>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO
[00:00:03]
THE WESTLAKE TOWN COUNCIL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2025.I CALL THE REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER.
THE TIME IS 5:00 P.M. A KORM IS PRESENT.
WE'LL START OUT WITH INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
TONIGHT'S INVOCATION WILL BE PROVIDED BY PASTOR MIKE BANNIS FROM MILESTONE CHURCH IN KELLER. MIKE GOOD TO SEE AGAIN.
>> MAYOR, AND TRUSTEES, COUNSEL, PEOPLE.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR STILL INCLUDING THIS AS PART OF YOUR AGENDA OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, WHETHER IT'S REMEMBERING KATRINA OR STABBINGS OR ASSASSINATIONS AND OR THE 911 ATTACKS.
THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAS BEEN PRETTY SOBERING.
WITH THAT IN MIND, A LOT OF TIMES WE CAN JUST TAKE THOSE CARES AND THOSE ANXIETIES AND THOSE THOUGHTS AND CONCERNS AND TAKE TO THE ONE THAT CAN HANDLE IT.
WITH THAT MY FATHER, I PRAY FOR THESE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR CITY.
LORD, I ASK YOU FOR YOU TO DO WHAT YOU DO BEST.
YOU SAID THAT YOU LOOK THROUGHOUT THE EARTH, LOOKING FOR A MAN OR A WOMAN WHOSE HEART IS YOURS, THAT YOU CAN SHOW YOURSELF STRONG ON THEIR BEHALF.
I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD DO THAT.
I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD REIGN YOUR PEACE UPON OUR HEARTS, LORD, YOU SAID IF WE BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT THROUGH PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WE CAN MAKE OUR REQUEST KNOWN TO YOU IN THE PEACE OF GOD THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD AND GUIDE OUR MINDS AND OUR HEARTS.
I ASK YOU TO BE WITH THESE PEOPLE, BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, BLESS THEM, WATCH OVER AND PROTECT THEM IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.
>> PASTOR. THANK YOU WELL SAID.
WE NEED IT NOW MORE THAN EVER.
PLEASE RISE AND JOIN ME TO RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG.
>> TONIGHT, WE HAVE THE HIGGINS SIBLINGS, AND WE HAVE NOAH AND WYATT ARE IN FIFTH GRADE, AND EMMY IS IN THIRD GRADE, ALL THREE OF THESE STUDENTS HAD BEEN DESCRIBED AS RESPONSIBLE AND RESPECTFUL AND FRIENDLY AND THEY'RE JUST NATURAL LEADERS ON CAMPUS.
WE'RE VERY GLAD TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE TONIGHT.
>> STILL MY FAVORITE PART OF THE MEETING. SORRY, GUYS.
BUT I UNDERSTAND THERE'S GOING TO BE A CHANGE TO AN AGENDA ITEM.
>> YES, MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO TABLE H5 DISCUSSED, CONSIDER AN ACT APPROVED WESTLAKE ACADEMY PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK.
H6 DISCUSSED, CONSIDER AN ACT REGARDING A TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR WESTLAKE ACADEMY CLASS OF 2026.
THESE CAME OUT LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
I WAS FRANKLY A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED AND I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE OUR PARENTS AND OUR CONSTITUENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THESE THINGS AND BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IN THEM AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE THE COUNCIL GOING FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU. THERE'S BEEN A MOTION TO TABLE H5 DISCUSS CONSIDERING ACT TO APPROVE THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK AND AGENDA ITEM H.6, DISCUSS CONSIDER ACT REGARDING TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR WESTLAKE ACADEMY CLASS OF 2026. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, THOSE WILL BE TABLED UNTIL THE MEETING NEXT MONTH.
THANK YOU. AGENDA ITEM C CITIZEN PARENT COMMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY PARENTS THAT LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT? I HAVE TWO SPEAKING NOTES.
THEY PERTAIN TO THE AGENDA ITEMS WE JUST TABLED.
DOES ANYBODY STILL WANT TO SPEAK? I ASSUME, WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT MONTH THEN.
[00:05:04]
IF YOU'RE HERE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.>> [OVERLAPPING] TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO REFLECT ON MY YEAR AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.
WHEN I WAS FIRST CONSIDERING PUTTING MY NAME IN TO REPLACE SOMEONE WHO HAD LEFT THE COUNCIL, FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS SAID, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? YOU'VE BEEN RETIRED FOR 10 YEARS.
[OVERLAPPING] YOU'VE NEVER BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE WHILE YOU'RE DOING THIS.
I SAID, WELL, LET ME JUST GIVE IT A SHOT.
LET ME TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON COUNCIL NOW WITH THE MAYOR AND WITH OTHERS.
I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THEIR COMMITMENT TO THIS TOWN AND I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ASKED TO JOIN THIS COUNCIL.
IN THE YEAR THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, I REALIZE NOW, WHEN PEOPLE SAY POLITICS IS LOCAL, ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL, I THINK THAT'S TRUE.
BUT IN TODAY'S DAY AND AGE, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE IF THAT IS TRUE ACROSS THE BOARD.
I DO FEEL THAT THIS COUNCIL WORKS TOGETHER TOWARD THE BETTERMENT OF OUR TOWN, TOWARD THE BETTERMENT OF OUR SCHOOL.
I THINK THAT EVERYBODY WHO SURROUNDS IT, WHETHER IT BE OUR TOWN MANAGER, THE HEAD OF SCHOOL, ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEM, WE'RE ALL WORKING TOWARD THE SAME GOAL, AND THAT'S TO IMPROVE WESTLAKE TO MAKE IT BETTER TOMORROW THAN IT IS TODAY AND TO MAKE IT BETTER 10 YEARS FROM NOW.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I NOW APPRECIATE WHAT A MAYOR DOES.
WORK THAT KIM PUTS IN EVERY WEEK TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE HUMMING SMOOTHLY.
HE COMMITS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO THIS, AND EVERYBODY WHO I'VE WORKED WITH ON THE COUNCIL AND THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT THE COUNCIL, SURPRISINGLY, I'M THE THIRD MOST PERSON ON THE COUNCIL RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT AND NEW PEOPLE COMING IN.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PLEASED I AM TO DO THIS.
THE ONLY REASON FOR SAYING THIS IS TO SUGGEST THAT WHEN SOME OF US LEAVE WHEN THERE'S A NEW MAYOR, WHEN THERE'S A NEW COUNCIL, I SUGGEST THAT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO ENJOY GETTING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND MAKING IT A BETTER PLACE, PUT YOUR NAME IN, YOU'LL GET A REAL KICK OUT OF IT.
THANK YOU ALL. NOT ONLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT'S DONE, BUT FEEL A PART OF HOW WE'RE GROWING AND HOW WE'RE IMPROVED. THANKS.
>> WELL, SAID, THANK YOU, MICHAEL AND I WANT TO GIVE MY THANKS TO ALL THE COUNCIL. IT'S NOT ALWAYS FUN.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON, BUT WHEN YOU REALLY STEP BACK AND LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED LAST 15 MONTHS, I CAN'T [INAUDIBLE].
WITH THAT, MR. SASSER, TURN IT OVER TO YOU ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST. THANK YOU AGAIN, MICHAEL.
[D. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST]
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.
WE'VE GOT A PRETTY BIG DAY COMING UP ON THURSDAY.
IT'S NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY, OF COURSE, SPECIFIC TO US. BLACKSMITH GIVING DAY.
OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS $1.75 MILLION.
I'M HAPPY TO REPORT AS OF FOUR O'CLOCK TODAY.
>> DID YOU SAY BILLION, JOHN? BILL.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I'M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT AS OF FOUR O'CLOCK TODAY, WE HAVE RAISED $888,000, WHICH IS LITTLE MORE THAN 50% OF OUR GOAL.
THAT'S ABOUT THE EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT 24% OF OUR PARENTS HAVE DONATED, SO WELL ON OUR WAY, AND OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE 48 HOURS ROUGHLY TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL.
VERY EXCITING, WE HAD DR. RICHIE'S MESSAGE GO OUT THIS MORNING TO PARENTS.
WE HAD THE MAYOR'S MESSAGE GO OUT TODAY TO OUR RESIDENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO GIVE THIS ONE BIG PUSH TO GET THIS GOAL OF 1.75 MILLION.
WE ALSO HAVE OUR FALL CLEANUP COMING UP ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, FROM NINE TO 11:00 A.M. THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL WESTLAKE RESIDENTS TO DROP OFF THEIR OLD ELECTRONICS, HAVE THEIR PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS SHRED, BULK, TRASH, HAZARDOUS, WASTE, THAT THING.
BRING PROOF OF RESIDENCY TO BE LED INTO IT.
IT'S RIGHT HERE, 1,600 SOLANA BOULEVARD.
AGAIN, THAT'S 9:00-11:00 A.M ON OCTOBER 4, WHICH IS A SATURDAY, FALL CLEANUP.
OUR NEXT PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED RIGHT NOW FOR OCTOBER 7, WE MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH ITEMS TO HAVE THAT, IF IT IS CANCEL, WE'LL LET EVERYBODY KNOW PRIOR TO.
THEN OUR NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING IS OCTOBER 21.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED.
TODAY WILL BE THE FIRST DAY THAT WE START AT FIVE O'CLOCK AS OPPOSED TO FOUR.
AGAIN, A REMINDER IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND OR TUNE IN ONLINE, THAT'S GOING TO BE AT FIVE O'CLOCK OCTOBER 21ST.
[00:10:03]
COUPLE OF OTHER NEWS AND NOTES I'D LIKE TO MENTION.OUR FIRST RUN TO REMEMBER WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.
CONGRATULATIONS, CHIEF ON THAT.
>> THIS WAS A 5K THAT WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 6, RAISED ABOUT $1,400 FOR THE TUNNELS OF TOWERS, AND WESTLAKE ACADEMY FOUNDATION.
THE WEATHER WAS GREAT, AND IT'S JUST A HECK OF A GREAT CAUSE AS WE REMEMBER, THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN 911.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY WHO PUT IT TOGETHER AND TREMENDOUS SUCCESS. THANK YOU GUYS.
THEN FINALLY, WE'D LIKE TO MENTION THE RESULTS OF THE TRASH SURVEY THAT I HAVE BEEN DRONING ON ABOUT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW.
>> WELL, THANKFULLY, WE GOT QUITE A FEW FOLKS WHO CHIMED IN AND LET US KNOW WHAT THEY THOUGHT.
SOME THINGS THAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT HERE.
FIRST OF ALL, THE PICK UP FREQUENCY, RESIDENTS STRONGLY PREFERRED TO KEEP TRASH AND RECYCLING PICK UP TO ONCE A WEEK.
MAINLY, THAT WAS DUE TO THEM NOT WANTING TO PAY FOR A SECOND ADDITIONAL DAY FOR A WEEK, SO THEY'RE HAPPY WITH ONE A WEEK.
THAT PICK UP DAY WAS A BIG DEBATE.
IT WAS LITERALLY A TIE BETWEEN THEY WANTED EITHER MONDAY OR THURSDAY.
WE SENT OUT ANOTHER POLL WITH ONE SIMPLE QUESTION.
WOULD YOU RATHER YOUR PICK UP FOR TRASH AND RECYCLING BE ON MONDAY OR THURSDAY AND OVERWHELMINGLY FOLKS SAID THURSDAY.
WHAT HERE IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, WE'RE GOING TO BE SWITCHING THAT OUT FROM FRIDAY TO THURSDAY NOW, AND OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ONSLAUGHT OF COMMUNICATIONS SENDING OUT TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A PRETTY BIG CHANGE AS FAR AS DAY GOES.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS IS THE VOICES WERE HEARD AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO TOOK PART IN THE SURVEY, AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET WHAT YOU WANT.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED. THOSE ARE YOUR ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST.
>> JOHN, A COUPLE OF THINGS REAL QUICK.
ON THE TRASH, SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS I RECEIVED WAS IF EVERYTHING'S NOT IN THE BIN, IF YOU PUT A BOX NEXT TO IT BECAUSE IT'S FULL, THEY JUST WOULD LEAVE THE BOX THERE.
THAT DOESN'T SEEM THE INTENT OF TRASH PICKUP, SO I HOPE WE CAN HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS.
>> YES SIR, THE BIGGEST REASON FOR THAT IS THEY ONLY SEND ONE DRIVER IN THE TRUCK THAT HAS AN ARM THAT PICKS UP YOUR BINS.
>> THEY DON'T GET OUT TO DO THAT.
REQUIRES TO HAVE A MORE PERSONNEL ON THERE.
IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE US TO LOOK AT OVER THE NEXT 30-60.
>> OVER THE NEXT 30-60 DAYS, THEN I'M GOING TO BE WORKING WITH REPUBLIC ON OUR NEGOTIATION ON OUR TRASH CONTRACT, AND THAT'LL BE COMING BACK BEFORE COUNCIL. [OVERLAPPING].
>> ONE ITEM ADDING ON TO THAT.
>> EVERY OTHER DAY FOR MASS OR WHATEVER IT IS, THE EXTRA GARBAGE PICK UP IT'S THE FIRST AND THIRD OR THE SECOND FOURTH ONE OF THOSE.
WHEN WE HAVE FIVE WEEKS IN THE MONTH.
WE GO TWO WEEKS WITHOUT THE BOLT TRASH PICK UP, TWO WEEKS IN A ROW.
THAT'S HARD WHEN THERE'S CHICKEN AND STUFF IN THE TRASH CAN IN THE GARAGE.
THERE'S A GREAT PLACE I CAN THROW IT THERE, BUT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THERE'S FIVE WEEKS THAT WE CAN SOMEHOW GET TWO WEEKS IN A ROW BECAUSE IT IS TOUGH WHEN THERE'S TWO WEEKS.
