001Okay, we're uh not very late. It's 10:05. Call the meeting daughter. Roll call. Uh I understand that Mr. Bound is out of the country and Mr. Nimick is in court today. Uh Miss Thompson >> present. >> Miss Pearson >> present. >> Robert Clemens present. So we have a quorum. We call the meeting to order. Uh uh do we have any public comment? Uh Jennifer, >> we do not have any public comments, sir. >> Okay. Uh first thing uh we have is the consent agenda. Uh I would uh entertain a motion that we approve the consent agenda. I approve for the consent agenda to be um approved or I move for the consent agenda to be approved. >> Second. Rose Thompson. >> Have a motion to second. We uh approve the consent agenda as has been
002presented. Uh vote. Miss Pearson. >> Yes. >> Miss Thompson. >> Yes. Robert Clemens. Yes, the consent agenda is approved as presented. Uh >> the information items. Uh Dr. Anderson, are you ready? >> Yes. Did you want to go ahead and do the action items, Mr. Clemens first? >> Uh Miss Pearson, is are you fairly solid to be here with us for a while? >> Yes, I'm here. >> Okay. Okay. Well, I I thought if you were going to get called away, we could go ahead with the action items and get them behind us. >> And I'm here fully. >> Okay. >> Very good. Then we'll we'll just follow the agenda. >> And the agenda is presented. U next item is super report. Dr. Anderson. >> All right. Well, Jennifer, if you would scroll down there
003for me. Um first of all, uh good morning everyone. Um uh we certainly thank you for for uh joining us for this special call meeting to get these policies uh approved that were required by the the legislative by September 1st. So thank you for for participating. Um as the enrollment uh the current enrollment as of the time of the report that was uh on the 21st was at 1292. We're at about 1330 right now. So this number is uh continuing to go up in a positive way. Um I believe by the end of September we were around 1,500 uh last year 1555 and so we uh want to continue to grow um to get to that number. We're also um doing some rolling out some initiatives uh to help us towards that. So my u
004hats off to uh the um um principles of of our of our campuses. I I was actually encouraged yesterday a little bit. I spoke with one superintendent in San Antonio that uh has 11 dropout recovery school campuses and their enrollment was only at 1,200. So um we we are um we have nine and so we're doing a little bit better than uh that particular um organization. So uh we're striving to get as always my goal has been 2,000. So, we're continuously working to try and get there and um we'll be bringing some new marketing initiatives uh from um gentlemen that's going to be working with us and helping us with ideas and things and so I I think that um you know 16700 is is is very doable and uh they seem to think so
005as well. So, more to come on that but that's where our enrollment is right now. Um our ADA at the time of this um uh board book um collaboration was at 88.2%. Uh which is is is very good. As you know we always budget on a goal of about uh 78% ADA. And as you can see our budget for the 2526 school year is built on a student enrollment of 1555 with an average daily attendance of 1213 which would be 78%. Um and that's in line uh with the budget that we prop proposed to you that would lead to a surplus uh should we be able to get that number of uh students and maintain a 1213 ADA that would uh give us a under the new for funding formula would leave us with the
006surplus. So we'll carefully be monitoring that. Any questions? Okay, Jennifer, if you scroll down again. >> Dr. Arman, can you tell us more about the initiatives that we're taking? I know that uh the principles themselves have I mean, they're they always push within your schools, but as a district, what are we doing? >> Well, um so we're working with um a gentleman who used to be uh the marketing um director or head for uh Premier uh uh Responsive Ed, which um u is is a big outfit um that is doing some consulting work with us. So, we're going to be doing some uh address specific target uh targeted marketing. Uh sending out some invitations, if you will, to enroll to uh some students. We're going to be uh creating some um more targeted Google um
007uh advertisements that will be hitting more specific um uh populations. Uh we're going to be doing some rolling out some um I guess I call them commercial, but not real TV commercials. there going to be videos. Um, we're going to be taking a different approach to our social media. Um, and some things like that as well. So, it's u I'd prefer to have Jeff really talk about it because he he's a marketing uh analytical guy. So, he can tell you specifically the importance of these things. Um, and they're just working with us on areas where we weren't really uh focused or strong at um that's going to be um a huge um um I think move the pendulum quite a bit. uh one of his partners is actually a works for a marketing firm. Don't
008ask me the name of it, but um the the the this firm uh that she works for, they have a lot of things that they're going to be helping us with as well. Um so, it's it's in the makings, and I don't have all the details, but there's a lot that's going to be going into this, but I'll be bringing Jeff to our next meeting to uh introduce him and share with you all what what all is underway. can't hear you, Mira. You're you're you're muted, Miss Pearson. >> Um, can we go ahead and add that to the agenda for um our next meeting just to talk a little bit more about the market initiatives? Uh, >> yeah. Yeah, he'll be with us at that time. So, he'll be on the agenda. Definitely. >> All
