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Minutes 05-24-01 MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH MEETING, HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Shanna St. John, Chairperson Mary Morera Welton Sanders, Alternate Lori Wilkinson Wally Majors, Recreation Director ABSENT Dorothy Davis Evelyn Geathers Hattie Miller Steve Waldman, Vice Chair Spencer Calder, Student I. Call to Order Chairperson St. John called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. I1. Moment of Silent Prayer - Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson St. John asked members to observe a moment of silent prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Ms. Lori Wilkinson. II1. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Ms. Morera, and unanimously carried. IV. Approval of Minutes of April 26, 2001 Motion Ms. Morera moved to approve the minutes of the April 26, 2001 meeting, seconded by Mr. Sanders and unanimously carried. Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2001 V. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence A. Dr. Walter Cornnell, Principal, Boynton Beach High School Chairperson St. John introduced Dr. Cornnell, the Principal of the new Boynton Beach High School and thanked him for coming to the meeting tonight. Chairperson St. John asked Dr. Cornnell to address the members and the audience. Dr. Cornnell spoke on the challenges and pleasures of opening a new high school in a City that has been without a high school for 52 years. Dr. Cornnell stated that he interviewed every candidate coming to the school and informed them that the first issues of priority are dignity, respect and personal responsibility. Dr. Cornnell stated they are trying to establish a strong academic base, an opportunity for students to express their athletic, music, and artistic talents and to include opportunities for career development. He complimented Boynton Beach on being a City that is forward thinking and cares enough about its youth to have an Advisory Board devoted to students and young people. It is nice to know that people in the City care about the evolution of the City to meet the needs of its citizens, both economically and intellectually. Ms. Wilkinson asked about the types of special education that would be offered at the new high school. Dr. Cornnell anticipates that the school will have approximately 500 students in the English for Speakers of Other Languages and there will be approximately 300 Special Education Students. There will be many students in the gifted program and they will have other programs that would run the full range of programs currently being offered at other schools in the County. Chairperson St. John inquired about the boundaries of the school and Dr. Cornnell said the last boundaries adopted were from the Atlantic Ocean to the Loxahatchee Reserve out west. The southernmost boundary is the L-28 Canal (Golf Road) and the northern boundary in general had been Miner Road, but some pieces at Military Trail have been cut out, which are SAC areas 243, 244 and 245. Those areas are now assigned to Santaluces High School. Also, east of 1-95 at Gateway Boulevard, a large segment that goes out to Hypoluxo to the Intracoastal is also included in the new boundaries. Chairperson St. John asked if any magnet programs would be offered? His response was that at this point in time the school has not been funded as a magnet school and will be a regular full program high school. Dr. Cornnell felt that the school could offer a program that would meet the needs of engineering and technology students. It would be a logical step for children that attended the Poinciana School to go onto the Congress Magnet and then to the new high 2 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2001 school. Also, currently being looked at would be a program of study that would include marine, engineering and environmental science. Chairperson St. John also asked if there would be any type of mentoring programs between the students at the high school level and the middle school level? Dr. Cornnell stated they intend to have mentodng programs, but they would not be limited to high school, middle schools and elementary schools. Partnerships with certain industries are also being established to work with the students. Also, the Chamber of Commerce has been contacted to determine if there are interested adults who would also like to become mentors to high school students. Mr. Sanders asked what type of community involvement is planned? Mr. Cornnell said they have spoken to several churches and the City's Parks and Recreation Department in bringing the U.S. Army Blues Band to the City. It is intended to involve the community in the theater at the school. Students will be given credit for becoming involved in community programs and projects. Mr. Sanders asked how the School would try to instill a positive attitude towards school with the students who today seem to have a negative outlook toward school and the desire to attend school is lacking. Dr. Cornell discussed motivation and disassociation with the school since students up until this point have not had their own school. Also, he said that they intend to work with church groups and civic groups that interact with children to let the children know that people care about them. Dr. Cornell said this is a new beginning for everyone and if a student has been labeled as a problem, this is an opportunity for a re- birth for those students. Chairperson St. John asked about the student/teacher ratio and the number of guidance counselors. Dr. Cornnell explained the formula applied for determining the student/teacher ratio, which comes to a 31.5 to 1 ratio in a perfect environment, However, because there are seven periods in a class day and teachers only teach five periods per day. In realty, there would be closer to 35 to 37 students in a class. However, there will be many classes that will have a much lower ratio. The Guidance Department will have seven guidance counselors, plus two bi-lingual counselors. Chairperson St. John thanked Dr. Cornnell for taking the time from his busy schedule to attend tonight's meeting. Chairperson St. John introduced the people that were present in the audience as part of the Leadership Boynton Program through the Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Wally Majors. 