>> CAN WE ADVERTISE WHAT THOSE ARE BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS A BULK PICK UP, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
>> YES, MA'AM. [OVERLAPPING] YES.
>> OTHER THING. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE ON TOP OF THIS.
OUR TOWN HAS A 70TH BIRTHDAY COMING UP NEXT DECEMBER 27TH.
OUR TOWN IS GOING TO BE 70-YEARS-OLD.
BUT I JUST WANT US TO START PLANNING.
I WAS HOPING IT WAS AT JANUARY OR FEBRUARY, BUT WE HAVE SOME PLANNING TIME.
YOU THINK ABOUT 70 YEARS AND THE WHOLE SCOPE OF THING IS NOT THAT LONG AND I'VE BEEN HERE 16 YEARS.
YOU LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THIS TOWN.
BUT I WANT TO TRY TO MAKE THAT A MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
MAYBE WE CAN TIED IN WITH THE TREE LIGHTING OR SOMETHING, BUT WE CLEARLY HAVE A LONG PLANNING HORIZON.
BUT I GOT A NOTE FROM A COUPLE OF RESIDENTS SAYING, WE HAVE A 70TH BIRTHDAY COMING UP.
WHAT ARE WE DOING? I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE ALREADY ON TOP OF IT.
>> YEAH. WE'VE ALREADY BEEN PLANNING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, AND OF COURSE, IT COINCIDES WITH 250 YEARS FOR THE UNITED STATES.
CAN BE A REALLY COOL CELEBRATION.
>> THEN JUST TO FOLLOW UP BECAUSE I KNOW I'VE BEEN ASKED ABOUT THIS, THE MAYOR'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAM.
I'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH JENNIFER MITCHELL. WE'RE GOING TO START THAT.
WE'RE WAITING FOR IT TO COOL DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND THEN DR. RICHIE, WOULD LOVE TO GET SOME OF THE STUDENTS INVOLVED AS WELL.
I'M GOING TO BE OUT THERE, WHATEVER PROJECTS WE HAVE.
FIRST, WE'LL BE JUST PICKING UP TRASH AROUND TO HELP OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, BUT YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE US OUT THERE IN THE COMING WEEKS. THANKS, JOHN.
>> THANK YOU. WE NOW GET INTO AGENDA ITEM E PRESENTATIONS.
[E.1. Presentation and discussion concerning the 2025 Westlake Academy student performance for the STAAR and EOC assessments. ]
WE HAVE A COUPLE FROM THE ACADEMY E.1 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE 2025 WESTLAKE ACADEMY STUDENT PERFORMANCE FOR THE STAR AND EOC ASSESSMENTS.>> GOOD EVENING. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE DO ON A DAILY BASIS, AND WE'RE SO EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH YOU TONIGHT, TO TALK ABOUT THE RESULTS THAT THESE AMAZING EDUCATORS BEHIND ME ARE
[00:15:02]
GETTING AND WHAT THEY ARE POURING INTO THEIR STUDENTS EVERY DAY.TONIGHT, WE HAVE MISS BETH HUGHES, WHO IS OUR PYP PRINCIPAL.
WE HAVE DR. JAMES OWEN, WHO IS OUR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
MISS SERENA MCMILLAN, WHO'S OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
WE ALSO HAVE JENNIFER STOCKTON JOINING US, WHO'S OUR BRAND NEW DIPLOMA PROGRAM COORDINATOR, AND IS GOING TO GET TO BUILD ON A REALLY NICE FOUNDATION.
WE ALSO HAVE MR. MAX TOA, WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION.
I KNOW I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE STAFF THE COUNTLESS HOURS THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS PUT IN, THE WAY THEY THINK THROUGH THEIR JOBS AND THEIR LEADERSHIP AND THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES ARE WHAT MAKE WESTLAKE EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I'M GOING TO LET THEM OWN THESE AMAZING RESULTS.
>> GOOD EVENING. IT'S SO EXCITING TO BE HERE BECAUSE A YEAR AGO, I WAS SHARING SOME PRIMARY RESULTS THAT HAD A FEW BLEMISHES ON THEM, AND THE TURNAROUND IS DEFINITELY WESTLAKE ACADEMY APPROPRIATE.
I AM SO PROUD OF THE EFFORTS, OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF, AND OUR PARENTS MADE ON A LOT OF THE GOALS THAT WE HAD.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR JUST OVERALL PASSING RATE, WESTLAKE ACADEMY ALWAYS HAS SCORES IN THE 90S.
WE MOVE A LITTLE, BUT WITH THE SMALLER POPULATION, JUST ONE OR TWO CHILDREN CAN MOVE THAT PERCENTAGE.
OUR SCIENCE SCORE, IF YOU LOOK IN 2024 WAS NOT OVERALL PASSING RATE, AND WE GOT IT BACK UP INTO THE 90S THIS YEAR, WE'RE VERY PROUD THAT ALL OF THOSE PASSING RATES ARE EXACTLY WHERE THEY SHOULD BE.
BUT THE MISSION OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY IS TO PRODUCE COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS.
IT'S BEEN GREAT LOOKING AT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FROM AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT STAAR TEST ISN'T EVERYTHING, BUT IT'S A DEFINITE INDICATOR OF A STUDENT WHO'S GOING TO BE ON THAT COLLEGE BOUND PATHWAY.
WE HAD SOME INCREDIBLE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MASTER'S AREA.
THIS IS WHERE A LOT OF OUR FOCUS AND OUR DETERMINATION CAME LAST YEAR.
IN 3RD GRADE, IF I LOOK AT LANGUAGE ARTS, THERE WAS A 31% INCREASE OVER THE PRIOR YEAR OF STUDENTS WHO SCORED MASTERS.
IN MATHEMATICS, THERE WAS A 15% GAIN, AND THAT'S THE SAME SET OF TEACHERS GETTING THOSE STUDENTS READY FOR BOTH EXAMS. IT'S QUITE A FEAT.
IN 4TH GRADE, THE LANGUAGE ART SCORE, ALTHOUGH OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR LOOKS LOWER, THAT SAME COHORT OF STUDENTS WHEN THEY WERE IN 3RD GRADE, WE ONLY HAD 33% MASTERED THE NEXT YEAR IN THE '60S.
AGAIN, ABOUT A 30% GAIN WITH THAT COHORT OF STUDENTS.
THE THING THAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IS OUR GAIN IN SCIENCE.
WE HAD A HUGE FOCUS ON ELEMENTARY SCIENCE AT ALL LEVELS, AND OUR MASTERS WENT UP 20%.
THE STATE AVERAGE AS YOU CAN SEE IS RATHER LOW, THE SCIENCE TEST MIGHT HAVE YOU STUMPED ON, ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER, THE GAME SHOW.
THERE'S SOME HIGH CONTENT QUESTIONS IN THERE, SO WE WERE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS MASTER'S LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT.
WE GAVE YOU THE SLIDE TO THE COMPARISONS.
PEOPLE LIKE TO LOOK AT US, AND YOU'LL GET THIS FOR ALL THREE PROGRAMS TO OUR CLOSEST NEIGHBORS AND TO SOME IB CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO US.
WE OUTPERFORM JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IN MOST CATEGORIES.
I'LL LET YOU TAKE A SECOND TO LOOK OVER SOME OF THAT.
A FEW OF THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I WANT TO MAKE FOR THE SUCCESS THAT WE'VE HAD IN OUR STAAR WOULD BE THE TEAM.
THE TEACHERS, WHEN I WALKED IN, I WALKED INTO A BUILDING FULL OF DEDICATED, TALENTED, SKILLED INDIVIDUALS.
WHEN WE REFLECTED BACK ON WHAT HADN'T GONE RIGHT, PART OF IT WAS FOCUS AND RALLYING THE TEAM TO SURROUND THEMSELVES ON DELIVERING THE IB PHILOSOPHY, AND PEDAGOGY, WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING THE STATE REQUIREMENT.
I'M JUST VERY PROUD OF HOW QUICKLY EVERYONE GOT ON BOARD WITH THAT.
WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE FOR THE CURRICULUM THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BUY.
THE STEMSCOPES CURRICULUM IS JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD FOR THE PYP.
IT HAS REALLY HELPED THE TEACHERS LEAD INQUIRY BASED INSTRUCTION.
LASTLY, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PARENT PARTNERSHIPS.
WE ASKED PARENTS TO GET STUDENTS INTO SCHOOL AT 07:30 OR TO PICK UP AT 3:50 LATER SO THAT WE COULD DO THAT RIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL, RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL, FOCUS TUTORIALS.
THE TEAMS WORK TOGETHER BY CONTENT AREA AND REALLY FOCUS THE TUTORIALS EXACTLY ON WHAT THE STUDENTS NEEDED, AND THE PARENTS GOT THEM THERE EVERY DAY.
WE RAN THAT FROM 1ST OF FEBRUARY THROUGH THE END OF APRIL, AND I BELIEVE THAT DIRECT INTERVENTION HAD A REAL POSITIVE EFFECT FOR US.
AREAS THAT WE WANT TO GROW ON IN THIS COMING YEAR, WE ARE LOOKING AT STUDENT GROWTH OUTCOMES.
[00:20:02]
WE ARE WANTING TO FOCUS ON EACH CHILD'S PERSONAL POTENTIAL AND MAKE THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A FOCUS AND HOW THAT IS EMBODIED BY THE IB PEDAGOGY.WE'RE GOING TO KEEP LOOKING AT THAT TARGETED INTERVENTION AND HOW WE CAN USE THAT IN MATH.
WE USED IT IN GRADE 5, 4, AND 3, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WE CAN USE THAT IN SOME OF THE LOWER GRADES, AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT A NEW STATE CURRICULUM THAT WE'VE BOUGHT FOR PHONICS.
LITERACY EDUCATION HAS BOUNCED FROM LET'S DO SITE WORDS AND WHOLE WORD LANGUAGE TO PHONICS, AND THE SCIENCE RIGHT NOW SUPPORTS SOMETHING IN BETWEEN.
WE HAVE A GREAT FOUNDATION THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO USING THIS YEAR.
IF ANYBODY HAS A QUESTION FOR ME, I'M GOING TO PASS THIS ON TO MS. MCMILLON AND MR. ITUAH.
YEAR OVER YEAR, AND I KNOW THE HISTORY OF WHAT'S GONE ON HERE THE LAST FEW YEARS, BUT THANK YOU. FABULOUS.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. I AM SERENA MCMILLAN.
I AM YOUR BRAND NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
I WAS WITH WESTLAKE FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF LAST YEAR AS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
I WILL BE CO-PRESENTING WITH MR. MAXWELL ITUAH, WHO IS THE FORMER MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME. APOLOGIZE.
>> THIS SLIDE IS SIMPLY OUR PASSING RATE, WHICH OF COURSE IS NOT OUR FOCUS.
THIS IS A MINIMUM, AND OUR PASSING RATE IS VERY STRONG ACROSS THE BOARD, IF YOU'LL NOTICE THAT DATA GOES 2022-2025 OR EIGHT STAAR EXAMS. REALLY SEVEN BECAUSE ONE OF THEM IS THEIR FIRST END OF COURSE EXAM.
TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, YOU HAVE FIVE END OF COURSE EXAMS. THE FIRST ONE OUR STUDENTS TAKE ARE IN ALGEBRA 1 EOC AS 8TH GRADERS.
I'LL GO OVER THAT WHEN WE GO OVER MASTERS.
BUT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE ON AN ADVANCED MATH TRACK.
WHILE GRADE 8 IS TAKING ALGEBRA 1 EOC, GRADE 7 IS TAKING GRADE 8.
HOPEFULLY, AND THAT'S NOTATED ON THE SLIDES HERE.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THESE SCORES AND THEY EASILY 100% OR CLOSE TO 100% PASSING.
THIS NEXT SLIDE IS THE RATE OF MASTERY.
AS YOU CAN SEE, 2022-2025, OUR SCORES ARE PRETTY CONSISTENT.
SOMETHING I'D REALLY LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT TWO THINGS HERE.
IF YOU'LL NOTICE FROM YEAR TO YEAR, 2024-2025, THAT IS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE, THAT IS OVER 20%.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THESE STUDENTS.
IF YOU LOOK AT HOW THEY SCORED THE YEAR PRIOR, THEY MORE THAN DOUBLED THEIR RATE OF MASTERY.
I'M SORRY, OUR SOCIAL STUDIES IS A LITTLE CUT OFF.
BUT OUR SCORES ARE PRETTY CONSISTENT ACROSS THESE EIGHT EXAMS FOR PASSING AND FOR MASTERY, WHICH AGAIN IS ABOVE GRADE LEVEL.
NOW I'M GOING TO TURN TO MR. ITUAH TO EXPLAIN OUR COMPARATIVE DATA.
>> THANK YOU. MS. MCMILLON WENT OVER THE DATA FOR WESTLAKE ITSELF IN ISOLATION, AS IT PERTAINS TO JUST PASSING AND ALSO WITH MASTERS.
THIS IS COMPARATIVE DATA, SIMILAR TO WHAT MRS. HUGHES NOTED, WHERE OUR SURROUNDING SCHOOLS, THAT BEING NORTHWEST KELLER AND CARROLL, AND THEN ALSO THE MORE COMPETITIVE IB SCHOOLS FOR US.
OVERALL, ACROSS THE BOARD ABOUT 93% OR SO, WE PERFORMED BETTER THAN THAT OF OUR COMPARISON SCHOOLS.
IN MANY OF THOSE CATEGORIES, WE WERE THE TOP PERFORMER ACROSS THE BOARD WHEN LOOKING AT THAT DATA.
NOT JUST WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT ALSO WITHIN THOSE COMPARISON GROUPS.
THEN ON THIS NEXT SLIDE, IT JUST TALKS ABOUT THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM THE WORK THAT OUR TEACHERS PUT IN THIS PAST ACADEMIC YEAR.
