Life School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday August 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Directors Present
B. Wilson Ed.D., C. Clemmons, C. Ransbottom, R. Mays, S. Lee Ph.D., S. Williams
Directors Absent
R. Martinez
Guests Present
B. Ding, B. West, E. Davis, J. Hilton, J. Shepherd, J. Wilson, M. Beck, M. Brown, S. Colwell Ed.D., S. Fuller Ed.D., S. Thrush, T. Mooney Ed.D.
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
B. Wilson Ed.D. called a meeting of the board of directors of Life School to order on Wednesday Aug 20, 2025 at 9:32 AM.
C.
Speakers on Public Sign-up Sheet
II. Opening Ceremonies
A.
Pledge of Allegiance/Texas Pledge
Students from Life High School Waxahachie presented the Pledges and I will statement.
B.
Invocation
Randall Mays gave the invocation.
C.
Recognitions
- Leigh Dopson recognized LHSW students for passing three or more AP tests last year.
- Melissa Brown recognized Lanita Sherpell and Christen Arroyave, two distinguished Instructional Coaches that went above and beyond. Each member of the Board expressed sincere appreciation for their exceptional service.
III. Education Foundation Presentation Update
A.
Life School Education Foundation Update
Mr. Eddie Davis provided the monthly report for the Life School Education Foundation. For the month of June 2025, the Foundation received $35,093 in donations. Year-to-date contributions total $227,756.
The GEM (Give Every Month) program remains steady with approximately 230 recurring givers, generating around $1,900 in monthly contributions.
IV. Public Hearing/Board Training
A.
Motion to Enter a Public Hearing
C. Ransbottom made a motion to enter into a public hearing.
C. Clemmons seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
The Board entered into the public hearing at 9:51 am.
B.
2026 Fiscal Year Budget
Megan Beck presented the 2026 Proposed Budget and discussion followed.
C.
Motion to Close Public Hearing
S. Lee Ph.D. made a motion to close the public hearing.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
The Board entered back into open session at 10:07 am.
V. Consent Items
A.
Approval of the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget as Presented in the Public Hearing
B.
Acceptance of New Hires and Terminations
C.
Acceptance of Gifts and Donations
D.
Approval of K12 Insight Agreement
E.
Approval of the Master Service Agreement and Budget Allocation for Consulting Services with Sonrise Solutions LLC dba Casey Ballard Communications
F.
Approval of Special Education Department Annual Agreements
G.
Ratification of Dallas College Dual Credit Agreement
H.
Approval of the “Amendment to the Master Affiliation Agreement” with Baylor Scott and White Health
I.
Approval of Liability Insurance Providers
J.
Approval of Services Agreement for Private Cloud Hosting with the Region 10 Education Service Center
K.
Approval of StudentTracker for High Schools Agreement with the National Student Clearinghouse
L.
Approval of Revisions and Additions to Policies Contained in Life School Board Policy Manual, Policy Group 1 – Governance
M.
Approval of the Additions to Policies Contained in Life School Board Policy Manual, Policy Group 2 – Instruction and Policy Group 3 - Students
N.
Approval of the Annual Review of Policies Contained in the Life School Board Policy Manual, Policy Group 3 - Students
O.
Approval of Revisions and Additions to Policies Contained in Life School Board Policy Manual, Policy Group 4 – Personnel
P.
Approval of the Revisions to the "Capital Assets" Policy in Life School Board Policy Manual, Policy Group 5 - Fiscal Management
Q.
Motion to Approve the Consent Items as presented
S. Williams made a motion to approve the consent items as presented.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
VI. Action Items
A.
Possible Approval of Board Meeting Minutes
S. Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from the Board Meeting on 07-16-25.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Abstain
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Abstain
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| C. Clemmons |
Abstain
|
B.
Consideration and Possible Acceptance of the Financial Report
Megan Beck presented the financial report ending June 30, 2025. 173 days of cash on hand.
C. Ransbottom made a motion to approve the financial report as presented.
S. Lee Ph.D. seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
C.
Consideration and Possible Approval 2025 Fiscal Year Final Budget
Megan Beck presented the 2025 fiscal year final budget. Discussion followed.
C. Clemmons made a motion to approve the 2025 fiscal year final budget.
S. Lee Ph.D. seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
D.
Consideration and Possible Ratification of Life School and Powerhouse Facility Use Agreement
Eddie Davis presented the Powehouse Facility Use Agreement.
S. Williams made a motion to approve the ratification of Life School and Powerhouse Facility Use Agreement.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Abstain
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Abstain
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
E.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Revisions to the 2025-2026 Staff Handbook
Stephanie Colwell presented the revisions to the 2025-2026 Staff Handbook. Discussion followed.
R. Mays made a motion to approve the revisions to the 2025-2026 Staff Handbook.
C. Ransbottom seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
F.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Revisions to the 2025-2026 Student/Parent Handbook
Joy Shepherd presented the revisions to the 2025-2026 Student/Parent Handbook. Discussion followed.
S. Williams made a motion to approved the revisions to the 2025-2026 Student/Parent Handbook.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
G.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Life School Athletic Event Crowd Control Policy
Scott Thrush presented the Life School Athletic Event Crowd Control Policy. Discussion followed.
S. Lee Ph.D. made a motion to approve the Life School Athletic Event Crowd Control Policy.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
VII. Information Items
A.
Texas Public Charter School Association Conference - Houston - October 6-8, 2025
Bryon Ding provided information related to the Charter School Conference
B.
Board Meeting Schedule
Dr. Scott Fuller presented the new Board meeting schedule
C.
Accountability Update
Dr. Troy Mooney presented the Accountability Update and reported that Principals will present their campus rating next month
VIII. Executive Closed Session
A.
Call for Motion to Enter Executive Closed Session
S. Williams made a motion to enter executive closed session.
C. Ransbottom seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
The Board went into closed session at 10:29 am.
B.
Consultation with Legal Counsel on pending legal matters and pending or contemplated litigation.
C.
Possible Discussion of District Vulnerability Assessment
D.
Possible Discussion of Real Property (Duncanville)
E.
Possible Discussion of Personnel
F.
Possible Discussion of the Superintendent Contract Addendum
G.
Possible Discussion of Superintendent Pre-Evaluation (Review)
H.
Motion to Reconvene in Open Session
C. Ransbottom made a motion to reconvene in open session.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
The Board reconvened in open session at 12:02 pm.
IX. Possible Action from Items Discussed in Closed Session
A.
Consider and take possible action on matters discussed in closed session.
R. Mays made a motion to consider the pros and cons of developer's proposal and determined that it is impractical and not in the best interest of public school students or Life School, and the Board directs the Administration to pursue development of the property in accordance with the site plan laid out in the PD application.
C. Ransbottom seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
B.
Consideration and Possible Approval of the Superintendent Contract Addendum
S. Lee Ph.D. made a motion to approve the Superintendent Contract Addendum, as presented, based on the findings that the compensation is not in excess of fair market value on the individual’s education, experience, prior salary history, the job duties actually performed, and what a typical person with similar skills, experience, and job duties would earn.
C. Clemmons seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Abstain
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
X. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
S. Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
S. Lee Ph.D. seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Absent
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Aye
|
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 12:05 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
J. Hilton
No speakers for public comment.