3 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2001 VI. New Business A. Election of Officers Chairperson St. John recommended tabling the election of officers until the full Board was present. Motion Ms. Morera mOved to table the election of officers until the June meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Wilkinson and unanimously carried. B. City Involvement with Programs Chairperson St. John requested that this be placed on tonight's agenda. She pointed out that there are two programs that are mostly self-sufficient, which came from the Visions 20/20 recommendations. However, more manpower is needed to run them efficiently. One is the Youth Volunteer Bank and the other is the Youth Expo. Chairperson St. John said that she had spoken to Ms. Claude and Mr. Majors and has suggested a partnership with the Leisure Services Department where they would take over the logistics of the programs, but the Board would remain in an advisory and fundraising capacity. Mr. Majors felt it was a good idea that these activities be turned over to the Recreation Department. He would like to see at some point all the youth activities and programs administered by one person. Mr. Majors felt this would be a smooth transition and should result in the programs continuing without interruption with assistance from this Board. Ms. Wilkinson felt that with more manpower these programs would be better than they ever were. Mr. Majors anticipates this transition taking place during fiscal year 2002-2003. Mr. Majors pointed out that Ms. Claude has done a tremendous amount of work with these programs and is very familiar with their needs. Chairperson St. John explained the intent and purpose of the Youth Volunteer Bank and Youth Expo to the audience. She felt it was important that more students learn of these programs in order to increase participation. VII. Old Business Youth Volunteer Bank Banquet - May 26, 2001 6 p.m,- 10 p.m. it was reported that Ms. Claude' is working on the program and preparing the certificates. To date, more than 3,500 hours have been turned in. Double credit is given for neighborhood improvement programs. 4 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2001 Chairperson St. John asked if any member had any more in-kind donations? Ms. Wilkinson said she had not received anything as yet from East/West Karate, but anticipates that they will be giving something. Also, Ms. Morera said that Home Depot still had not gotten back to her. Chairperson St. John suggested that if either of these entities contribute, it would be announced at the Banquet. Chairperson St. John stated that the Volunteer Bank was short of funds, but she spoke with Mayor Broening and he is donating $1,100, which was left from his campaign fund. Ms. Wilkinson stated she spoke with everyone who ran in last year's election to raise additional funds and Mayor Broening was generous in contributing $1,100. Ms. Wilkinson reported that last year the DJ cost $300 for five hours work. This year's cost will also be $300, but it is-only for four hours. However, last year's Banquet was on a Friday and this year it is on Saturday and the cost is more for that day. Chairperson St. John reported that someone would be supplying the balloons and requested that members meet at the Civic Center at noon to set up and then return at 5:00 p.m. for the Banquet. The food must be picked up at 6:00 p.m. The food has been provided for and volunteers will be needed to serve the food. D. Bob Borovy Award Discussion took place regarding changing the award from a $1,000 bond to $700 cash which was voted upon at the April meeting. Ms. Morera stated that this needs to be changed because the award has already been publicized as a $1,000 bond. Also, Ms. Morera inquired if the other three winners would also receive savings bonds, which was done last year. After discussion, members decided to award the other three winners $250 savings bonds. Rebecca Wierenga, who attends Lake Worth Christian School, was the winner of the Bob Borovy Award. Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to revoke the motion making the Bob Borovy Award a cash award that was voted at the last meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Sanders and unanimously carried. 5 Meeting Minutes Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2001 Motion Mr. Sanders moved to give a $1,000 savings bond to the winner of the Bob Borovy Award and a $250 savings bonds to the runner-ups. Motion seconded by Ms. Morera and unanimously carried. Bowling Tournament- Sunday, July 15, 2001 - 2:00 P.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chairperson St. John noted that the Bowling Tournament would be held at the AMF Lanes on Sunday, July 15th at 2:00 p.m. Ms. Morera said that she would prepare a flyer and the Board will ask Vice Chair Waldman for an update at the next meeting. F. Volunteer Project Chairperson St. John announced that sufficient funds have been received for the project. Commissioner Fisher contributed $1,500 and the Audubon Foundation gave a $500 grant, which has already been received. She has spoken to the Park's Department and the project can be placed on the property that the City manages at the Rolling Green School. Members noted that they have not been successful in contacting the Principal of the School and that Ms. Davis was going to try to contact Jody Gleason of the School Board. Chairperson St. John explained to the audience the types of projects that the Board has been involved in. This year the Board will be doing a project at the Rolling Green School and a garden with landscaping will be planted at the end of the ball field. Ms. Wilkinson noted that some members of the Community Relations Board have expressed an interest in participating as well. Ms. Wilkinson announced that a service would be held on Tuesday, May 26th at Caloosa Park at 3:00 p.m. for Zeus, who was a member of the Police Department's K-9 force, who died in the line of duty. (Ms. Wilkinson/eff the meeting at 8:15 p.m.) G. Teen Center There have been no meetings held the past couple of months. Mr. Majors explained that he and Chairperson St. John are members of a committee established .to determine what the City would like to do over the next three to five years about a Teen Center. Mr. Majors felt there would be more of a possibility of a Teen Center coming to fruition if the facility would be more multi-faceted and could be used for other purposes. One site being considered is the property 6 Meeting Minutes ~ Advisory Board on Children & Youth Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2001 located in the south of the City, near the Tennis Center on Congress Avenue. This is the same area being considered for a temporary site for a dog park. Mr. Majors pointed out that this location would be beneficial since it is located near three Middle Schools and is also on a Palm Tran Route and Caloosa Park is across the street. Mr. Majors stated that the committee meets the last Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. and there is a meeting on Wednesday, May 27th. ChairperSon St. John spoke about the wonderful response that was received when a survey was sent out with the water bills regarding a Teen Center and how most residents were in favor of establishing a Center. Also, many people expressed an interest on serving on a task force. H. Youth Expo Chairperson St. John felt that it was time to contact the sponsors of the last Youth Expo to determine if they want to assert their right of first refusal. The sponsors last year were the Palm Beach Post, Hunter's Run and Washington Mutual Bank. She will speak with Ms. Claude about preparing a letter. H. Other Ms. Morera reported that she attended the Boynton Beach Charter School Meeting and they would like to come before the Board and speak again, if the Board so wishes. They would like the Board to coordinate a new project to landscape the new school when they get a location. Ms. Morera will arrange for them to speak at the June meeting. VIII. Next Meeting: June 28, 2001 IX. AdjoUrnment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 7