Minutes 09-18-03 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING
HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, 208 SOUTH SEACREST BOULEVARD,
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2003 AT 6:00 P.M.
Present
Bevedy Agee, Chairperson
Jean Cairo, Vice Chair
Lillian Artis (arrived at 6:15p. m.)
Kelly Daniels
Dennis Osborne
Phyllis Pacilli, Alternate
Bhavisha Dhanak, Student
Virginia Farace, Board Liaison
Absent
Dr. Floyd Beil, Alternate
Irene Emmert
Joan Pleasants
I. Pledge
Chairperson Agee called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and led members in the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
II. Roll Call
The Recording Secretary called the roll and declared that a quorum was present.
Chairperson Agee introduced Ms. Bhavisha Dhanak, the new student member of the
Board, who attends Atlantic High School.
II1. Minutes: August 21, 2003
Motion
Mr. Osborne moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. Pacilli and
unanimously carried. Chairperson Agee signed the minutes and they were placed on
file.
IV. Chair's Report
Chairperson Agee distributed the resolution that was prepared at the recent
subcommittee meeting dealing with the Board's opposition to the use of FCAT scores
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Education Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 18, 2003
as a basis for evaluating school performance, awarding monetary bonuses to teachers,
and determining student promotion.
Chairperson Agee announced that the Board gave a presentation to the Commissioners
on Principal for a Day. Chairperson Agee felt that the presentation was well received.
Invitations will be extended, if they have not already been, to the Mayor and
Commissioners to participate.
Chairperson Agee explained the bond referendum that will be on the November 4th
ballot, the proceeds of which will be used to fund four important projects in the City.
2.
3.
4.
Senior Center Expansion and parking lot
Expansion of the Art Center
Construction of the pool at the Wilson Center
Expansion of the City Library
Ms. Farace explained that the design of the new Library would include a redesign of the
entrance into a two-story tower. The young people entering the Library would still be
using the first floor of the existing Library that will be totally remodeled and expanded.
The adults would have a new two-story section.
Ms. Farace would like the Advisory Board to endorse and support the bond referendum
via an official motion. Chairperson Agee, who is a member of the steering committee,
heard a presentation made by staff regarding the bond and she pointed out that the
bond would be a definite benefit and enhancement for education and culture in the City.
Ms. Pacilli was in favor of the referendum and felt that it was a great benefit to the City.
Motion
Ms. Pacilli moved that this Board support a resolution in favor of the bond referendum.
Motion seconded by Mr. Osborne and unanimously carried.
Chairperson Agee noted that as a Board member of the League of Women Voters, they
will be reviewing the bond referendum next week, and she anticipated that they would
also be passing a resolution in support of the bond referendum. After the League of
Women Voters agrees to support the referendum, they will be making presentations to
various communities. Ms. Farace encouraged Board members to assist by going out
into the community to speak or hand out flyers. Anyone wishing to do so should contact
her. They need as many volunteers as possible. Ms. Pacilli offered to help.
V. City Liaison's Report
Ms. Farace reported that she received a letter, copies of which were distributed, from Al
Williams, 1st Vice President of the South Palm Beach Branch of the NAACP. The letter
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Education Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 18, 2003
notes that they will be hosting an Education Forum at the Ezell Hester Community
Center on September 22, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the forum is to educate
parents, concerned citizens, communities and businesses on the critical issues affecting
the children's future in education and to assist parents in taking a proactive approach to
children's education. Ms. Farace said that she would be attending and extended an
invitation to the Board to attend. Vice Chair Cairo, Ms. Artis, Ms. Daniels and Ms. Pacilli
indicated that they would also attend. It was agreed that members would attend as
individuals, even though they are members of the Education Advisory Board.
Ms. Farace announced that she is the facilitator for the Chamber of Commerce
Education Day for their Leadership Program, and she would like to have a
representative present from the EAB to talk about what the Board is doing, and in
particular, about the Principal for a Day Program. This is scheduled for Thursday,
October 16th at 8:30 a.m. in the Library.
Vice Chair Cairo pointed out that she also scheduled the Principal for a Day Breakfast
Meeting on this same day from 8:00 am. to 9:00 a.m. This was the only day that the
Area Supervisors, Principals and the location coordinated.
Vice Chair Cairo did not think it was necessary that all the Board members attend the
Breakfast Meeting. The point of the meeting is to get the principals and the volunteers
together. Ms. Farace suggested that another Board member could attend the Chamber
event and speak about what the Board has been doing. Ms. Farace suggested that Vice
Chair Cairo could attend the Chamber of Commerce event after the breakfast, which
she agreed to do.