009right. Thank you, >> Carrie. Did you have anything to add? >> Uh, no. the um the advertising agency that is working with Jeff is Sinclair and they are um multifaceted throughout the United States and and have a specialization in Google Analytics and um the production of as Dr. Anderson said the videos and the different pieces that all um go together in a cohesive way so that we can um increase our hits on the website and our um notoriety. And then there are also some different people that he's going to be working with for the targeting mailings and they're going to focus on a specific um area within our campus. And so we're going to take some of the things we've done in the past and just take them to the next level. And I think
010it's going to be um I'm very excited to see all the things that are coming our way. So it's going to be exciting. >> Instead of like doing zip code mailouts, it's going to be resident specific targeting. Um some some system GIS, I don't know what it stands for, geo something, but >> yeah, it's geo fencing. Um we can talk about it more about in the next one. Um, I'd like to seen some more information. There's a contract on there. I feel that. Um, yeah, if it's okay if we can just have that information for our next meeting. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next. And then, as you can see, um, the staffing positions where we currently are um, and what positions are are vacant. Uh, one position at Colleen, two at
011Odessa, uh, two at Fort Worth, one at Amarillo, and one at Midland. So, seven vacant positions throughout the district and five campuses of the nine are at five at u 100% staff and three at 90 at two at 80. And then if we'll go ahead and go down um and again we are still at uh we're at about 45% which is down from uh last year of certified teachers. We're at 45 and 55 non-certified. So hopefully that will once those seven come on board um hopefully that that'll move the pendulum on that particular uh piece there. Questions about the teacher experience of certification. Okay. If not um talk about the accountability ratings. Um there was good conversation yesterday about uh accountability and everything and as you all know in 23 24 uh we were a
012B uh district we were at 80% um uh we were a B district at 80% and then this year uh we became a C district for the 2425 uh with 75 uh uh percent. Um Dr. Given uh and I discussed this and and and still a a big accomplishment. Uh Dr. Given and Jim informed me that um the set that the rating we got last year was the second highest outside of the 2324. It was still the second highest score the district has ever received. Um Dr. Given, did you have anything you'd like to share on on the accountability rating? >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yes. Um I just wanted to um also just assert yes uh last year the 2425 at a 75 was the second highest rating the district has ever um achieved. However,
013you know, this year we want to go and surpass our uh goal setting year of 24 with a B and we kind of disappointed that we didn't get to enjoy that be a little longer officially. But um our goal this year is to exceed the 23 24 school year rating. >> And again I think as Dr. G as I discussed to you know this rating was achieved even with the cuts that we had to make to try and get the the budget you know somewhat down in in the deficit area. But um and Dr. Dr. Given and her team continued. The DIC's were not traveling uh to the campuses last year because we froze travel and there was some resources that Dr. Given was willing to sacrifice to help the district financially and um and
014was still able to achieve the second highest score of the in the district's history. So my kudos to the campuses and the staff and Jim and Dr. Gibbons for their work in the DIC's. So and of course Mr. showers, right? Any questions about accountability? As you can see, there's a sheet that Jennifer shared uh that has the actual scores by campus uh there. So, >> and Jennifer, you'll go back up to the updates. Um again, as you all are aware, um Governor Abbott has called another special session. Um and so there are some things that's going on. Uh the second special session um was uh called on Friday, August the 15th. Um and it was basically the same items as the first session. As you know, the Democrats uh didn't show up and so it
015was uh pretty much the same. Um and House Bill 8 is the big thing there. um it's related to STAR testing. It has passed the Senate or it's passed the House and now it's back at the Senate floor. And as you know that basically house bill 8 um is um uh basically uh replacing the star test uh to do away with the the star test and um to basically give three shorter norm reference test that you would have a beginning of the year test and 3 days after that test has been administered the results would be available. You would then have a middle of the year exam. Three days after the exams have been taken, the results would be released and then you'll have an end of the year exam. Um and then 3 days
016after that, the um scores would be released. And so um it basically the the House Bill 8, Senate Bill 9, uh it provides a timeline for when the test must be administered every year. Um again, it's two days. Excuse me. It has two days. I thought it was three. Originally, it was three. they've changed it to two um to deliver the results um which include diagnostic reports for each student um and then recommendations for instructional strategies to improve student performance and it places restrictions on the use of benchmark test especially for grades 3 through 8 where you know a lot of schools would do a benchmark to kind of see where the kid would land. I think they want this to be more naturally flowing that you you're if you're teaching the kid should be