LAST YEAR, OUR RESULTS WERE VERY GOOD.
OUR STUDENTS PERFORM WELL YEAR OVER YEAR.
WHAT WE DID WAS WE HAD A MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND WE HAD A CAMPUS WIDE GOAL OF 2.5 MONITOR AND ADJUST.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HAD A WHOLE SCHOOL INITIATIVE OF GOING IN.
WHEN A STUDENT IS UNDERSTANDING A CONCEPT, HOW DO YOU AS A TEACHER PIVOT IN ORDER TO HELP THEM GRASP THE MATERIAL?
[00:25:02]
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT OUR TEACHERS EXCELLED IN AND IT LED TO THE RESULTS THAT WE HAVE HERE.WE HAD IMPROVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS ACROSS THE BOARD.
GRADE 6, YOU SEE GOING 52-56%.
GRADE 8 WENT 32-48% IN ALGEBRA 1, AS MS. MCMILLON NOTED, INCREASED OVER 20%.
WITH OUR GRADE 8 SCIENCE, WE WERE THE HIGHEST RATED AMONGST ALL OF OUR COMPARISON SCHOOLS AND WENT 45-51%.
THEN ALSO WITH OUR LANGUAGE ARTS, WE WENT 65-71% IN MASTERS FOR GRADE 6 AND OUR MASTERS FOR GRADE 8 MAINTAINED AT 76%.
OUR TEACHERS DID A PHENOMENAL JOB.
WHEN WE WORK WITH OUR STUDENTS, WE HAVE OUR TARGET GOALS AND OUR STRETCH GOALS, AND OUR TEACHERS REALLY AIM FOR THOSE STRETCH GOALS AND THE WORK SHOW FOR ITSELF.
>> AS OUR CURRENT PRINCIPAL, OF COURSE, I'M VERY PROUD AND FEEL VERY LUCKY TO STEP INTO ALL THIS BEAUTIFUL HARD WORK AND DATA TO SIMPLY MAINTAIN, BUT OF COURSE, THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR GROWTH.
EVERY COHORT OF STUDENTS IS DIFFERENT.
EVERY WEDNESDAY LATE START, THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR TEACHERS TO COLLABORATE AND PLAN VERTICALLY.
FOR EXAMPLE, I PLAN WITH THE HUMANITIES TEAM, AND THAT DOES NOT JUST INCLUDE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS, IT INCLUDES HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS SO THAT WE'RE VERTICALLY ALIGNED IN OUR GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENT AND HOW WE FOCUS ON DATA.
SPEAKING OF OUR NEW GOAL FOR TTESS AND FOCUS THIS YEAR IS ASSESSMENT AND DATA.
OFTEN WHEN WE THINK OF ASSESSMENT AND DATA, WE THINK OF CULMINATING ASSESSMENT LIKE STAAR DATA OR AP EXAMS. BUT REALLY, IT'S THAT ON THE SPOT, DAILY ASSESSMENT, THAT FORMATIVE FEEDBACK FOR DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING THAT IS HIGHLY CRITICAL BECAUSE IT'S TIMELY.
SPEAKING OF TIMELY FEEDBACK, WE WANT TO GIVE THAT SAME FEEDBACK TO OUR TEACHERS.
JUST LIKE THE TEACHERS ARE COACHING THE STUDENTS, WE ARE COACHING THE TEACHERS.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO USE THAT WALK THROUGH DATA TO SUPPORT HIGH LEVERAGE INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES.
I THINK THAT IS ALL FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ONE MORE THING.
>> YES. ENRICHMENT, THAT IS A BIG UPDATE FOR THIS YEAR.
AFTER LUNCH EVERY DAY, THE STUDENTS GO TO EITHER ADVISORY ON A DAYS OR FLEXIBLE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME ON B DAYS.
THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO USE THAT DATA TO ADD EXTRA SUPPORTS AS NEEDED.
EVEN TODAY I WAS CHANGING A SCHEDULE BASED ON SEEING A NEED.
THE TEACHER PRESENTED A NEED AND I SAID THAT'S PRETTY VALID.
WE NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE AND WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CHANGE WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE TO MEET THAT STUDENT'S NEEDS.
THEN THE ENRICHMENT, THEY GET CHOICES.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING ONLY AFTER SCHOOL ARE NOW ALSO HAPPENING DURING THE DAY.
NOW WE'LL BE MOVING ON TO DR. OWEN FOR HIGH SCHOOL.
>> WHEN THE MENTION OF STRETCH GOALS MADE, ARE THERE SPECIFIC PERCENTAGE INCREASES THAT YOU'RE EXPECTING TO SEE, OR ARE YOU EXPECTING TO JUST SEE CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T REACHED 100%?
>> FOR THE TEACHER SPECIFICALLY RIGHT NOW IS OUR BEGINNING OF YOUR CONFERENCE TIME, AND THAT'S SOME OF WHAT WE'RE SPEAKING TO WHEN ADMINISTRATION IS CONFERENCING WITH TEACHERS THEY APPRAISE.
RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE SPECIFIC STRETCH GOALS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON IS TO INCREASE OUR RATE OF MASTERY IN 8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES BY 10%.
THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE I COULD GIVE YOU.
>> CAN I ASK YOU A REAL QUICK ONE QUESTION?
>> FIRST OFF, CONGRATULATIONS ON FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE.
IT REALLY IS GREAT TO SEE AND I KNOW A LOT OF HARD WORKS GONE IN THERE.
BUT I USED TO GET ALL THE TIME IN BUSINESS.
ARE WE DOING A ROOT CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION ON THE OUTLIERS? IT'S AN ENGINEERING THING OR YOU APPLY IT TO ALL DATA AND BUSINESS TO GET BETTER.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, YOU'LL SEE THERE ARE SOME OUTLIERS IN SOME OF THE GRADES IN CERTAIN SUBJECTS WHERE THERE'S CONSISTENTLY EITHER NOT PERFORMING AS WELL AS OTHER GRADES ARE NECESSARILY OR MAYBE WE GO DOWN ONE TIME IN A GRADE.
I THINK THAT JUST COMES FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD, ANYTIME I GO BACKWARDS SLIGHTLY, OR I'M NOT IMPROVING THE WAY THAT I WANT TO IMPROVE, THERE'S A FORMAL PROCESS CALLED ROOT CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION.
THERE'S MULTIPLE, THERE'S THE FIVE WHYS, AND WE CAN GO THROUGH A LOT OF THEM, BUT IT GIVES YOU A PROCESS TO ACTUALLY GET TO TRUE ROOT CAUSE AND ONCE YOU GET ROOT CAUSE, IT ALLOWS YOU TO ACTUALLY CREATE A CORRECTIVE ACTION SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT.
IT'S MERELY A FORMALIZED PROCESS TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND
[00:30:02]
BETTER THE DATA THAT YOU HAVE AND FIX THINGS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.AGAIN, NOT FIND ANY FAULT WITH ANYTHING.
IT'S JUST THERE'S ALWAYS WAYS TO DO MORE AND WE'RE GOING TO CHALLENGE YOU ALWAYS TO CONTINUE TO PERFORM EVEN BETTER.
>> ABSOLUTELY. COORDINATORS DO A BEAUTIFUL JOB OF THE DATA ANALYSIS AND GETTING TO THOSE ROOT CAUSES.
ARE WE SPENDING ENOUGH TIME ON THE READINESS STANDARDS? THEY'RE MORE GREATLY ASSESSED.
ARE WE MORE FOCUSED ON PASSION TOPICS AS OPPOSED TO WHAT REALLY IS GOING TO HAVE MORE LEVERAGE FOR THE DATA. YES.
>> YOU DO ROOT CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ACROSS THAT BOARD? AWESOME.
>> THAT IS SOMETHING OUR COORDINATORS REALLY WORK VERY THOROUGHLY ON WITH OUR TEACHERS. YES.
>> GREAT JOB, YOU ALL. THANK YOU.
>> DR. OWEN, HOW ARE YOU, SIR?
>> JULLEY WELL, THANK YOU. IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE FOCUS REALLY IS ON IB EXAMS AND AP EXAMS, AND SO THE PRESENTATION COMING NEXT WILL DELVE DEEPER INTO THAT.
BUT IN THE HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, AND WE ALSO VALUE THE DATA THAT WE HAVE AS WELL THAT HELPS US WITH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
WE HAVE END OF CO EXAM DATA TO HAVE A LOOKOUT FOR ENGLISH 1, ENGLISH 2, BIOLOGY, AND US HISTORY.
IN TERMS OF THE PASSING RATE, AGAIN, WE ARE AT 100% OR VERY NEARLY AT 100%, I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT ENGLISH SHORTLY.
THEN AT THE MASTER'S LEVEL AS WELL, WE SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEED THE MASTER'S PERCENTAGE RATE COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE STATE AS WELL.
THEN WHEN YOU HAVE LOOK AT THE COMPARABLE DATA WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AND THEN WITH COMPARABLE IB SCHOOLS AS WELL, WE SIGNIFICANTLY OUTPERFORM OUR LOCAL ISDS IN THE EOC SCORES, AND WE ARE COMPARABLE WITH THE THREE OTHER IB SCHOOLS IN THE REGION AS WELL.
>> IN TERMS OF SUCCESSES, AGAIN, WHAT THE COMPARABLE DATA CAPTURES IS THAT WE DO LEAD OUR NEIGHBORS.
ALSO, WHAT THE DATA DOESN'T CAPTURE THAT I JUST WANT TO BRING TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION HAVE A FANTASTIC ENGLISH DEPARTMENT.
IN JANUARY, THEY HAD DONE SOME INTERIM DATA THAT SHOWED OUR STUDENTS WERE UNDERPERFORMING IN ENGLISH 1 AND ENGLISH 2.
THERE WAS A RANGE OF REASONS FOR THIS.
BUT WHAT OUR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DID, TERRY WATSON WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SECONDARY LIBRARIAN, [INAUDIBLE], IS THAT THEY DID INTERVENTIONS, THEY DID PULLOUTS, THEY DID AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING AND THEY TOOK OVER SOME CLASSES AS WELL.
THEY DID A DEEP DIVE INTO THAT DATA SHOWING THE TEAK WHERE THE STUDENTS WERE STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT AND THEN TARGETED THOSE TEAKS.
THEREFORE, I THINK THE 99% AND THE 96% REFLECTS THE WORK THAT WENT IN TO INTERVENING IN TERMS OF WITH OUR STUDENTS WHO NEEDED MORE SUPPORT.
IN TERMS OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH, AS WELL, IF WE HAVE A LOOK AT OUR ACHIEVEMENT AT THE MASTER'S LEVEL WITH THE EOC, IT WAS EITHER SUSTAINED IN ENGLISH 1 OR US 2, OR IT DID DROP IN ENGLISH 2 AND BIOLOGY COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR.
THERE'S ACTION STEPS THAT WE CAN TAKE, BECAUSE AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH OUR FOCUS IS IP AND AP EVERY TIME THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HIGH ACHIEVEMENT AT WESTLAKE ACADEMY, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TAKE THAT.
IN OUR LATE START WEDNESDAYS, WHERE WE HAVE A VERTICAL ALIGNMENT TIME WITH THE DEPARTMENT WORKING TOGETHER, WE'RE DOING A DEEPER DATA ANALYSIS, AND THIS IS SUPPORTED WITH DATA AND ASSESSMENT, BEING A CAMPUS WIDE GOAL THIS YEAR.
ALSO, WE HAVE REWORKED OUR WALK THROUGH FORM.
LEADERSHIP GOING TO CLASSROOMS AND THEY GIVE FEEDBACK TO THE TEACHERS.
WE HAVE TWEAKED IT, SO THE FEEDBACK THAT WE CAN GIVE CAPTURES BOTH T-TESS, WHICH IS WHAT WE USE APPRAISAL TEACHERS, BUT ALSO CAPTURES THOSE HIGH LEVERAGE IB TEACHING STRATEGIES AS WELL.
FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL BE LOOKING FOR IN THESE EOC CLASSES IS DIFFERENTIATION.
BECAUSE WHILST TEACHERS NEED TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND RAISE THEM UP, THE SAME TIME, THE VERY SAME CLASSROOM, THEY NEED TO BE PUSHING THE HIGH ACHIEVERS TO ACHIEVE EVEN MORE.
DIFFERENTIATION WILL BE SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GROW OUR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AT MASTER'S LEVEL.
WE ALSO ACTUALLY HAVE TWO NEW TEACHERS WHO HAVE JOINED OUR HIGH SCHOOL.
[00:35:01]
ONE, TEACHING ENGLISH 1, ENGLISH 2, ONE, TEACHING BIOLOGY AS WELL.I'VE ALREADY SEEN GREAT THINGS IN THE CLASSROOM.
SO I THINK THAT OFFERS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH AS WELL WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE EOC DATA.
IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, I'M GOING TO TURN OVER TO MR. ITUAH, WHO'S GOING TO WRAP IT UP. THANK YOU.
>> THANKS, JAMES. LAST ACADEMIC YEAR, IN TERMS OF THE RESULTS THAT WE'RE SEEING, WE HAD A CAMPUS WIDE GOAL.
ON WRAPPING UP THE ACADEMIC YEAR IN JUNE, WE MET AS A LEADERSHIP TEAM IN ORDER TO START MAKING PREPARATIONS AND PLANS FOR WHAT DO WE ENVISION GOING INTO THE '25, '26 ACADEMIC YEAR.
WHAT WE IDENTIFIED, WE SAW THE SUCCESS WITH OUR T-TESS GOAL, 2.5 MONITOR AND ADJUST, AND WE CAME TO A CONSENSUS ON WHAT THE GOAL SHOULD BE GOING FORWARD, WHICH IS 1.2 DATA AND ASSESSMENT.
