April 7, 2022 DSAHS Governing Board Meeting Minutes - -- DON SOFFER
AVENTURA
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DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2022
Following 9:00 a.m. ACES Governing Board Meeting
Aventura Government Center
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
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 10.31 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 DSAHS Principal Dr. Geoff
McKee, 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 done at the preceding meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion for approval of the February 1 , 2022 regular
meeting minutes was offered by Commissioner Narotsky, seconded by Commissioner
Joel, and passed unanimously.
4. ALGEBRA PLAN: Principal Dr. McKee reviewed the plan for a five-week summer
program that will be available for students needing Algebra and the related exam, to meet
the enrollment requirement for the school, with tutoring available.
Mr. Wasson distributed the Class of 2023 Course Selection Sheet for 2022-2023.
The Commission provided comments.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. There being no comments, the item
was closed for public input.
5. STAFFING UPDATE: Principal Dr. McKee, accompanied by Ms. Windler-Freitag,
provided information on staffing plans including those hired for next year, as well as open
positions.
Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2022
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. The following members of the
public provided comments: Starr Stein (3370 NE 190 Street, Aventura).
Mayor Weisman and Principal Dr. McKee provided comments on the difficulties in offering
certain classes and the concept of dual-enrollment at Miami-Dade College.
There being no additional comments, the item was closed for public input.
6. WEBSITE UPDATE: Principal Dr. McKee provided information on updates to the
school's website, including the plan to update the program of study once the classes are
known. Charter Schools USA is working with the school to improve the site.
The Commission discussed the item and provided the suggestion to place the course
selection sheet online, with a disclaimer that it was not final, and thanked Charter Schools
USA for their assistance with the website.
No comments were provided by members of the public.
7. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOLLOW-UP: Ms. Weaver provided updates on the
legislative session and associated impacts to the City.
The Commission discussed the session.
No comments were provided by members of the public.
8. 12T" GRADE CURRICULUM FOR 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR: Principal Dr. McKee
reviewed the Class of 2023 Course Selection Sheet for 2022-2023.
The Commission discussed the item.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. The following members of the
public provided comments: Starr Stein (3370 NE 190 Street, Aventura), Erin Yavner
(21376 Marina Cove Circle, Aventura), and Diane Gleit (3148 NE 212 Street, Aventura).
There being no additional comments, the item was closed for public input.
Principal Dr. McKee will follow up on the parent comments.
9. ATHLETIC AND COACHING UPDATE: Principal Dr. McKee reviewed the
growing athletic programs and teams to be added. He additionally reviewed the athletic
director's resume.
The Commission provided comments.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. The following members of the
public provided comments: Starr Stein (3370 NE 190 Street, Aventura) and Nikki Shein
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Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2022
(21189 NE 31 Place, Aventura). There being no additional comments, the item was
closed for public input.
Principal Dr. McKee will explore a resolution for the golf transportation issues with Mr.
Wasson and report back to the Commission.
10. PROSPECTIVE SILVER KNIGHT PROJECTS FOR NEXT YEAR: Principal Dr.
McKee reviewed the 15 categories.
The Commission discussed the item and certain members offered assistance with the
interview process.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. The following members of the
public provided comments: Starr Stein (3370 NE 190 Street, Aventura). There being no
additional comments, the item was closed for public input.
11. INTERNSHIPS FOR NEXT YEAR: Principal Dr. McKee reviewed the categories
that students are interested in, reported on the school's inability to participate in the
summer internship program through Miami-Dade County since it was only available to
their students, and discussed working with the Aventura Marketing Council to create
internships.
The Commission discussed the item and provided suggestions on organization contacts.
Principal Dr. McKee will work with Mr. Wasson and Charter Schools USA and provide an
update.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. The following members of the
public provided comments: Gerri Smith (20765 NE 37 Place, Aventura). There being no
additional comments, the item was closed for public input.
12. ACTIVITIES CALENDAR: Principal Dr. McKee reviewed the calendar of meetings
and events, with periodic notifications sent out bi-monthly.
The Commission discussed the need to improve notification of upcoming events.
Mayor Weisman opened the item for public comment. The following members of the
public provided comments: Gerri Smith (20765 NE 37 Place, Aventura) and Britt
Belferman (3433 NE 210 Terrace, Aventura). There being no additional comments, the
item was closed for public input.
13. OTHER BUSINESS: The Commission commended Principal Dr. McKee.
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Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2022
14. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner
Landman, seconded by Commissioner Dr. Marks, and unanimously approved; thus,
adjourning the meeting at 11.59 a.m.
•
Ellisa L. Horvath, M C, City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for
DSAHS, on May 19, 2022.
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