Harmony Public Schools
Minutes
June 22, 2024 HPS Board Meeting
Date and Time
Saturday June 22, 2024 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, S. Koch (remote)
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
C. Lambert, E. Akyildiz, E. Cavusoglu, F. Ay, George Perez, J. Hoffer (remote), M. Baca, N. Bayhan, Susan Rooney, U. Alpaslan
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
II. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
III. Consent Agenda
A.
Consider Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes of May 18, 2024
B.
Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Finance Committee Meeting on June 7, 2024.
C.
Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Academic Committee Meeting on June 7, 2024.
IV. Approval of 2024-2025 HPS Board Meeting Calendar.
A.
Approval of 2024-2025 HPS Board Meeting Calendar.
Dr. Celepcikay reviews the 2024-2025 HPS Board Meeting Calendar with the board. He informs the board we will be moving our starting time from 8:30am to 9:00am. He reminds the board members we will have our annual board retreat in September and it will follow the same format as in previous years with arrival being Friday evening and the retreat running until Sunday at noon.
V. Consider Approval/Ratification of Initial Budget FY’ 25.
A.
Consider Approval/Ratification of Initial Budget FY’ 25.
George Perez, Budget Director HPS presents Approval/Ratification of Initial Budget FY'25. Mr. Perez informs the board this was also presented during the June 7, 2024 Finance Committee Meeting. Mr. Perez reviews the Budget Development Calendar, Sources of Revenue at its components, Expenditures Budgets, the Functional Statements of Revenues and Expenditures for the General 420 funds, Child Nutrition Services 240 Funds, and Donations. Mr. Perez informs the board that Grant funds are not included for initial budgets, as they will be part of the quarterly reports during the year as awarded. FY’25 general fund budget is based on 41,130 average daily attendance for 44,133 enrollment. This brings over $473.6 million revenue from the foundation school program.
VI. Consider Approval of FY’24 Final Budget Amendments.
A.
Consider Approval of FY’24 Final Budget Amendments.
George Perez, Budget Director HPS presents Approval of FY'24 Final Budget Amendments. Mr. Perez states the Systemwide All Funds budget report includes seven geographical Districts and the Central Office. Quarter 4 (Q4) is forecasted to end with an overall positive change in net assets of $15.4M for the 2024 Fiscal Year. This reflects changes in revenues and expenditures from the Q3 that was approved in May. The largest change from last quarter is the increase in budget expenditure to cover the Board approved bonus payment scheduled for the next October. The goal at the beginning of the year is to set aside 2% revenue to maintain a strong financial position. The Q4 Budget outlook exceeds this goal.
VII. Deliberate the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment,
A.
Deliberate the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools in the South Houston District.
Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meetings Act Chapter 551.072 to discuss Real Estate.
Closed Session begins 9:29 AM.
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 11:08 AM. Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion with legal counsel and no action was taken.
VIII. Deliberate the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment,
A.
Deliberate the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Houston North District.
Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Texas Open Meetings Act Chapter 551.072 to discuss Real Estate.
Closed Session begins 9:29 AM.
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 11:08 AM. Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion with legal counsel and no action was taken.
IX. Review and Approval of Contract Extension with Current Food Service Management Companies.
A.
Review and Approval of Contract Extension with Current Food Service Management Companies.
Ms. Rooney, Director of Child Nutrition presents Review and Approval of Contract Extension with Current Food Service Management Companies. Ms. Rooney informs the board that Harmony has a contract with Sodexo Services of Texas Limited and SLA Management for Food Service Management services, which was approved by the Board in May of 2023. The initial term is expiring by June 30, 2024 and there is an option to renew it for another year till June 30, 2025. Food Service Management Company services included in the scope are food purchasing, daily meal preparation, and staff management. Ms. Rooney reviews the FSMC contract renewal documents and value with the board.
X. Approval of Missed Day Waivers Submission to TEA for HPS Charters:
A.
Approval of Missed Day Waivers Submission to TEA for HPS Charters: i. Harmony Public Schools – Houston North District (CDN: 101-858) ii. Harmony Public Schools – Houston West District (CDN: 101-862)
Mihn Baca, Chief Compliance Officer Harmony Public Schools presents Approval of Missed Day Waivers Submission to TEA for HPS Charters: i. Harmony Public Schools – Houston North District (CDN: 101-858) ii. Harmony Public Schools – Houston West District (CDN: 101-862). Ms Baca informs the board that some campuses in our HPS Houston North and HPS Houston West had to close due to inclement weather and we need to submit missed day waiver request to have those required instructional minutes waived.
XI. Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Fine Arts and Technology.
A.
Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Fine Arts and Technology.
Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Govt. Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel) and 551.082 (Student Discipline Appeals).
Closed Session begins 9:29 AM.
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 11:08 AM. Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion with legal counsel and no action was taken.
XII. Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony Science Academy – Sugar Land.
A.
Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony Science Academy – Sugar Land.
Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Govt. Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel) and 551.082 (Student Discipline Appeals).
Closed Session begins 9:29 AM.
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 11:08 AM. Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion with legal counsel and no action was taken.
XIII. Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation - Katy.
A.
Consideration of Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation - Katy.
Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Govt. Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel) and 551.082 (Student Discipline Appeals).
Closed Session begins 9:29 AM.
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 11:08 AM. Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion with legal counsel and no action was taken.
XIV. CEO Evaluation.
A.
CEO Evaluation.
Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Govt. Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel) and 551.074 (Personnel).
Closed Session begins 9:29 AM.
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 11:08 AM. Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion no action was taken.
Dr. Celepcikay states during closed session each board member provided their feedback to Mr. Ay and we are very happy to have Mr. Ay as our leader and his dedication to students and his performance has reflected in Harmony's high performance.
None.