017prepared to take the exam. So that uh is a change and then uh they may only increase the the benchmark scores or the cuto off scores every 5 years. Um and so they have to release the standards by July 15th. If you remember this comes from that whole lawsuit thing where tea kept moving the goals each year and then they wouldn't release the the new standards until after the fact and all of this kind of stuff. And so now this legislature has kind of cleared it up. you will release the expectations by the you know 15th of July and you cannot keep moving the target uh every two or three years it'll be once every 5 years. So um it it says otherwise the previous year's performance standards will be in effect for the preceding
018school year. So if TA doesn't get the requirements or the standards out for the next school year then they are bound to do the previous year. So that cuts out all of that lawsuit stuff. Um and then it requires it still would require an annual rating of A throughF uh which would be released by August 15th which is the same. So uh they would take those norm test and I guess come up with a cumulative uh performance uh result for the year and then they would also add in the CCMR piece and that would be your um um designation and um and it bans statewide not rated designation. So there will be all schools will have to be rated. So and then last but not least, the state charter school conference is October 6th through
0198th in Houston, Texas. Uh if you have not uh made your arrangements or had worked with Jennifer to get your arrangements confirmed or solidified, please do so. Um and we look forward to seeing you all there. Questions? >> Uh it's not a question. I just u Yeah, I guess it is. Can you back up and give me that enrollment number again? I was u still unloading my briefcase when you covered that. >> 1292, Mr. Clinton. >> 1292. >> And we're looking at 15 >> 155. Our ADA, we have to get our ADA up to 1213 is the goal. >> Very good. Thank you. >> And we're at 1340 right now. GM, is that correct? 1340. >> Yes, sir. That's correct. >> 1340 as of yesterday. >> As of yesterday. Hopefully, it went up a little
020this morning. >> Yeah, it went up a little bit this morning, he said. So, >> some people don't like to look at it until after Labor Day, but uh I was curious to see what we are. may send you a note next Friday after Labor Day and see what see what next week has for us. Thank you. All right, other questions, Miss Pearson. Uh, Mr. Clemens, Miss Thompson. >> Uh, next on the agenda is Miss Fernandez, the uh, uh, financial report. Hi, good morning. >> Good morning. >> How's everyone doing? >> Um the financials today were they're going to be yearto date July. So basically the first month for the 25 26 school year. Um there's not much um or there won't be much change I guess um since it's just one month of financials
021that we're looking at right here. Um the the enrollment data stated on this report, there won't be any since the first days of schools were in August. Um so there's nothing to show on this current report. The FSP budget um was built on enrollment of 1650 with a percentage of 75%. So the estimated uh refined ADA is 1213 which is the same uh number that Dr. Anderson stated. It should be 78% is what we had. But is it 70 discount 75? >> Uh it's 75 and and so I I I saw that the enrollment number and the 88 percentage were a little different, but the overall refined ADA number stated is 1213. >> Okay. Yeah, because we did 1555 instead of 1650. It should be 1555 is what we because I looked at the notes
022from Tammy in our meeting. So that's where we came to the 78%. >> Yeah. And so the refinement number stated that they're the 1213 um are the same. >> Yeah. Okay. Good. >> Um at the end of July, the school ended with their net position of 14,64,000. This is a drop from um the prior month. Um, so we're stating revenues that have come in and since this cooperates on an acqual basis, since there were no attendance days in July, there's no actual FSP revenue stated. So, we're showing that there's a net change of negative sorry 8 negative8 $810,000 uh with only uh revenues booked of 82,000 and expenses booked of 893,000. Um, our estimated first rating right now is set at a 67, which is consistent with what we showed last year and the year
023prior. The school starts off with a not so great first rating, but as we progress on since we are looking at this um on a monthly cumulative monthly basis, uh the ratings do increase and um will get better and we're still projecting to see that as well. you go to the next slide. Um our uh budget FSP right now is at uh 15.63 million. The summary of finance that came out um in early August for this this coming school year is set at 14.39 million. And this is um these numbers are based off of pretty much what last year's numbers ending numbers were. Um we may have to adjust for this come October so that we can get this gap closer and um ensure that we do get a better rating for this indicator. Our
024days of cash on hand are 162 days which is great. The school is doing amazing there. They have a great fun balance and again showing that we're not really stating any revenues that have come in. Um the school has had cash come into the bank deposits come in. We're just not stating any on the books right now since it's based on an approval basis. admin administrative cost ratio is a little high again consistent with what we've seen in prior years. Uh we do work on this uh as the year um the year progresses and we end up around uh six points. So again their goal is to get uh closer to 10 as possible but we will uh work on getting this rating down. Uh what we're looking at here is our budget to actual.
