Ogden Preparatory Academy
Minutes
OPA Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday October 24, 2019 at 4:30 PM
Location
1415 Lincoln Avenue; Ogden UT 84404
VISION: Ogden Preparatory Academy’s vision is to create a positive, nurturing environment for students to grow and learn as they develop the skills necessary to become tomorrow’s leaders. Through high academic expectations and experiences, bilingual exposure, leadership roles and commitment to community, OPA students will gain confidence and a sense of self worth that will prepare them to face the challenges in a competitive world.
Directors Present
J. Rojas, S. Ballard, S. Shupe, S. Zwygart, W. Davis
Directors Absent
N. Bowsher, T. D'Hulst
Ex Officio Members Present
D. Deem, K. Kennington, S. Mathers
Non Voting Members Present
D. Deem, K. Kennington, S. Mathers
Guests Present
Joey Hanna, T. Young, Teryl Young
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance and Guests
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
W. Davis called a meeting of the board of directors of Ogden Preparatory Academy to order on Thursday Oct 24, 2019 at 4:35 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
S. Ballard made a motion to approve minutes from the OPA Board Meeting on 09-19-19 OPA Board Meeting on 09-19-19.
S. Zwygart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. Public Comment
A.
Opportunity for Public Comment
No one in attendance.
III. Program Overview
A.
Utah Parent Center
Joey Hanna was in attendance to discuss our relationship with the Utah Parent Center and answer the Board's questions.
Joey is the Executive Director for the Center.
Purpose of the Center is to help advocate for parents with students with disabilities.
Parent consultants do parent education; one-one family consultation; teach workshops.
The Center wanted to better serve Charter schools, so they created a coalition of schools to share a parent consultant. There are 5 schools in our coalition from Saratoga Springs in the South to OPA in the North. Rochelle Thompson is our consultant. Employees at the Center operate on a Peer-to-Peer model.
Focused on early intervention to prevent large issues.
They have success with helping parents understand their rights.
OPA Special Education Director will be involved with giving Rochelle our school needs. She may do parent trainings, and she will have her contact information available to families.
The Center utilizes surveys to measure success. This is the first year for this program, and the Center and the School will determine effectiveness. The Center will be monitoring workload to determine if additional staff is necessary.
The parent consultant will come to the school to assist parents as needed. She may have office hours, but she will be available by phone. The Center will track the number of calls from OPA and the level of engagement of OPA parents and the Center, so the Board can review the use and need.
There are Spanish speakers on staff that can assist Rochelle as needed.
Joey is the Executive Director for the Center.
Purpose of the Center is to help advocate for parents with students with disabilities.
Parent consultants do parent education; one-one family consultation; teach workshops.
The Center wanted to better serve Charter schools, so they created a coalition of schools to share a parent consultant. There are 5 schools in our coalition from Saratoga Springs in the South to OPA in the North. Rochelle Thompson is our consultant. Employees at the Center operate on a Peer-to-Peer model.
Focused on early intervention to prevent large issues.
They have success with helping parents understand their rights.
OPA Special Education Director will be involved with giving Rochelle our school needs. She may do parent trainings, and she will have her contact information available to families.
The Center utilizes surveys to measure success. This is the first year for this program, and the Center and the School will determine effectiveness. The Center will be monitoring workload to determine if additional staff is necessary.
The parent consultant will come to the school to assist parents as needed. She may have office hours, but she will be available by phone. The Center will track the number of calls from OPA and the level of engagement of OPA parents and the Center, so the Board can review the use and need.
There are Spanish speakers on staff that can assist Rochelle as needed.
T. Young left.
IV. Finance
A.
Financial Review
Reviewed financial statements.
B.
Telephone service
S. Zwygart made a motion to switch telephone service from First Digital to Strawberry Communication.
S. Ballard seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
C.
Junior High Printers
S. Ballard made a motion to approve the purchase of the 2 black and white printers upon review of the warranty as long as it is 3 years or more.
S. Shupe seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
V. School Update
A.
State of the School and Goals
- Elementary
- 6th grade teacher resigned. Bethany Lovelady, who was subbing for Nuri Rivas, will take the 6th grade class. Nuri Rivas will return on Nov. 4.
- Next week, Red Ribbon Week. Annie MacKay has provided curriculum to all classes.
- 10+ teachers went to Leader in Me training yesterday.
- Family Conferences were last week. Well attended. Good feedback from teachers.
- Junior High
- Actively tracking data and posting it in the Administrative hall. Tracking tardies, disciplines, grades, etc.
- 35 students are going to Spain. Actively recruiting students from all socio-economical areas. Students are required to participate in all activities and fund raisers. Quotas are not in place.
- Quarterly rewards. In the past, we have just had Lagoon at the end, now we will have one every quarter. Our first reward is Nov. 1. Activities at the school. 183 students qualified.
- December 13, Utah Shakespeare Company will be performing a play with a Suicide Prevention program for the Junior High.
- AVID College week was a great success.
VI. Academic Excellence
A.
Academic Committee Report
- i-Ready training occurred using real data. Next training in January.
- There is an after school lab for students who are 2-3 years behind in math. This will also be targeted in Computer class at the elementary.
- Cami Parry, our math coach, has been instrumental in helping teachers.
- Power Hours have been implemented across the grades.
- 2019 Assessment scores
- ELA: 37% State: 47%
- Math: 39% State: 49%
- Science: 42% State 52%
VII. Policies
A.
FMLA Policy Revisions
S. Ballard made a motion to approve the slate of policies and definitions.
J. Rojas seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
Board reviewed each of the policies and definition.
B.
Animals in the School Policy
C.
PTIF Fund Transfer Policy
D.
Definition of At-Risk Students
E.
Video Surveillance Policy
VIII. Other Business
A.
Discussion
There were some Junior High students who were put on behavior contracts. One student will need a board hearing. Preliminary schedule of Board Hearing for November 7.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
S. Shupe made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
S. Ballard 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 5:38 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
D. Deem