Ms. Farace noted that after the Leadership Class concluded at the Library, they would
then go to South Technical High School so that they could be updated on the charter
conversion. Ms. Farace stated that the night before, the application for conversion to a
charter school would be on the School Board's agenda. Also, she anticipated that they
might be stopping at I-TV, which is the new School District's educational channel 19 that
is available on Adelphia Cable. The Leadership Class usually concludes with a wrap-up
panel and she was going to ask if someone from Senator Ron Klein's Office could
attend, since Senator Klein is challenging the voucher system at the State level. Ms.
Farace asked if the members had any other items that they would like to present or
other locations that should be viewed.
Ms. Pacilli noted that the City contributed $100,000 to Congress Middle School and the
School was asked to report on the development of their magnet program. She pointed
out that there is a possibility that the School could lose this program and she felt it was
important that this be brought to the City's attention. Ms. Farace will work with Ms.
Pacilli to arrange for the Leadership Class to attend Congress Middle School and
arrange for lunch sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
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Education Advisory Board
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Ms. Pacilli said that there are issues that she has been asked to bring to the City's
attention regarding Congress Middle School and she felt that this would be a good
opportunity to showcase the School and to present their concerns. Ms. Farace noted
that Congress Middle School has received bad press and that the School is a wonderful
School and has a great deal to offer.
VI. Public Audience
None
VII. FCAT
Chairperson Agee presented the proposed Resolution that was prepared by the
subcommittee. She pointed out that the next Board meeting is October 2nd and asked
members if they would like to review it and bring back their comments and suggestions
to the next meeting. Chairperson Agee felt that Section 4 of the resolution needed
some additional work.
Ms. Daniels commended the subcommittee on putting the Resolution together, but she
felt that it needed some fine-tuning. She felt that the fourth "Whereas" clause needed re-
wording. Chairperson ^gee also had concerns regarding the word "opposition" in the
title of the Resolution. After discussion, it was determined that Ms. Daniels and Ms.
Pacilli would work on the Resolution at a sub-committee meeting to be held at the
Library on Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. They would also contract Ms.
Pleasants to invite her participation.
VIII. Principal for a Day Program
Vice Chair Cairo distributed an invitation from Lakeside Village's open house scheduled
for Tuesday, September 23, 2003 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. She pointed out that
Patrick Carle of Lakeside Village is sponsoring the Principal for a Day Breakfast and he
is interested in hosting other events at their facility.
Vice Chair Cairo announced that she received a commitment from Kenneth E. Gary,
President and CEO of The'Gary Foundation, to participate in Principal for a Day. Most
people that have indicated that they would like to participate have a school preference.
After Vice Chair Cairo has an opportunity to prepare a list of participants and schools,
she will bring it to the Board.
To date the following people have indicated their participation:
Jack Marcus, Director of Operations of Better Way Credit Counseling
Robert Beal, Big Time Restaurant Group
Todd Shurat, Executive Director of the Boynton Beach YMCA
Dr. James Weege, Veterinarian, Colonial Animal Hospital
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Education Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 18, 2003
Kenneth Gary, President & CEO of The Gary Foundation
Doug Dennison, Real Estate Broker
Roger McNamara, Director of American Express for the Southern Region
Penny Greeley, Owner of Southern Dance Theater*
Patrick Carle, Community Relations Manager, Lakeside Village
Larry Taylor, Owner of South Florida Magic Company
Gene Beach, Managing Partner of Glory Days Grill
Rick Lewis, World Mortgage Company
Agnes Hollingshead, Attorney
Larry Trask
Lini Bobrick, BJ's Wholesale Club
*Ms. Greeley has offered to start a program by offering free dance lessons to students
who raise their grades.
Vice Chair Cairo said that she was still waiting to hear from Nancy Graham, to whom
she extended an invitation.
Ms. Artis recommended that Vice Chair Cairo contact County Commissioner Addle
Greene. Ms. Farace pointed out that it had been determined that any political person
would be invited to the town meeting, but not as a participant in Principal for a Day.
Ms. Daniels noted that the Manager of the Publix Store at Woolbright and Federal, Todd
Walker, received a community service award from Publix for all the work he did at
Carver Middle School. She suggested that he be contacted.
Mr. Osborne suggested inviting someone from Bethesda Hospital. Vice Chair Cairo said
that she has contacted someone at the Hospital, who indicated that they would get back
with her. Ms. Daniels said that she would follow through on this.
