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Minutes 09-27-07 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION & YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007, AT 7:00 P.M. SENIOR CENTER, 1021 S. FEDERAL HWY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Steve Waldman, Chair Mary Morera, Vice Chair Pamela Camel (arrived at 7:15) Carol Lundquist Hattie Miller Loretta Wilkinson Sherri Claude, City Employee Representative ABSENT: Susan Buchanan Robert Chiste, Student, Regular Voting Member Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director Craig Clark, Library Director William LaBarr, Education Sub-Committee Jerry Less, Education Sub-Committee Brian Miller, Community Relations Board Chair I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION Chair Waldman 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 Motion Vice Chair Morera moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Wilkinson seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. Approval of Minutes of July 26, 2007 Motion Ms. Lundquist moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Miller seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 27, 2007 V. Approval of Agenda Chair Waldman requested that Item C "Boynton Beach Magazine" be added under "New Business. " Motion Vice Chair Morera moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Wilkinson seconded the motion that passed unanimously. VI. Announcements / Presentations / Correspondence None VII. Public Audience None VIII. New Business A. Mentor Center - Children's Services Council Toni Lumpkins and Gary Graham from Children's Services Council were present to explain their mentoring programs. Pamphlets were distributed. They explained the mission was to recruit mentors, and that there are children who are waiting for mentors. They met previously with Mr. Clark, Mr. Majors and Assistant to the City Manager Carisse LeJeune and it was suggested they present their information to this Board. There are programs county-wide; seniors could be mentors, perhaps youth in after school programs could become mentees. The Recreation & Parks Department has 150 children enrolled in its after school programs. Mr. Majors suggested that endorsement by this Board would be helpful to increase awareness of these programs and to recruit mentors. Mr. Graham explained that some programs operate out of schools. They have a network of programs which partner with schools. Mr. Majors indicated he would facilitate a meeting with the Senior Center supervisor and after school program staff. Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved that the Education & Youth Advisory Board endorse the Children's Services Council mentoring programs. Vice Chair Morera seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Chair Waldman indicated the Board would keep in touch with them. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 27,2007 B. Education Sub-Committee Chair Waldman indicated that the Education Sub-Committee came out of the Boynton Assembly held last year. Introductions were made. Mr. Majors noted that the committee met for several weeks and Ms. Camel did an excellent job of presenting their report to the review committee. Ms. Camel provided a summary of the sub-committee's report. They concentrated on Boynton Beach High School (BBHS). The south area superintendent, Carole Shelter, * attended one of their meetings to provide information to the committee. On the whole, schools in Boynton are doing well. BBHS has competition from other magnet programs. Galaxy has some structural problems, but earned points for progress, i.e. a year's worth of growth in a year's worth of time. Congress Middle will have a new building and is making gains, although making gains is different from high standards. Ms. Shetler asked for support for marketing and recruitment efforts for the new aerospace academy at BBHS. The committee's goal is to develop a standing relationship with schools in the city. They looked at other cities such as Delray and Boca Raton to see how they connect to schools; both have an education liaison on staff. This committee recommended that Boynton do the same. Mr. Majors clarified that their report was made to the review committee, not the Commission, and that the sub-committee accomplished what they were asked to do, although there is some interest in continuing to meet. Chair Waldman noted that there is one regular and two alternate position vacancies on the Board if members of the sub- committee are interested, and asked the sub-committee to continue to communicate with the Board. Mr. Majors recommended continued advocacy for the education liaison position and advised that the Recreation & Parks Board has an item on their agenda "Items for City Manager's Attention." Mr. Craig reminded everyone that advisory boards are meant to advise the City Commission. Mr. Less pointed out that there are other items on the sub-committee's agenda besides the liaison position. Chair Waldman complimented the sub-committee's work. Mr. Craig said that BBHS needs help improving its reputation by having people come to the campus to see it for themselves. Ms. Wilkinson noted that the principal, Mrs. Perry, is making this effort by hosting the Boynton Symphony at the school, and Ms. Wilkinson's school is hosting a fair there. Mr. Craig also noted that Leadership Boynton Beach will be visiting next month. Mr. Miller went to a recent pep rally and said that it is important for the community to get involved. BBHS has a bad reputation, but everyone needs to keep highlighting all of the positive things. *Shetler 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 27, 2007 Mr. Miller reported that a "Pride in Boynton Beach" beautification/clean-up day was scheduled for mid-October. Originated two years ago, it is a cooperative effort between volunteer residents and volunteer city staff. This year, Fire Rescue, Code Compliance, Public Works and Recreation & Parks have agreed to participate. Due to a conflict for Fire, the event will be rescheduled in November, and he would like this board to participate. His group is also working with the high school and two elementary schools to plant butterfly gardens. Suggestions were made as to companies who might be willing to donate plants for these projects. Motion Vice Chair Morera moved that the Education & Youth Advisory Board endorse Mr. Miller's group's beautification project. Ms. Camel seconded the motion that passed unanimously. C. Boynton Beach Magazine Chair Waldman reported there is a new magazine "Greater Boynton" soon to be publiShed and the responsible individual came to the last Youth Violence Prevention Program meeting. He thought this might be another way to advertise the Board's programs and events. IX. Old Business A. Sister Cities Chair Waldman reported that two schools have responded to the art contest. He is trying to get in touch with Jeannie Heavilin. B. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award No report given. C. Fundraising The Community Caring Center is doing a green market where the Board may be able to sell cookies to raise funds. Ms. Claude reported the upcoming Oceanfront Concert dates: January 18, March 21, April 18 and May 16. She also noted the approval of Community Investment Funds to Boynton Beach High School at the September 18 Commission meeting ($1,000 each from Mayor Taylor and Commissioner McKoy and $1,300 from Vice Mayor Rodriguez). 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 27, 2007 D. Violence Prevention Chair Waldman reported that the Youth Violence Prevention Program is looking for an alternate location to Hester Center to hold its programs. X. Future Meeting Dates - October 25, 2007 XI. Adjournment The meeting properly adjourned at 8:15.m. ~ aNCXC Sherr; Claude Assistant to the Recreation & Parks Director Education & Youth Advisory Board Liaison 5