Minutes 01-25-07
MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION &. YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL,
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 25,2007 AT 7:00 P.M.
Present:
Stephen Waldman, Chair
Susan Buchanan
Pamela Camel
Robert Chiste
Alyssa Ewing
Christine Hogenkamp
Mary Morera
Loretta Wilkinson
Sherri Claude
City Employee Representative
Absent:
Hattie Miller
I. Call to Order
Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection
Ms. Hogenkamp led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of
silence for our troops overseas and the passing of Vice Mayor Robert Ensler.
III. Approval of Minutes of November 30, 2006
There was one correction to the minutes on page four under Old Business, first
paragraph, sixth line; the name Swopes was changed to Swotes.
Motion
Ms. Buchanan moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Chiste seconded the
motion that unanimously passed.
IV. Approval of Agenda
Chair Waldman added Item B, Fundraising to Old Business.
Motion
Ms. Buchanan moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Morera seconded the motion that
unanimously passed.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 25, 2007
V. Announcements/ Presentations/ Correspondence
A. Kathleen Perry, Principal, Boynton Beach Community High School
Chair Waldman introduced Kathleen Perry, Principal of Boynton Beach Community High
School.
Kathleen Perry thanked the board and gave an update of activities at the high school.
She reported the high school was posed for change. Part of the change had to do with
the culture of the school and one of working toward higher achievement and improving
their image through raising standards.
Beginning in August 2007, Boynton Beach Community High School will be the home of
an Aeronautical Science Academy, in partnership with Embry Riddle University in
Daytona Beach. The program in Boynton Beach would be the sixth Embry Riddle
program instituted and students completing the program could accrue up to 36 college
credits in the aeronautical/aviation field. Ms. Perry announced Embry Riddle tuition runs
about $1,000 per credit hour so the program has the potential to provide a tuition
savings of up to $36K. Additionally students completing the program would receive
admission status to Embry Riddle or if the students opted to, they could transfer the
credits to other colleges or universities. A major recruitment and marketing effort for
the program would be commencing in mid-February of 2007. The program was recently
approved by the School Board and the program would be offered as a magnet or choice
program in the County taught by Embry Riddle professors.
Ms. Perry explained the high school was a performing arts academy, which was a choice
program and they have been very successful with their vocal/choral academy. The
Dimensional Harmony group recently participated in a workshop for music educators.
She noted the director has been able to recruit more young men into the program than
any other choral program in the state. As a result, the educators wanted the opportunity
to hear the group. Over 200 educators attended the workshop, and the group has been
invited to perform again.
Ms. Perry reported the State anticipated the school to be an F school by the end of the
year. The school had put in place a program that was focused and strategic on
improving test scores on diagnostic tests, such as SSS, which was like a practice FCAT.
So far the scores were looking very good. She explained historically, scores for reading
achievement had been flat, but now are moving upward. Math had been an area that
held up the school, but they expect it to be a positive area this year.
The school instituted a Science Ambassadors Club, which was an afterschool and
extracurricular program. The top 200 science students participate in the club. In
December 2006, the student participated in the South Florida Fair program on DNA.
According to the science museum, they had more students attend than any other school
and a special session is being held in recognition of the fact that so many students from
Boynton Beach participated. Ms. Perry emphasized this was an afterschool activity that
would make a tremendous difference in how they performed on the science portion of
the FCA T.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 25, 2007
There was an impression there were gangs and violence in the school. Ms. Perry
clarified that was not what she found. She explained she found men and women who
were respectful, who followed rules, and wanted to learn. She explained because of
highly published incidents, such as something happening after a show or a game that
had to involve police, those incidents became associated with the high school. She
apprised the board those incidents did not involve the students; rather they were
spectators that got out of hand. Ms. Perry did not deny incidents occurred; however,
she reported students were not afraid to go to class.
