September 10, 2019 (3 p.m.) Aventura City Commission Special Workshop Meeting Minutes The City of CITY COMMISSION
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SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING Aventura Government Center
Aventura
MINUTES 19200 W.Country Club Drive
Aventura, Florida 33180
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
'` 3:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 3:02 p.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor Enid
Weisman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner Gladys Mezrahi,
Commissioner Marc Narotsky, Commissioner Robert Shelley, Commissioner Howard
Weinberg, City Manager Ronald J. Wasson, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City
Attorney David M. Wolpin. Vice Mayor Denise Landman was absent. As a quorum was
determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. COMMUNICATONS/HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE: Mr. Wasson reviewed the recent
denial from the Miami-Dade County Public School Board staff regarding the use of the
Cambridge program at the Don Soffer Aventura High School and provided a timeline of
communications with Charter Schools USA, Cambridge, and the Miami-Dade County
Public School District.
Rachel Windler-Freitag, South Florida Area Director for Charter Schools USA, reported
on the process followed by Charter Schools USA to obtain approval for the Cambridge
program for Aventura's high school. She additionally explained how the high school was
currently handling the schedules for students interested in the Cambridge program.
The Commission discussed the approval from the School Board of Miami-Dade County
for the City's charter for the high school based on its application, which included the
intention to offer the Cambridge program. The letter from Principal McKnight sent to the
high school parents requesting their appearance at a County School Board meeting was
also discussed. That request was rescinded, to allow the district time to further review
the issue.
Mr. Wasson reported that additional documentation with pertinent information had been
provided to Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho that
he was not aware of, for his review and response.
Mr. Wolpin reviewed the Don Soffer Aventura High School charter contract with the
School Board of Miami-Dade County and explained the City's options for moving
forward.
Edward Pozzuoli, Esq. — Tripp Scott (110 S.E. 6th Street, 15th Floor, Fort Lauderdale,
FL) and Charter Schools USA Attorney, provided information on the process working
with the Miami-Dade County Public School Board staff and suggested that the City
request mediation from the State Department of Education.
Ralph Arza, Director of Government Relations - Florida Charter School Alliance,
provided information on charter schools and the question of the authority of school
districts to make decisions on the curriculum offered at those schools.
Aventura City Commission Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2019
The Commission discussed the importance of communication from the City Manager,
as well as Charter Schools USA through the City Manager, on pertinent issues as they
happen to allow for meetings to be scheduled as needed for discussion and input on
items. A notification to be sent to parents regarding the current status of the Cambridge
program was also discussed.
The following members of the public provided comments: Nikki Shein (Aventura
resident and high school parent).
City Manager Summary: It was the consensus of the City Commission to
authorize the City Manager to proceed with retaining Edward Pozzuoli (Tripp Scott) to
request mediation from the State of Florida Department of Education. Mr. Pozzuoli will
notify the Commission should it be determined that there is a conflict of interest for him
to represent the City. Additionally, a Commission Special Workshop Meeting was
scheduled for September 26, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. for Charter Schools USA to present
alternative options to the Cambridge program. Finally, Mr. Wasson will work with Ms.
Windler-Freitag on a letter to be sent to parents updating them on the status of the
Cambridge program.
3. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission, the meeting was adjourned by consensus at 4:38 p.m.
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Ellisa L. Horvath, MarCity Clerk
Approved by the City Commission on October 2, 2019.
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