KIPP Texas board holds training retreat, moves to executive session under state personnel statute

Allison Thacker, chair of the KIPP Texas board of directors, called the board’s training retreat to order at 9:10 a.m. Friday and conducted a roll call. For the record she said, “a quorum is present, and the meeting is being video and audio recorded.” The meeting was made available for the public to view via Zoom, and Thacker reminded viewers that only those who had previously signed up could participate in public comment.

Thacker announced the board would adjourn to executive session "to allow us to begin the all day training," citing Texas Government Code §551.074 as the legal basis for closed deliberations concerning employment, duties, evaluation of employees and training regarding duties of employees and public officers. Zebba Ali, identified in the meeting as chief executive officer, and Jenna Moon, chief of staff, were welcomed by Thacker as KIPP Texas staff participating in the retreat.

The board returned to open session at 1:48 p.m. Thacker thanked members and staff for their time and commitment, saying the day had served as a reminder of “an aligned, passionate leadership and the support that the board can provide the leadership.” With no objections, she adjourned the retreat at 1:49 p.m.

Attendance at the roll call included Jean Austin, Lauren Gore, Keith Hennington, Dolores Lozano, Ethan Phillips, Patricia Ponton, Shawn Raven, McKenzie Richter, Alex Sharma and Darla Whitaker; Peter Borodsky was noted as absent and Claudine Lussier was mentioned as expected to arrive. The meeting record shows the board declared a quorum present and that the session was recorded. No formal votes, ordinance actions, or public comments are recorded in the transcript of this retreat.