Harmony Public Schools

Minutes

January 25, 2025 HPS Board Meeting

Date and Time

Saturday January 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM

Location

9321 W. Sam Houston Pkwy S,

Houston, TX 77099

3rd Floor El Paso Meeting Room

 

 

**We will serve breakfast after the board meeting is concluded in the fourth floor meeting room.

Directors Present

H. Koc, H. Sherwood (remote), K. House, L. Gonzalez, M. Argin, O. Celepcikay, S. Koch

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

Amine Elhiyat, C. Lambert, E. Cavusoglu, F. Ay, Grace Cruz, J. Hoffer (remote), Joel Alaffa, Mustafa Altindag, N. Bayhan, Selcuk Bakir, Tarah Bramble, 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 Jan 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM.

II. Public Comments

A.

Public Comments

None.

III. Consent Agenda

A.

Consider Approval of Previous Board Meeting Minutes of December 14, 2024

M. Argin made a motion to approve the minutes from December 14, 2024 HPS Board Meeting on 12-14-24.
L. Gonzalez 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 January 11, 2025

M. Argin made a motion to approve the Minutes and of the Actions of the Finance Committee Meeting on January 11, 2025.
L. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Public hearing and consider and take action on

A.

Public hearing and consider and take action on Approval of Targeted Improvement Plan for Harmony Science Academy-Austin Campus (CDN: 227-816-001) under Harmony Public Schools – Central Texas Charter District (CDN: 227-816)

Dr. Mustafa Altindag (HPS CTX Area Superintendent) and Ms. Tarah Bramble (HSA-Austin Campus Principal) present Public hearing and consider and take action on Approval of Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP) for Harmony Science Academy-Austin Campus (CDN: 227-816-001) under Harmony Public Schools – Central Texas Charter District (CDN: 227-816).  The purpose and history of the targeted improvement plan, prioritized focus areas, campus/district responsibilities, assessment checkpoints and goals, and TIP Submission are reviewed with the board members.   This comprehensive plan aims to bridge campus leadership with regional education service centers, providing targeted professional development and support.

H. Koc made a motion to approve the Improvement Plan for Harmony Science Academy-Austin Campus (CDN: 227-816-001) under Harmony Public Schools – Central Texas Charter District (CDN: 227-816) as presented.
L. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

V. Public hearing and consider and take action on

A.

Public hearing and consider and take action on Approval of Targeted Improvement Plan for Harmony Science Academy-Brownsville (CDN: 015-828-005) under Harmony Public Schools – South Texas Charter District (CDN: 015-828)

Mr. Selcuk Bakir (HPS STX Area Superintendent), Ms. Grace Cruz (HPS STX Assistant Area Superintendent of Programs), and Mr. Joel Alaffa (HSA-Brownsville Principal) present Public hearing and consider and take action on Approval of Targeted Improvement Plan for Harmony Science Academy-Brownsville (CDN: 015-828-005) under Harmony Public Schools – South Texas Charter District (CDN: 015-828).  The team reviews the Targeted Improvement Plan for HSA-Brownsville that will be used to enhance the leadership capacity and educational quality.   2021-2024 Accountability results are reviews as well as 2025 Accountability Goals.  This comprehensive plan aims to bridge campus leadership with regional education service centers, providing targeted professional development and support.

L. Gonzalez made a motion to approve the Improvement Plan for Harmony Science Academy-Brownsville (CDN: 015-828-005) under Harmony Public Schools – South Texas Charter District (CDN: 015-828) as presented.
S. Koch seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VI. Approval of a Resolution to submit

A.

Approval of a Resolution to submit expansion amendments to TEA to request two additional campuses for HPS-Houston South (CDN:101-846)

Dr. Bayhan, HPS Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Business presents Approval of a Resolution to submit expansion amendments to TEA to request two additional campuses for HPS-Houston South (CDN:101-846).  HPS-Houston South is looking to add 1 additional PK-12 campus in the Missouri City and 1 additional PK-12 campus in Pearland for the 2027-2028 school year.  

K. House made a motion to approve the Resolution to submit expansion amendments to TEA to request two additional campuses for HPS-Houston South (CDN:101-846) as presented.
H. Koc seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VII. Closed Session Pursuant to Govt. Code

A.

i. Deliberate the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Central Texas District

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 551.072 (Real Estate Transactions).

 

Closed Session begins 9:41AM.

B.

ii. Deliberate the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Houston

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 551.072 (Real Estate Transactions).

 

Closed Session begins 9:41AM.

C.

iii. The Board will consider a Staff Grievance Appeal from Harmony Science Academy – Euless.

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 9:41AM.

VIII. Resume Open Session, take action on items discussed in closed session:

A.

IX. Resume Open Session, take action on items discussed in closed session: i. Consider and take possible action on the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Central Texas District ii. Consider and take possible action on the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Houston iii. Consider and take possible action on Staff Grievance Appeal from Harmony Science Academy – Euless.

Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 10:59 AM.  Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board discussed the three items announced and no action was taken.

 

Dr. Celepcikay asks if there is a motion on Item "i. Consider and take possible action on the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Central Texas."

M. Argin made a motion to approve the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Central Texas District.
S. Koch 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 the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Houston"

M. Argin made a motion to approve the purchase, lease, lease renewal/extension/amendment, sublease, or sell land/real property for school/office facilities in Harmony Public Schools Houston.
L. Gonzalez 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 Staff Grievance Appeal from Harmony Science Academy – Euless."

K. House made a motion to deny the staff grievance appeal from Harmony Science Academy-Euless.
L. Gonzalez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IX. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

H. Koc made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
L. Gonzalez 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 11:01 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
C. Lambert