May 18. 2023 Aventura Governing Board (ACES and DSAHS) Meeting Minutes DON SOFFER
( AVENTURA
HIGH SCHOOL
AVENTURA GOVERNING BOARD
AVENTURA CITY OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL AND
DON SOFFER AVENTURA HIGH SCHOOL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MAY 18, 2023
9:00 a.m.
Aventura Government Center
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
Aventura City Commission acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for the Aventura
City of Excellence School (ACES) and the Don Soffer Aventura High School (DSAHS):
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Mayor
Howard Weinberg at 9:10 a.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor
Howard S. Weinberg, Vice Mayor Amit Bloom, Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland',
Commissioner Billy Joel, Commissioner Paul A. Kruss2, 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 ACES Principal Dr. Anthony
Tyrkala, DSAHS Principal Dr. Geoff McKee 3, Rachel Windler-Freitag - South Florida
Deputy Director Charter Schools USA, and Rita Weaver - Director of Board Governance
- Charter Schools USA 4. 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:
• April 20, 2023 ACES Governing Board Regular Meeting
• April 20, 2023 DSAHS Governing Board Regular Meeting
A motion for approval of the January 20, 2023 regular meeting minutes for ACES and
DSAHS was offered by Commissioner Joel, seconded by Vice Mayor Bloom, and passed
unanimously (5-0) by roll call vote, with Commissioner Friedland and Commissioner
Kruss absent.
i Arrived at 9:25 a.m. during Item 6.
2 Arrived at 9:19 a.m. during Item 4B.
3 Participated via virtual communications media technology.
4 Participated via virtual communications media technology.
Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School
May 18, 2023
4. ORDINANCES — SECOND READING/PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Mrs. Horvath read the following Ordinance title:
A. 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.
A motion for approval was offered by Vice Mayor Bloom and seconded by Commissioner
Joel.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the proposed budget for FY 2023/24 totaling $13,350,922, with an
increase of 14.5% over the prior year.
No Commission comments were provided.
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 second reading passed unanimously (5-0)
by roll call vote, with Commissioner Friedland and Commissioner Kruss absent, and
Ordinance No. 2023-08 was adopted.
Mrs. Horvath read the following Ordinance title:
B. 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.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Stern and seconded by
Commissioner Joel.
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Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School
May 18, 2023
Mr. Wasson reviewed the proposed budget for FY 2023/24 totaling $8,794,645, with an
increase of 8% over the prior year, without a subsidy from the City.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: teacher increases and
providing a report showing the data for the increases for the teachers.
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 second reading passed unanimously (6-0)
by roll call vote, with Commissioner Friedland absent, and Ordinance No. 2023-09 was
adopted.
5. APPROVAL OF REVISED 2023-2024 DSAHS CALENDAR: Mr. Wasson,
reviewed the revised school calendar to change a teacher planning day to November 9th.
A motion for approval was offered by Vice Mayor Bloom and seconded by Commissioner
Kruss.
No Commission comments were provided.
No public comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote (6-0), with Commissioner Friedland
absent.
6. DISCUSSION OF DSAHS CLUBS/HONOR SOCIETY: Commissioner Dr. Marks
discussed the importance of the National Honor Society inductions and the lack of a
Spring induction at the school, as well as the need for more clubs.
Dr. McKee provided information on the National Honor Society inductions as well as the
numerous clubs offered.
The Commission discussed the inductions as well as the clubs.
No public comments were provided.
The discussion resulted in a request for the Honor Society inductions to be held at the
proper times (Spring and Fall).
7. SCHOOL UPDATES:
• DSAHS Principal Dr. Geoff McKee: Principal Dr. McKee provided updates
including the following: current testing, FAST exam, graduation requirements, graduation
ceremony (May 30), senior awards night (May 24), referendum money for teachers, and
prom.
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Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School
May 18, 2023
The City Commission provided input and discussed the following items: Miami-Dade
County School Board representative attending the graduation and her representative
presenting an award at the awards ceremony.
No public comments were provided.
• ACES Principal Dr. Anthony Tyrkala: Principal Dr. Tyrkala provided updates
including the following: end of year testing and receipt of results, Algebra requirement for
DSAHS, enrollment, student behavior, researching drug and alcohol programs, field trips,
student with grandfathered residency, and upcoming student events.
The City Commission provided input and discussed the following items: increasing the
amount participating in the field trip to Boston, proactively checking addresses of
students, waiting list, percentage of students from ACES scheduled to attend DSAHS,
the need for another school, and the results of parent surveys.
Mr. Wasson provided information on checking student addresses.
Ms. Weaver provided information on parent surveys.
The Commission and both principals discussed the volunteer process for parents.
Ms. Windler-Freitag provided information on the parent contract regarding required
volunteer hours.
No public comments were provided.
8. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
10. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Commissioner
Joel, seconded by Commissioner Kruss, and unanimously approved-, thus, adjourning the
meeting at 10.09 a.m.
Ellisa L. Horvath, MMC, City Clerk
Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for ACES
and DSAHS, on September 21 , 2023.
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