Harmony Public Schools
Minutes
March 22, 2025 HPS Board Meeting
Date and Time
Saturday March 22, 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 (remote), 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), Jennifer Sabin, M. Baca, N. Bayhan, Ramazan Coskuner, Treshon Bowie, 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 February 22, 2025
Mehmet Argin recuses himself from vote.
B.
Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Finance Committee Meeting on March 8, 2025
Mehmet Argin recuses himself from vote.
C.
Consider Approval/Ratification of the Minutes and of the Actions of the Academic Committee Meeting on March 8, 2025
Mehmet Argin recuses himself from vote.
IV. Review and Consider Approval of the 2nd Budget Amendment of 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.
A.
Review and Consider Approval of the 2nd Budget Amendment of 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.
George Perez, Budget Director HPS presents Review and Consider Approval of the 2nd Budget Amendment of 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. Mr. Perez informs the board that the report is for the consideration and approval of revenue and expenditure budget amendment as of December 31, 2024. As outlined in the documents, the HPS System, including all districts, is expected to end the 2025 fiscal year with an overall positive change in net assets. For Q2, we are forecasting a $9.5M overall positive change in net assets. Mr. Perez reviews the presentation with the board and shows the changes from the previous Q1 revenues and expenditures for Federal and State Grants, State FSP, and philanthropic donations.
Dr. Celepcikay states this item was also presented during the Finance Committee meeting on March 8, 2025.
V. Review and Approve the 2025-26 Academic Calendars for All of HPS Districts.
A.
Review and Approve the 2025-26 Academic Calendars for All of HPS Districts.
Minh Baca, Chief Compliance Officer HPS presents Review and Approve the 2025-26 Academic Calendars for All of HPS Districts. Ms. Baca reviews the Academic Calendars with all board members for each 7 districts.
VI. Review and Approve for a Board Resolution
A.
Review and Approve for a Board Resolution to Submit Staff Development Days waivers to TEA for all 7 HPS Districts.
Minh Baca, Chief Compliance Officer HPS presents Review and Approve for a Board Resolution to Submit Staff Development Days waivers to TEA for all 7 HPS Districts. Ms. Baca 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 the 2100 instructional minutes. Ms. Baca reviews the professional development days with the board members for each district.
VII. Closed Session Pursuant to Govt. Code
A.
i. Discussion of District-Wide Intruder Detection Audit Report Findings for a campus under Harmony Public Schools – Houston West.
Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Govt. Code Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel), 551.082 (Student Discipline and Employee Grievance), and 551.074 (Personnel Matters).
Closed Session begins 9:19AM.
B.
Consultation with counsel pending legal matters, including Executive Orders and impact on programs and operations.
Dr. Celepcikay announces that the board members will be going into closed session as permitted by Govt. Code Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel), 551.082 (Student Discipline and Employee Grievance), and 551.074 (Personnel Matters).
Closed Session begins 9:19AM.
VIII. Resume Open Session, take action on items discussed in closed session:
A.
i. Consider and take possible action ratifying and approving appeal and authorizing other legal action of TSL Grant Termination by U.S. Department of Education.
Dr. Celepcikay starts regular session at 10:02 AM. Dr. Celepcikay states in closed session the board had discussion and also consulted with legal counsel and were informed that no action was needed and no action was taken during closed session.
None.