Minutes 06-01-00 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
HELD IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
ON THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2000 AT 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT
Dawn Russell, Chairperson
Ron Ehster
Aly Gore, Student
Michael Hazlett
Revia Lee
ALSO PRESENT
David Fellows, former Board Member
ABSENT
Diana Tedtmann
I. GREETINGS
ALSO PRESENT
Virginia Farace, Education Advisory
Board Liaison
IV.
None
V.
MINUTES APPROVAL
CHAIR'S REPORT
A. Board Appointments
Chairperson Russell called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Chairperson
Russell.
III, ROLL CALL
The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was present.
Chairperson Russell introduced and welcomed the new student member on the
Board, Ms. Aly Gore.
MEETING MINUTES
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JUNE 1, 2000
Chairperson Russell announced the following:
· There are several openings on the Board, including two regular, two
alternates and one student member.
Donations in memory of Barry Brunow can be made to the First Union Bank.
The State will be paying half his salary to the family and the County will be
paying the other half. Chairperson Russell said that something has to be
done about gun control to prevent all this unnecessary tragedy that places
teachers in such vulnerable positions.
Thirteen teachers at Forest Park School have placed their names on the
transfer list because they were told that if they remained at an F School and if
the school remained an F School the following year, a reduction in salary was
possible. Mr. Fellows was under the impression that it was 26 vacancies at
the school and that half were staff.
· The FCAT scores should be available on June 19~.
· There will be an estimated shortage of 23,000 teachers in Florida over the
next ten years.
· Florida's teachers' salaries are $7,000 lower than the lowest southeastern
state, which is Georgia.
· The SIP presentations were a great success.
· The next Principal at Galaxy Elementary School is Kathy Harris.
· Christa McAuliffe was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award.
At Atlantic High School, over 94% of their ivy students received their
diploma, which was the highest percentage of grades in the world and
Newsweek Magazine listed Atlantic High School as one of the best schools
in the United States.
She has received more information from the National Education Goal's
Report, which will be available in the Library. This can be accessed on the
Internet at www.negp.gov.
VI. CITY LIAISON REPORT
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MEETING MINUTES '-
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JUNE 1,2000
A. Christa McAuliffe Award
Ms. Farace distributed a congratulatory card for members to view, which she
plans on sending to the Christa McAuliffe School.
Ms. Lee pointed out that representatives from the School would be visiting
Washington, D.C. sometime in September.
B. COBWRA Education Advisory Board
Ms. Farace referred to a recent newspaper article stating that COBWRA was
requesting its own Education Advisory Board and distributed a copy of the article
to the members.
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Alternative to Suspension Program
Mr. Fellows reported that he went to Clearwater with representatives from South
County Mental Health, Mr. Dave Benson from Safe Schools, Ms. Diane Curtis
from Alternative Education and representatives from Juvenile Justice. Mr.
Fellows gave a brief overview of his visit to Clearwater.
Mr. Fellows reported that Largo Middle School, which introduced the Alternative
to Suspension Program this year, had its suspension rate drop 77%. Tarpon
Springs, which also had the program for the first time this year, experienced a
reduction in suspension of 66%. Mr. Fellows felt that the trip had been both
worthwhile and very impressive. There is a possibility that the Juvenile Justice
Department may also be committing funds to additional OCIP Programs. If the
program were introduced to other schools in this County, the individual schools
would have to come up with their own teacher. A teacher and a classroom have
been designated for the Christa McAuliffe School.
Ms. Farace felt that Carver Middle School would be a good addition to the OCIP
Program and would greatly benefit from it. Mr. Fellows noted that last year
Carver Middle School suspended 22% or 343 students last year. Lantana Middle
School dropped from 31% in 1998 to 17% in 1999. Lake Worth Middle School in
1997 suspended 23%, in 1998 suspended 23% and last year suspended 25%,
which was the highest in the County for student suspensions. Mr. Fellows felt
that if the OCIP Program had been in place, that particular student would not
have been sent home, unsupervised and on suspension, but instead would have
been referred to the program to finish up the school day.
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MEETING MINUTES -
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JUNE 1,2000
Mr. Fellows pointed out that Boynton Beach is the first municipality to commit
funds to the OCIP Program and all this happened as a result of the Education
Advisory Board's involvement.
Mr. Hazlett inquired why Mr. Fellows could no longer serve on the Board and Mr.
Fellows stated that a seven-page letter from the State Ethics Committee was
received after he went to the City Attorney regarding his involw;ment with the
OClP Program. To sum up the letter, it suggested the best thing would be for Mr.
Fellows to resign from the Board.
Mr. Fellows informed the Board that he would continue to report on the progress
of the Program in order to keep the Board up-to-date. Mr. Fellows also reminded
the Board that it had discussed getting this information to the School Board
members, which has not been done as yet. Mr. Fellows pointed out that there
are 10 Middle Schools in the County that exceed the County's suspension
average and last year accounted for 54.4% of the total suspensions for Middle
Schools. Last year between the Middle and High Schools over 12,000 students
were suspended at least once.
Mr. Fellows feels that the School Board is totally unaware of these figures and
depends upon the School District to supply the right information so that they can
make decisions. Ms. Farace felt that suspensions were a high priority a few
years ago and the School Board was aware that suspensions needed to be
reduced. Ms. Farace did not think by presenting the Program and the
suspension figures at a School Board meeting would have any impact and that it
would be better to meet with each Board Member on an individual basis.