Ms. Perry informed the board members she was a disciplinarian. She did not allow
excuses for poor or bad behavior. She believed in consequences and teaching. This year
they implemented a dress code. The school felt the way the students were dressing had
a cultural influence with an emphasis on drugs. The dress code did not allow polo shirts
with logos, only a collared shirt and solid colored pants with a belt. There was too much
focus on appearance as opposed to academics.
Finally, Ms. Perry praised the teachers at the school and noted they were very dedicated
and capable of getting the students to achieve. She indicated the community needed to
embrace the school, and the school needed to get out there and share with the public
what is happening. She announced the Science Department would be at the beach with
telescopes for the upcoming lunar eclipse. This was something the public could attend
and it was a good way to change their image.
Ms. Perry reported she was open-minded. All her decisions were based on how they
would impact the students learning and the school. She espoused using opportunities
and turning them into teaching moments. All students are entitled to a good education
and her expectation is the teachers would provide at all times, their best efforts for
them.
Chair Waldman announced there was a Beautification Clean-up Day scheduled for
January 27, 2007 and perhaps the school wanted to send volunteers.
Ms. Perry explained she was invited in December to present the Embry Riddle Program
to the Business Development Board for the County and the Department of Airports.
Industry had been very supportive of the program and internships would be offered.
One airline is offering internships out of Chicago and Palm Beach County. There was a
tremendous need for employees in the aviation aerospace and engineering fields.
Chair Waldman indicated the board would like to playa role in assisting the high school
and he informed Ms. Perry the board has a Youth Volunteer Bank with credits students
could take advantage of. Several board members are in the field of education and some
of the board members were students who could speak on behalf of other students. He
reported the board was available to come in and talk to kids or invite them to some of
their functions. He requested Ms. Perry think of ways the board could assist.
Ms. Perry advised the school was interested in mentoring, business, civic and industry
involvement, and having speakers come into the schools. The school wanted to know
what kind of employees the City was looking for, what the standards were and what
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 25, 2007
skills were needed. She also wanted to know what opportunities and finances were
available.
Ms. Perry spoke about the Science, Engineering, Math and Communications Programs
that do a outstanding job with afterschool activities; but, she reported, most often there
are no funds for the program. She advised obtaining any in-kind services or guidance; a
listing of people interested in serving as mentors or assisting with grant writing would be
of use.
It was noted the high school has an individual attending the Chamber of Commerce
meetings to look for partnerships with companies who might be of assistance. The
school motto is "Dignity/ Respect and Personal Responsibility." Ms. Perry looks to
reward demonstrations of those attributes, similar to a "Caught being Good" program.
This year 11 students will be attending the Presidential Classroom in Washington, D.C.
in March. The students were the top 10% of juniors and seniors across the country.
The cost was $10K and the students approached the Commission and have raised about
half.
Ms. Perry would be leaving the "wish list" with Chair Waldman and one with the Mayor.
It was also her understanding the City was forming a SOl(c)3 to help support the school
financially. Ms. Buchanan reported the Chamber was forming its own education
committee and she suggested having a representative on that committee as well.
Ms. Perry advised the students were asking how they could be involved with the
Education and Youth Advisory Board. Chair Waldman responded there would be some
vacancies on the board and students could attend the meetings. He indicated the board
could facilitate speaking with the City to make a presentation on what they need when
they interview. Additionally, the City holds a Youth in Government Day the students
could be involved in.
Ms. Camel and Ms. Wilkinson had to leave the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Wilkinson first
expressed her sympathy on record to Mrs. Ensler at the loss of Vice Mayor Ensler. She
indicated he did much to assist the board and the City. She also congratulated Ron
Weiland on his appointment to the City Commission. Ms. Camel indicated she would be
contacting Ms. Perry later about a possible speaker for the school who was a captain for
a major airline and an Embry Riddle graduate.
Ms. Morera announced there were opportunities that arise and she requested a contact
number to get the information to them. Ms. Perry explained the Student Government
Advisor was Linda Friedman.
Chair Waldman thanked Ms. Perry for attending the meeting and advised the City wants
to help. He also gave Ms. Perry scholarship information and invited her to stay and hear
the presentation on the Sister Cities program.