025So what we've budgeted just four funds 240 and 420. So as of July this is 8% of the fiscal year complete. Uh again not you'll see that we're not showing any FSP funding coming in just some small local dollars. Uh but all the expenses are hitting. So this shows the negative $810 um,000 net change. Um the balance sheet uh as of July again is going to show a drop in our overall um net total net assets u from prior year year. You will see that we are making some um long-term loan payments. Our total liability balance is going down there. Um we have some accounts payable that have been prepaid which is accounting for the the negative uh $51,000 you're seeing there. It's not really net pay, but it's mo mostly just a timing of
026variance. We'll see that that quickly changes come the beginning of the next month. Um, our cash position, sorry, I don't mean to jump around, is $4,385,000. Um, is there anything in particular that anyone has questions on? >> The cash balance is 4.3. Yes sir. >> Do you have any comparison number for what that was last year? >> Uh the ending balance last year was 4.5 as of June. So within the month it's a $200,000 drop. And we'll start to see this number um increase when we make um once we continue back the the normal draw amounts, federal draw amounts. Guess what I'm asking really? Have to wait till November when the audit to see what the audited cash balance is and what it was last year's audit were what our >> So you want to
027know what November uh >> well I'm sure the audit November will give us an audited cash balance for the end of this uh last year and then we can compare with prior audits to see >> Yeah. It is a great thing to to watch and manage. >> I know that the last two years that we have uh as a board agreed to go in uh deficit funding two years in a row and this current year last year was 800,000 and I think the prior year was perhaps 600,000. So >> I did look at um last year comparison just just um before our finance committee meeting and that the biggest changes right were the spending on the capital improvements that the school is doing that are needed at the campuses. So that's mainly where the the
028the cash drop is is coming from that's the biggest contributor. Um right here we have our summary of finance uh the first one for the 2526 school year. The numbers that we're seeing on the refine ADA and the weighted weighted numbers are pretty much the same as the ending for prior years 25 sorry 2425 school year. Um the biggest difference that we'll see is that this does include an estimate of those uh increased allotments from the HB2 bill that just passed. Um, so if you can go down to the next page. Yeah, we we're seeing in slight increases here and the next one, but mainly you'll notice just overall the sum on the next page is about uh $500,000 more than what is stated on the summary finance from the 2425 school year. And so
029that is the estimate increase um that TEA has seen from the new bills that has has passed. And as we start to as the school starts to submit their um their six weeks uh reporting um the FSP submissions, we'll see the the allotments change and then we can give a better um estimate on what the FSP amount that we feel the school is going to end with. And you should have that data by October when we're suggesting the school does a budget amendment. Any questions on the summary finance? Okay, I believe that's the the last of the finance portion. The rest of the pieces do break out the a lotments which uh we will watch more closely to see um again to have a better estimate of where the school's FSP number will end. Um
030so we do want to operate on a number that we feel will be plausible. Um so this is just because of all the data provided to that and if there any if there is anyone on the board right who wants a more in-depth um piece of uh any factors of that's listed on here I'm more than happy to speak more um more to That should be it. Any other questions or any questions on the finance report? Mr. Thompson, Mr. Person? >> No questions at this time from me. >> No, sir. >> No questions. So, thank you, Mr. Everyone. Uh, next item on the agenda is the facilities update, Carl. >> Yes. Um, so let's see. You want to go to the next page? Uh, give you a little update on our piece of property in
031Amarillo. Uh, we started our new lease, our new 2-year lease. Um, it began on July the 1st, 2025. And then as you guys know, we have our our property that uh we purchased there at 2400 Southeast 27th and it has been listed by CBRE. Um as of yesterday, we haven't had any uh particular interest in that property yet. However, there is a a local sales auction that um will be coming up soon and CBRE is talking about presenting our property at that auction uh using the price that the board had uh given them as as kind of a minimum bid situation. So, uh just to let you know that that is something that's working in Amarillo. Uh next page. just I added a couple of pictures to show you the exterior and the interior of
032that property just so you'll be up to date on that. at our Fort Worth location um on uh 5051 Trail Lake. We had received a u a bid for or an offer for that piece of property um from CBRE. Uh that piece of property uh we're we're entertaining that bid. Unfortunately, there was a breakin at that location um a couple of two or three weeks ago and some copper piping and electrical wiring was stolen out of the the building. There was a bit of vandalism. Uh we've contracted with uh Belfar uh which is a restoration company to uh clean that up and put it back in order. Speaking with Will um from CBRE, he says that the uh people that were had made the offer are still very interested. Uh they weren't bothered by the
033um the you know the the loss uh that they would be working with us to to move forward on that. So, we're going to be presenting to him the uh photos of the cleanup and they will be taking another tour this next week of of that building to I guess kind of up get updated on where it is. Uh but more to more to come on that. Um we began our our lease at the existing location on September well we will begin it on September 1st and um we'll have to to relook at that again next year and so um next slides. Uh go ahead. These were just some of the the slides as you'll remember from the uh what the property looks like that we're that we're looking at selling. Um and then I
034will let you know that we also have on on the other side of the the street the Woodway property where we're planning to put the school. I did receive the uh programming drawings from the architect. we have some estimated uh costs for for that as well. Um and that project is actually looking very good at the moment. So um more to come on that and I think that's it for the for the update. Any questions, questions, comments? >> Thank you, Col. for questions from me. >> Thank you, Miss Thompson. >> Move on to the action items. The uh board uh approval, ratification of district contracts. Dr. Anderson. All right. Then um at this time uh we have our you know we used paper for uh the past couple of years and that contract ended and
035so um we were able to find a cheaper provider and uh in the princetonreviewtutor.com um that's our uh that meets the um the tutoring requirement for students that uh have failed the star test or whatnot. And so it's uh down significantly um to 78,000. And so uh we're asking the board to approve the use to to replace paper uh which we were paying significantly more for uh in in lie of uh the princeton reviewtutor.com. Dr. Given, you have any additional things that you'd like to share about the contract that we're asking the board to approve? Only thing I would just like to add is that um the uh screening or the qualifications to become a tutor for uh the Princeton Review is much more rigorous than it was for paper. Um many of you may
036be familiar with uh the Princeton Review. It's how many people for generations have prepared for college entrance exams. Um and so it's that same company uh that will be providing uh the tutorial service and as Dr. Anderson said at a considerable uh decrease in price >> questions about that then uh and then we're asking for the uh ratification of powers school uh which is our talent ed. That's the portal we do all of our keeping uh personnel documents and uh uploading uh our safe schools trainings and that's the way Christina communicates uh with uh new hires and employees um for personnel records and application tracking and things of that nature. Um, and so, uh, we're just renewing that. And that was already signed in the amount of $18,920. And that's all we have questions. Okay.
