Cedars International Academy

Governing Board

Regular Meeting - Thursday February 15th, 2024 @12:00 PM

Meeting Minutes

Attendance Summary

Name Status Arrival Time Departure Time
Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, DMin present member On Time At Adjournment
Sidne Campbell not present member
Dr. Sharon Butler (President) not present chair
Enrique Suarez present member On Time At Adjournment
Michael Blalock, Board President present secretary On Time At Adjournment
Giacomo Leone present member On Time At Adjournment

V. Consent Agenda

A. Financial Report

B. Superintendent Report

C. Expansion and Partnership Report



VI. Discuss and Possible Action Items

A. Discussion and possible revision of items discussed in closed session.

B. Discussion and possible approval of application to expand Charter to add PK3.

C. Discussion and possible approval of application for PK Partnership.

D. Discussion and possible approval of Revision of June 15, 2023 board minutes.

E. Discussion and possible approval of MOU with Stream Realtors.

F. Discussion and possible approval of Corporate Resolution Certification to amend the authorized representatives of the Cedars Investment Accounts.











A. 1. A motion was made to update the local leave policy to clarify that any exempt position would be paid the lowest substitute pay and any non-exempt position would be paid $100 for each day of local leave up to 4 days on the August payroll for each person that returns for the following year.

By: Michael Blalock, Board President Seconded by: Giacomo Leone

Sick leave pool for catastrophic illnesses can accept donation from local leave. Donations to the sick leave pool will not be paid by this change.

A. 2. A motion was made to extend the terms of Dr. Butler, Mr. Blalock and Ms. Campbell for an additional 3 years.

By: Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, DMin Seconded by: Enrique Suarez

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

A motion was made to authorize the Superintendent to request TEA amend the charter to allow for PK3 for the next school year.

By: Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, DMin Seconded by: Michael Blalock, Board President

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

C. A motion was made for the Superintendent to pursue the partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission to assist in funding and sourcing the PK program.

By: Giacomo Leone Seconded by: Enrique Suarez

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

D. A motion was made to amend the June 15, 2023 minutes to show that Mr. Choucair was removed from the Board.

By: Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, DMin Seconded by: Michael Blalock, Board President

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

E. A motion was made to allow the Superintendent to enter into an agreement with Stream Realty for the next year.

By: Enrique Suarez Seconded by: Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, DMin

The agreement has a 30 day notice for cancellation.

F. A motion was made to create a resolution naming Mr. Blalock, Dr. Sparacello and Ms. Bowen as signatories for the Edward Jones account.

By: Enrique Suarez Seconded by: Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, DMin

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

II. CLOSED SESSION

For the purposes of considering matters for which closed sessions are authorized by Title 5, Chapter 551 Texas Government Code Section (.071-.084)



  1. Review of board policy for leave.
  2. Superintendent Evaluation.
  3. Reappointment/Election of board members


I. Call To Order

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Blalock at 12:23 p.m.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:04 pm

Motion to adjourn at 1:04 p. m.

By: Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, DMin Seconded by: Giacomo Leone

There was no notable discussion on the motion.

Notice of Regular Board Meeting

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Cedars International Academy is scheduled for Thursday November 16, 2023 beginning at 12:00 pm at Cedars International Academy, Austin, TX 78753.The meeting may be attended via Zoom by contacting Dr. Leslie Sparacello at 512-419-1551 for meeting information. The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are as listed below. Items do not have to be taken in the order shown on this meeting notice. Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time. As authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code Section 551.001 et seq., the Board during the course of the meeting covered by this notice may enter into closed or executive session to discuss personnel, legal and/or real estate matters.

VII. Upcoming Meeting

a. March 21, 2024 at Cedars International Academy-Crowley Campus via Zoom