Ogden Preparatory Academy

Minutes

OPA Board of Directors Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday November 11, 2021 at 4:30 PM

Location

1435 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. Howell (remote), M. Swenson (remote), M. Ward, S. Mejeur (remote), S. Zwygart

Directors Absent

T. D'Hulst, W. Davis

Ex Officio Members Present

D. Deem, K. Kennington, S. Lopez, S. Mathers (remote)

Non Voting Members Present

D. Deem, K. Kennington, S. Lopez, S. Mathers (remote)

Guests Present

E. Callison, S. Adams (remote), S. Wright

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

S. Zwygart called a meeting of the board of directors of Ogden Preparatory Academy to order on Thursday Nov 11, 2021 at 4:36 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

J. Howell made a motion to approve the minutes from OPA Board of Directors Meeting on 10-14-21.
M. Ward seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Consent Calendar

Skipped.

E.

Opportunity for Public Input

No one in attendance.

II. Finance

A.

Financial Review

  • 33% of the way through the year.
  • Went through the summary report.
    • No questions or concerns to discuss

 

B.

Elementary Sound System

M. Ward made a motion to To approve the bid from Webb for up to $23,597.00.
J. Howell seconded the motion.
We are looking for ease of use, to upgrade the sound and the projector.
The different bids and options were explored. 
Recommended choice is to go with the third bid option, as it includes everything we want.
  • Discussed the possibility of not wanting the screen if we choose to make a wall.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Teryl Young joined the meeting.

III. Executive Session

A.

Enter Closed Session

M. Ward made a motion to Enter closed session to protect the privacy of an individual.
J. Howell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
S. Zwygart
Aye
W. Davis
Absent
M. Swenson
Aye
T. D'Hulst
Absent
S. Mejeur
Aye
J. Howell
Aye
M. Ward
Aye

B.

Exit Closed Sesssion

M. Ward made a motion to Exit Closed Session.
J. Howell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Swenson
Aye
J. Howell
Aye
T. D'Hulst
Absent
M. Ward
Aye
S. Mejeur
Aye
W. Davis
Absent
S. Zwygart
Aye

C.

Decision(s) made during closed session.

M. Ward made a motion to Approve decision to finish the current suspension.
J. Howell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Business Director Evaluation and Bonus

M. Ward made a motion to Approve the evaluation recommendation.
J. Howell seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

IV. Administrative Report

A.

Administrative Board Report

Elementary
  • Spanish students will be singing in the park again
  • After School/Extended Learning
    • Waitlist is still being used, bring in new students as others leave
    • Doing a fundraiser - Pennies for Puppies. Goal is to raise $700 to donate to the shelter
  • BOY Data 
  • Discussion about absences, quarantines
Junior High
  • AVID students hosted college night 
  • LIA hosted the Trunk or Treat. Had a great turnout.
  • Athletics - Boys basketball season has started. Students have high expectations to play and they are rising to the challenge.
School Improvement Plan/TSI
  • Goals were made pre-school closure. We are aiming high and it will be a large stretch. We discussed the need for adjusting the goal to make it more attainable or do we want to keep it where it is? Academic committee will meet later to make decisions.
Accreditation Year

 

COVID Rapid Tests

 

Human Resources 
  • Change in staffing
  • Priority to make updates to the salary schedule for next year
  • Enrollment is holding steady
Employee of the Month
  • Employees nominate a winner each month for the Elementary and Junior High.
    • Lupe Rocha
    • Malamene Wong

B.

Calendar Change

S. Mejeur made a motion to approve the schedule change for the three teacher planning and professional development days.
M. Ward seconded the motion.
1. Proposed virtual days - one Friday at the end of each quarter.
This would allow teachers to improve and target instructional needs for students.

 

Discussion:  Hard to have days off for the students, as they are just getting back into the routine of attending school. It is also hard to make a change in the middle of the year.  But having PD days for teachers is important and necessary. Will make sure to put on the calendar at the beginning of the year.

 

2. Propose a "C" day for students at the Junior High to attend only if they need extra support on Fridays. This will help with gaps in student learning. However, all students would be welcome and there would be enrichment activities.

 

Discussion:  Concern with knowing if students had to attend or not. How will it be maintained and tracked? It could be very motivational for students to keep up on their work. It could also be a problem/stigma for students who are always coming on Fridays. Schools that have started the schedule, do have good feedback. Based on passing rates, there does need to be a change. The timing could be bad too, as we are just now getting students into the routine in coming to school.

 

Will come back with a more in-depth plan to discuss further. 
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Survey Reviews

There are things we will be adjusting based on the feedback received. This is a great way to give parents and staff a voice.

D.

Training on Junior High Signature Programs

Presentation from Shevon.
  • AVID
  • LIA

E.

Translation Services for Policy Manual

Would like to have Spanish translations for all our policy manuals, as most of those are in English.
The current quotes are quite expensive. Another option is we could also pay some staff members to work on it. Weber State may have a more cost effective measure. Will follow up on this later.

V. Policies

A.

Policies

M. Ward made a motion to approve the changes to the three discussed policies.
S. Mejeur seconded the motion.
Updates were made for the following policies:
  • Pest Control
  • Political Signs on School Property
  • Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

Special Education Funding Information Resource

Resource to look through. 

VI. Committees

A.

Board Committees

Assignments were made for the committees.
Board would like the Admin to make the goals this year. How best can they support us with these goals? They can use their expertise on different projects throughout the year.

 

VII. Other Business

A.

Other Discussion Items

  • Annual Trainings update.
  • Moving forward - how to make all the JH teachers use canvas the same way

VIII. 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 6:30 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
S. Zwygart