037We have we have a motion for action on this item. Rose Thompson. I move the board approve the contract listed in exhibit one and ratify the contract listed under exhibit number two. >> Second. >> I'll second the motion uh vote. Uh Miss Thompson. >> Yes. Miss Pearson. >> No. >> Uh the I'll vote yes. The motion passes to one. Uh >> Miss Pearson, you had a question or something? >> No sir. Yeah, I do not. This is based on conversations we had previously. See, we have uh next on the agenda, Dr. Anderson, the adoption of board policy. >> All right. Um again, this is communities and schools. um we were able to get them to assume all of the uh positions uh for the district. The the last two schools came in um and uh
038agreed to to um take over uh the SCCL uh positions, if you will. uh most of our uh all of them uh were either uh more or uh no less than what they were making with RMA. Um so that worked out good. Many of them got increases uh because uh CIS in and many of the areas paid more than what we were paying uh for for uh for the SEAL position. And so these are the remaining contracts um that um we have. Mind you, uh CIS is supported and uh by the TEA agency. Uh they work very closely with TEA and even on the TA website, if you all remember, I shared with you all data. Uh the dropout rates uh decreased uh across the state of Texas and uh the attendance rates uh increased
039uh where where CIS uh uh sites were on campuses. And so I'm excited to to have this um and again title one funding uh will make this possible for us and um and next year should go down significantly more because we'll be eligible for the grants uh that they have to offer. But because we came to the table so late uh only uh two campuses got the the grants uh which freed up some additional money for other sites to have uh the CIS um programs. So, I'm asking uh that uh as you uh if if there's uh no objection um this would add um Mittland, Houston, and Corpus Christi. Uh this would be the contracts for those three campuses which would be the last three questions for me. I uh I'll make a I'll move
040that the board approve the proposed partnership contracts with the communities and schools for the 2025 2026 academic year. Uh I have a second. >> Rose Thompson second. >> Motion second on the uh action uh vote. Miss Pearson. >> Yes. >> Uh Miss Thompson. >> Yes. BL just motion carries. >> Yeah, I just want to say I uh want to thank you guys for taking on our uh additional staff. Um I recognize that there's going to be a lot of other um programs available to our our schools and our students, but it's also important to acknowledge that the staff that we've had have done an incredible job on their own within their own um within their own means. But yeah, so um just to thank you. Absolutely. I I agree. Uh Dr. Look like you're still
041up. Right. Then we have uh the adoption of um governance policy uh module one. Uh and basically you know this the biggest thing that we had in this was uh the the committee did meet uh Mr. uh Nimik and Mr. Bayon. Um however the the outstanding piece to this is that of the time. Um am I right on this Jennifer? Am I speaking right on this policy? >> Yes you are. >> Yeah. the time um you know the house the legislature passed a rule that requires boards to meet uh it's not been a big issue for ISDs because they've always met in the evening um however now it is applicable to charters and the rule is working hours that in order to increase parent engagement in the board meetings of charter schools and ISDS um
042that meetings uh must be held outside of normal working hours. Well, the question has been what constitutes normal working hours and so uh I don't know Miss Clinton, were you on yesterday with Hoffer or did you join us or No, >> no, I wasn't wasn't able to. >> Okay. Well, I asked Joe um the question, what constitutes normal working hours? And Joe said that's a good question. He says uh he says he doesn't know if TEA will later come back and define that. But he did suggest that in the board policy we define working hours until either TEA or the next legislative session they come back and determine what working hours are. Um Walsh Giggo said that she would follow the song n working 9 to5 or and and that would define working hours. So
043we need to get the board to decide when um you know I'm not opposed. We have several options. Joe said that you know would would lunchtime be working considered normal working hours. Um, so it's a lot of gray area here and we may make a decision today and TEA may come out with guidance in the next 2 weeks and say, well, this is what TEA defines as a work normal working hour. But my suggestion is that we play it safe. I would probably say that 8 to 4 is probably going to be, you know, where that falls. Um, we're probably for the sake of board members and I know you all are volunteers. I know that you all have families and things of that nature. I know Mr. Nimick and Mr. Bayon were preferred to
044do it on a Thursday. That way the Fridays and weekends wouldn't be tied up if we had an in-person meeting. You know, people would be able to travel and get back home by Friday and enjoy their weekend. Um, I've thought about it. you know, it's up to you guys. Maybe we need to look from at 7 to 9, you know, that may be uh a time to do it early morning. Um, you know, um, and define normal working hours from 9:00 to 5. Um, or otherwise it would have to be after 4 and uh, that would be maybe 4:30 to, you know, a certain time. But whatever it is in in you know out of best interest of you all's time too we we have to figure out and Mr. Clemens and I had this
