Harmony Public Schools

Minutes

October 26, 2024 HPS Board Meeting

Date and Time

Saturday October 26, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Location

9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S,

Houston, TX 77099

3rd Floor El Paso Meeting Room

 

 

**We will serve breakfast at 8:30 AM in the fourth floor meeting room.

Directors Present

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

Directors Absent

L. Gonzalez, S. Koch

Guests Present

A. Ayyildiz, Bilgehan Yasar, C. Lambert, E. Altun, E. Cavusoglu (remote), J. Hoffer (remote), Jennifer Sabin, Kamil Yilmaz, N. Bayhan, S. Oz Ekmen, U. Alpaslan

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

O. Celepcikay called a meeting of the board of directors of Harmony Public Schools to order on Saturday Oct 26, 2024 at 9:00 AM.

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

None.

III. Consent Agenda

A.

Consider Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2024

H. Koc made a motion to approve the minutes from September 28, 2024 HPS Board Meeting on 09-28-24.
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 12, 2024

H. Koc made a motion to approve the Minutes and of the Actions of the Finance Committee Meeting on October 12, 2024.
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 12, 2024

H. Koc made a motion to approve the Minutes and of the Actions of the Academic Committee Meeting on October 12, 2024.
M. Argin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Consider Approval/Ratification of an Employee Resolution Matter

H. Koc made a motion to approve the employee resolution matter.
M. Argin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. 2023-24 School Year ESL Program Evaluation

A.

2023-24 School Year ESL Program Evaluation

Semra Oz Ekmen, Director of English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs HPS presents 2023-2024 School Year ESL Program Evaluation.  Ms. Oz Ekmen reviews the presentation that was shared with the board members prior to the meeting as well as presented during the Academic Committee meeting held on October 12, 2024.  She informs the board that all school districts and charter schools are required to conduct an annual evaluation for its English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs in accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §29.053, to assess program effectiveness and ensure student academic success. This evaluation report, which must be presented to the board of trustees by November 1 each year and retained at the district level per TEC, §29.062, should include data on the academic progress of English learners in their languages of instruction, their proficiency in English, the number of students exited from the bilingual and ESL programs, and the number of trained teachers and aides along with details on their professional development related to second language acquisition. Additionally, for districts that filed exceptions or waivers, the report must include the number of teachers involved in these processes and the number of teachers who successfully obtained certification after filing exceptions or waivers in the previous year.  Ms. Oz Ekmen reviews this report with board members and answers all questions.

V. Amendment to the Harmony Virtual Academy Parent & Student Handbook-Supplement

A.

Amendment to the Harmony Virtual Academy Parent & Student Handbook-Supplement

Bilgehan Yasar, Executive Director of Virtual Education HPS presents Amendment to the Harmony Virtual Academy Parent & Student Handbook-Supplement.  He informs the board that Harmony is looking to remove the Geographic Boundary requirement from the eligibility requirements based on the new TEA Commissioner 19 TAC Chapter 100 rulings.   Dr. Yasar reviews the changes with the board from the HPS Parent & Student Handbook-Supplement for Harmony Virtual Academy 2024-2025.

H. Koc made a motion to approve Amendment to the Harmony Virtual Academy Parent & Student Handbook-Supplement as presented.
K. House seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VI. Closed Session Pursuant to Govt. Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel) and 551.082 (St

A.

Closed Session Pursuant to Govt. Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel) and 551.082 (Student Discipline Appeals). i. The Board will consider a Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Excellence – Sugar Land. ii. The Board will consider a Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Ingenuity – Houston. iii. The Board will consider a Student/Parent Grievance Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation – Katy Campus

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 9:44 AM.

VII. Resume Open Session

A.

VIII. Resume Open Session i. Consider and take possible action on Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Excellence – SugarLand. ii. Consider and take possible action on Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Ingenuity – Houston. iii. Consider and take possible action on Student/Parent Grievance Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation – Katy Campus

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 10:46 AM.  Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion with legal counsel and no action was taken.

 

Dr. Celepcikay asks if there is a motion on Item "i. Consider and take possible action on Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Excellence – SugarLand."

M. Argin made a motion to deny the expulsion appeal and uphold the administration's decision.
K. House seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Dr. Celepcikay asks if there is a motion on Item "ii. Consider and take possible action on Student Expulsion Appeal from Harmony School of Ingenuity – Houston."

M. Argin made a motion to deny the expulsion appeal and uphold the administration's decision.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

Dr. Celepcikay asks if there is a motion on Item "iii. Consider and take possible action on Student/Parent Grievance Appeal from Harmony School of Innovation – Katy Campus"

M. Argin made a motion to deny the Student/Parent Grievance Appeal and uphold the administration's decision.
K. House seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VIII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

H. Koc made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M. Argin 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 10:48 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Lambert