Ms. Lee pointed out that the discipline referral forms are being revised to supply
the necessary information to keep the School District informed and the School
Board is aware of this. Discussion ensued on how to approach the School Board
members. Mr. Hazlett suggested speaking with Board Member Tom Lynch first.
Ms. Lee suggested inviting a Board Member to a forum with all the EAB
members present.
Mr. Ehster noted when they attended the joint Board meeting with the EAB
boards from Boca Raton and Delay Beach, the boards indicated that they would
like to do this on a quarterly basis. Mr. Ehster suggested inviting a School Board
member to attend a quarterly meeting with the three cities present. Ms. Farace
suggested inviting Tom Lynch and Art Johnson to attend. Ms, Farace said this
would be allowed because the meeting would have to be public noticed and if the
Board wished, all the School Board members could be invited.
Discussion ensued on how much time would be necessary to make preparations
to schedule a three Board meeting with School Board members. Ms. Farace
noted that invitations would have to be prepared and sent out. Mr. Fellows
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MEETING MINUTES
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JUNE 1, 2000
thought this would be a good way to kick off the school year. Members next
discussed what should be included in the presentation and whether the various
schools should be present to discuss what is taking place at their schools. Mr.
Fellows also suggested that he would try to arrange to have the principal from
Clearwater High School and a School Board Member from Pinellas County
attend. Mr. Fellows suggested before holding the meeting with the School Board
Members, that he make an individual presentation to each EAB and the Chamber
of Commerce Education Boards to afford those Boards an opportunity to invite
individuals that they would like included. Mr. Fellows also suggested inviting
Riviera Beach.
Mr. Hazlett stated that he would work with Mr. Fellows on the Delray Beach EAB
to determine if they could be placed on their agenda. Mr. Ehster agreed to
contact the Boca Raton EAB to make the necessary arrangements. Mr. Hazlett
and Mr. Ehster will report back their findings at the next Board meeting.
B. Raising Test Scores/Parental Involvement - Russell, Tedtmann
Chairperson Russell reported that they are waiting for the FCAT scores. Also, a
great many schools are offering tutoring and/or parent night, but this area still
needs to be worked on.
C. "Gathering Storm" Issues - Mitchell
Ms. Farace noted that Mr. Mitchell had been appointed to another board, but he
would really like to be reappointed to this Board and is trying to get himself
appointed to this Board.
Mr. Fellows stated that a meeting took place about one month ago and an
education professional from California was brought in and the Gathering Storm is
now looking at suspensions.
D. Legislative Issues
Chairperson Russell reported that the State is giving an additional $1Billion for
schools and the schools will be held accountable for these funds and will be
required to submit a report on how the money is spent.
E. SIP Presentation - Hazlett
Previously discussed.
F. Principals' Roundtable- Lee
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MEETING MINUTES -
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JUNE 1, 2000
Ms. Lee stated that the primary areas that will be concentrated upon would be
suspension and discipline, as a result of what happened last Friday. Ms. Lee
said she would like to meet with Ms. Farace to work up a plan. Ms. Lee further
stated that these problems are not just in middle schools, but are also in the
elementary schools as well. A date for the presentation must be determined,
which could probably be in September or October.
G. Forest Park - Ehster
Mr. Ehster reported that Forest Park received three grants that were in the
$100,000 to $300,000 range. Because the school is an F school, they are
effective in receiving grants. Mr. Ehster also pointed out that all the schools in
Boynton Beach, except for Citrus Cove, are D schools and these schools need
attention. Mr. Ehster reported on his meeting last week on grants and noted that
nothing significant came out of this meeting. He would like this Board to have a
meeting in July to go over the FCAT scores.
H. SAC Representatives
No reports
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Suspensions
Previously discussed.
Mr. Fellows presented a copy of an article that appeared in Parade Magazine on
a program for elementary schools on self-control. The program helps children
develop a positive attitude, self-control and confidence, responsibility, and
problem solving and cooperation. After reading the article, Mr. Fellows sent away
for the literature and tape and discussed the program with Principal Powell at
Forest Park Elementary School. The Board viewed the video called "Lesson
One".
After viewing the video, members discussed its benefits and how it could be
introduced into the local schools in Boynton Beach. Mr. Fellows said that there
are some costs associated with the program. Chairperson Russell said that this
could be presented to the principals at another roundtable after the costs have
been determined. Mr. Hazlett will check into the cost of the program and report
back to the Board.
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MEETING MINUTES
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JUNE 1, 2000
B. Planning Session - Saturday, August 5th
Ms. Fa~race noted that the Board commonly holds its planning session in August.
Also, Ms. Farace noted that the next board meeting is scheduled for July 6th and
asked members if they still wanted to hold the July meeting. Ms. Farace said she
would be on vacation the first two weeks in July. Chairperson Russell also would
not be present for the July meeting and questioned if a quorum could be attained.
After much discussion, it was determined to cancel the regularly scheduled
meeting for July 6th and to hold the regularly scheduled August 3rd meeting.
XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Regular Board Meeting: August 3, 2000 @ 6:00 P.M.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Thera being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara M. Madden
Recording Secretary
(Two tapes)
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