January 19, 2023 DSAHS Governing Board Meeting Minutes - -- DON SOFFER
AVENTURA
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DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 2023
Following 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
Howard Weinberg at 11 .53 a.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor
Howard S. Weinberg, Vice Mayor Billy Joel, Commissioner Amit Bloom, Commissioner
Rachel S. Friedland, Commissioner Paul A. Kruss, Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks',
Commissioner Michael Stern, 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion for approval of the September 22, 2022
regular meeting minutes was offered by Commissioner Friedland, seconded by Vice
Mayor Joel, and passed unanimously by roll call vote.
3. APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-FIELD WAIVERS: Principal Dr. McKee reviewed the
memo request for out-of-field waivers dated January 11 , 2023 for four teachers for the
following subjects as outlined: Secondary Mathematics, Social Studies or Business
Education, and Chemistry. He also noted the goal to have everyone certified.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Friedland and seconded by
Commissioner Kruss.
The City Commission discussed those needing to be certified.
No public comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
4. REVIEW OF 2022-2023 FALL SURVEY RESULTS: Principal Dr. McKee,
accompanied by Ms. Weaver, reviewed the CSUSA Fall 2022-2023 Staff, Parent and
1 Left the meeting at 1:12 p.m. following Item 9.
Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2023
Student Stakeholder Satisfaction Surveys, including the students in all grades as
requested by the Board.
No public comments were provided.
5. APPROVAL OF REFERENDUM SETTLEMENT DISTRIBUTION PLAN: Mr.
Wasson provided information on the background for the item and reviewed the distribution
plan for teachers/instructional personnel and safety/security personnel at the school as
outlined in the agenda.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Friedland and seconded by
Commissioner Stern for the plan as provided (two payments and the requirement to be
employed by the school at the time of payment).
The City Commission discussed the following items: different payment options, legal fees
paid by the City, total cost to the City, June deadline for approval, and the need for a year-
end budget amendment.
Melissa Cruz, Finance Director, provided clarification on the estimated payout by school
and year as it corresponds to the number of employees as the amounts had been placed
in the wrong columns.
The following members of the public provided comments: Enid Weisman (3802 NE 207
Street, Aventura) and Diane Gleit (3148 NE 212th Street, Aventura).
The motion failed (2-5) by roll call vote, with Commissioner Bloom and Commissioner
Stern voting yes; and Mayor Weinberg, Vice Mayor Joel, Commissioner Friedland,
Commissioner Kruss, and Commissioner Dr. Marks voting no.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Dr. Marks and seconded by Vice
Mayor Joel to provide the full payment now, with a letter explaining the hard work done
by the Commission to obtain the funds, and to also provide financial planning education.
The City Commission discussed the item.
The motion failed (2-5) by roll call vote, with Vice Mayor Joel and Commissioner Dr. Marks
voting yes; and Mayor Weinberg, Commissioner Bloom, Commissioner Friedland,
Commissioner Kruss, and Commissioner Stern voting no.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Friedland and seconded by
Commissioner Stern to provide two payments (one now and one at the end of the school
year), with a letter explaining the payment plan as well as the hard work done by the
Commission to obtain the funds, and to also provide financial planning education.
The City Commission discussed the item.
No public comments were provided.
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Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2023
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
6. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED A+ SCHOOL RECOGNITION FUNDS SPENDING
PLAN: Principal Dr. McKee provided information on the item and reviewed the distribution
plan as outlined in the agenda and approved by the faculty.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Stern and seconded by
Commissioner Bloom.
No public comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
7. APPROVAL OF 2022-2023 INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL EVALUATION
SYSTEM PLAN: Ms. Windler-Freitag explained the item and updates that were in line
with the state statute.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Stern and seconded by
Commissioner Kruss.
No public comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
8. APPROVAL OF 2022-2023 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION
SYSTEM PLAN: Ms. Windler-Freitag explained the item.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Bloom and seconded by
Commissioner Stern.
No public comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
9. SCHOOL UPDATES — DSAHS PRINCIPAL DR. GEOFF MCKEE: Principal Dr.
McKee provided updates including the following: field improvements, school sports,
testing, and field trip scheduled to hear from Holocaust survivor at the ATJC.
The City Commission provided input and discussed the following items: school work and
the importance of communication to parents, etc.
No public comments were provided.
10. OTHER BUSINESS: This was moved to follow Public Comment.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT: The following members of the public provided comments:
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Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2023
Alison Filippazzo (21244 Harbor Way #217, Aventura), Dana Nuchamovitz (3284 NE
211th Terr, Aventura), Gerri Smith (20765 NE 37th Place, Aventura), and Gimol Bentes
(19900 E. Country Club Drive, Aventura).
OTHER BUSINESS: The following additional items were discussed:
Extending Grace Period for One Year for Algebra 1 Requirement: In
response to comments received from the public, the Commission discussed extending
the grace period requiring Algebra 1 as a requirement to enter the high school, to allow
students to catch up as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Bloom and seconded by
Commissioner Friedland to extend the grace period for one more year for the Algebra 1
requirement to enter the high school.
Ms. Windler-Freitag, Ms. Weaver, Principal Dr. Tyrkala, and Principal Dr. McKee provided
comments.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: addressing the policy,
extending the grace period, the rigorous program, the effects of COVID-19 on students,
and the lack of communication that Algebra 1 was required to attend the high school.
The following members of the public provided comments: Enid Weisman (3802 NE 207
Street, Aventura).
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
OTHER BUSINESS:
The Commission discussed a request to allow high school student leaders to report at
governing board meetings. Ms. Weaver discussed the Don Soffer Aventura High School
Advisory Board meetings. It was the consensus of the Commission for the student leaders
to attend the Advisory Board meetings or meet with Mr. Wasson with any concerns.
The Commission discussed the medical excuse policy at the school. Principal Dr. McKee
and Ms. Weaver reviewed the policy, which is part of the handbook. This item will be
placed on the next agenda for discussion.
Ms. Weaver noted that parents contacting members of the City Commission should be
directed to Ms. Windler-Freitag or Mr. Wasson with any issues regarding the school.
12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner
Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Kruss, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning
the meeting at 2:35 p.m.
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Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2023
•
Ellisa L. Horvath, M City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for
DSAHS, on April 20, 2023.
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