None.

Ebru Akyildiz, Chief Finance Officer informs the board that Harmony Public Schools is requesting the approval of resolution to request Permanent School Fund Guarantee of Bonds and authorize administration to pursue bond financing to finance educational facilities.  Ms. Akyildiz introduces Drew Masterson, Financial Advisor of HPS to go over the presentation shared with the board.

Drew Masterson informs the board the HPS leadership team is planning to go to the bond market prior to Summer 2024 to refinance the current line of credit which has been used to finance land acquisitions and construction projects of future HPS campuses. To be able to obtain TEA’s PSF guarantee, the Finance Department recommends the approval of a PSF application for up to $280 million. The projected bond total is approximately $168 million.

Mrs. Ebru Akyildiz, Chief Finance Officer for Harmony Public Schools presents Review and Consider Approval of Resolution to Enter into Agreement with the following Cooperative Purchasing Programs: a) The Southeast Texas Purchasing Cooperative (Region 5 ESC) b) The Educational Purchasing Interlocal Cooperative (EPIC6)(Region 6 ESC).  She informs the board Per Federal and State laws, and local Purchasing Policy, Harmony is allowed to utilize contracts procured by Cooperative Purchasing Programs (CO-OP) for the purchase of goods and services.  Currently, Harmony has 10 CO-OP memberships and Purchasing Department recommends adding these two programs to our CO-OP memberships.  Board Resolution is required to make Harmony members to these programs. There are no membership fees for school districts and charters schools.

Ms. Minh Baca, Chief Compliance Officer HPS presents Approval of Resolution to submit a non-expansion amendment to TEA to postpone the opening date for the 2 new campuses for HPS-Houston North Charter (CDN: 101858).  Ms. Baca informs the board These two new campuses were in our 2025 strategic plan and when we applied for them, there was a demand for the new campuses but due to COVID, the demand changed and therefore, we are requesting a postponement of the opening of these new campuses to a later date in the 2025-26 school year.  To postpone them, we need to submit a non-expansion amendment to TEA.  These campuses were previously approved by TEA to open in the 2024-25 school year.

Ms. Minh Baca, Chief Compliance Officer HPS presents Approval of Resolution to submit a non-expansion amendment to TEA to postpone the opening date for the 2 new campuses for HPS-Central Texas Charter (CDN: 227816).  Ms. Baca informs the board due to permitting issues, we need to submit a non-expansion amendment to TEA to postpone the opening date for the 2 new campuses for HPS Central Texas to the 2025-2026 school year.  These campuses were previously approved by TEA to open in 2024-25 school year.

Ms. Minh Baca, Chief Compliance Officer HPS presents Approval of Resolution to submit a non-expansion amendment to TEA to postpone the opening date for the additional site under HSI El Paso for HPS -West Texas Charter (CDN: 071-806).  Ms. Baca informs the board due to construction costs, we need to submit a non-expansion amendment to TEA to postpone the opening date for the additional site under HSI El Paso for HPS West Texas to the 2025-2026 school year.  These campuses were previously approved by TEA to open in the 2024-25 school year.

Ms. Minh Baca, Chief Compliance Officer HPS presents Approval of Resolution to submit Charter Expansion Amendment Requests to TEA for the following: i. Increase maximum enrollment for HPS-Houston North (CDN: 101-858) ii. Increase maximum enrollment for HPS- Houston West (CDN: 101-862) iii. Increase maximum enrollment and expand geographic boundaries for HPS-Central Texas (CDN: 227-816) iv. Increase maximum enrollment, expand geographic boundaries, and add two additional sites for HPS – West Texas (CDN: 071-806) v. Increase maximum enrollment, expand geographic boundaries, and add two additional sites for HPS – South Texas (CDN: 015-828) vi. Add an additional campus for HPS- North Texas (CDN: 161-807).  Ms. Baca reviews enrollment increase numbers for each campus, the addition of ISD's to each campus geographic boundaries, and the additional sites added to each campus and district.

Mr. David Duran, Director of College Readiness HPS presents College and Career Counseling - 1st Semester Summary Report.  Mr. Duran reviews the presentation shared with the board members that gives a comprehensive overview of the first semester's College & Career Counseling activities such as career exploration, college applications, scholarship opportunities, academic check-ins and skill development.   

Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meetings Act Chapters 551.076.

Closed Session begins 9:37AM.

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 9:57AM.  Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion and no action was taken.  

Mr. Alpaslan, Senior Deputy Superintendent HPS informs the board that 18 new Harmony campuses were named official State Schools of Character.  This by far is the most of any school system in the nation and it is part of Harmony's 2025 strategic plan to have all campuses designated as Schools of Character.

Mr. Lambert and administration thank the board members in recognition of School Board Appreciation Month and all they do for Harmony students, staff, and families.