None.

Ms. Celina Cereceres, Auditor for Whitley Penn presents Review and approval of 2022-2023 Annual Financial and Compliance Report (AFR) as submitted and presented by the Independent Auditor, Whitley Penn.  Ms. Cereceres reviews the report with board members and informs the board there is no findings and the data is reported as clean and we have earned an unmodified opinion over financial statements.  There are no internal control findings related to financial reporting, and no findings related to compliance.    The major federal programs reviewed included ESSER II and III, Child Nutrition Cluster, Teacher and School Leader Incentive and Emergency Connectivity Fund and each earned an unmodified opinion with no internal control findings related to each program.  Ms. Cereceres reviews the current and prior year financial statements and commends Harmony regarding the audit.

Dr. Celepcikay thanks Ms. Cereceres for her teams work as well as our finance department and there team for their efforts.   

Mrs. Akyildiz, Chief Finance Officer presents Review of HPS Quarterly Investment Board Report of September 30, 2023.  Mrs. Akyildiz reviews the report with all board members and informs the board that this was also discussed during the Finance Committee held on November 3, 2023.  Mrs. Akyildiz states there is  $1,678,039 interest earned in Quarter 1 with an ending market value of approx. $134 million of total investments.

Mr. Levent Sakar, Director of CTE and STEM programs presents 2023-24 SY Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program Review.  Harmony's Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program is a multifaceted program of studies designed to prepare students for various career pathways by offering specialized education and practical skills in a diverse array of pathways such as healthcare, technology, business, engineering, computer science, and more. The CTE program at Harmony focuses on equipping students with the knowledge, hands-on training, and experiences necessary to excel in a wide range of professions and industries. This comprehensive approach helps students explore potential career options, acquire industry-standard certifications, and develop essential skills that are directly applicable in the workplace. The program also frequently emphasizes the importance of soft skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking, all of which are highly valued in today's job market. Overall, Harmony's CTE Program plays a pivotal role in preparing students for future success by offering a holistic and practical approach to education that aligns with the evolving needs of the workforce.

Mr. Sakar reviews his presentation with all board members and informs them HPS officers 10 different program of studies with four years course sequences and are aligned with our STEM programs.  Mr. Sakar reviews each program and the number of enrolled students for each program as well as the campuses that offer each program and state funding for the CTE program.  Mr. Sakar reviews CTE Program Quality Inidicators and Completers for the 22-23 graduating students compared to the two previous years as well as CTE classroom sizes.  Harmony is the only Public School in Texas to receive the PLTW Distinguished Recognition.  Mr. Sakar informs the board of two central office facilities that support the CTE program including the innovation lab for engineering and technology as well as the biomedical lab for medical and health science at Houston Ingenuity as well as each campus being equipped with Makerspace with engineering, manufacturing and technology tools.  Mr. Sakar reviews professional development offered to HPS teachers for CTE as well as teacher stipends and bonuses related.  Finally, Mr. Sakar shares a project example of student work related to CTE.

Mr. David Duran, Director of College Readiness presents 2023-24 SY Advanced Course Program Review.  Harmony's advanced program encompasses a diverse and challenging academic landscape through its offerings of Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit, and OnRamps Courses. These options are tailored to provide high school students with rigorous college-level experiences and opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school. AP courses, recognized for their rigorous curriculum, prepare students for college-level studies and offer the potential to earn college credit through standardized exams. Dual Credit courses facilitate the concurrent earning of both high school and college credits, allowing students to get a head start on their higher education journey. Harmony's inclusion of OnRamps Courses emphasizes its commitment to providing college-level coursework developed by university faculty, ensuring students receive challenging yet supportive preparation for the demands of higher education.  

Mr. Duran reviews the number of AP students by year, the number of tests taken by year, and passing percentage by year.  Mr. Duran also reviews the number of students enrolled into dual credit/onramp courses and the participation percentage.  Finally, he reviews Harmony After School Academy and the enrollment compared to the previous school year.  

Mr. David Duran, Director of College Readiness presents Class of 2024 QuestBridge Report.  QuestBridge is a non-profit organization in the United States that connects high-achieving, low-income students with top colleges and universities. To become a QuestBridge finalist, students need to meet rigorous eligibility criteria. This includes demonstrating exceptional academic performance with high grades in challenging coursework and strong standardized test scores, alongside showcasing financial need from a low-income background. Participation in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, work experience, awards, and strong writing skills in essays and recommendation letters are also crucial. If selected as a finalist, students have the opportunity to rank colleges and potentially secure a full four-year scholarship if matched, covering tuition, room and board, and other expenses.

Mr. Duran informs the board that last year there were 39 finalists and this year we have 48 finalists.  Mr. Duran shares the Questbridge timeline and informs the board that Harmony had 153 student apply with 48 students being finalists.  Harmony will found out about the matching colleges on December 1, 2023 and we are expecting around 30-40 percent of our students being matched with their dream college.  The rest of our students will still receive great benefits for universities as well for being finalists.  

Dr. Celepcikay asks if they will have a celebration for the winners and that our board member Laura Gonzalez should be invited as she was a recipient of this scholarship!  Ms. Gonzalez mentions that Questbridge is now offering scholarships for masters degrees as well which is a great opportunity for our students as well.

Dr. Celepcikay wishes all board members a Happy Thanksgiving and states we are very thankful for our students, staff, and parents.