April 7, 2022 ACES Governing Board Meeting Minutes AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2022
9:00 a.m.
Aventura Government Center
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
City Commission, Acting in its Capacity as the Governing Board for the Aventura City of
Excellence School (ACES)-.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Enid
Weisman at 9.05 a.m. The roll was called and the following were present- Mayor Enid
Weisman, Vice Mayor Rachel S. Friedland, Commissioner Billy Joel, Commissioner
Denise Landman, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner Marc Narotsky,
Commissioner Robert Shelley, City Manager Ronald J. Wasson, City Clerk Ellisa L.
Horvath, and City Attorney Robert Meyers. Also present were ACES Principal Dr. Anthony
Tyrkala, Rachel Windler-Freitag - South Florida Deputy Director Charter Schools USA,
and Rita Weaver- Director of Board Governance Charter Schools USA.As a quorum was
determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Mayor Weisman.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion for approval of the February 1 , 2022 regular
meeting minutes was offered by Vice Mayor Friedland, seconded by Commissioner
Narotsky, and passed unanimously, by roll call vote.
4. CAMBRIDGE UPDATE: Principal Dr. Tyrkala provided information on the
application process to date for the Cambridge program, which he anticipated having in
place by the next school year.
The Commission provided comments on the advantages of having the program and
commended Principal Dr. Tyrkala.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. There being no comments, the item
was closed for public input.
5. ALGEBRA PLAN FOR ACES: Principal Dr. Tyrkala distributed and reviewed the
ACES Math Progression Plan for Grades 3-8.
Aventura City of Excellence School(ACES) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2022
The Commission commended Principal Dr. Tyrkala and discussed the item including the
following: tutoring opportunities, plan for K-2, and testing.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. There being no comments, the item
was closed for public input.
6. STAFFING UPDATE: Principal Dr. Tyrkala provided information on staffing
including intent to return forms, online job fairs, hiring for existing and potential positions,
and screening process. He reported that there were currently no openings.
The Commission requested that Charter Schools USA provide the principals of both
schools with required documentation in order to offer positions in writing, so potential staff
would not be lost. Ms. Windler-Freitag and Ms. Weaver both agreed that could be done
and reviewed the process for offer letters.
Mr. Wasson provided an update on the legality of requiring contributions to a retirement
fund as a condition of employment. Ms. Weaver believed that it could be done legally and
noted that the plans for all Charter Schools USA schools needed to be rewritten. The
representatives of Charter Schools USA will report back to the Commission.
The Commission offered assistance to Principal Dr. Tyrkala with anything he needed for
the school. Mr. Wasson commended Principal Dr. Tyrkala.
7. BLUE RIBBON STATUS: Ms. Windler-Freitag explained the process, which was
data driven, and reported that the State did not nominate anyone. She reported that ACES
would qualify based on its high performing status and reviewed the qualifications.
The Commission discussed the item.
8. DISTRICT AND STATE COMPETITIONS: Principal Dr. Tyrkala reviewed the list
of competitions including the following: spelling bees, history bee, model UN, civic,
debate, STEAM, science fair, math bowl, robotics, etc. He discussed working with the
high school (DSAHS).
The Commission provided comments and discussed James Reese, the ACES student
who placed third in the 2022 Miami Herald Spelling Bee.
9. OTHER BUSINESS:
Principal Dr. Tyrkala provided information on the following items: end of year summative
testing, personalized learning as a strategy, Commencement Ceremony on June 711
additional ceremonies, field trips, and working with communications to distribute
information.
The Commission discussed the items and commended Dr. Tyrkala on his leadership.
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Aventura City of Excellence School(ACES) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2022
PUBLIC COMMENT: The following members of the public provided comments:
Gerri Smith (20765 NE 37 Place, Aventura).
10. 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 Vice Mayor Friedland, and unanimously approved; thus,
adjourning the meeting at 10.25 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, M C, City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for
ACES, on May 19, 2022.
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