September 21, 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
SEPTEMBER 21, 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 9:00 a.m. The roll was called and the following were present: Mayor
Howard S. Weinberg, Vice Mayor Amit Bloom, Commissioner Billy Joel, 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. Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland was absent. Also present were ACES
Principal Ana Melhuish, 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 May 18, 2023 Aventura
Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes was offered by Vice Mayor Bloom, seconded
by Commissioner Kruss, and passed unanimously (6-0) by roll call vote.
RECESS AND RECONVENE: The meeting was recessed at 9:03 a.m., to go to the City
Commission Workshop Agenda, and reconvened at 10:32 a.m. The only change in the
roll call attendance was the addition of Dr. Andrea Beck (DSAHS Senior Community
Relations Specialist).
4. APPROVAL OF THE ACES PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2023-2024 AND
THE DSAHS FAMILY HANDBOOK 2023-2024: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item.
'Participated via virtual communications media teclmology.
Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School
September 21, 2023
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Joel and seconded by Commissioner
Kruss.
Mr. Wasson, Ms. Wind ler-Freitag, and Principal Melhuish reviewed the highlighted
changes and responded to Commission comments.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following for the DSAHS
Handbook: addition of the language as highlighted for cell phones on page 8.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following for the ACES Handbook:
rewording the highlighted section on page 21 regarding dropping items off to remove the
word mistake and rewording the highlighted section on page 16 regarding field trips to be
more specific that an outside company is utilized.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) by roll call vote, with the noted changes.
5. APPROVAL OF THE 2023-24 MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE ALLOCATION
PLAN FOR ACES AND THE 2023-24 MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE ALLOCATION
PLAN FOR DSAHS: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Stern and seconded by Vice Mayor
Bloom.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the annual requirement.
Ms. Weaver explained that the City was opting out of the Miami-Dade County Mental
Health Plan.
No Commission comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) by roll call vote.
6. APPROVAL OF THE MASTER SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN 2023-24 SY FOR
ACES AND DSAHS: Mayor Weinberg introduced the item.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Kruss and seconded by
Commissioner Joel.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the item that was provided to school families but not published to
the public due to safety reasons.
Ms. Weaver noted that the Plan was in compliance with Florida Statute.
No Commission comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) by roll call vote.
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Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School
September 21, 2023
7. APPROVAL OF THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF THE 2023/2024 ACES PARENT
FACILITATOR/CONFLICT RESOLUTION OFFICER AND THE DSAHS PARENT
FACILITATOR/CONFLICT RESOLUTION OFFICER: Mayor Weinberg introduced the
item.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Stern and seconded by
Commissioner Joel.
Mr. Wasson reviewed the recommendation for the re-appointment of the ACES Officer
(Ronald J. Wasson) and the DSAHS Officer (Kimberly Merchant) as outlined in the
memorandum.
No Commission comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) by roll call vote.
8. APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-FIELD WAIVERS FOR ACES: Mayor Weinberg
introduced the item.
A motion for approval was offered by Commissioner Kruss and seconded by
Commissioner Joel.
Mr. Wasson accompanied by Principal Melhuish reviewed the item.
The City Commission discussed the item including looking for teachers who already have
gifted endorsement with the goal not to have waivers.
The following members of the public provided comments: Enid Weisman (former Mayor).
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) by roll call vote.
9. APPROVAL OF SCHOOL CALENDAR AMENDMENT FOR ACES: Mayor
Weinberg introduced the item.
A motion for approval was offered by Vice Mayor Bloom and seconded by Commissioner
Stern.
Mr. Wasson accompanied by Principal Melhuish reviewed the item to alter three full days
to half days.
No Commission comments were provided.
The motion passed unanimously (6-0) by roll call vote.
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Aventura Governing Board Regular Meeting Minutes
Aventura City of Excellence School and Don Soffer Aventura High School
September 21, 2023
10. SCHOOL UPDATES:
• ACES Principal Ana Melhuish: Principal Melhuish provided updates
including the following items: testing, Parent Night, ESAC meeting, monthly professional
development, extracurricular activities, switching electives, and providing Spanish online.
RECESS AND RECONVENE: The meeting was recessed at 11 .15 a.m. for a fire alarm
and reconvened at 11 .44 a.m. There were no changes in the roll call attendance.
• DSAHS Principal Dr. Geoff McKee: Principal Dr. McKee provided updates
including the following: successful volleyball team, the passing of a recent graduate,
enrollment, open house, application for enrollment, cap increase, and enhanced
communication efforts through Dr. Andrea Beck.
Dr. Beck distributed examples of newsletters and reviewed the efforts to increase
communications.
The City Commission discussed the item including the following: impressive volleyball
team, improved communication, expanding varsity sports activities, ways for the City to
honor the memory of the recent graduate who passed (2023 graduate Maria Araujo Muniz
de Souza), and informing the City Commission of similar events in the future.
11. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
13. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Commission as the Governing Board, a motion to adjourn was offered by Vice Mayor
Bloom, seconded by Commissioner Joel, and unanimously approved; thus, adjourning
the meeting at 11 .59 a.m.
` Ellisa L. Horvath, MM ity Clerk
q �.
Approved by the City Commission, acting in its capacity as the Governing Board for ACES
and DSAHS, on January 18, 2024.
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