quarterly Investment Board Report of March 31, 2023.  Mrs. Akyildiz reviews the presentation with the board members including the beginning and ending values as of March 31, 2023 as well as inflows, outflows and interest received.  She informs the board based on the report the interest earning is as planned and as known interest rates are going up and we are reinvesting these earnings.  This report was also brought to the finance committee on May 5, 2023.  

Dr. Celepcikay asks if there are any significant changes this quarter regarding changing any investment funds and Mrs. Akyildiz informs him there are no significant changes in this quarter.  

Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meetings Act Chapters 551.071 and 551.082.

Closed Session begins 9:09AM.

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 9:43AM.  Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the item was discussed and no action was taken.