Ogden Preparatory Academy

Minutes

OPA Board of Directors Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday March 11, 2021 at 4:30 PM

Location

1435 Lincoln Avenue, Ogden UT 84404
Library
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

M. Ward, S. Mejeur, S. Zwygart, W. Davis

Directors Absent

J. Howell, N. Bowsher, T. D'Hulst

Ex Officio Members Present

A. Perez, D. Deem, K. Kennington, S. Mathers

Non Voting Members Present

A. Perez, D. Deem, K. Kennington, S. Mathers

Guests Present

S. Adams, S. Wright, T. 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 Mar 11, 2021 at 4:30 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

S. Zwygart made a motion to approve the minutes from OPA Board of Directors Meeting on 02-18-21.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

II. Schedule Discussion

A.

Quarter 4 School Schedule for in-person learning.

Bill pointed out that we will continue to offer online education. We are discussing bringing students back to 4 days/week or remaining staggered. 
Stephanie reviewed the scheduling options. There are some online students who want to return to in-person; whether those students return is dependent on space. 
Stephanie Mathers reviewed the information she presented in the Administrative Board report addendum. Stephanie is recommending to remain staggered for the remainder of the year. 
Molly discussed the 6 foot distancing rule from the CDC v the WHO 3 foot rule. Molly inquired if we could distance students 3 feet. Stephanie Mathers said it would depend on room and class size. 
Utah State encourages 6 feet as much as possible. 
Lunch issue is the number of tables, and number of students are unmasked. We are unable to meet the recommendations at lunch. 
Clarification was given on the timing of the staff vaccinations.  
Other schools in the area are 4 or 5 days/week. 
Stefanie Zwygart inquired regarding the increased benefit for month to month and a half. 
Stefanie Zwygart pointed out that the Utah mask mandate is ending April 10, not for schools. That with Spring Break coming may raise infection rates. 
Bill stated that OPA has leaned toward Utah guidelines rather than CDC; however, he is leaning toward maintaining the staggered schedule. 
Sara expressed that the comments made resonates with her. She is also in agreement with the recommendation to remain staggered.
Stefanie Zwygart doesn't want to change things until the vaccine is more widely available to differing age group. 
Molly expressed that she is torn. She feels we don't have enough information from parents and students, not that they don't have the ability to reach out, but there are many factors. The spread at school is low. Molly is concerned about students returning to school full time in the Fall after having so much flexibility.
Bill expressed appreciation that Molly and other board members push to see other points of view.

III. Public Comment

A.

Opportunity for Public Comment

Darby Evans: Expressed appreciation for the Board's comments. She wants her students back, but not now. 4th quarter has a lot of craziness in a normal year. She is concerned about behavior issues that may be created and the lack of ability for students to be vaccinated. Darby questioned what data became available to warrant the discussion. She doesn't think that the schedule change abruptly would be hard on parents. Many of her points were expressed by board members. 

 

Bill responded that the reason that brought up the discussion was the increase in vaccination schedule and the decrease in cases in the schools. Bill expressed remorse for the way his email may have been received. He stated that the Administrative team is very good about communicating staff concerns. Emails from teachers are heard, but the Board can't always respond. 

 

Parent: 9th grade daughter previously straight A student is now failing. Loves OPA. Exposure statistics are minimal for junior highs. Has considered removing her student from OPA, because she is concerned about her daughter. Many students are having difficulty. Daughter thrives on being with her teachers. Daughter isn't being successful on her own. Doesn't like what the students are getting from the amount of computer time. School is more than just getting information, it is the interaction of teachers and peers. Screen time is impacting students. Students are behind. Her employees are not getting ill from the exposure to the youth.

 

Bill expressed appreciation to the parent for sharing and coming.

 

Karen Eilander: Discussed with the students in her class (49 9th graders). 26 are happy with the current schedule. 14 want to return, and 7 are undecided. Karen shared viewpoints of students. Karen has seen issues with her children who attend a school daily, they aren't being successful either. There are students who would thrive. There would be other things we would lose. She recommends leaving the schedule the same. 

 

Sarah Gonzales: Responded to how other schools are doing. She contacted colleagues at other schools, and seasoned teachers are struggling with management. Some other schools are not implementing safety measures. Some of her students expressed concerns about returning to larger group sizes. Teachers are experts in their fields.

 

Bill expressed faith in the staff at OPA.

IV. Schedule and Quarantine Discussion

A.

Quarter 4 School Schedule for in-person learning.

S. Zwygart made a motion to continue the schedule as is for the remainder of the year.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
Molly Ward voted in opposition.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Quarantine Policy

S. Mejeur made a motion to approve the updates to the quarantine policy.
S. Zwygart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

V. Finance

A.

Financial Review

Spencer Adams reviewed the finance report.
We are in the process of getting our federal funds requested, so we should see those catch up. 
Enrollment was discussed.

B.

Student Chromebook purchase

M. Ward made a motion to approve the purchase of chromebooks from Trox.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
Reviewed the bids and lifecycles of computers.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

School Pictures; Yearbook; Printing Contract

S. Zwygart made a motion to contract with Bell for pictures and yearbooks.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

HVAC service provider

S. Mejeur made a motion to approve the CFM vendor annual agreement.
S. Zwygart seconded the motion.
Andrew reviewed the HVAC services.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Human Resources Management Software

M. Ward made a motion to approve moving forward with Bamboo HR.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Valpak marketing distribution

S. Zwygart made a motion to approve the Valpak marketing distribution contract.
M. Ward seconded the motion.
Add QR code to track source, or add a coupon. 
After school services can be included. We would like an after school program. (YMCA, or other)
We can choose the months. 
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

AVID Excel

M. Ward made a motion to approve the implementation of AVID Excel.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VI. School Update

A.

Administrative Board Report

Board report was reviewed.
The Goblin Valley trip was cancelled for a variety of issues, but primarily due to equity issues.

B.

School Improvement Plan

S. Mejeur made a motion to approve the School Improvement Plan for FY22.
S. Zwygart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

School Land Trust Plan

S. Zwygart made a motion to approve the School Land Trust Plan.
M. Ward seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

FY22 School Calendar

M. Ward made a motion to approve the FY22 School Calendar as presented.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

LEA Specific License Approval

S. Mejeur made a motion to approve the LEA specific license request.
S. Zwygart seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VII. Policies

A.

FY22 OPA Fee Schedule

S. Zwygart made a motion to approve the FY22 Fee Schedule.
M. Ward seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Benefits Handbook

M. Ward made a motion to approve the Benefit Handbook changes as amended.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

VIII. Committee Reports

A.

Governance

No updates.

B.

Academic Excellence

School Improvement Plan.

C.

Development

We have been working on the Marketing Plan.

IX. Other Business

A.

Discussion

Move Retreat to July. Debbie will work with Bill for the date.

X. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
W. Davis