Members discussed various persons that could be contacted to determine if they would
like to participate in the program.
Ms. Osborne commended Vice Chair Cairo on doing a wonderful job considering this is
the first year that the Board is sponsoring the program.
Vice Chair Cairo next reported on the items that she has received to date for the gift bag
that will be presented to the participants. She requested that members bring an item for
17 people to the next meeting.
· $10 gift certificates from Legal Seafood
· A commitment from Princess Cruise Line. Vice Chair Cairo was not certain
what they would be sending
· Coupons from Chick-FiI-A
· Dance Lessons from Southern Dance
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Education Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 18, 2003
Vice Chair Cairo stated that she needs merchandise for the gift bags and asked
members for their input. She noted that retailers could attach their business card or
logo to any gifts they donated.
Vice Chair Cairo will be meeting with Judy Garcia, who is in charge of the School
District's I-TV, on Tuesday and Ms. Garcia would like to be involved in the program. As
previously reported, the staff at South Technical is designing the program and a poster.
Instasign in Delray Beach has committed to printing the posters. Vice Chair Cairo will be
speaking with various people who have indicated that they want to help to underwrite
the printing of the posters.
Vice Chair Cairo next reported on the Breakfast Meeting scheduled for October 16th at
8:00 a.m. at Lakeside Village. Because there are two District Supervisors that had to
coordinate their schedules, this was the only time available where Mr. Montgomery and
Ms. Shetler could attend. She pointed out that it was not necessary for all Board
members to attend, because the participants would be meeting with their principals.
Vice Chair Cairo felt that as far as the Board's participation was concerned, the Board
would provide introductions and assist in any way possible.
Vice Chair Cairo reported that she has not been successful in coordinating the date for
the town meeting with the High School. Ms. Farace suggested that the town meeting
could be held in the Commission Chambers. Ms. Farace asked the Recording Secretary
to request that the Clerk's Office reserve the Chambers for Thursday, November 13,
2003 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for the Town Meeting. Vice Chair Cairo said
that she has also received a commitment for lunch and refreshments that will be
brought to wherever the meeting takes place. (The Chambers have been reserved as
requested by Ms. Farace.)
Chairperson Agee would like to have four showcase schools for the media: South
Technical, Congress Middle School, Boynton Beach High School and one elementary
school, either Rolling Green, Forest Park or Galaxy.
Chairperson Agee asked what the Board members' role would be during Principal for a
Day. Vice Chair Cairo would like to have an ambassador at every school. Ms. Pacilli
recommended asking the SAC chairs. Vice Chair Cairo said that she would add this to
the agenda for the breakfast meeting to be discussed with the principals. Ms. Farace felt
that the schools would have someone available to assist them, and it is the Board that
needs to have helpers at the schools for the businesspeople.
Chairperson Agee suggested asking the Children and Youth Board to act as
ambassadors since their Board also focuses on youth. Chairperson Agee will contact
the Children and Youth Board Liaison and arrange to be placed on the agenda for their
Thursday, September 25th meeting.
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Education Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 18, 2003
Ms. Pacilli inquired if Christa McAuliffe would be one of the participating schools and
members were not certain because of the redrawn boundaries. Vice Chair Cairo will
check on this. Ms. Pacilli suggested that the role that the Children and Youth Board will
play needs to be defined before Chairperson Agee speaks to that Board.
IX. Boundary Update
Ms. Farace reported that there were two public hearings on the High School
boundaries. The first meeting was held at the West Boynton Community Center and
was very well attended. Chairperson Agee spoke at the hearing in support of our local
schools. Also a great many parents from the Indian Wells community spoke, who
wanted their children to attend the new western high school, and the boundary
committee decided to include those students. A second hearing was held Monday,
September 15th at Boynton Beach High School. The Santaluces High School parents
and students were very distressed that they had to move to the new school because of
the wonderful band program offered at Santaluces, since many of these students were
planning music careers.
The SAC committee noted that Santaluces is not a magnet school and that they will be
receiving three SAC's from Lake Worth High School. Boynton Beach High School also
is not a magnet school and has no special programs, which draws away top achieving
students. With the change of the Indian Wells students to the new western high school,
this takes away an additional 82 economically advantaged students from Boynton
Beach High School. Boynton Beach and Santaluces High School are attempting to get
approval to start special programs, but this will take time. Ms. Farace pointed out that all
new high schools will offer career academies and no new programs can be added to
existing schools until the new high schools are built.
