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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 Meeting Minutes 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 2 MeeUng Minutes 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. Meeting Minutes Education Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September ~.8, 2003 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 Meeting Minutes 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 5 Meeting Minutes 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. 6 Meeting Minutes 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 Meeting Minutes 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) 9