There were no objections from the board to hearing the Sister Cities presentation out of
order.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 25, 2007
A. Sister Cities (Heard out of order)
Dan DeCarlo spoke about the Sister Cities program. One program was the Pen Pal
Program, which was a program that communicates via e-mail with elementary school
students in the Sister City in Qufu, China. Galaxy and Poinciana Elementary Schools
were participating in that program. Another project they were working on was a similar
Pen Pal Program in the high school.
Mr. DeCarlo explained they have spoken to the teachers that teach dance, music, and
theater and there were a number of things in Qufu the teachers would like their
students to become involved in such as an Ambassador Program. They were hoping to
find a sponsor or someone at the high school to work with the Sister Cities program and
the committees to help put that project together. Both Chair Waldman and Mr. DeCarlo
worked with Ms. Juanita Simmons from the high school about the program and she
indicated she would like assistance as far as being officially designated as the contact for
the program. The committee was setting up criteria for the Pen Pal Program that would
meet the requirements of the FCAT. This was done for the elementary school program
and could work well on the high school level.
The high school lends itself to more of an opportunity to do this than the younger aged
students on the elementary school level and Mr. DeCarlo hoped the high school would
participate. There was a dynamic Sister Cities board that was anxious to work with Ms.
Perry however they could and Mr. DeCarlo advised they would like the Education and
Youth Advisory Board to become involved with the Sister Cities Education Committee
effort as well.
Teachers from a high school in Qufu will be coming to Boynton Beach and a teacher
exchange was discussed. He indicated he has been working on the Confucius Institute
in Palm Beach County with the School District and although that program has not yet
been approved, a major component of it was a teacher exchange. The focus now was
finding one or two teachers who were willing to do the exchange.
Ms. Buchanan suggested contacting the school superintendent for the South area. She
pointed out teachers could come from another City in Florida, they did not necessarily
have to be from Boynton Beach. Conversely, the classes Qufu would like to have taught
in China were English classes taught by an American.
Ms. Heavilin, President of the Sister Cities Committee added they would try to have the
teachers here meet their Qufu counterparts for a two-week visit, or visit the schools one
on one, which would be a much less complicated procedure than the official Teacher
Exchange. If the teachers in Qufu working on the Pen Pal program visit and stay with a
host family, it could greatly boost the program, which was all about learning other
cultures.
Chair Waldman announced the City and the CRA have taken over the Heritage Fest and
would be presenting activities for youth. Board liaison, Sherri Claude had the complete
schedule of activities. Chair Waldman indicated anyone interested in volunteering should
contact the Hester Center.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 25, 2007
VI. Public Audience
None.
VII. Old Business
A. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award
Ms. Claude requested the board set a date for the Awards Banquet, which was a way to
recognize and encourage youth to volunteer in the community. Last year the awards
took place at the senior center. She explained with the Youth Volunteer Bank, youth fill
out an application and a database is kept. As volunteer opportunities become available,
the youth volunteer for the activity and bank the hours. Ms. Claude reported in addition
to door prizes at the banquet, there are monetary and in kind donations made.
Volunteers, who are City residents, receive a certificate at the dinner held in their honor.
The deadline for Bob Borovy Award applications was April. Ms. Claude noted anyone can
volunteer but the Bob Borovy Award is limited to City residents. The judges were the
previous year award winner, Debbie Majors, Recreation Supervisor and a third judge.
Chair Waldman asked Ms. Heavilin if she would be interested in being the third judge.
The applicants have to write an essay about what they learned from volunteer work and
the applicant needed to have three recommendations from non-relatives, along with
background information detailing what they did. The award was $1,000. Ms. Heavilin
could not commit due to time constraints.
The board discussed using the Senior Center for the dinner and there was consensus to
hold the event on Friday, May 11th.
A further discussion ensued about whether board members were eligible to apply for the
award. Ms. Claude indicated the board never officially addressed that issue.
Additionally, the board had questions about board members serving as judges. Ms.