THEN ALSO THE PRINCIPLES, WE'RE GOING TO CALIBRATE OUR WALK THROUGH K THROUGH 12.
IN OUR LEADERSHIP MEETING, WE IDENTIFIED A WALK THROUGH FORM THAT ALIGNS NOT ONLY WITH THE T-TESS, BUT ALSO WITH THE IB FRAMEWORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROGRESSIVELY MOVING FORWARD AS WE ANTICIPATE THAT FIVE YEAR PLAN FOR THE CONTINUUM, AS WELL AS ADHERING TO T-TESS.
THEN ALSO WITH THOSE WALK THROUGHS, NOT JUST THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, BUT ALSO WITH OUR COORDINATORS AND DEPARTMENT CHAIRS DOING CALIBRATED WALK THROUGHS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE COACHING FEEDBACK ACROSS THE BOARD, SO THAT WAY WE CAN HAVE CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT.
BECAUSE AT TIMES YOU'RE COACHING TEACHERS, BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE GOING IN AND SEEING IT FOR YOURSELF, GOING INTO GENO DELL'S CLASS AND SEEING A SOCRATIC SEMINAR OR THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES.
THOUGH THIS IS WHAT THE LEADERSHIP TEAM FELT WOULD BE OUR BEST BET GOING FORWARD TO LEAD WITH SUCCESS FOR THIS CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR.
>> THE ONLY COMMENT I HAVE IS, I THINK ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT TODD WAS SAYING, WHAT'S IMPRESSIVE IS THAT NOT ONLY HAVE WE MADE IMPROVEMENT, BUT WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT.
THERE ARE PLANS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
ALSO, I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT, I GUESS I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR A FEW YEARS.
THE PROGRESSION THAT YOU NEED TO SEE AND THE HAND OFFS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN BETWEEN GRADES.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR A THIRD GRADE TEACHER TO KNOW THAT THE SECOND GRADE TEACHER IS TEACHING AT LEVEL AND ABOVE SO THAT WHEN THEY GET THOSE KIDS, THEY KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.
GREAT THAT YOU CAN DO THAT FROM THE BEGINNING THROUGH 12TH GRADE.
IT'S ONE OF THE REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT WESTLAKE AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? > I HAVE A FEW. THAT'S A GREAT COMMENT.
THERE'S A FEW OF THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE AND NOT THAT LONG AGO, WE ACT LIKE WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.
I THINK THAT HAS COMPLETELY UNDER YOU ALL'S LEADERSHIP AND DR. KELLY RICHIE COMING IN.
I FEEL FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT I'VE BEEN AROUND THAT IT IS ONE SCHOOL.
YOU GUYS CONTINUE, I'M WRAPPING UP MY FOURTH YEAR IN PUBLIC OFFICE, AND I'VE SAT THROUGH A YEAR BEFORE I GOT ELECTED.
I'VE LISTEN TO YOU GUYS GO THROUGH THIS ALL THE TIME, AND I'M JUST AMAZED AT YOUR RESULTS OF WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR CHILDREN.
THE OTHER THING IS, I HOPE THE BOARD REALIZES THE NATURE OF MY JOB.
I SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH KELLY.
I MEAN, I KNOW WHEN WE'RE HAVING SOME OF THE STAFF AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR TALKING TO DR. OWENS ABOUT THE IB EXAM AND WHY WE'RE EXTENDING SCHOOL, IT WAS ALL FOR STUDENT OUTCOMES TO QUOTE DR. RICHIE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BOARD AND OUR PARENTS UNDERSTAND THAT.
WE'RE NOT MAKING THIS STUFF AS WE GO.
THEN THE LAST COMMENT, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CONDITIONS OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT FAR RIGHT COLUMN, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.
I MEAN, OUR STATE HAS A PROBLEM WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN AUSTIN.
I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT A LOT, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT A SCHOOL LIKE WESTLAKE ACADEMY, WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY PROUD AND ALSO VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT YOU'RE CONTINUING TO PUSH THE BAR.
I CAN'T THANK YOU ALL ENOUGH FOR WHAT YOU ALL DO.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO ALSO BUILD ON THAT.
[E.2. Presentation and discussion concerning the 2025 Westlake Academy student performance on the IB and AP Exams. ]
DR. OWEN IS GOING TO GO THROUGH OUR AP AND IB RESULTS.>> ALREADY, I'M GOING TO START WITH THE IB EXAMS. AGAIN, I THINK STARTING WITH THE VISION IS A GOOD PLACE THAT WE'RE INSPIRING
[00:40:02]
COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL.THE DATA THAT FOLLOWS HERE REFLECTS OUR EFFORTS AS LEADERS AND THE FANTASTIC TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE AT WESTLAKE ACADEMY TO ENSURE WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN TO PUSH STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL.
IN THE MAY 2025 IB EXAM SESSION, 59 OUT OF OUR 70 CANDIDATES, THEY EARNED THAT IB DIPLOMA AS 84%.
THIS COMPARED WITH THE GLOBAL AVERAGE OF 81%.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE VERY PROUD OF AT WESTLAKE ACADEMY IS ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FULL DIPLOMA PROGRAM CANDIDATES.
THIS ISN'T THE CASE WITH MANY IB SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD.
WHEN ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FULL DIPLOMA CANDIDATES AND WE ARE OUTPERFORMING THE GLOBAL AVERAGE, THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO BE AS A WORLD LEADING SCHOOL.
I DON'T HAVE THE 2025 DATA FOR THIS YEAR, BUT LAST YEAR, THE US DIPLOMA PASS RATE WAS 65%, TEXAS WAS 54% AS WELL.
>> EXPANDED 54%, IS THAT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS?
>> BETTER GO BACK TO MY PREVIOUS COMMENT, BUT GO.
>> IN THE PACKET THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE BOARD, THERE ARE APPENDICES WHICH GO INTO MUCH MORE DETAIL SUBJECT BY SUBJECT AND GIVE HISTORIC DATA AS WELL.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THAT, BUT IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT IT, I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER IT.
IN 2024, THE PASS RATE FOR THE DIPLOMA AT WESTLAKE ACADEMY WAS 76% AND IT WAS BELOW THE GLOBAL AVERAGE, WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR US.
THIS YEAR, WE HAD AN 11% INCREASE IN OUR DIPLOMA PASS RATE.
I WANT TO BRING THE BOARD'S ATTENTION TO ONE THING THAT WE DID.
LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS SPEAKING TO THE BOARD AND WE WERE BELOW THE GLOBAL AVERAGE, THE DATA SHOWED THAT WE HAD A LOT OF STUDENTS WHO GOT 22, 23 POINTS.
TO GET THE DIPLOMA, YOU NEED 24 POINTS.
OUR ACTION PLAN WAS TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS PLANS FOR OUR STUDENTS.
THROUGHOUT THE SENIOR YEAR, ESPECIALLY AFTER SEMESTER EXAMS AND AFTER MOCKS AS WELL, WOULD IDENTIFY AT RISK STUDENTS BASED ON PREDICTED GRADES FROM OUR TEACHERS.
ANYONE WHO WAS HOVERING AROUND 22, 23, 24, MYSELF AND THE OUTGOING IB DIPLOMA COORDINATOR, MR. LEWLLN, WE MET INDIVIDUALLY WITH THESE STUDENTS.
WE BUILT THEM A SUCCESS PLAN BASED ON TEACHER FEEDBACK, AND WE HELD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT.
OUT OF THE 23 AT RISK STUDENTS THAT WE MET, WHO WE THOUGHT WE'RE GOING TO GET 22, 23 POINTS, 13 OF THEM GAINED THEIR DIPLOMA.
I THINK IT WAS THAT INTERVENTION, WHICH IS PART OF THE STORY ABOUT THE 11% INCREASE AND BEING ABOVE THE GLOBAL AVERAGE.
FURTHER SUCCESSES, STUDENTS TAKE THREE STANDARD LEVEL EXAMS, THEY TAKE THREE HIGHER LEVEL.
THE HIGH LEVEL ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO GAINING THE DIPLOMA, AND WE HAVE SOME PARTICULAR STRENGTHS TO CELEBRATE.
ALL OUR STUDENTS TAKE ENGLISH LITERATURE, HL, THAT'S ONE OF OUR STRENGTHS AT WESTLAKE ACADEMY, ALL 70 CANDIDATES PASSED.
WE HAD A 100% PASS RATE FOR ENGLISH LITERATURE HL.
HISTORY HIGH LEVEL, WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART.
THIS ALSO IS ONE OF OUR STRENGTHS.
WE HAD 60 CANDIDATES, NEARLY ALL THE CANDIDATES TOOK IT.
IB EXAMS ARE GRADED ON A 1-7 SCALE.
WE COMPARE OURSELVES WITH THE GLOBAL AVERAGES.
AROUND THE WORLD, THE GLOBAL AVERAGE FOR HR HISTORY 4.26 AT WESTLAKE ACADEMY 5.05.
WE ALSO HAVE STRENGTH ACROSS ALL COMPONENTS OF MATHEMATICS, BOTH IN THE PURE MATH AND THE APPLIED MATH.
STANDARD LEVEL AND AT HIGH LEVEL, WE WERE COMFORTABLY ABOVE CORRESPONDING GLOBAL AVERAGES.
WE HAD FURTHER CONSISTENT HIGH SCORING IN PHYSICS AT THE HIGH LEVEL AND STANDARD LEVEL AS WELL.
I THINK WE'RE STRONG AS WELL IN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION, WE HAD A 93% PASS RATE ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF SPANISH AND FRENCH.
IN TERMS OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE DATA IS SHOWING US, WHILST OUR DIPLOMA PASS RATE WENT UP, WE DID HAVE A DROP IN THE PERCENTAGE OF EXAMS WITH STUDENTS ACHIEVING SIX'S OR SEVEN'S.
PART OF THAT, AND I'LL SPEAK MORE ABOUT THIS IN A MINUTE, IS EVERY YEAR IS DIFFERENT.
WHEN YOU PLOT OUT THE IB DIPLOMA SCORES, SOME YEARS THEY ARE CLUMPED IN THE MIDDLE.
SOME YEARS, IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE STRETCHED AS WELL.
BUT AGAIN, THIS COMES DOWN TO SUPPORTING TEACHERS AS LEADERS WITH DIFFERENTIATION.
WHAT CAN OUR TEACHERS DO IN THE CLASSROOM TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING ARE PULLED UP, BUT WHAT CAN WE STILL DO TO KEEP PUSHING OUR STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE HIGHER AND HIGHER? WE KNOW BY LOOKING AT THE SUBJECTS,
[00:45:03]
BIOLOGY HIGH LEVEL, ECONOMICS HIGH LEVEL, THE PASS RATE WAS AT 75% OR BELOW, THIS WAS BELOW CORRESPONDING GLOBAL AVERAGES.THE NEXT SIDE, WE'LL SPEAK TO SOME OF THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE FOR THAT.
ALSO BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SOME SUBJECTS WHERE THEY ARE WHAT WE CALL IB AP ALIGN.
THAT'S WHERE THERE IS CROSSOVER BETWEEN THE IB AND THE AP SYLLABUS.
THE STUDENTS IN THEIR JUNIOR YEAR, CAN TAKE THE CORRESPONDING AP EXAM IF THEY WISH.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IS ONE OF THOSE THAT WAS AGAIN BELOW THE GLOBAL AVERAGE.
FOR THIS YEAR, WE'RE NOT DOING THE AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, WE'RE FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON THE IB TO RAISE THOSE SCORES.
ANOTHER THING THAT OUR DATA SHOWED WAS THAT HIGH ACHIEVEMENT ISN'T WHERE WE WANT IT TO BE WITH THE EXTENDED ESSAY.
THE EXTENDED ESSAY IS A 4,000 WORD RESEARCH PROJECT ON A TOPIC OF THE STUDENT'S CHOICE.
THE WORLD PERCENTAGE FOR AS AND BS IS 39% AT WESTLAKE, THAT'S 17%.
ALSO PERFORMANCE ON EXTENDED ESSAY AND THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE, THERE ARE THREE CORE POINTS AVAILABLE THERE.
OF THE SEVEN STUDENTS WHO WERE ONE MARK AWAY FROM GETTING THE DIPLOMA IN 2025, SIX HAD ZERO SCORE POINTS.
IF THEY GOT A C RATHER THAN A D ON THEIR EXTENDED ESSAY, THEY WOULD HAVE GOT THE DIPLOMA.
WHAT ACTION STEPS CAN WE TAKE IN RESPONSE TO THIS DATA? WELL, RATHER LIKE WE'VE SEEN WITH THE EOC, TEACHER WALK THROUGHS, FOCUSING ON HIGH LEVERAGE INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES THAT HELP WITH DIFFERENTIATION.
WE'RE SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS WITH DATA AND AN ASSESSMENT AS WELL.
THE IB ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT WHEN WE GIVE FEEDBACK TO OUR TEACHERS, WE FOCUS ON THE APPROACHES TO LEARNING.
THAT'S GIVING FEEDBACK NOT JUST ON INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES, BUT WIDER THINGS LIKE WHAT ARE WE SEEING WITH STUDENT RESEARCH? WHAT ARE WE SEEING WITH STUDENT SOCIAL SKILLS? WHAT ARE WE SEEING WITH COMMUNICATION? ALSO, AND I'VE BEEN COLLABORATING WITH OUR NEW DP COORDINATOR, M RS. STOCKTON ABOUT THIS.
ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL IS WE CAN ACTUALLY, I THINK THERE'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO TAP INTO LONGITUDINAL DATA.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING OVER THE PAST IS DIPLOMA PROGRAM TEACHERS ALWAYS DO WITH DATA ANALYSIS.
