Saveem Afraz, Special Education Teacher for Harmony Public Schools speaks to the board about advocating for SPED training for Harmony general education teachers.  Ms. Afraz shares statistics regarding special education student populations and the need for training for general education teachers.  

Mrs. Ebru Akyildiz, Chief Finance Officer HPS presents Review and Consider Approval of the Financial Auditor and the Form 990 Engagement Letter.  She informs the board this letter is to indicate The Board of Directors’ acknowledgment of, and agreement with, the arrangements for Whitley Penn’s audit of the June 30, 2024 financial statements compliance over major federal award programs including their respective responsibilities.  Whitley Penn will also prepare the HPS' Form 990 to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the year ended 2024 based on information provided by HPS.  This item was also reviewed during the Finance Committee meeting held on March 8th.
 

Mrs. Ebru Akyildiz, Chief Finance Officer HPS presents Review and Consider Approval of the Updates to Harmony Public Schools Policy Purchasing and Contracting – Goods and/or Services other than Public Works and Professional Services Contracts – State and/or Local Funds.  Mrs. Akyildiz reviews the current policy with the board and the changes to be made.  The proposed change is to allow establishing a purchasing card (P-Cards) program for business expenditures such as travel costs (gas, meals, etc).  This program will be piloted in Central Office as well as one of the districts for a period of time to test the process and implemented to all campuses and district offices in the next school year.  This implementation plan will deploy the program for travel expenses, improving efficiency, accountability, and financial management practices.

Mr. Atila Akyurek, Director of Accountability HPS presents 2023-2024 SY NWEA MAP Assessment Mid-Year (MOY) Review.  He informs the board the NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Middle of Year (MOY) 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 in grades Kindergarten thru 8th grade. NWEA MAP is an assessment system that provides educators with valuable data about students' academic performance and growth over time. The MOY Data Review specifically focuses on the assessment data collected during the middle of the academic year.  Mr. Akyurek reviews all district progress with the board members comparing fall to winter as well as comparing academic years 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024.

Ms. Minh Baca, Chief of Compliance HPS presents Review and Approve the 2024-25 Academic Calendars for all HPS Charters.  Ms. Baca reviews the calendars for each district with the board members.

Ms. Minh Baca, Chief of Compliance HPS presents Approval of Staff Development Minutes waivers to TEA for all HPS Charters.  Ms. Baca states informs the board this is an annual waiver submission to TEA.  This waiver allows us to train staff on various educational strategies designed to improve student performance in lieu of student instruction during the school year. All of our districts will be waiving up to 2100 instructional minutes.  Ms. Baca reviews the dates for professional development with the board members.

Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meetings Act Chapters 551.071, discussion with legal counsel.

Closed Session begins 9:22AM.

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 9:34AM.  Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion with legal counsel and no action was taken.  

Dr. Argin welcomes Dr. Simon Koch to the HPS Board of Directors.