Life School
Minutes
Board Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday May 14, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Directors Present
B. Wilson Ed.D., C. Clemmons, C. Ransbottom, R. Martinez, R. Mays, S. Lee Ph.D., S. Williams
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
B. Ding, C. Paredes, E. Davis, J. Shepherd, J. Wilson, K. Riepe, M. Beck, S. Colwell Ed.D., S. Fuller Ed.D., S. Pudgurney, S. Thomas, 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 May 14, 2025 at 9:32 AM.
C.
Speakers on Public Sign-up Sheet
II. Opening Ceremonies
A.
Pledge of Allegiance/Texas Pledge
B.
Invocation
Dr. Sharon Lee gave the invocation.
C.
Recognitions
Megan Beck presented Stefani Pudgurney with the LifeLeader award of Financial Literacy for her work on the SHARS program.
Dr. Stephanie Colwell introduced the retirees to the board and their supervisor shared a few words of appreciation.
Scott Thrush recognized several athletic teams and their coaches for their accomplishments this school year.
III. Education Foundation Presentation Update
A.
Life School Education Foundation Update
Eddie Davis presented the Life School Education Foundation report.
IV. Consent Items
A.
Acceptance of New Hires and Terminations
B.
Approval of Financial Audit Engagement Letter
C.
Approval of Contracts for Region 10 Instructional and Administrative Services including PEIMS Co-Op
D.
Acceptance of the Report on Active or Retired Teachers Pertaining to Tutoring per SB 1356 (Spring Semester)
E.
Approval of Frontline Education Software Implementation and Services to Track/Monitor Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS)
F.
Ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and Pathway Offering Forms
G.
Approval of Resolution for Schools and Libraries Universal Services (E-Rate) for 2025-26. This resolution authorizes filing of the Form 471 applications for funding year 2025-26 and the payment of the applicant's share upon approval of funding and receipt of services.
H.
Approval of the Renewal of Professional E-Rate Service Agreement with Kellogg & Sovereign
I.
Motion to Approve the Consent Items as presented
C. Ransbottom made a motion to approve the consent itemas as presented.
R. Martinez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. Executive Closed Session
A.
Consultation with Legal Counsel on Pending Legal Matters including City of Duncanville matters impacting real estate and construction pursuant to Texas Gov't Code 551.071 (Consultation with Legal Counsel) Texas Gov't Code 551.072 (Real Property)
C. Ransbottom made a motion to enter into executive closed session at 10:17 a.m.
C. Clemmons seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
R. Mays made a motion to come out of executive closed session and reconvene in open session at 10:32 a.m.
S. Lee Ph.D. seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Action Items
A.
Possible Approval of Board Meeting Minutes
S. Williams made a motion to approve the minutes from Board Meeting on 04-16-25.
C. Ransbottom seconded the motion.
Dr. Sharon Lee and Ruben Martinez abstained
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| B. Wilson Ed.D. |
Aye
|
| C. Ransbottom |
Aye
|
| S. Williams |
Aye
|
| S. Lee Ph.D. |
Abstain
|
| R. Mays |
Aye
|
| R. Martinez |
Abstain
|
| C. Clemmons |
Aye
|
B.
Consideration and Possible Acceptance of the Financial Report
Megan Beck reviewed the March 2025 financials with the board. She highlighted we had 187.86 adjusted days of cash on hand.
R. Martinez made a motion to accept the financial report as presented.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Health Insurance, Ancillary Services and Other Benefits
Megan Beck provided a list of vendors offering employee benefits broken down by three categories: Major Medical, Ancillary Services Paid by Employer, and Ancillary Services Paid by Employee.
C. Ransbottom made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 employee benefits as presented.
S. Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
D.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Life School District 2025 Summer School Program for Emergent Bilinguals (EB) Student Schedule
Jeana Clary provided dates and requirements for the summer program.
S. Lee Ph.D. made a motion to approve the Life School District 2025 Summer School program for Emergent Bilinguals (EB) student schedule.
R. Martinez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
E.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Novel Builders as the Contractor for the East Campus Demolition Project
Bryon Ding provided the board an overview of the work to be completed this summer.
S. Lee Ph.D. made a motion to approve Novel Builders as the contractor for the East Campus Demolition project.
R. Martinez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
F.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Contract with Terracon to Provide Construction Materials Observation, Engineering, and Testing Services for the Duncanville High School Project
Bryon Ding provided the board an overview of the scope of work and responsibilities of the vendor.
R. Martinez made a motion to approve the contract with Terracon to provide construction materials observation, engineering, and testing services for the Duncanville High School project.
R. Mays seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
G.
Consideration and Possible Approval of Revisions and Additions to Policies in Life School Board Policy Manual, Policy Group 1 – Governance
Bryon Ding provided an overview of the policy revisions.
C. Ransbottom made a motion to approve all policies in Life School Board Policy Manual, Policy Group 1 - Governance including all revisions and additions effective May 14, 2025 as presented.
S. Williams seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VII. Executive Closed Session
A.
Call for Motion to Enter Executive Closed Session
R. Mays made a motion to enter into executive closed session at 10:45 a.m.
R. Martinez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Possible Discussion of Intruder Detection Audit
C.
Possible Discussion of the 2022-2025 Texas School Safety Center Charter District Audit
D.
Possible Discussion of Leased Property
E.
Possible Discussion of Property
F.
Possible Discussion of Personnel
G.
Motion to Reconvene in Open Session
R. Martinez made a motion to come out of executive closed session and reconvene in open session at 11:03 a.m.
C. Ransbottom seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VIII. Possible Action from Items Discussed in Closed Session
A.
Consideration and Possible Acceptance of the 2022-2025 Texas School Safety Center Charter District Audit
S. Lee Ph.D. made a motion to accept the 2022-2025 Texas School Safety Center Charter District Audit as presented in closed session.
C. Clemmons seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
B.
Consideration and Take Possible Action to Authorize Litigation Discussed in Closed Session
R. Mays made a motion to authorize our attorneys for litigation as discussed in closed session.
R. Martinez seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
S. Williams made a motion to adjourn.
S. Lee Ph.D. seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously 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 11:05 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
S. Fuller Ed.D.
Kelsey Whitely, principal of LMSW introduced the track team who lead the pledges.
Courtney Warren shared the "I will" statement.