THEY HAVE A LOOK AT HOW THE GRADUATES PERFORMED, AND THEN BASED ON A DEEP DIVE INTO THAT DATA, HAVE A LOOK AT WHAT THINGS THEY WANT TO CHANGE.
BUT OF COURSE, STUDENTS THEMSELVES ARE THE VARIABLE BECAUSE EVERY GRADUATING CLASS IS DIFFERENT.
WE WANT TO MAKE MORE OF LONGITUDINAL DATA.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE BENEFIT, FOR EXAMPLE, AS A SENIOR HISTORY TEACHER, I CAN HAVE A LOOK AT THE DATA FROM 9TH GRADE HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, FROM 10TH GRADE AP WORLD HISTORY, FROM 11TH GRADE AP US HISTORY.
SEE WHERE PERHAPS SOME OF THE SHORTCOMINGS MIGHT BE WITH THIS COHORT AND THEN TACKLE THAT AS A TEACHER.
MORE USE OF LONGITUDINAL DATA IS A NAME FOR THIS YEAR, AND GREATER HORIZONTAL COLLABORATION AS WELL.
FOR EXAMPLE, BEFORE THE STUDENTS CAME BACK, THE DP TEACHERS COLLABORATED HORIZONTALLY TO SEE WHETHER THERE WERE TRENDS WHICH RAN ACROSS THESE SUBJECTS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOTICED IS WHILST OUR STUDENTS ARE VERY GOOD AT EXAMS, THEY NEED MORE SUPPORT WITH THE IB COURSEWORK.
THIS IS THE RESEARCH BASED COURSEWORK THAT IS DONE IN SCHOOL, THEN SENT OFF TO BE EXAMINED.
WHAT CAN WE DO AS AN ACTION PLAN? WELL NOW WE HAVE DEDICATED SCHEDULE TIME WITH DP ADVISORY EVERY OTHER DAY FOR 45 MINUTES AFTER LUNCH, WHERE WE CAN SPECIFICALLY TARGET THESE RESEARCH SKILLS, INCLUDING THE EXTENDED ESSAY SO NOW OUR SENIORS HAVE MORE TIME FOCUSED ON THE EXTENDED ESSAY.
WE HAVE ARRANGED OUR ADVISORY CLASSES, SO STUDENTS DOING SIMILAR SUBJECTS ARE GROUPED TOGETHER.
AGAIN, WE CAN MORE EFFECTIVELY TARGET THOSE CRITICAL RESEARCH SKILLS TO HELP SUPPORT THE STUDENTS.
JUST TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF THAT, WITH EXTENDED ESSAY, SIX MARKS AVAILABLE FOR FOCUS AND METHOD.
IB EXAMINERS WANT TO KNOW THERE'S A RATIONALE FOR WHY THE STUDENTS ARE DOING THEIR RESEARCH IN THE WAY THAT THEY'RE DOING IT.
IT'S NOT JUST A RANDOM REFLECTION OF GOOGLE SEARCHES THAT THEY'VE PUT TOGETHER, SO WE CAN HAVE A DEDICATED ADVISORY CLASS TEACHING WHAT METHODOLOGY LOOKS LIKE FOR THESE PARTICULAR SUBJECTS.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
ALSO, WHAT WE WANT TO DO, IS USE THIS ADVISORY TIME WITH OUR SOPHOMORES TO HELP THEM MAKE BETTER INFORMED CHOICES.
ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, WE SAW THAT ECONOMICS WASN'T PERFORMING WHERE WE WANT IT TO BE.
WELL, NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME, OUR CURRENT SENIORS ARE THE FIRST SENIORS WHO IN 10TH GRADE DID FINANCE.
THEY CAN COME INTO THE DIPLOMA PROGRAM MAKING A SMARTER CHOICE ABOUT WHETHER ECONOMICS IS FOR THEM OR NOT.
AGAIN, IT'S USING THE TIME TO SUPPORT STUDENTS MAKING
[00:50:04]
BETTER CHOICES ABOUT THE COURSES THAT THEY ARE SELECTING.>> THAT COVERS THE AP EXAMS. I'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS IF THEY'RE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE IB NOW, OR I CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THE END ONCE I'VE BEEN THROUGH THE AP DATA. I KEEP ON GOING?
>> AGAIN, WE ARE AN IB CONTINUUM SCHOOL.
WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE IB, WE TEACH USING THE IB PHILOSOPHY.
BUT AGAIN, OUR VISION IS ABOUT STUDENTS ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL.
WE DO ALSO OFFER AP CLASSES IN NINTH AND 10TH GRADE AND IN THE 11TH GRADE WHEN THE CONTENT ALIGNS WITH THE DP SYLLABUS.
AGAIN, THE SUPPORT THAT WE'VE GOT TEACHERS, THEY'RE STILL TEACHING THROUGH THE LENS OF THE IB APPROACHES TO TEACHING, SO STUDENTS ARE STILL LEARNING THROUGH THE IB APPROACHES TO LEARNING.
BUT, THERE ARE REASONS AS WELL FOR THE STUDENTS AND FOR THE SCHOOL WHY WE SUPPORT AP EXAMS. FIRST THING IS IT HIGHLIGHTS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH AP SCHOLARS AND COLLEGE BOARD NATIONAL RECOGNITION.
THIS MAKES OUR STUDENTS MORE COMPETITIVE IN THEIR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS.
IT HIGHLIGHTS SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT AS WELL.
WE HAVE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS BEEN AWARDED THE PLATINUM STATUS BY THE COLLEGE BOARD FOR OUR PERFORMANCE ON AP EXAMS. PLATINUM STATUS REFLECTS NOT ONLY THE LEVEL OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION, BUT THE LEVEL OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AS WELL.
ONLY AROUND ABOUT SIX OR 7% OF SCHOOLS WHO TAKE AP EXAMS HAVE THAT PLATINUM STATUS.
BUT WESTLAKE ACADEMY HAS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND I ANTICIPATE WE'LL HAVE IT AGAIN THIS YEAR AS WELL.
OF COURSE, AP EXAMS AS WELL AS IB EXAMS ARE USED TO DO NATIONAL RANKINGS AS WELL.
AGAIN, IT SUPPORTS THE SCHOOL'S NATIONAL PROFILE.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE LEARNT THAT IN STATE OF TEXAS, WESTLAKE ACADEMY, 14TH BEST HIGH SCHOOL, AND AP EXAMS DO PLAY A ROLE IN SUPPORTING THAT.
SUCCESSES. WE HAD 98 AP SCHOLARS THIS YEAR, INCLUDING 40 WITH DISTINCTION.
THAT IS A RECORD FOR WESTLAKE ACADEMY.
ALSO RECORD 79% OF THE 517 EXAMS, THEY SCORED THREE OR ABOVE AS WELL.
THAT IS A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT.
GIVEN THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARS WITH DISTINCTION WE HAVE IN THE CLASS OF 2026, I'M ALSO VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THEIR PERFORMANCE NEXT YEAR.
IN TERMS OF ACHIEVEMENT ACROSS SUBJECTS, 12 OUT OF THE 15 WERE ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AS WELL.
AP HUMANITIES REMAINS CONSISTENTLY STRONG.
WE ALSO HAVE MARKED GROWTH IN MACROECONOMICS AND MICROECONOMICS AS WELL.
AGAIN, THAT'S ABOUT STUDENTS MAKING THE SMART CHOICES ONCE THEY'VE DONE FINANCE, SO WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE IB ECONOMICS GROW AS WELL.
PHYSICS, PRECALCULUS, IMPRESSIVE, TOO.
AGAIN, THERE'S A FULL BREAKDOWN OF RESULTS WITH HISTORICAL DATA IN THE APPENDICES.
THERE'S STILL OPPORTUNITIES, AND SO WE STILL DO HAVE ACTION PLANS TIED TO THIS AS WELL.
I THINK AGAIN, SUPPORTING TEACHERS WITH AP DATA ANALYSIS IN TERMS OF OUR CAMPUS-WIDE GOAL, OUR DATA ASSESSMENT IS A GOOD IDEA.
THE STRONGER THAT OUR AP TEACHERS BECOME WITH DATA ANALYSIS, THE STRONGER OUR LONGITUDINAL DATA ANALYSIS WILL BECOME, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY HELP US WITH PERFORMANCE FOR THE IB EXAMS AS WELL.
OUR AP GOVERNMENT SCORES ARE STILL GROWING.
THIS IS RELATIVELY NEW FOR WESTLAKE ACADEMY, BUT PART OF OUR ACTION PLAN IS WE'VE CHANGED OUR SCHEDULE.
ALL OF OUR AP GOVERNMENT CLASSES ARE NOW IN THE SPRING.
WE FOUND THAT OUR STUDENTS WHO TOOK IN THE FOUR WEREN'T PERFORMING QUITE AS HIGHLY AS THE SPRING.
WITH SCHEDULE CHANGES, WE CAN SUPPORT THAT AS WELL.
AGAIN, BY REWORKING AS A LEADERSHIP TEAM, OUR INSTRUCTION OR WALK THROUGH FORMS, WHICH FOCUS NOT ONLY ON T-TESS, HIGH LEVERAGE TEACHING PRACTICES, BUT IB ONES AS WELL, WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT EVEN IF AP CLASSES ARE TAKING PLACE, OUR FIDELITY IS TO THE EXCELLENT TEACHING STRATEGIES IDENTIFIED BY THE IB.
IN SUMMARY, I JUST IDENTIFIED FOUR THINGS, WHICH I THINK CRYSTALLIZES THE SLIDES THAT I'VE GONE THROUGH.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKING IB, AP EXAMS, WE ARE CONSISTENTLY OUTPERFORMING GLOBAL AND NATIONAL AVERAGES IN 2025, AND THE AP ASSESSMENTS WITH FIDELITY TO THE IB TEACHING AND LEARNING HAS BROUGHT COLLEGE BOARD NATIONAL RECOGNITION TO A RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND TO THE SCHOOL AS WELL.
BUT AGAIN, THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH THAT WE NEED TO ACT ON.
WE KNOW FROM THE DATA THAT WE NEED TO MAXIMIZE STUDENT PERFORMANCE ON THE RESEARCH ELEMENTS OF THE IB AND WITH OUR NEW ADVISORY TIME, WE'VE STARTED DOING THAT.
AGAIN, WE JUST HAVE THE MOST BRILLIANT TEACHERS AT WESTLAKE ACADEMY.
[00:55:01]
THE REASON WHY WE POUR SO MUCH INTO OUR TEACHERS IS, ALL THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE BIGGEST DETERMINANT OF STUDENT SUCCESS IS TEACHER EFFICACY AS WELL.IT BEHOOVES US AS A LEADERSHIP TEAM TO AGAIN FOCUS ON THOSE INSTRUCTIONAL WALK-THROUGHS, GIVE MEANINGFUL FEEDBACK TO THE TEACHERS TO SUPPORT THEM WITH THESE HIGH LEVERAGE STRATEGIES WHICH WILL KEEP OUR PERFORMANCE GROWING.
>> I'VE HEARD YOU SAY THAT A COUPLE OF TIMES OUTCOMES BECAUSE OF THE TEACHERS.
BUT I ALSO REMEMBER SITTING HERE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION AND I ASKED YOU ABOUT EARLY INDICATOR.
I THINK AGAIN, JUST THE RESULTS ARE JUST FABULOUS.
IT WAS GOOD HAVING YOU HERE AND GOING OVER THIS, BUT THANK YOU ALL OF YOU FOR THAT.
THANK YOU. EXCELLENT. DR. RICHIE, ANYTHING TO SAY?
>> THERE'S NOT MUCH ELSE YOU CAN SAY TO THAT.
THEY'RE JUST AMAZING, AND I'M THE LUCKIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD TO GET TO WORK WITH THESE PEOPLE.
WE'LL NOW GO INTO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[F. CONSENT AGENDA ]
IS THERE ANYBODY THAT NEEDS TO PULL OUT ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA?>> ANY OPPOSED? THEN AGENDA CARRIES.
WE NOW GO INTO PUBLIC HEARINGS AND CORRESPONDING ACTION ITEMS. AGENDA ITEM G1,
[G.1. Hold public hearing, discuss, consider and act to adopt Ordinance 1029 approving the Annual Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, including a taxpayer impact statement. ]
HOLD PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND ACT TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 1029, APPROVING THE ANNUAL OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, 2026, INCLUDING A TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT. HI, CASEY.THIS IS NOT A KATHLEEN TURNER IMPRESSION.
>> BEAR WITH ME, AND I'LL TRY TO KEEP EVERYTHING AS BRIEF AS I CAN.
THIS EVENING, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THREE AGENDA ITEMS BACK TO BACK THAT ARE GOING TO BE THE LAST STEP IN OUR BUDGET PROCESS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.
JUST TO RECAP, THE PROPOSED BUDGET WAS PUBLISHED ONLINE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ON AUGUST 15TH, AND IT'S $35 MILLION IN REVENUES ACROSS ALL FUNDS, $31 MILLION IN EXPENDITURES, WHICH RESULTS IN A $4 MILLION PLANNED CONTRIBUTION TO FUND BALANCE.
AS WE DISCUSSED DURING THE WORK SESSIONS OVER THE LAST FEW MEETINGS, THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET ASSUMES AN 18.5 CENT PROPERTY TAX RATE, 55.5 EMPLOYEES, CHANGES TO THE SHARED SERVICES BUDGET, $1.5 MILLION TRANSFER FROM THE TOWN TO THE ACADEMY'S OPERATING BUDGET, AND 1.4 MILLION IN VARIOUS CAPITAL AND SERVICE LEVEL ADJUSTMENT SPENDING.
THEN COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE REVENUES, WE'RE PROJECTING ABOUT A $1.8 MILLION INCREASE, AND THE BULK OF THAT IS DUE TO SUSTAINED TRENDS IN SALES TAX AND UTILITY REVENUES.
