April 20, 2023 ACES Governing Board Meeting Minutes AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2023
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
Howard Weinberg at 10.04 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 Dr. Linda Marks, Commissioner Michael Stern, City
Manager Ronald J. Wasson, City Clerk Ellisa L. Horvath, and City Attorney Robert
Meyers. Commissioner Paul A. Kruss was absent. Also present were ACES Principal Dr.
Anthony Tyrkala and Rachel Windler-Freitag - South Florida Deputy Director Charter
Schools USA. As a quorum was determined to be present, the meeting commenced.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was done at the DSAHS Governing
Board Meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion for approval of the January 19, 2023 regular
meeting minutes was offered by Commissioner Stern, seconded by Vice Mayor Joel, and
passed unanimously, by roll call vote.
4. ORDINANCE — FIRST READING/PUBLIC INPUT: Mrs. Horvath read the
following Ordinance title:
AVENTURA CITY COMMISSION, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD
FOR THE AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL (ACES):
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE ATTACHED
CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE AVENTURA CITY OF
EXCELLENCE SCHOOL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 (JULY 1 - JUNE 30), PURSUANT
TO SECTION 4.05 OF THE CITY CHARTER; AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
ESTABLISHED BY THE BUDGET; PROVIDING FOR BUDGETARY CONTROL; PROVIDING
FOR PERSONNEL AUTHORIZATION; PROVIDING FOR GIFTS AND GRANTS; PROVIDING
FOR AMENDMENTS; PROVIDING FOR ENCUMBRANCES; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Aventura City of Excellence School(ACES) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2023
A motion for approval was offered by Vice Mayor Joel and seconded by Commissioner
Bloom.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the proposed budget for FY 2023/24 totaling $13,350,922, with an
increase of 14.5% over the prior year.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: positive comments on
exploring the City providing its own school buses in lieu of using a company, hallway
monitors, and the land west of the school.
Mayor Weinberg opened the item for public comment. There being no comments, Mayor
Weinberg closed the item for public input.
The motion for approval of the Ordinance on first reading passed unanimously by roll call
vote.
5. APPROVAL OF 2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR: Mr. Wasson, accompanied
by Ms. Windler-Freitag reviewed the school calendar.
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.
6. APPROVAL OF 2023-2024 GOVERNING BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE: Mr.
Wasson reviewed the proposed schedule.
A motion for approval was offered by Vice Mayor Joel and seconded by Commissioner
Bloom.
No public comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
7. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION POLICY
(HB 1557) AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RULE REGARDING
SPECIAL MAGISTRATE FOR UNRESOLVED STUDENT WELFARE COMPLAINTS
AT CHARTER SCHOOLS (RULE 6A-6.0791 FAQ: The policy and the appeal process
to meet statutory requirements, which will be included in next year's parent/student
handbook, was reviewed by Rita Weaver (Senior Director of Board Governance Charter
Schools USA) during the DSAHS Governing Board Meeting.
A motion for approval was offered by Vice Mayor Joel and seconded by Commissioner
Dr. Marks.
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Aventura City of Excellence School(ACES) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2023
No public comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
8. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF 2023 AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER: Mr.
Wasson removed this item from the agenda.
9. SCHOOL UPDATES — ACES PRINCIPAL DR. ANTHONY TYRKALA: Principal
Dr. Tyrkala provided updates including the following: teacher appreciation week,
enrollment, diagnostic testing, enrichment, tutoring, student behavior, parent workshops,
and professional development.
The City Commission discussed the following items: preparation for the Cambridge
program, the number of students choosing Don Soffer Aventura High School versus
another public or private school, students registering for Algebra (weekend and summer
programs), and providing a DARE program for older students.
No public comments were provided.
10. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
12. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner
Stern, seconded by Vice Mayor Joel, and unanimously approved-, thus, adjourning the
meeting at 10.32 a.m.
•
Ellisa L. Horvath, MNAd, City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for
ACES, on May 18, 2023.
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