045conversation about really working this consent agenda a little bit more um so that the meetings aren't on your time in the evenings or whatever mornings before work aren't creating you know three-hour board meetings or two and a half hour board meetings. So Mr. Clemens, you have anything that you'd like to share on that? >> Uh, no, not not really. I I don't have a good solution. Uh, I don't think there is one. Uh, >> Rose Thompson, >> I think the intent of the law is for parent engagement. And if that is true, then you have to do the 9 to5 and have the meeting scheduled after 5. And if that's the intent of the law, other than that, I don't think they're concerned about the board members or the staff being available. If the intent
046of the law is parent engagement, if that's true, thank you. >> Yeah. Um I agree with Miss Thompson. I mean, um, there the same is going on for as well for, um, for local government, um, and the intent basically is to be able to involve our community who is who we serve at the end of the day, um, and our students. And so I think that even though it is a volunteer position, this is something that, um, it's our civic duty basically to be available for our students and our parents in our community. Um, so I have no problem in it being the afternoon. uh typically just your typical working hours are 8 or 9 to5 basically Monday through Friday but it's not uncommon to have uh a board meeting especially a school board meeting
047in the afternoon um anytime after 6:00 basically um so I think that I'm in support of this and includes our parents as well and our community I think it would be um fantastic >> so what time are you suggesting Miss Pearson >> um you know I think this is going to I mean for us it's it's it's you tell us what what do you guys want. Um at the end of the day I also recognize that our staff does work in 8 to5 and does have other engagements in the afternoon as well. Um so we may have to look as to how this is going to be compensated to them or that time is going to be compensated to them. Um, I think I will revert this one up back to you since um, the
048majority of the work or you know it's going to be it's going to come down to what our staff is needing to be able to meet this hours. As wise for me, I mean it's you tell me what is best for you guys. >> Rose Thompson, I recommend my recommendation that it not be held before 5:30. Anything before 5:30 with the intent of the law. Nothing before 5:30. And I know it's not something we're doing every day. It's just four or five meetings a year. So it's not going to be that much of a strain for us who have said that this is our civic duty to God, our country, and our students and our parents. Therefore, nothing before 5:30 for me. I suggest that we uh set the meetings at six o'clock. I don't
049that way we don't have to set a limit on how long it last. Um meet at 6 and Thursdays fine with me. Uh in the communities I've always lived in the time you couldn't meet was Sunday or Wednesday. And so, uh, I suggested Wednesday night wouldn't be would not be a good night, but >> Mhm. I uh don't know how this will work out. It appears that this is going to result in more and more uh um remote meetings that we're having today. And maybe that's not a bad thing. Maybe it's a good thing. Probably we're going to do very uh have to struggle to have one meeting a year face to face. That probably would be in June. Okay. >> Perhaps we could work in the second one and just again with the intent
050of the uh intent of the law. Uh most anybody that's going to attend our meeting is going to be remotely. So I doubt if anyone's going to drive from Amarola to uh any other location to attend the meeting. Okay. All right. So then it sounds like you all in favor of 6:00. >> I'm in favor of 6 o'clock. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Anytime after 5:30 is fine. >> Okay. All right. Then Jennifer, have we solved the problems of the world? >> Uh we've solved one of them for sure. Um okay. So, I do have that the board would prefer uh 6:00 p. p.m. And then um just to confirm, is Thursdays um a good day for everybody? >> Great. >> And I think we need to define working hours in board policy as uh >>
0519 to5. >> Yes. So therefore we'll change our does that are all our meetings on Thursdays already Jennifer in the current board calendar. >> No our our current board calendar um our meetings are mostly we do have one in May I believe is a Thursday uh but the majority of our meetings are on Fridays. >> Okay. So, we need to move them to Thursday then. Is that correct? >> Yes. Yes. And I would um move them to the day before. Um and I can present a calendar um I can present a calendar at the next meeting if if needed. >> Okay. Jennifer, that won't u present any problem with our uh two working days hosting of the meetings. >> Uh no sir, it won't uh the three business days. Yes. No, it won't. Um so
052it would just uh we would treat it just like today's meeting. Um we would post um Mondays before um the scheduled time. Um usually that is something that I can take care of in the morning. So it should not be an issue. Do we have a uh prepared motion to approve this u policy? >> Is there anything else in that policy, Jennifer, that I was supposed to? >> Um the only thing is um the recording of of um of meetings. Nothing here has changed because we do record um our minutes and we provide the video and audio. Um the posting of agenda notice um which is the three business days now um that's not an issue. Um one change that we did have, it is now required that if um any meetings that will involve
053a budget discussion or adoption, uh we have to post a notice with a copy of the proposed budget. Um so that is new, but again not an issue. Um and then we had one other addition. Um and Miss Thompson did um Oh, I'm sorry. I'm getting ahead of myself. Uh meeting minutes do need to be posted within 7 days of the um meeting. Um regardless if they've been approved or not, we need to post a draft of the minutes within seven days. And then once the minutes are approved at the following meeting, we would um post the approved minutes. Um again this will not be um an issue. And then um lastly I believe the other edit I have is um parental engagement. Um and I believe that Miss Thompson did touch a little bit
