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
II. Public Comments
A.
Public Comments
III. Consent Agenda
A.
Consider Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2024
B.
Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Finance Committee Meeting on October 12, 2024
C.
Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Academic Committee Meeting on October 12, 2024
D.
Consider Approval/Ratification of an Employee Resolution Matter
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.
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."
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."
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"
None.