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Minutes 05-25-23 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING, HELD ON MAY 25, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M. AT CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS 100 E. OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Dr. Valerie ValCourt, Chair Franky Lazo, Assistant Director Lori Wilkinson, Vice Chair (Arrived 6:10 P.M.) Justin Johnson, Marketing & Outreach Francoise Calixte-Dieuvil Manager Frando Patterson Jessica Wilkinson (Arrived 6:10 P.M.) Katie Houseweart, Alternate ABSENT: Nicolas Giacalone, Alternate Pedro Macedo Nicole Prado Chevette Gadson I. Call to Order Chair Valcourt called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M. II. Pledge of Allegiance The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Roll Call Roll call established a quorum was present. Franky Lazo, Assistant Director, announced that Board Members Nicolas Giacalone and Pedro Macedo requested their absences be excused. Mr. Giacalone was injured and inclement weather precluded Mr. Macedo from attending the meeting. Chair Valcourt and the members congratulated Student Board Member Jessica Wilkinson on her graduation from high school as an International Baccalaureate Student. IV. Approval of Agenda — May 25, 2023 Mr. Lazo stated that he would like to add a discussion about the City Commission Board Appointments and Reappointments as Item B, New Business. Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 25, 2023 V. Approval of Minutes —April 27, 2023 Mr. Patterson moved to approve the minutes with the following changes to page one, to Katie Houseweart's last name and for Ms. Calie_xte-Dieuvil's name on the top of page three. Ms Calixte-Dieuvil seconded the motion. No vote was taken on the motion. VI. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence Mr. Lazo reviewed the activities for Memorial Day and the weekend, and the Haitian Heritage Day at Sara Sims Park. VII. Public Audience Katrina Thomas, Site Director Afterschool Programs, explained that the current school principal at Galaxy Elementary School is moving on and the school district chose a replacement without any community input, which the community is upset about. She added that the same thing happened with Forest Park Elementary School, but that they were able to hold a community meeting, and then someone was appointed. She conveyed that she did not know how much this Board could help. She shared that this was unfortunate because the staff knows what is needed and how to connect to the community and that this situation was not fostering building strong schools. Discussion followed that more parent involvement was needed. Ms. Thomas noted that she was aware that a voting member on the PTO/SAC expressed her concern to the superintendent directly. Mr. Patterson suggested that the PTO/SAC representative attend a Board Meeting. Chair Valcourt explained the normal hiring process for principals in the school district. (Mr. Patterson left the meeting at 6:31 P.M.) A suggestion was made to look up the rules and for the Board to write something to the School District. Ms. Houseweart said that she would draft a letter. Chair Valcourt explained that in other communities, community input is valued and that the action taken by the School District shows that this community is not respected or valued. The members discussed the upcoming School Board meetings. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 25, 2023 Ms. Thomas explained that any support would be appreciated. She said that the parent that is the voting SAC Member had also reached out to the Mayor and City Commission, but she did not know the outcome of the conversation. Dialogue followed that the members can call their Commissioners. Vice Chair Wilkinson suggested that, if going to the City Commission Meeting, they should try to get on the agenda instead of just speaking during Public Audience. Mr. Lazo said that he would have to check with the City Manager to see if they can get on the agenda at this late date. He noted that the next City Commission meeting is June 6th Ms. Thomas gave her contact information. VIII. New Business A. Commission Meeting — Board Presentation Mr. Lazo advised that he placed the City Commission presentation on the agenda for the Board Members to discuss. He commented that the Board can decide which month to make the presentation and that they need to discuss the presentations contents. B. Discussion of Advisory Board Appointments and Reappointments Mr. Lazo announced that the City Clerk has informed him that the Advisory Boards, regarding appointments and reappointments, shall remain as status quo at this time, as they are working on a revised Ordinance. He announced that members have reapplied, but the Board membership will remain unchanged for now. There was brief discussion that members are supposed to stay on the Board past their termination date until they are replaced, and that they are shifting everyone so no one can stay on the Board for a long time. Mr. Lazo pointed out that there have been no advisory board appointments made since April. IX. Old Business A. Fundraising Proposals & Outreach Vice Chair Wilkerson announced that the SunFest event fundraiser went well and it looked like the Board would earn 50% of the proceeds. She noted that several Board Members attended, as well as individuals who were there on the Board's behalf. She noted that about $800 in tips was received over the three days, so they should also receive half of that. She stated that when she learns how much the Board has earned, 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 25, 2023 she will inform the Board. She also apprised the Board that there was a problem with the mail regarding the $5K check from the Sweets Foundation. She recalled that the Sweets Foundation had disbanded and they allotted $5K to the Board and said that they sent the check, which Vice Chair Wilkinson never received. She stated that the Sweets Foundation was going to check with their Treasurer to see if the check was cashed. Chair Valcourt thanked Vice Chair Wilkinson for her guidance with the fundraisers. B. Virtual Meetings (Upcoming Schedule & Past Minutes) Mr. Lazo stated that he did not send the Subcommittee Meeting notices out. He commented that he recently updated the meetings and resent the virtual meeting invitations, but that he noted he got two links from two different members. Chair Valcourt explained that it should be the same link. It was noted that the subcommittee meetings will be held every Thursday at 6 P.M., except for the week of the regular Board meeting. He explained that they have documented meetings from April, but the meeting minutes are still needed. C. Youth Summit Event — Updates Chair Valcourt asked how the members felt about where they stand on the event and how to proceed. Jessica Wilkinson suggested that the Board start advertising the event, and said that she could create an Instagram account and will handle the social media. She commented that it was too late to get a flyer out to the schools. Chair Valcourt stated that they will stick to the plan and that they should think about the event and build on it for next year. Vice Chair Wilkinson commented that she had some people to lead the mental health break-out sessions and that Ms. Gadson knows someone as well. She explained that the people she knows are teachers at Atlantic High School and one teacher is a mental health counsellor now, who has worked with LGBTQ students and the suicide hot line, but he is not a psychiatrist. Chair Valcourt passed the gavel to Vice Chair Wilkinson and left the meeting at 6:42 P.M. Vice Chair Wilkinson explained that the two teachers said they would tag team the sessions and topics could include suicide, depression, bullying and more. Jessica Wilkinson recalled that there were six sessions and members would select four, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 25, 2023 Vice Chair Wilkinson announced that the subcommittee meeting will be next Thursday at 6 P.M. and that they will finalize the sessions. Mr. Lazo offered the Department's help to advertise the event and said that they can create a flyer. He stated that John Durgan will provide informational contacts to serve as vendors. He commented that using the Art and Cultural Center was recommended. D. Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year Award Mr. Lazo stated that the winner of this year's Bob Borovy Award is Jessica Wilkinson. He announced that the winner is selected through an unbiased process and he reviewed who the judges were. He added that scoring is based on a rubrix and that the scoring process is a blind process. He said that this year, seven students applied, but only four qualified and that the award will be made at the June 6t"City Commission Meeting. He requested that Chair Valcourt make the presentation and that a photo of the winner be taken. X. Future Meeting Dates: June 22, 2023 Vice Chair Wilkinson and Jessica Wilkinson advised that they will not be present at this meeting. XI. Adjournment Motion Ms. Calixte-Dieuvil moved to adjourn. Ms. Houseweart seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 P.M. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 5