Harmony Public Schools

Minutes

October 28, 2023 HPS Board Meeting

Date and Time

Saturday October 28, 2023 at 8:30 AM

Location

9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S,

Houston, TX 77099

3rd Floor El Paso Meeting Room

 

 

**We will serve breakfast at 8:00 AM in the fourth floor meeting room.

Directors Present

H. Koc, H. Sherwood (remote), K. House, L. Gonzalez, M. Argin, O. Celepcikay (remote)

Directors Absent

O. Kanlioglu

Guests Present

C. Lambert, E. Altun, E. Cavusoglu, F. Ay, J. Hoffer (remote), N. Bayhan, U. Alpaslan

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

H. Koc called a meeting of the board of directors of Harmony Public Schools to order on Saturday Oct 28, 2023 at 8:31 AM.

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

None.

III. Consent Agenda

A.

Consider Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes of September 30 2023

L. Gonzalez made a motion to approve the minutes from September 30, 2023 HPS Board Meeting on 09-30-23.
M. Argin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Finance Committee Meeting on October 13, 2023.

L. Gonzalez made a motion to approve the Minutes and of the Actions of the Finance Committee Meeting on October 13, 2023.
M. Argin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Academic Committee Meeting on October 13, 2023.

L. Gonzalez made a motion to approve the Minutes and of the Actions of the Academic Committee Meeting on October 13, 2023.
M. Argin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Deliberate the Purchase, Lease, Lease Renewal/Extension/Amendment, Sublease,

A.

Deliberate the Purchase, Lease, Lease Renewal/Extension/Amendment, Sublease, or Sell Land/Real Property for School/Office Facilities in Harmony Public Schools in Pearland, Texas.

Amine El Hiyat, Real Estate and Construction Manager HPS presents Deliberate the Purchase, Lease, Lease Renewal/Extension/Amendment, Sublease, or Sell Land/Real Property for School/Office Facilities in Harmony Public Schools in Pearland, Texas.  He informs the board that this agenda item was discussed previously during the October 13, 2023 Finance Committee Meeting.  Mr. El Hiyat reviews the resolution with the board regarding purchasing an adjacent tract of land to gain access from a less busy street in the city of Pearland.

K. House made a motion to approve the purchase, Lease, Lease Renewal/Extension/Amendment, Sublease, or Sell Land/Real Property for School/Office Facilities in Harmony Public Schools in Pearland, Texas as presented.
L. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

V. K-2 Early Literacy mClass and NWEA MAP BOY Data Review.

A.

K-2 Early Literacy mClass and NWEA MAP BOY Data Review.

Mr. Emin Cavusoglu, Deputy Superintendent of Programs HPS presents K-2 Early Literacy mClass and NWEA MAP BOY Data Review.  Mr. Cavusoglu informs the board K-2 Early Literacy mClass is harmony's educational assessment system designed for students in kindergarten through second grade to support early literacy development. It is utilized to monitor and evaluate students' progress in developing essential reading and literacy skills. In this report, the initial assessment data that is collected at the start of the school year will be reviewed. Similarly, the NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Beginning of Year (BOY) Data Review is a process used in our schools to assess and analyze the academic progress of students at the start of the school year in Reading, Math and Science. NWEA MAP is an assessment system that provides educators with valuable data about students' academic performance and growth over time.  Mr. Cavasoglu reviews the shared presentation and beginning of the year data with all board members as presented during the October 13th Academic Committee meeting.

VI. Consider Approval of a One-Time Appreciation Bonus to our Employees.

A.

Consider Approval of a One-Time Appreciation Bonus to our Employees.

Mr. Emre Altun, Chief Human Resource Officer HPS presents Consider Approval of a One-Time Appreciation Bonus to our Employees.  Mr. Altun informs the board Harmony Public Schools is pleased to extend a one-time appreciation bonus before the Thanksgiving Holiday to all eligible employees to express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their hard work. The stipend will amount to 5 percent of each full time employee’s annual salary and a $300 flat amount will be paid to all eligible temp workers (interns, tutors, crossing guards)

M. Argin made a motion to approve the One-Time Appreciation Bonus to HPS Employees as presented.
L. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VII. Consideration of Student/Parent Grievance Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation - Sugar Land

A.

Consideration of Student/Parent Grievance Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation - Sugar Land

Dr. Koc announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meetings Act Chapters 551.082 to consult with our attorney.

 

Closed Session begins 8:56AM.

 

Dr. Koc starts regular session at 9:16AM.  Dr. Koc states in closed session the board had discussion with our attorney and no action was taken.  

M. Argin made a motion to deny the parent grievance and uphold the administrations decision.
L. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

L. Gonzalez made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
K. House 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 9:17 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Lambert