THEN IN THE EXPENDITURES, WE'RE LOOKING AT $1.4 MILLION OVER FISCAL YEAR 2025, WHICH EFFECTIVELY CORRELATES TO THOSE CAPITAL AND SERVICE LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET?
>> NO, MA'AM. YOU GOT A QUESTION, SORRY.
>> NOT A QUESTION. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S ON THE RECORD THAT THIS IS WHAT WE REVIEWED A MONTH AGO. NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
>> CORRECT. NOTHING HAS CHANGED FROM WHAT WAS REVIEWED AND WHAT WAS PUBLISHED.
>> I'M GOING TO NOW OPEN UP PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS? I'LL NOW CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 1029 AS PRESENTED?
>> AN OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU, CASEY. AGENDA ITEM G2.
[G.2. Discuss, consider and act to approve Resolution 25-36 ratifying the property tax revenue increase.]
DISCUSS CONSIDER ACT APPROVED RESOLUTION 25-36, RATIFYING THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE INCREASE.>> YOU'RE RIGHT BACK. THAT'S QUICK.
>> THIS NEXT STEP IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT.
IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN RECORD A RECORD VOTE OF THE COUNCIL AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
IT'S A REQUIREMENT OUT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 102.
IT'S CALLED A REVENUE RATIFICATION, AND WHAT THE LAW SAYS IS THAT COUNCIL IS REQUIRED TO HOLD A VOTE IF WE ARE PLANNING TO COLLECT EVEN $1 MORE IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE THAN THE PRIOR YEARS ADOPTED BUDGET.
LAST YEAR, WE WERE PROJECTED TO COLLECT ABOUT 4.1 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR, ALMOST $4.7, SO MORE THAN $1.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-36 TO RATIFY REVENUE AS PRESENTED?
[01:00:03]
>> CAN I GET A SECOND? THIS IS A RECORD VOTE.
WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE VOICE YOUR VOTE.
>> I'M SORRY, KIM. I'M JUST GOING TO INTERJECT FOR ONE SECOND.
IT'S RATIFYING THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE.
YOU JUST SAID REVENUE. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT WE HAVE IT READ IN AS WRITTEN.
>> RATIFYING THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUES PRESENTED. THANK YOU, T.J.
>> MOTION IS APPROVED. THANK Y'ALL.
[G.3. Hold public hearing, discuss, consider and act to adopt Ordinance 1030 to Levy an Ad Valorem Rate for Tax Year 2025.]
HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSS, CONSIDER AN ACT TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 1030 TO LEVY AN A VALOREM TAX RATE FOR THE TAX YEAR 2025.>>THIS IS THE FINAL STEP IN GETTING US TO OUR FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET.
WE'RE NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED TO LEVY A PROPERTY TAX RATE UNLESS IT IS IN SUPPORT OF A BUDGET.
WHAT WE HAVE PROPOSED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 IS A TAX RATE OF 18.5 CENTS.
IT'S THE FIRST CHANGE IN THE TAX RATE SINCE 2020.
IT'S BEEN FLAT AT 16.788 FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
WE ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE TAX RATE INTO TWO PORTIONS.
THE FIRST BEING MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OR M&O, THOSE PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL FUND.
THE OTHER PORTION IS I&S OR INTEREST IN SYNKING.
THAT'S ALL OF OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE PROPERTY TAX PAID.
THE INCREASE IS OVER 1.7 CENTS WITH HALF CENT GOING DIRECTLY TO THE I&S PORTION SPECIFICALLY FOR THE ISSUANCE THAT WAS ISSUED OVER THE SUMMER, AND THE REST OF THE INCREASE IS GOING TO FUND MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS WITH THE INTENT TO FUND FUTURE CAPITAL ITEMS AND AVOID FUTURE DEBT ISSUANCES.
SPEAKING OF DEBT, OR NEXT YEAR, WE WILL NEED $4.7 MILLION FOR ALL DEBT OBLIGATIONS AS ACROSS 11 DIFFERENT ISSUANCES, INCLUDING THE ONE ISSUED OVER THE SUMMER.
AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE $51.9 MILLION IN OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL.
WHENEVER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT $4.7 MILLION, OBVIOUSLY, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS IS MORE THAN WHAT WE WOULD BE PROJECTING TO COLLECT FOR PROPERTY TAX REVENUES ON THAT I&S RATE.
WHENEVER WE TALK ABOUT THAT 4.7 MILLION, THERE'S TWO WAYS THAT WE REALLY EVALUATE IT.
ONE BEING THE PURPOSE, AND ONE BEING THE FUNDING SOURCE.
WHENEVER WE HAVE THAT $4.7 MILLION, HOW WE BREAK IT OUT IS THE USE.
WE ONLY ISSUE DEBT FOR UTILITY, MUNICIPAL, OR ACADEMIC CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
THEN WHENEVER WE DO THE FUNDING, UTILITIES PAY FOR UTILITIES, BUT WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY ON THE PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAX, AND HOW WE CAN SUPPORT EITHER THE MUNICIPAL OR THE ACADEMIC NEEDS.
THAT CAN VARY FROM YEAR-TO-YEAR FROM ISSUANCE TO ISSUANCE REALLY DEPENDING ON THE PROJECTED REVENUES.
WE ALWAYS LIKE TO BACK ALL OF OUR DEBT ISSUANCES WITH PROPERTY TAXES BECAUSE IT GIVES US A LOWER INTEREST RATE OVERALL.
THEN HOW WE GET TO ALL OF THE TAX RATE REVENUE STUFF IS EFFECTIVELY THE VALUATION.
WE HAVE TWO APPRAISAL DISTRICTS THAT WESTLAKE FALLS INTO, DENTON CENTRAL AND TARRANT, AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE EVERY YEAR FOR PROVIDING CERTIFIED VALUES FOR ALL REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF THE TOWN.
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, OUR NET TAXABLE VALUE IS $2.5 BILLION.
THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 100 MILLION OVER LAST YEAR, BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT 2.5 BILLION INCLUDES 200 MILLION IN NEW CONSTRUCTION, BECAUSE THE INCREASE WAS ONLY 100 MILLION.
EFFECTIVELY, WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS ALMOST 100 MILLION OF VALUE CAME OFF THE ROLL ON EXISTING PROPERTIES YEAR-OVER-YEAR.
>> THE ASSESSED VALUES WENT DOWN?
>> ASSESSED VALUES AND [OVERLAPPING] PROPERTIES.
THAT HAS TO DO WITH A COOLING MARKET.
IT HAS TO DO WITH PROTEST VALUES, AND IT ALSO HAS TO DO WITH INCREASED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, MAKE SURE YOU FILE THAT EVERY YEAR AFTER JANUARY 1.
WHAT WE SAW THIS YEAR ACTUALLY IS A DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE TAXABLE HOME VALUE PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST 8%, AND SO THE AVERAGE TAXABLE HOME VALUE IN THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE IS GOING TO BE JUST SHY OF $2.5 MILLION FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
EVEN WITH THE TAX RATE INCREASE, THAT CHANGE IN THE TAX RATE BILL FOR AN ANNUAL HOME BILL IS $66.
>> THE CHANGE YEAR-OVER-YEAR IS ONLY GOING TO BE $66.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU GO TO TARRANTTAXINFO.COM AND LOOK UP YOUR OWN ADDRESS TO GET A BREAKDOWN.
[01:05:03]
WHAT THAT MEANS BY ADOPTING 18.5 CENT TAX RATE FOR NEXT YEAR, WE'RE LOOKING AT A TOTAL PROPOSED LEVY OF JUST UNDER 4.7 MILLION WITH 3.3 MILLION OF IT GOING TO THE GENERAL FUND, AND 1.4 GOING TO SUPPORT THOSE PROPERTY TAX PAID DEBT ISSUANCES.DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE?
I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, IS THERE ANY WISH TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS ITEM? I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 1030 TO APPROVE AN AVALOR TAX RATE OF 0.185 PER $100 OF VALUE FOR TAX YEAR 2025?
>> WAIT, I DO HAVE TO HAVE THE FIRST MOTION WOULD BE VERY SPECIFIC LANGUAGE.
>> I'M SORRY TO SAY THAT AGAIN.
>> TAX CODE 26 REQUIRES VERY SPECIFIC LANGUAGE WHENEVER YOU MAKE THE MOTION?
>> WHAT I HAVE FIRST [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'LL BE MICHAEL BECAUSE HE'S THE ONE MAKING THE MOTION.
>> I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 18.5% WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 3.6% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
IS THE MOTION THAT I AM MOVING?
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, MICHAEL.
>> MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL AND CASEY AND HER STAFF.
HONESTLY, BECAUSE THEY'VE DONE SOME REALLY HARD WORK ON ALL OF THIS, AND I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE AS WELL.
YEAH. WE HAVE A GREAT SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNCIL THAT HAS WORKED THROUGH THIS AS WELL AND GIVEN US SOME GREAT ADVICE, AND REALLY, THIS HAS BEEN THE REASON THAT THESE PRESENTATIONS ARE SO SHORT IS BECAUSE THIS IS THE THIRD AND FOURTH ITERATION OF THESE WE'RE AWARE OF THE ITEMS. I KNOW YOU'RE VERY AWARE, BUT SOME OF OUR PUBLIC MAY BE WATCHING FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THERE HAS BEEN ZERO CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF THE COUNCIL AND OUR STAFF.
THERE'S BEEN ZERO CHANGE FROM THAT INITIAL PROPOSED BUDGET TO WHAT WE'RE PASSING TODAY. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.
>> I ALSO WANT TO SAY, LISTEN, WE TAKE A TAX INCREASE VERY SERIOUSLY.
WE STILL HAVE THE LOWEST TAX RATE BY FAR AROUND HERE, BUT WE TAKE THESE THINGS VERY SERIOUSLY.
IT WAS A GOOD TIME FOR US TO DO THAT.
SES VALUE HAS GONE DOWN, THE IMPACT PER HOUSEHOLD IS MINIMAL, IF ANYONE EVEN NOTICES, BUT WE DO.
I JUST WANT OUR RESIDENTS TO KNOW THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE ANTICIPATE DOING EVERY YEAR.
>> WE HAVEN'T HAD ONE IN FIVE YEARS.
>> WE HAVEN'T HAD ONE IN FIVE YEARS, 20% INFLATION.
>> MARY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE ALSO THAT WE'RE ONLY 15% OF THAT TAX DOLLAR AMOUNT.
NOT ONLY IS IT ONLY $66, BUT WE'RE ONLY 15% OF THE TAX.
WE DON'T GET ALL THAT MONEY. I WISH WE DID.
>> ESPECIALLY THE SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX, BUT THAT'S A WHOLE ANOTHER SUBJECT.
BUT ANYWAY, YOU GUYS WEIGHED WELL SAID, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WE'LL HAVE SOME COMMUNICATION GOING OUT TO THE PUBLIC ON WHAT WAS PASSED TONIGHT, TOMORROW.
[G.4. Hold a public hearing, discuss, consider and act regarding Ordinance 1034 to approve a request for a specific use permit and a site plan to allow for a water and sewage pumping station that is located above grade, located at 16150 Roanoke Road, legally described as Tract 7F, Abstract 648, Huff, William Survey, HUFF, Town of Westlake, Tarrant County, Texas, zoned as PD3-9, Circle T Planning Area No. 9 – North Commercial Planned Development Zoning District (SUP Case No. 2025-01). ]
HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING DISCUSSING CONSIDER AND ACT REGARDING ORDINANCE 1034 TO APPROVE A REQUEST FOR A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AND A SITE PLAN TO ALLOW FOR A WATER AND SEWAGE PUMPING STATION THAT IS LOCATED ABOVE GRADE, LOCATED AT 16150 RON OAK ROAD, LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS TRACT 7F, ABSTRACT 648, HUFF WILLIAMS SURVEY, HUFF TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, ZONED AS PD 3-9, CIRCLE T PLANNING AREA AND NINE D NORTH COMMERCIAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT, SUP CASE NUMBER 2025-01. THAT'S FINE.>> THANK YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR, TOWN COUNCIL. GOOD EVENING.
THIS AGAIN IS A REQUEST FOR A SPECIFIC PERMIT FOR A LIFT STATION.
WE WILL CALL IT UNDER THE PD PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 3-9.
THE PURPOSE OF THAT PLANNING OR PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS TO ALLOW FOR A SUPERIOR DESIGN OF LOTS AND BUILDINGS, AS WELL AS TO ENSURE AN APPROPRIATE BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTENSITY OF DEVELOPMENT AND THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPORTING PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
HERE'S JUST A PHOTO OF GENERALLY SHOWING THE SIGHT.
IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE REQUEST,
[01:10:01]
THE SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AGAIN, WILL CONSIST OF A CONCRETE LIFT STATION AND ALL OF THE ACCESSORY USES THAT GO ALONG WITH IT.HERE IS A SITE PLAN SHOWING HOW THE APPLICANT PROPOSES TO DEVELOP THE LIFT STATION.
IN TERMS OF THE LAND USE, A REQUEST IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE SITE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE PARK THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DUE TO THE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S ANTICIPATED TO OCCUR IN THE AREA.
IN PARTICULAR, THE SITE BE VISUALLY SCREENED AND VISUALLY COMPLEMENT THE AREA.
THIS IS SHOWING THE SITE, LOOKING OUTWARDS HIGHWAY 170, THAT'S AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PHOTO; YOU CAN SEE CARL SCHWAB COMPLEX BEHIND.
AGAIN, THE LAND USE IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE SITE, IS NOT ANTICIPATED THAT IT WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON EXISTING NOR FUTURE LAND IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A DESIRE A REQUEST FOR THERE TO BE VISUAL SCREENING THAT WILL MASK CERTAIN OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES FROM VIEW ON ALL SIDES.