Ms. Farace reported on the second boundary issue that dealt with a new Lake Worth
middle school going up west of Lantana and part of one SAC in Boynton Beach from
Woodlands will be going to that new middle school. The SAC is south of Hypoluxo, west
of Congress, the Meadows and the development west of Lawrence Road. There were
over 300 parents at this meeting that were adamant about not wanting their children to
attend Congress Middle School.
Ms. Farace pointed out that the remarks these parents made about Congress Middle
School were not true, but she could not comment because of her position on the
committee. She noted that the Palm Beach Post has done nothing but print negative
articles about the school, tarnishing the school's reputation. Ms. Farace pointed out that
it was important that the reputation of Congress Middle School be improved and people
are properly informed on the good things that this school has to offer.
Ms. Pacilli stated that this was something she was going to speak about at tonight's
meeting at the request of the Congress Middle School SAC. They would like help in
getting better publicity for the school. She noted that on numerous occasions they have
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Education Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 18, 2003
called the Post with positive articles and they have refused to put them in the paper.
She pointed out that the students of Congress Middle School won first, second and third
place in the first chess tournament held at Poinciana School and there was not one
article or picture in the papers. What happened at the Boundary Committee Meeting
regarding the SAC has a ripple affect upon the morale of the entire school and this is
very important in order to keep good teachers at the school and to attract good students
to the school's magnet program.
Vice Chair Cairo questioned why the School District did not do something to rectify this
situation. She was informed that the School District's Public Relations Department is
now down to one person. Vice Chair Cairo said that she would speak with Judy Garcia
about doing something for Congress Middle School. Ms. Farace also pointed out that
this poor publicity is hurting the community as a whole.
Chairperson Agee felt that Principal for a Day would be a good time to start helping
Congress Middle School. She recommended that after Principal for a Day is over, the
Board could focus more on helping Congress Middle School.
Ms. Daniels suggested that the Board contact Gary Fishman, who heads an
organization that focuses on positive publicity for schools. She felt that he could help
since he did a lot of positive things for Carver Middle School. Also, Ms. Daniels noted
that there is a newsletter put out by the School District that focuses on magnet
programs in the schools. Congress Middle School has never been in this paper and felt
that they need to be included. Ms. Pacilli stated that they had applied several times last
year, but were passed over.
Chairperson Agee suggested holding another Principals Forum where principals can
come and speak on their needs and concerns, as had been done in the past. Vice
Chair Cairo pointed out that the reason for holding Principal for a Day was to focus on
the City's schools. Ms. Pacilli stated that only the Boynton Times writes positive articles
about the City schools.
Members suggested having Congress Middle School recognized by the City
Commission. Ms. Pacilli offered to prepare a resolution setting forth all the positive
things that the school did last year and to ask the City to formally recognize the school.
Chairperson Agee recommended that after the Commission adopts the resolution, it be
sent to the School Board.
Ms. Artis pointed out that at every Commission meeting there is a different minister that
offers the invocation. She thought it would be a good idea to recognize a different
school at each meeting, beginning with Congress Middle School. Also, Ms. Artis
recommended that a student from a different school could lead the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag at every Commission meeting. Ms. Farace pointed out that this would have
to be discussed with City staff before it could be initiated. Mr. Farace noted that they
need a plan on how to bring this to fruition.
Meeting Minutes
Education Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
September 18, 2003
Ms. Pacilli said that she would prepare a sample letter with a list of schools and bring it
to the next meeting. Members felt that a three-minute presentation would be
appropriate. Ms. Pacilli requested that Vice Chair Cairo e-mail a list of schools to her at
.Pacilli~.Dalmbeach.k12.fl.us.
Ms. Farace pointed out the difference between presenting the school with a resolution
and the school itself presenting its list of accomplishments. She explained that a
resolution would require an agenda item that generates a lot of paperwork. Therefore,
Ms. Farace suggested that any plan that the Board comes up with should not be labor
intensive in paperwork.
Ms. Agee pointed out the dangers of trying to do too much at one time and suggested
that the Board concentrate on Principal for a Day and then deal with this issue.
Chairperson Agee also suggested that the EAB could make a presentation to the City
Commission on behalf of Congress Middle School informing the City what a wonderful
school it is.
SAC Reports (in writing if possible)
Unfinished Business
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 2002 at 6:00 P.M.
There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara M. Madden
Recording Secretary
(two tapes)
Approved:
Chairperson
(September 22, 2003)
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