054on this on the parental engagement part. Um so we do have policy here where um um we do need to act and adopt standards to encourage parental engagement um and prioritize public comments which we already do. Um, and then scheduling board meetings outside of typical work hours, which is what we just established. And we will be sure to include um the set times and days for the meetings in our policy. And then um in this policy, we also had a um we had some edits to the security officers. And I believe that uh Carl could um speak over this. Let's see. Um Jennifer. Uh so what what we've done here is the the proposal lists all of the the options that RMA has here um and for hiring security guards and I um item number
055three is the actual uh item that or the one that RMA uses. So, um, we would put all of the options into the board policy. Uh, and the one that we're actually using is option number three, but that would give us flexibility going forward. Uh, should something change and we need to make adjustments. Um, want to go on down to the to the next section? And in this one, can can you blow it up just a little bit, Jennifer? I'm sorry. I wasn't prepared for this. Okay. Um and in this section here uh the the board would be required to select the the appropriate number of officers per campus. Um we currently um use one officer per campus and we also once again this would be uh option number three would would be the the
056option we would be selecting. um and putting in all of the the different options that we would have uh available. So in the future if we needed to to make any changes and we'll go down and under the alternative standard. Um, this would this one offers that if something would happen, we would be able to apply for a um a waiver for for not having a a police officer for a certain amount of time. Um, and we'll add that in should we should we need it. And I think the documentation uh so with the documentation we use the uh contract as documentation that we have police officers and or our our school safety officers on campus. And we also um use post orders to describe exactly what their duties are during the day. And so
057that would cover uh section D there under documentation. And is there more Jennifer? >> I believe those are all the units. >> Okay. And so that that just covers uh RMA has had security officers for years. So most of this we already abide by. Uh so there were really no changes that that we had to make to our our program. Um just because we have done it for for quite some time now. When we were at the the RACK meeting yesterday, uh Mr. Hoffer presented some uh documentation that we would need to add for um making sure all of our officers are fingerprinted and security checked. And Christina actually once again uh has always maintained that our officers had to be uh fingerprinted and background checked. So uh we're in compliance with that as well.
058There may be some some additional changes coming to add that into uh this section but uh not at this time comments I think that it will be uh to our advantage that uh Dr. Stannison, when you have your principal meetings that they know exactly the changes that are taking place and also with communities and schools uh whenever we have those new policies, I'd like to have that on the agenda for the principles. Thank you. >> Yes, I've talked to Dr. Given already. We're next uh the next principal meeting it'll be addressed. Other questions? >> Do we need to make a motion for the change in the board meetings? >> Yeah. Well, we're going to update the policy. All of this is embedded in the policy. So, the motion is there on the screen. I move
059the uh updated RMA Texas board policy service module one for governance be adopted uh as presented and discussed today. >> Rose Thompson second. >> Have a motion second. Miss Thompson >> yes. >> Miss Pearson >> yes. >> Robert Clemens. Yes. Motion carries. uh action on updated RMA board policy series module 3 student Dr. Given. >> Hello everyone. Okay, we're looking at module three for students. Uh the the um area of concern that needs to be looked at as far as um an action is on Jennifer, can you go to I think it's page 352 and it concerns if we would like to keep our current policy about non RMA students participating in our UIL activities. Currently, we do not have any UIL activities. However, in the future, if we should have UIL activities, this would
060allow students who are not enrolled in our school to participate in our UIL activities on our on our campuses. >> So, Miss Gibbons, is this more like um like um actual u sorry like homeschoolers coming in, >> right? Um could this be used as a recruitment tool possibly? >> Absolutely. We can always try to you know have them to come and um join us fulltime. >> Yeah. And I think that might not happen right now, >> right? But maybe in the future. And let me ask you what what is your opinion on this? >> Oh, my opinion. Oh, I I would like for us to allow uh homeschoolers to participate in UIL activities should we have any because like you said, I think it would um help us to perhaps induce them to join us
061full-time. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Dr. Gibs. Isn't the law program down in Odessa? Is that not under UIL? I will need to check. I think it might >> it is. Yeah, >> I think it is >> that law enforcement club that went to state. I think they are. >> And I know we have many campuses have been very interested in the uh gaming because gaming is now a part of UIL and that's something that we don't have to you know build facilities for and it's not you know going to cost us a lot if we decide to participate. So there are some UIL uh activities that you know we could possibly participate in without a big financial obligation. Okay. And so that is what we are asking for module three. Jennifer, can you move