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE SPECIFIC USE PERMIT, AS WELL AS THE SITE PLAN, WITH THE CONDITION AT THE SCREENING WALL ENCLOSING THE LIFT STATION BE MADE OF A NATURAL STONE MATERIAL OR A NATURAL STONE THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
THEY CONDUCTED A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 2.
WITH THAT, I'LL PAUSE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS TOWN COUNCIL MAY HAVE.
THE APPLICANT IS ALSO PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM.
>> QUESTIONS FROM COUNSEL? NO QUESTIONS? DON JASON, I WILL IS THERE ANYONE OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING? IS THERE ANYONE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS ITEM? NOW, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 1034 APPROVING THE REQUESTED SEP AND SITE PLAN AS PRESENTED?
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM G5: THIS MIGHT BE OUR RECORD FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS.
[G.5. Hold a public hearing, discuss, consider and act to adopt Ordinance 1033 approving text amendments related to certain performance standards for approximately 85.9 acres of land in PD, Planned Development District 1-2 (“PD 1-2”), commonly referred to as Entrada, relating to architecture and other aesthetic matters found in Ordinance 703 and in the Entrada Design Guidelines. The property is generally located on the south side of State Highway 114, to the east of Davis Boulevard, and to the north of Solana Boulevard. ]
HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND ACT TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 1033 APPROVING TEXT AMENDMENTS RELATED TO CERTAIN PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR APPROXIMATELY 85.9 ACRES AND LAND OF PD PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 1-2 PD 1-2, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS ENTRADA, RELATING TO ARCHITECTURAL AND OTHER AESTHETIC MATTERS FOUND IN ORDINANCE 703, AND IN THE ENTRADA DESIGN GUIDELINES.THE PROPERTY IS GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF STATE HIGHWAY 114, EAST OF DAVIS BOULEVARD INTO THE NORTH OF SOLANA BOULEVARD.
THIS IS A REQUEST TO REVISE NOT ONLY THE ENTRADA DESIGN GUIDELINES, BUT ALSO THE ZONING UNDER THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 1-2 OR ARCHITECTURAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, AND OTHER MATTERS OF AESTHETICS.
THE PURPOSE OF PD 1-2 IS TO CREATE A MIXED-USE ENVIRONMENT, IS TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND CIVIC USES COEXIST IN PROXIMITY WHILE PROVIDING ELEVATED STANDARDS FOR ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE.
OVER THE YEARS SINCE THE ADOPTION OF PD 1-2 BY ORDINANCE, NUMBER 703, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TEXT AMENDMENTS THAT HAVEN'T ALWAYS COMPLIMENTED THE STANDARDS FOR ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, WITHIN THE ENTRADA TO DESIGN GUIDELINES, PLUS WITHIN THE EDX.
THAT HAS LED, UNFORTUNATELY, TO INCONSISTENT INTERPRETATIONS AND APPLICATIONS OF DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
AS PROPOSED, THESE TEXT AMENDMENTS ARE INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS GREATER ALIGNMENT AND CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THOSE TWO DOCUMENTS.
UNDER SECTION 2, IT DOES ADD THREE NEW DEFINITIONS.
THOSE DEFINITIONS MAY APPEAR FAMILIAR TO YOU.
THOSE ARE FOUND IN THE TC IN FORM-BASED DEVELOPMENT SECTION 3 JUST REMOVES THE ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS FOR STACKED FLATS AND PLACES IT IN ANOTHER SECTION THAT CONTAINS ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OR SD.
[01:15:02]
SECTION 4 IS WHERE THERE'S THE MEAT OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.THAT IS ESSENTIALLY CLARIFYING AND ADDRESSING THE SITE PLAN AND BUILDING ELEVATION SUBMITTALS, AS WELL AS THE GENERAL STANDARDS FOR ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING ORIENTATION, ROOFING MATERIALS, AND THE LIKE.
SECTION 5. AGAIN, IT REINFORCES THAT CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE DESIGN GUIDELINES AND MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR DESIGN.
ONE OF THE KEY EMPHASES HERE IS ENSURING THAT THOSE STANDARDS ARE MORE DETERMINISTIC.
BUT THAT WAY, THEY'RE EASIER TO APPLY.
THIS MAY LOOK FAMILIAR TO YOU.
AS THIS IS AN ISSUE DEALING WITH THE ZONING CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED THAT THERE ARE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND THAT HAS CERTAINLY COME TRUE WITH SOME WITH DEVELOPERS, AS WELL AS BUSINESSES LOOKING INTO ENTRADA, AND THEY ARE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THE CURRENT STATE OF ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE NOT ONLY PRESERVED BUT ELEVATED AS THEY CONSIDER INVESTING OUR COMMUNITY.
HERE'S THE OPPORTUNITY AMENDMENTS SHAPE AND GUIDE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN ENTRADA.
IN SUM, AGAIN, THESE PROPOSED TEXTS HERE, THE PROVISIONS THAT ARE NPD 1-2 AS WELL DEFINE GUIDELINES, AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS CLARITY, CONSISTENCY IN THE INTERPRETATION, APPLICATION OF THOSE STANDARDS, PLACE MAKING.
THESE PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THESE AND WILL ENSURE THAT ENTRADA IS EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE.
THE PLANNING ZONING COMMISSION MET ON SECOND.
THEY DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF BOTH AS PRESENTED; THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDS THE SAME.
WITH THAT, I'LL PAUSE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, TOWN COUNCIL MAYOR.
>> ONE AND I'VE ASKED YOU THIS SEVERAL TIMES, JASON.
THIS IS ANOTHER PROGRESSION TOWARD ASSIMILATION OF THESE DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHEN THEY COME HERE, WHAT'S EXPECTED.
CORRECT, SIR. CORRECT. YOU'VE BEEN HERE TIME YOU'VE PRESENTED, THAT I ASSUME.
>> JUST TO COMMENT. I WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING UNIFY THESE ORDINANCES.
I THINK IT'S REALLY HELPFUL BOTH FOR NEW DEVELOPERS AND FOR ANYONE COMING INTO THE TOWN, BUT IT REALLY IS GOING TO HELP TO GIVE IN INTERNAL OF THE VISION THAT WE WANT THAT WE'VE EXPECTED, BUT IN A MORE CLEAR AND CONCISE WAY. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL NOW OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS ITEM? NOW, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 1033 APPROVING THE TEXT AMENDMENTS AS PRESENTED?
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED.
>> MR. MAYOR? CAN WE TAKE ABOUT A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK?
>> WE CERTAINLY CAN. FIVE-MINUTE BREAK.
>> IT IS 623. WE'RE BACK IN SESSION FOR OUR FIVE-MINUTE BREAK.
[H.1. Discuss, consider and act to adopt Ordinance 1036 Approving a Negotiated Settlement Between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee ("ASCS") and Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division regarding the Company's 2025 Rate Review Mechanism Filing. ]
WE ARE REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS, H1 DISCUSSED CONSIDER ACT, ADOPT ORDINANCE 1036 APPROVING A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT BETWEEN ATMS CITY STEERING COMMITTEE, ASCS, AND ATMS ENERGY CORP, MID TEXAS DIVISION, REGARDING THE COMPANY'S 2025 RATE REVIEW MECHANISM FILING.>> WAIT. EVEN, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS REALLY JUST AN APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN ATMS AND THE ATMS CITY STEERINGS COMMITTEE WESTLAKE IS ONE OF 181 MUNICIPALITIES THAT IS A PART OF THE ATMS CITY STEERING COMMITTEE AND ANNUALLY, THEY WORK WITH ATMS ON A LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED RATE STUDY THAT IS DONE EVERY YEAR TO DETERMINE OUR RATES HERE IN TOWN FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS.
THIS STUDY IS DONE OVER A YEAR'S TIME.
THEN, IN THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR, THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND ATMS NEGOTIATE THE TERMS OF THAT RATE INCREASE.
AS A PART OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, WE HAVE THE OPTION OF ACCEPTING THIS RATE COMING IN OR
[01:20:04]
DROPPING OUT OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND NEGOTIATING OUR OWN RATES WITH ATMS. THEY'VE DONE AN AMAZING JOB.THERE IS A SMALL INCREASE IN THE RATES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, AND ALL OF THAT INFORMATION IS WITHIN YOUR PACKET AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> WAIT? SORRY I HAVE I DO HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.
YES, SIR. SORRY, WAIT. WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT?
>> WHAT EXACTLY IS THE RATE INCREASE?
>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. LET ME LOOK AT MY PACKET REFERENCE.
>> I DIDN'T THINK ANYONE WOULD ASK THAT.
>> APPARENTLY, I'VE GOT THAT PAGE MISSING IN MY BOOK, SO LET ME GET BACK WITH YOU ON THAT.
BUT THAT IS IN THE PACKET FOR THE DOCUMENT. I'M SORRY.
>> GOOD. LET'S GET THIS COVERED OR WE CAN.
>> THIS IS WHY DIANA IS WORTH EVERY DOLLAR [LAUGHTER] AND MORE.
>> WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CHANGE PER MONTH.
THE CUSTOMER CHARGE BILL IS 2365.
THE RIDER CEE SURCHARGE IS GOING UP 0.03 PER MONTH, AND THE TOTAL CUSTOMER CHARGE IS GOING UP $23.68 PER MONTH.
THESE ARE ALL ONE-TIME FEES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR BILL AND NOT THE RATE ITSELF.
>> IT'S SAFE TO CONCLUDE THAT US NEGOTIATING SEPARATELY, PULLING OUT OF THIS STEERING COMMITTEE WOULD NOT BE ANYWHERE NEAR COST-EFFECTIVE.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 1036 APPROVING THE NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT AS PRESENTED?
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
AGENDA ITEM H.2, DISCUSS CONSENT.
>> MAYOR, LASTLY, BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM, I WANT TO INTRODUCE LEE FERGUSON.
SHE'S OUR ATMOS REPRESENTATIVE.
SHE'S GOING TO COME FORWARD AND JUST SAY A FEW WORDS [OVERLAPPING].
>> HEY. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND VOTE FOR THE RATE MECHANISM THAT Y'ALL JUST PASSED.
BUT YES, LIKE WADE SAID, MY NAME'S LEE FERGUSON.
I HAVE BEEN WITH AMIS ENERGY SINCE JANUARY AS A MANAGER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND I COVER NORTHEAST TARRANT COUNTY AND SOUTHWEST DENTON COUNTY.
WE SERVICE THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE OUT OF OUR HAZLETT SERVICE CENTER.
SINCE I STARTED IN JANUARY, I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE ISSUE COME OUT OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE.
NO NEWS IT'S ALWAYS GOOD NEWS.
EXACTLY. THE ONE PAGER THAT MISS DIANA PUT IN FRONT OF YOU IS THE DATA FOR THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE OVER THE LAST YEAR.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT OF THE 650 CUSTOMERS HERE IN TOWN THAT WE SERVICE, 618 OF THOSE ARE RESIDENTIAL AND 32 ARE COMMERCIAL.
THEN I NEED YOU GUYS' GRACE BECAUSE I SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
SINCE 2020, WE'VE SPENT $850,000 IN THE TOWN, AND THEN LAST YEAR, WE SPENT 330,000, SO THOSE SHOULD BE FLIPPED. GO AHEAD.
>> JUST BECAUSE I USED TO BE IN THE INDUSTRY.
>> SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY IT'S METERS.
>> WE HAVE 2,000 PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN.
>> RIGHT, BUT EACH METER HAS 2.3 PEOPLE PER HOME THINGS LIKE THAT EXACTLY.
I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW THE FULL NUMBER OF HOMES IN THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE, BUT ALL MIGHT SO YOU CAN SEE WHO IS SERVED AND WHO'S NOT BY US.
I WANTED TO POINT OUT TOO THAT MY CONTACT INFORMATION IS DOWN BELOW, SO IF YOU HEAR ISSUES FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS OR ANYBODY, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ME.
WHAT'S FUNNY IS I USED TO LIVE IN THE WORLD OF HOUSE ACCOUNTS, AND WHEN JOHN EARLIER SPOKE ABOUT YOUR SOLID WASTE SURVEY, THAT'S WHERE I CAME FROM, WORKING FOR YOUR HAULER.
I'VE GOT TRASH AND GAS IN MY PORTFOLIO NOW, AND I JUST AM MISSING ELECTRICITY, SO I'M YOUR UTILITY GIRL, BUT IT'S NICE TO MEET ALL OF YOU.
>> BUT EVERY DAY, YOU GO TO A TOWN COUNCIL AND YOU HAVE AN EX CEO OF UTILITIES COMPANY [LAUGHTER].
>> I'D LOVE TO VISIT MORE WITH YOU, SIR [LAUGHTER].
>> COVER THE MISSING ELECTRIC PART.
>> THERE YOU GO. BUT THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANKS FOR COMING.
[H.2. Discuss, consider and act regarding Ordinance 1031 to adopt amendments to the Town of Westlake's Texas Municipal Retirement System Benefits Authorizing (1) Annually Accruing Updated Service Credits and Transfer Updated Service Credits; and (2) Annually Accruing Annuity Increases, also referred to as Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Retirees and their Beneficiaries.]
DISCUSS CONSIDER AND ACT REGARDING ORDINANCE 1031 TO ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM BENEFIT AUTHORIZING ONE, ANNUALLY ACCRUING UPDATED SERVICE CREDITS AND TRANSFERS, UPDATED SERVICE CREDITS, AND TWO ANNUALLY ACCRUING ANNUITY INCREASES,[01:25:03]
ALSO REFERRED TO AS COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS, THE OLAS, FOR RETIREES AND OTHER BENEFICIARIES. CASEY.>> HEY, THERE ARE YOU ALL. THE TOWN PARTICIPATES IN THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, WHICH IS A STATEWIDE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN IT HAS OVER 900 MUNICIPALITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING.
