January 21, 2021 Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS) Governing Board Meeting Minutes - -- DON SOFFER
AVENTURA
G $ HIr- N RH00111
DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 21, 2021
Following 9:00 a.m. ACES Governing Board Meeting
Via Virtual Communications Technology
The meeting was held via video conferencing through Zoom, as specified on the meeting
agenda and as a result of the continued state of emergency due to COVID-19.
City Commission, Acting in its Capacity as the Governing Board for the Don Soffer
Aventura High School (DSAHS):
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 9:04 a.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor Enid
Weisman, Vice Mayor Robert Shelley, Commissioner Jonathan Evans, Commissioner
Rachel S. Friedland, Commissioner Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks,
Commissioner Marc Narotsky, City Manager Ronald J. Wasson, City Clerk Ellisa L.
Horvath, and City Attorney David M. Wolpin. As a quorum was determined to be present,
the meeting commenced.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — DECEMBER 14, 2020: A motion for approval of the
December 14, 2020 meeting minutes was offered by Commissioner Narotsky, seconded
by Vice Mayor Shelley, and passed unanimously, by roll call vote.
3. SCHOOL UPDATE — DSAHS PRINCIPAL DAVID MCKNIGHT:
The Board discussed concerns regarding options and innovations specific to the school,
lack of equipment, corporate oversight and value, issues dealing with certain checks
owed to the teachers, and the need to provide the Principal with more authority regarding
check requests.
Jonathan Hage, President - Charter Schools USA, addressed the concerns raised,
discussed the issues with the money and ensured a resolution immediately regarding the
checks owed to the teachers and implementing a more efficient process for the future.
The Board discussed resolving communication issues between parents and teachers,
instructional technology specialist for teachers, technology orders for all students, and
ways to assist the Principal in resolving things more efficiently.
Principal McKnight discussed the current process for the distribution of checks, reported
on the receipt of all iPads following manufacturer delays in shipping, and provided an
update on the distribution of iPads.
Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2021
Rachel Wind ler-Freitag, South Florida Area Director- Charter Schools USA, reviewed the
following items: delays with iPads, process for checks, positive aspects of the school in
conjunction with the Board's vision, the creation and implementation of a plan moving
forward to purchase school items earlier, and the need for discussions with the finance
department regarding payment for those items in conjunction with the budget.
The Board provided consensus to place orders ahead of time, with payment after July 1 st
every year to coincide with the budget, or for the school to request the Board to possibly
assist with funding the amount with a return payment by the school after July 1st
Mr. Hage will provide a written update on the process to prevent future delays and
discussed OWL technology for teachers, providing a new plan for purchase orders that is
more efficient, partnerships with universities, and providing the legislative agenda for
Charter Schools USA.
The Board discussed the goal of a post-COVID-19 blended model and the need to align
the City's legislative agenda with Charter Schools USA's legislative agenda.
Principal McKnight provided information covering the following items: enrollment and
application process, NWEA testing, after-school tutoring, COVID-19 positive percentage
rates and protocols, PSAT testing, report cards, and active clubs.
Ms. Windler-Freitag discussed the NWEA testing and the comparison between mobile
learning versus in-person learning.
Mr. Hage discussed the state testing and the focus on growth scores and engagement
measurements.
4. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
5. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner
Narotsky, seconded by Commissioner Landman, and unanimously approved; thus,
adjourning the meeting at 10.30 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, M , City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for
DSAHS, on April 15, 2021 .
Page 2 of 2