062us to the uh suggested motion? I move the updated RMA Texas Board policy series module 3 for students be adopted as presented and discussed today. >> Rose Thompson. Miss. Thompson. Second vote. Uh, Miss Pearson. >> Yes. >> Uh, Miss Thompson. >> Yes. >> Uh, Robert Clemens. Yes. Motion carries. >> Thank you. >> I believe that gets us down. Do we have a need for a close session today, Dr. Anderson? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, >> very quickly, >> at this time, we'll move into close session. Um uh under rule board trustees reference Texas code 551.071-551.074 return now move into executive session >> just as an information item. uh the ORC chart just basically uh changed in that because we no longer have a business office uh internal business office uh I uh moved it we
063reflect that we have charter school success as a contracted back office support for HR and finance uh which will be uh directly reporting to me and then uh we put uh Christina and uh Christina uh who's our HR coordinator and Jennifer Jackson who is our payroll uh support. Um they will report directly to me and uh Carrie Ring um will be reporting uh to Carl uh Tanton. And those were the only changes that were made because uh Christina and Jennifer Jackson used to report to uh Tammy Padilla. Any questions? No questions for me. >> Then if not, um, we're at the end of Mr. Clemens. I'll turn it back over to you. >> Was there something with the special ed policies? But we Oh, did I miss something? It was the um I believe that
064>> that was in the consent agenda. >> Yes. >> Those mhm it was um it's a handbook and that is based off um the edits that were made to the special ed um policy that was adopted in I believe May. So the changes just reflected the policy. >> Okay, that it disclaimers, you're muted. We did have two board members included in that especially at policy revision. Do you know who who represented us in that meeting? Jugus and um >> Mr. Neck I believe. >> Ne. Okay. Okay. >> Yes, there was a policy um there's a policy committee for the Okay. >> special ed one. >> Okay. Very good. Uh the uh next meeting uh fresh November. When does it schedule? >> Said in Houston. I believe >> the next board meeting we have it scheduled
065for September 26th, but we would move this to September 25th based on today's conversations >> and it would location. >> Um I believe that we still um are working on the location sir. >> Okay. Well, >> on the changes >> Yeah. I had to ask earlier that uh uh Mr. Bon uh conduct that meeting. Uh I will >> and so >> at that time I think there was some plan for the meeting to perhaps be in Houston. >> Yes. and so forth. But anyway, just to keep that in mind that I'll participate in that meeting, but I'll have a >> supposed to be an inerson meeting or virtual. >> It is an inerson meeting. Um I we didn't establish a place just because of the changes that happened with the um legislative update. We weren't
066sure exactly how um this meeting would look like at that point. >> Yeah. I have to be in Waco that day and if I can participate uh remotely that that'll be great. Uh >> yes sir. >> And we've had some discussion about hosting meetings. I believe uh Dr. Anderson you said your take on it was that if we posted a meeting and we have the meeting where we post it we're legal. >> Yeah. Didn't Joe did Joe cosign that? Right. Remember when you asked him for his opinion? uh his is >> well I I also would like to share that legal opinion when it's finalized with the rest of the board. So >> I think he was going to clean up the and make it an official opinion and submit it to us later. So
067>> okay >> but it was in that same line. And I I >> yeah almost but long as you know wherever you post it cuz it's same same thing as I said before with the region 11 region 12 service center 13 Austin >> Austin yeah >> when we have it there we don't have a school or campus there but it's there and we post it and long as it's so wherever we post the meeting to be at as long as someone's there to let the people in and open you know and and in the facility we we're fine because we have schools across the state. So, it gives us a little bit more autonomy. >> Okay. >> So, am I hearing it correctly that we're having in person in September and then our meeting um
068TPC is in October. So, that's traveling twice to Houston. >> Yes. Unless you all decide not to have it in person, it's up to you guys. Um, >> I would suggest that we not have in person in September and we just all meet together and if we had to say something and meet in October. So, I'm not I'm not for two in person. >> I mean for the meeting in 20 in September. >> Yeah, it's possible to have it virtual. I think it would be more convenient for everybody. It sounds like >> Yeah, be be good with me. But, uh, >> okay. I just have to be in Waco that day. And >> the way we've been doing it, I would it best be clean again. I can't come to clean that day. So, >>
069I think we should just have at your house, Mr. Clemens. You can have dinner catered and we just, you know, since going to be at 6:00 and we just post a notice outside your door and and me. Well, I had wondered if if maybe if we just posted the regular meetings at my house, anybody wants to attend, we just make room for them, we'd be fine. But no, I I just have I'm just got to be in wake over that next day. That was only thing I sort of talked about that a meeting or so and it doesn't matter to me. But yeah, I'd be better that way. I can uh I can participate instead of just uh >> watch. >> And just a reminder that this will be our first um our first meeting
070in the evening now that we've established when our um when our working hours are and when our meetings should meet should start. I'm sorry. >> So everybody's in favor for virtual. I know that um Mr. Neck and Mr. Bon, we're also in favor of virtual. >> Good. >> Okay. >> All right. No, no other comments for question. None. Hearing none the meeting. >> I'm sorry. >> No, no public comments, sir. >> Meeting is journed. See you next month. >> Thank you all. Byebye. >> Thank you everyone. >> Have a good day. Have a good weekend. >> Holiday. >> You as well. Thson. Goodbye.