April 20, 2023 DSAHS Governing Board Meeting Minutes - -- DON SOFFER
AVENTURA
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DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH 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 Don Soffer
Aventura High School (DSAHS):
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor
Howard Weinberg at 9:09 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 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 led by Mayor Weinberg.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion for approval of the January 19, 2023 regular
meeting minutes was offered by Commissioner Bloom, 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 DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL (DSAHS):
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE ATTACHED
DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL BUDGET FUND 191 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.
Participated via virtual communications media technology. Left the meeting during Item 8.
Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2023
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Friedland and seconded by Vice
Mayor Joel.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the proposed budget for FY 2023/24 totaling $8,794,645, with an
increase of 8% over the prior year, without the need for a subsidy from the City for the
first time. He further explained the subsidy process and the school starting to repay the
City for the prior subsidies.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: theater program,
fundraising, City contribution for prom, parents volunteering for hours versus parents
donating money for hours.
Mayor Weinberg opened the item for public comment.
The following members of the public provided comments: Diane Gleit (3148 NE 212th
Street, Aventura) and Gimol Bentes (19900 E. Country Club Drive, Aventura).
There being no additional comments, Mayor Weinberg closed the item for public input.
Ms. Weaver reported on the inability for parents to donate money to receive volunteer
hours per statute.
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 reviewed the
school calendar.
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.
6. APPROVAL OF 2023-2024 GOVERNING BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE: Mr.
Wasson and Ms. Weaver reviewed the proposed schedule.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Friedland and seconded by Vice
Mayor Joel.
Ms. Weaver suggested that one agenda be provided for both school governing boards in
the future, since many of the items were duplicated for both schools.
The City Commission discussed the item and consensus was given to provide one
agenda for both school governing boards in the future.
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Don Soffer Aventura High School(DSAHS) Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2023
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 FAC): Ms. Weaver reviewed the policy and
the appeal process to meet statutory requirements, which will be included in next year's
parent/student handbook.
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.
8. SCHOOL UPDATES — DSAHS PRINCIPAL DR. GEOFF MCKEE: Principal Dr.
McKee provided updates including the following: Cambridge/Capstone program, school
acceptance opportunities, degrees/diplomas, college prep, drama teacher, upcoming
school play, Jewish Night of Remembrance, art show exhibit, and graduation.
The City Commission provided input and discussed the following items: the importance
of the first graduating class, working with the City's communications director on publishing
information on the student college acceptances, valedictorian and salutatorian, providing
a keepsake program, surveying students, Ray Dass program, tutoring, ACT/PSAT prep,
and Jewish Night of Remembrance.
No public comments were provided.
9. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
11. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner
Friedland, seconded by Vice Mayor Joel, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning
the meeting at 9.57 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, MM , City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for
DSAHS, on May 18, 2023.
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