Claude was not certain, but thought the board might have opted not to serve and
remain impartial in case a student member of the board applied for the scholarship.
Chair Waldman thought since the full board was not present, the issue should be
deferred and a vote held at another time.
B. Fundraising
Chair Waldman asked whether the board wanted to hold another fundraising event at
the next OceanFront concert. Ms. Claude announced the next concert was on April 20th
and he would check with Panera Bread to see if they wanted to donate again. He
announced he would be at the function and requested different board members
volunteer. Ms. Morera sent a follow up thank you letter to Panera Bread for their
assistance.
Chair Waldman announced they could discuss other fundraising events at later date.
C. Golf Clinic
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 25, 2007
Ms. Morera reported nothing was confirmed but she sent a letter to Phyllis Stern, in
response to her request, asking to hold a golf clinic at Hunters Run on April 28, 2007.
Chair Waldman clarified they used to have a tennis carnival at Hunters Run and now
they would have a golf clinic. This idea emanated from Ms. Stern. Chair Waldman
advised Hunters Run was most generous with their donation of time and professionals
and allowing them to bring children in and use their facilities. Ms. Morera would follow
up with Ms. Stern to see if she can be put in touch with the golf pro or anyone else she
needed to work with.
D. Adopting a School
This item was addressed later in the meeting.
VIII. New Business
A. Sister Cities
Chair Waldman spoke about the Adopt-a-School program and indicated the issue would
be put aside for now. Ms. Buchanan advised the Chamber of Commerce was also
interested in the program and she suggested instead of duplicating efforts, perhaps they
could partner with them.
B. Palm Beach County League of Cities
Chair Waldman indicated the Palm Beach County League of Cities has a William A.
Cruickshank Scholarship Program and they were considering instituting other
scholarships.
The Cruickshank Scholarship provided up to $1,000 for high school seniors and $500 to
municipal employees who were in the law enforcement and fire services fields for
Continuing Education Units. Chair Waldman advised Boynton Beach provides up to
100% tuition reimbursement for their municipal employees who take classes; however,
Chair Waldman announced he was assured that would not preclude individuals from
receiving the $500 scholarship. He advised they had an Education and Scholarship
Committee comprised of elected officials in Palm Beach County, and City and Assistant
City Managers as well.
There was a National Conference of the League of Cities scheduled for November. He
announced the League of Cities would be sending a youth delegation to New Orleans for
the one-week program. Chair Waldman was unsure of how many youths they would
send, but he announced anyone interested could seek additional information by visiting
www.nlc.org on the web.
Chair Waldman informed the board an Education Committee for a youth center was
being created as a result of the assembly and they were looking for members for the
subcommittees. Chair Waldman was assured he would be contacted or other board
members could serve. He also noted they should have students on the committees.
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida
January 25, 2007
Chair Waldman asked Ms. Perry if he could call on her for student recommendations as
needed and she responded he could.
C. Beautification Day - January 2007
This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.
D. Bowling Tournament
Chair Waldman asked if the board wanted to continue the tournament and if so,
whether they wanted it to be a social event or a fundraising event. He explained they
have been holding the event for the last eight years at the bowling lanes on Boynton
Beach Boulevard. The tournament was a youth/adult tournament and the cost was $20
to enter a team. He noted the event did not raise much money, one year making $190.
Ms. Buchanan asked how the issue had been promoted in the past. Ms. Claude
responded the event was marketed in Funfare and in the Palm Beach Post and usually
was held in July before school started on a Sunday. The board will try to set up the
tournament for the July 15th. Chair Waldman will approach the lanes and try to set it
up for that date. Registration would begin around at 1:00 or 1:30 p.m.
IX. Future Meeting Dates
The next two meeting dates were February 22, 2007 and March 22, 2007.
X. Adjournment
Chair Waldman announced he would not be present for the March meeting.
Motion
Ms. Morera moved to adjourn. Ms. Buchanan seconded the motion that unanimously
passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
c~' ~/YtKJ./IA
Cathenne Che ry-Guberman Y I
Recording Secretary
012607
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