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Minutes 07-26-07 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION & YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JULY 26,2007, AT 7:00 P.M. COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, City Employee Representative Susan Buchanan Hattie Miller Loretta Wilkinson (arrived at 7:10) Robert Chiste, Student, Regular Voting Member ABSENT: Pamela Camel Mary Morera, Vice Chair I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION Robert Chiste led the Pledge of Alliance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent reflection on behalf of our men and women in the Armed Forces. III. Approval of Minutes of June 28, 2007 The minutes were not available. IV. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Buchanan moved to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Miller seconded the motion that unanimously passed. V. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence Sherri Claude, Board Liaison, announced there was an article in the Sun Sentinel a few weeks ago that was a profile of this year's Bob Borovy Award winners. She also distributed information from the National League of Cities, National Summit on Your Cities Families. 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory board Boynton Beach, Florida July 26, 2007 Chair Waldman distributed a flyer adverting an Intergenerational Gathering at Sara Sims Park on July 28th. He announced he would be there; Ms. Morea had previously indicated she would attend, as would Susan Buchanan. Chair Waldman would stay at the table. This event was organized by the neighborhood associations. The Youth Violence Prevention Project would be there also. VI. Public Audience Chair Waldman announced Jeanne Heavilin would be attending the meeting representing Sister Cities. He distributed an updated list compiled by Ms. Claude of new school principals and schools. He anticipated Ms. Heavilin would be discussing the Young Artist program when she arrived at the meeting and this information would be helpful. VII. Old Business A. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award No report given. B. Fundraising The next Oceanfront Concert would be in September or October. Ms. Claude would find exact dates and the board agreed to try to sell cookies from Panera Bread. C. Adopting a School This item would be addressed when he discussed the Education Committee. D. Sister Cities This item was deferred until Ms. Heavilin arrived. E. Bowling Tournament The bowling tournament had twenty participants and netted $100. It was thought the committee could use another location and the tournament would be revisited for next year. Chair Waldman thought the event could be sold better in the future and they could make more money but he was unsure what to do to promote it. Advertising the event earlier was suggested. AMF Lanes also increased the price per game by one dollar. Ms. Claude suggested the owner be approached to be a sponsor; however, the Chair felt the owner appeared to be more interested in money than the purpose of the 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory board Boynton Beach, Florida July 26, 2007 event. Ms. Buchanan knew a woman who was the manager at Don Carter Lanes and would check to see if she still was the manager to possibly approach her about the tournament. The tournament proceeds go to the Borovy Award. D. Sister Cities (out of order) Jeanne Heavilin, Sister Cities representative, announced they had a meeting, which Chair Waldman attended. The meeting pertained to the Young Artist program that the board had agreed to cosponsor. They wanted the competition to be held in the fall. The theme this year was "A Reflection of Your Community." Ms. Heavilin requested assistance with contacting the principals about the program and had a sample letter. The program was for middle and high school students. There was agreement to add an elementary school component. There was discussion a good hook for the program would be to highlight there would be a $250 cash donation to the art department at each winners school. The elementary school donation would be scaled back and a complete packet would be put together in about a week, which would provide details on the rules and guidelines, give an overview of the Sister Cities program and a calendar indicating various program deadlines about how many students would participate, entry forms and others. Ms. Heavilin explained the letters need to be sent out. Ms. Heavilin anticipated contacting the schools in greater Boynton Beach, West Boynton, Lake Charleston area and about 20 other schools. Ms. Wilkinson volunteered to send the correspondence and there was agreement to first get the letters out and make follow up calls and appointments with the schools. Representatives from the Sister Cities organization were available to make the presentations once the appointment was made, but it was suggested the individual setting the appointment should be the same individual to make the presentation. The information packets, which could be used in the presentations, would be available in about a week's time. Ms. Buchanan would assist Ms. Wilkinson with the letters. Ms. Buchanan suggested contacting the area superintendent to make a presentation at their meetings. This would save a great deal of time and Ms. Heavilin thought it was the avenue they should pursue first. Ms. Heavilin agreed to contact the superintendents. The deadline for collecting the art work was set for November 9, 2007. Ms. Heavilin announced the Sister Cities agreed to fund the award monies and wanted the Education and Youth Advisory Board to be the school liaison/contact. A meeting was set for July 31, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at the School House Museum to discuss the effort further. 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory board Boynton Beach, Florida July 26, 2007 Ms. Heavilin advised two members of the Education Network were on the Board of Directors and would be approached to see if they could promote the program. Chair Waldman suggested contacting WXEL to publicize the program as much as possible. E. Violence Prevention Project. Chair Waldman had no information to report. F. Boynton Assembly: Education Sub-Committee Chair Waldman advised the subcommittee had met. He distributed information he received on the high school. The committee also met with the Area Superintendent, Carole Shetler, about issues they could address. One issue the subcommittee would be recommending was the City hire an educational liaison to coordinate ideas. Delray Beach and Boca Raton hired a similar individual. It was thought the board formally motioning to support the hiring of an educational liaison would be helpful. Motion Ms. Buchanan moved to support the Education Subcommittee in their recommendation to hire an Educational Liaison. Ms. Wilkinson seconded the motion. There was discussion the individual would be hired by the City. Chair Waldman also requested a letter be sent to the City, to the effect the liaison was to work with the school district. Vote A vote was taken and unanimously passed. It was noted that 81% of incoming students to Boynton Beach High School were reading on level one or two, which was a big concern. A discussion followed on the need for internships, mentors, Leadership Boynton and Education Day. It was noted 18 students enrolled in the Aerospace Academy so far. The college credits earned from the program were acceptable at Embry Riddle University and other schools of higher learning. The strong points of the school were highlighted and the board acknowledged the vocal academy was outstanding and duly recognized the theater academy as well. Promoting the high school and having the choir sing to the City Commission was suggested. Chair Waldman announced they sent a letter about the equipment they were going to purchase for the school to the high school. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory board Boynton Beach, Florida July 26, 2007 VIII. New Business A. Student Members Chair Waldman announced the high school was looking for students to serve on the board. There are two alternate positions open and two student members, with one vacancy to date. Middle and high school students were eligible to participate. IX. Future Meeting Dates Ms. Buchanan announced the Ocean Avenue Celebration would be held on August 4th. The board also had a booth and some of the board members would be attending the event. The next two meeting dates were August 23, 2007 and then September 27, 2007. X. Adjournment Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to adjourn. Ms. Buchanan seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting properly adjourned at 8:02 p.m. G (ljlQ;'v\i{- j,{uJ>>JfYI(1tf Catherine Cherry-Guberman Recording Secretary 5