Life School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday June 14, 2023 at 9:30 AM
Directors Present
B. Wilson Ed.D., M. Cavazos, R. Martinez, R. Mays, S. Lee Ph.D., S. Williams
Directors Absent
C. Clemmons, C. Ransbottom
Guests Present
M. Walker
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Speakers on Public Sign-up Sheet
II. Presentations
A.
Pledge of Allegiance/Texas Pledge
Bryon Ding led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge
III. Life School Education Foundation Presentation
A.
Life School Education Foundation Update
Bryon Ding presented the Life School Education Foundation Update
Stephanie Colwell introduced Tammy Crane and expressed the thanks of the board and staff of Life School for her dedication and years of service serving the district for a total of 25 years: 24 years at the Oak Cliff Campus and her last year at the Central Office.
IV. Consent Items
A.
Acceptance of New Hires and Terminations
B.
Acceptance of Student Services Department Contract Agreements
C.
Approval for the Renewal of Canvas as the Learning Management System for all Secondary Campuses, Grades 7-12
D.
Approval for the Renewal of TexQuest for all Campuses
E.
Approval of TREC (Technology Resources Education Consortium) Annual Contract with Region 11
F.
Approval of 2023-2024 Samuel R. Chand Consulting Agreement
G.
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for Revocable Facility Use License with SAGU
H.
Possible Approval of 2023-2024 Student Athletic/Activities Insurance Policies
I.
Ratification of the Navarro College Dual Credit Agreement
J.
Motion to Approve Consent Items as Presented
V. Action Items
A.
Possible Approval of Board Meeting Minutes, May 17, 2023
B.
Consideration and Possible Acceptance of the Financial Report
As of April 30, 2023, 67% of the fiscal year is complete
255 Days Cash on Hand
C.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Contracts for Region 10
In answer to Dr. Lee's question, Regional Services are paid by the district and not by the state. The budget increased from the previous year by a total of 17%. Most of this increase was due to SPED. After subtracting the increases directly related to SPED services, the budget increase was 4%.
D.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Cafeteria Tables Bid
Quality Specialty Products was selected by the committee but were unable to provide samples for final review. The second highest scoring vendor, Learning Environments, provided acceptable samples. The committee is recommending Learning Environment be awarded the bid.
E.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Board Resolution and TEA Expedited Waiver: Teacher Data Portal of the Texas Assessment Management System (TAMS)
F.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Board Resolution and TEA Expedited Waiver: Staff Development Minutes Waiver
G.
Consideration and Possible Approval of 2023-2024 Course Guide Revisions
H.
Consideration and Possible Approval of the Annual Review of the Following Policies in the Life School Board Policy Manual: PG-3.11 – Child Abuse and Neglect; PG-3.12 - Sexual Abuse, Sex Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children; PG-3.17 – Students At-Risk for Anaphylaxis and Seizure Management Plans
The Texas Education Code requires school boards to conduct an annual review of certain policies related to reporting child abuse and neglect.
There are no recommended changes to these policies at this time.
I.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Board Resolution Pertaining to HB 1707 and Certifications to Political Subdivisions
During the 88th Legislative Session, House Bill 1707 was passed; the bill was designed to address certain instances in which municipalities treat charter schools differently than independent school districts on matters related to zoning,permitting, code compliance, and other local ordinances.
House Bill 1707 amends section 12.1058 of the Education Code to expressly requires political subdivisions (such as municipalities) to treat open-enrollment charter schools the same as traditional school districts “for purposes of zoning, project permitting, platting and replatting processes, business licensing, franchises, utility services, signage,
subdivision regulation, property development projects, the requirements for posting bonds and securities, contract requirements, land development standards as provided by Section 212.902, Local Government Code, tree and vegetation regulations, regulations of architectural features of a structure, construction of fences, landscaping, garbage disposal, noise levels, fees or other assessments, and construction or site development work.”
However, in order to be treated the same as a traditional school district, a charter school’s governing body must certify in writing to the local political subdivision that “no administrator, officer, or employee of the charter school and no member of the governing body of the charter school or its charter holder derives any personal financial benefit from a real estate transaction with the charter school.”
VI. Information Items
A.
Employee Health Insurance
Megan Beck explained Life School is still currently working with our insurance broker, Financial Benefit Services, to make final selections to this plan and will present to the board in July for ratification.
B.
Financial Policy Updates
Our attorneys at Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein have provided us revised and updated policies to Policy Group 5 - Financial Management.
The policies in this policy group may potentially be brought to you for review as soon as the July Board meeting. No action is needed at this time.
VII. Executive Closed Session
A.
Call for Motion to Enter Executive Closed Session
The board entered Executive Closed Session at 10:11 AM
B.
Possible Discussion of Property and/or Campus Improvements
C.
Possible Discussion of Long-Term Disability Insurance
D.
Possible Discussion of Personnel, Compensation and Benefits
E.
Motion to Reconvene in Open Session
The board reconvened in Open session at 10:36 AM
VIII. Possible Action from Items Discussed in Closed Session
A.
Consideration and Possible Acceptance of Long-Term Disability Insurance
Life School provides an employer paid long-term disability (LTD) policy for all employees. The current LTD plan covers 60% of income up to a $9,500 monthly maximum. There are currently some employees that would not fully benefit from this policy and FBS has recommended implementing an individual disability insurance (IDI) plan.
No Speakers