BECAUSE TMRS IS ACTUALLY GOVERNED BY STATE STATUTE, ANY CHANGES WE MAKE TO THE PLAN REQUIRE AN ORDINANCE BE PASSED BY THE GOVERNING BODY.
THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TODAY ARE TO ADOPT A 50% REPEATING & RETROACTIVE COLA.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT RETIREES, BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE, WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE HALF OF A CPI FROM THE PRIOR YEAR IT'S CALCULATED EVERY JANUARY.
IN OTHER WORDS, WHATEVER THE CPI WAS FOR 2022, IN JANUARY OF 2024, RETIREES WOULD BE RECEIVING 50% OF THAT TO THEIR PENSION BENEFITS.
WE HAVE OPTED IN TO TMRS AS AN ENTITY, WHICH MEANS INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES CANNOT OPT OUT.
WHAT WE DID WAS WE SURVEYED ALL OF COMPARISON CITIES AND WE LOOKED AT THE STATE WIDE TRENDS TO MAKE SURE AS WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH THE BUDGET, THAT ALL OF OUR BENEFITS WERE INDUSTRY-STANDARD.
WE REALIZED THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE CITIES THAT BORDER US HAD A REPEATING AND RETROACTIVE COLA AND THAT OVER HALF OF THE PARTICIPATING ENTITIES IN TMRS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE A REPEATING OR RETROACTIVE COLA WITH THE OTHERS OPTING TO DO AD HOC COLAS, IF NECESSARY.
THIS CHANGE ACTUALLY WILL INCREASE OUR COST FOR TMRS ANNUALLY FROM FISCAL YEAR 25 TO FISCAL YEAR 26, 291,000.
THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET THAT WAS JUST PASSED THIS EVENING.
BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT EVEN IF WE WEREN'T TO PASS THIS INCREASE, THERE WOULD STILL BE INCREASES ASSOCIATED WITH THREE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE, THE RAISES AND JUST THE ANNUAL ACTUARIAL RECALCULATIONS THAT HAPPEN EVERY.
WE HAVE A WINDOW TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE.
IT'S THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER THIS YEAR WITH THE PLAN GOING INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1ST OF NEXT YEAR.
WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THE QUESTIONS. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 1031 TO APPROVE AMENDING THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM BENEFIT AS PRESENTED?
>> MOTION CARRIES. CASEY. THANK YOU YET AGAIN.
GENDA ITEM H.3, DISCUSS CONSIDER AND ACT TO APPROVE
[H.3. Discuss, consider and act to approve Resolution 25-31 approving FY2026 Financial Policies. ]
RESOLUTION 25-31 APPROVING THE FY 2026 FINANCIAL POLICIES?>> I KNOW. I PICK THE BUSIEST NIGHT TO HAVE LOCAL ISSUES.
>> YOU CAN'T TELL, BY THE WAY.
>> I'VE BEEN TRYING TO BE QUIET ALL DAY LONG.
THIS ITEM IS TO APPROVE THE FINANCIAL POLICIES.
WE PRESENT THESE TO THE COUNCIL EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.
IT'S THE BEST PRACTICE TO HAVE THE GOVERNING BODY APPROVE THESE.
THESE ARE OUR OVERARCHING FISCAL GUIDANCE FOR BOTH THE TOWN AND THE ACADEMY FOR ALL OF THE POLICIES THAT WE ADOPT, IF THERE ARE DIFFERENCES, AS A MATTER OF COURSE, JUST BASED ON THE NATURE OF THE ACADEMY VERSUS THE TOWN, THOSE ARE OUTLINED IN EACH OF THE POLICIES.
THEN, AS I SAID, WE REVIEW THESE ANNUALLY, AND WE GO THROUGH ALL OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY.
WE WORKED WITH A FINANCE COMMITTEE OVER THE SUMMER TO HAVE ANOTHER SET OF YES ON THEM.
THE SIX POLICIES THAT WE'RE ASKING TO APPROVE TONIGHT, THE FIRST ONE BEING THE FINANCIAL POLICIES.
THIS IS OUR BASIC BASIS FOR ACCOUNTING.
WHENEVER WE TALKED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO ABOUT FUND BALANCE REQUIREMENTS, THIS IS WHERE YOU'LL SEE THOSE CHANGES THAT WE MADE.
THE DEBT MANAGEMENT, THIS IS A NEW POLICY.
WE HAD SOME LANGUAGE IN OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES PREVIOUSLY, BUT PARTICULARLY GIVEN THAT WE WENT THROUGH A DEBT ISSUANCE THIS SUMMER, WE THOUGHT IT WAS PRUDENT TO HAVE A BETTER WELL DEFINED PROCESS.
THIS ALSO IS GOING TO CODIFY A SECOND VOTE THAT IS NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED, BUT WAS PREFERRED BY COUNCIL.
AFTER WE DO OUR REGULAR NOTICE OF INTENT, WE WILL HAVE A SECOND MEETING THAT GIVES COUNCIL THE OPPORTUNITY TO AFFIRM THAT FINAL AMOUNT BEFORE WE GO TO SALE.
THE PURCHASING AUTHORITY, THE ONLY THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED HERE HAVE TO DO WITH UPDATING THE HEAD OF SCHOOL SPENDING AUTHORITY AROUND 20,000-50,000 TO BE IN LINE WITH THE TOWN MANAGER.
WE ALSO MADE SURE TO AFFIRM THAT ANY ITEMS THAT ARE 50,000 OR MORE DO HAVE TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
THE REASON WE MADE A POINT TO AFFIRM THAT IS BECAUSE TEXAS LEGISLATURE ACTUALLY PASSED A LAW THIS SUMMER, CHANGING THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENT THRESHOLD 50,000-100,000.
[01:30:03]
WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS UNLESS THE ITEM WOULD BE $100,000 OR MORE.HOWEVER, WE FEEL IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT COUNCIL APPROVES ANYTHING 50,000 OR MORE.
THERE WERE NO CHANGES TO THE PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES FINANCIAL POLICY.
THE ONLY CHANGE TO THE CONTRACTS AUTHORITY WAS THAT SAME THRESHOLD CHANGE 20,000-50,0000 FOR THE HEAD OF SCHOOL.
THEN FOR THE P-CARD POLICY, THERE WERE NO CHANGES.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES?
>> JUST ONE QUESTION CASEY. THESE POLICIES JUST APPLY TO THE TOWN, CORRECT? POLICIES?
>> IN THE PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED PURCHASE POLICY FOR THE TOWN, I KNOW FOR THE ACADEMY SINCE IT'S SCHOOL, AS THE POLICY IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, ALCOHOL CAN BE PURCHASED IF IT'S NOT FOR RESALE.
>> ONLY IF IT IS FOR RESALE THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY COUNCIL.
FOR INSTANCE, THAT LINE THERE SPECIFICALLY IS FOR ANY EVENTS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE, COMMUNITY WIDE THAT WE WOULD POSSIBLY CHOOSE TO SELL ALCOHOL.
I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER CITIES AROUND US, IF THEY HAVE FESTIVALS OR SOMETHING, THEY DO OFFER ALCOHOL SALES. WE CURRENTLY DO NOT.
>> AS WRITTEN, THE POLICY WOULD NOT PERMIT THE PURCHASE OF ALCOHOL BY THE TOWN OR THE SCHOOL?
>> CORRECT. NOT WITHOUT COUNCIL APPROVAL.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? CAN I HAVE A MOTION APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-31 APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR, 2026 FINANCIAL POLICIES AS PRESENTED.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
[H.4. Discuss, consider and act regarding Resolution 25-32 approving the Investment Policy. ]
CONSIDER AN ACT REGARDING RESOLUTION 25-32 APPROVING THE INVESTMENT POLICY?>> THE ONLY REASON THIS IS SEPARATE IS BECAUSE THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT.
IT IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVES THE INVESTMENT POLICY NO LESS THAN ANNUALLY.
THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE POLICY.
THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE BROKER DEALER LIST.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? YOU JUST WENT ALL NIGHT.
CAN I GET DO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 2532 APPROVING THE INVESTMENT POLICY AS PRESENTED.
>> NO, THIS IS H.4 INVESTMENT 2532.
>> YEAH 2532 APPROVING THE INVESTMENT POLICY IS PRESENTED.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE NEXT TWO AGENDA ITEMS HAVE BEEN TABLED.
WE NOW WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[I. EXECUTIVE SESSION ]
THE TOWN COUNCIL BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL CONDUCT A CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551-0712 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEEKING CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE TOWN ATTORNEY, WESTLAKE ACADEMY ATTORNEY FOR THE FOLLOWING.THE TIME IS NOW 6:38, AND WE WILL COVER I-1, SECTION 551-071, CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL ADVICE FOR ACADEMY ATTORNEY REGARDING WESTLAKE ACADEMY AFFILIATE GROUP, WESTLAKE ACADEMY ATHLETIC CLUB, I-2, SECTION 551076, DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES OR SECURITY AUDIT RELATED, THE FINDINGS OF THREE YEAR SAFETY AND SECURITY AUDIT REPORT FOR WESTLAKE ACADEMY AND I-3, SECTION 551-071, CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL ADVICE FROM ATTORNEY REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY ARTS AND SCIENCE BUILDING.
TIME IS NOW 6:38, WE'LL ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> THERE YOU ARE. LOOK AT YOU. JUST MAKING STUFF.
WE NOW RECONVENE YOUR REGULAR SESSION.
IS THERE ANY ACTIONS NEEDED FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION?
>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS WIDE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. ANYBODY?
[K. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]
>> I JUST HAVE ONE. ON THE NEXT AGENDA, I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS THE TRAFFIC PLAN AT THE SCHOOL IN THE MORNING.
>> GOOD. I GOT ONE THAT IT'D BE NICE EITHER IN A WORKING SESSION OR IF WE DO IT IN THE NEXT MEETING WHERE WE CAN SIT DOWN AND CONTEMPLATE BEING LIKE THE REST OF THE TOWNS IN THE LOCAL AREA AND HAVING A STIPEND OR A SMALL SALARY FOR OUR MAYOR.
TOWN COUNCIL DOES NEED IT, BUT IT'S SOMETHING I THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE TO DO FOR THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES WITH THAT ROLE.
ALSO, THE WAY IT'S SET UP NOW WHERE THERE ISN'T ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN DO THAT JOB ARE PEOPLE THAT
[01:35:01]
ARE INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY THAT DO NOT NECESSARILY NEED A JOB AND CAN COME IN HERE AND SERVE.IT'D BE GREAT TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IT UP SO ANYBODY ELSE COULD ACTUALLY COME AND DO IT AND NOT NECESSARILY IMPACT THEIR LIVES. THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHT.
>> THEN ONE THING I WOULD ASK, WE TABLED THE HANDBOOK DISCUSSION.
WE NEED TO TRY TO EXPEDITE THAT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO HOLD UNDER THESE NEW RULES ACCOUNTABLE, SO EVERYBODY COULD LOOK AT THOSE.
>> COULD CLARIFY WHAT IS IN THE HANDBOOK, YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY FOR THE MOST PART VOTED ON.
IT'S THE POLICIES AROUND ADMISSIONS, IT'S THE POLICIES AROUND ATTENDANCE ALL THE THINGS THAT CAME LAST YEAR.. THEN WE CLEANED UP THE ISSUE OF THE FREE DRESS FOR SENIORS, THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED.
>> DO YOU HAVE JUST A RED LINE VERSION? THAT'S ALL WE REALLY EVER NEED.
IF THERE'S SOME BIG LIKE THAT AND YOU SAY, HERE'S NEW.
>> BUT WE'VE APPROVED EVERY CHANGES THAT'S IN THERE ALREADY.
>> AS FAR AS I KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO GO ON RECORD TO SWEAR TO THAT.
MOST OF THE POLICY UPDATES WERE JUST POLICY REFLECTIONS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN BOARD MEETING.
>> I THINK THE ISSUE IS JUST IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME WE JUST [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE PARENTS OF THE KIDS SHOULD HAVE TIME TO BE ABLE TO READ IT.
THAT'S WHY WE TRY TO GET IT IN FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING SO ALL THE PARENTS CAN READ IT, AND THEY CAN COME AND MAKE COMMENTS IF THEY WANT TO.
>> IF EVERYBODY CAN GET RID OF AND MAYBE WE CAN EXPEDITE A MEETING OR SOMETHING.
I WANT TO GET THAT PASS BECAUSE WE'RE FLYING BLIND WITH THAT IT.
>> AS A FUTURE JENA, DID ANYBODY WANT TO SET A SPECIAL MEETING TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW BUILDINGS AT THE ACADEMY OR THE ARTS AND SCIENCE EXPANSION FURTHER? PRIOR TO THE OCTOBER 16TH OR OCTOBER 21ST MEETING?
>> I COULD ADD THIS TOPIC AS WELL.
>> I THINK THAT'D BE GOOD TO PUT IT IN A WORK SESSION.
LET'S LOOK AT ALL THAT, AND THAT WILL BE A PRETTY QUICK MEETING [INAUDIBLE] 8:02.
>> NO, SIR. I HAVE FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE TRAFFIC PLAN FOR DROP OFF AND PICK UP AT THE ACADEMY, POSSIBLE FUTURE COMPENSATION FOR THE MAYOR, AND THEN THE PARENT AND STUDENT HANDBOOK AND TECHNOLOGY PLAN THAT WE'RE BOTH TABLED TONIGHT AND WORK SESSION TO COVER ARTS AND SCIENCE EXPANSION.
>> ANYTHING ELSE FROM COUNCIL? AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT IS 8:02 MEETINGS ADJOURNED.
NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING WILL BE HELD TUESDAY OCTOBER 21ST AT 5:00 PM.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.