Loading...
Minutes 10-25-07 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION & YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 25,2007, AT 7:00 P.M. COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, City Employee Representative Mary Morera, Vice Chair Pamela Camel Carol Lundquist Loretta Wilkinson (arrived at 7:07 p.m.) Robert Chiste, Student, Regular Voting member ABSENT: Hattie Miller I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence Ms. Lundquist led the Pledge of Allegiance 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 September 27, 2007 Motion Vice Chair Morera moved approval of the minutes. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. Approval of Agenda Motion Ms. Lundquist moved approval of the agenda as presented. Vice Chair Morera seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 25, 2007 V. Announcements/ Presentations/ Correspondence Ms. Claude announced Boynton Beach High School would be having its first drama production of the season, October 25, 26 and 27, 2007, at 7:30 p.m., and would be held in the theater. The original production, which was featured in the Boynton Forum, was written by Mr. Bruckner, the drama teacher. Ms. Wilkinson joined the meeting. Chair Waldman suggested the board attend productions of the Boynton Beach Symphony, to be held at the Boynton Beach High School auditorium. Although the Symphony's budget was cut, they would continue to perform. Pursuant to Chair Waldman's request, Ms. Claude prepared a letter to the Mayor, Vice Mayor and Commissioner McKoy thanking them for their recent contributions to Boynton Beach High School. Chair Waldman read the letter which also indicated the manner in which the contributions would be utilized. Ms. Claude reminded Chair Waldman, Vice Chair Morera, and Mr. Chiste that their terms on the board would be expiring in December 2007, and to return the application to the City Clerk's office if they wished to reapply. Ms. Wilkinson reminded everyone of the upcoming election and the importance of exercising one's right to vote. VI. Public Audience Chair Waldman recognized Kathy Rajpathak, a guest in the audience who wished to observe the meeting. He advised her of openings on the board for students and adults. VII. New Business A. November and December Meeting Dates Chair Waldman advised of the board's practice to combine the meetings. Suggestions were made, and the board agreed to combine the meeting and hold the November and December meetings on November 29,2007. VIII. Old Business A. Sister Cities 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 25, 2007 Chair Waldman announced the board had been working with Sister Cities International. They would be presenting a Young Artists' Showcase, and all entries were required by November 9, 2007. Participating schools included Lake Worth Christian, Poinciana Elementary and Crosspointe Elementary. The students in China would be participating, and Dan DeCarlo would be coordinating efforts to bring American and Chinese students together. Ms. Wilkinson suggested the board request Jeannie Heavjlin check with Galaxy Elementary School, as the school had a new principal. Introductory letters were sent to the assistant principal when the school was in transition. Chair Waldman advised he again provided the appropriate forms to the school, and requested they be furnished to the art teachers. Chair Waldman had suggested to Ms. Heavilin Sister Cities might want to showcase some of the artwork at the Schoolhouse Museum. Chair Waldman announced he was recently appointed to the board of the Schoolhouse Museum. It was the practice of the Museum to award a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior. Afternoon tutoring was provided by certified teachers to children being schooled at home. The Museum was modeled after a city, and had a plantation, doctor's office and post office, and focused on the history of Boynton Beach and the State of Florida. B. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award There was approximately $3,500 in the Youth Volunteer Bank. Chair Waldman attempted to enlist volunteers from Boynton Beach High School, and Ms. Claude provided forms to both Ms. Charles and Susan Pell, the volunteer coordinator. It would be necessary for the board to determine what would be done for the banquet and whether monies or prizes would be awarded. Discussions over the past few months included whether the board wished to be more proactive in providing volunteer positions and community service hours. Chair Waldman suggested the Chamber of Commerce, Community Caring Group and Schoolhouse Museum be contacted to determine if they were in need of volunteer assistance. Ms. Claude pointed out the volunteer bank application included a list of organizations in the community that would accept teen or youth volunteers. Applications could be e-mailed or sent upon request and would eventually be available on the City's new website. Chair Waldman indicated if it was the board's choice to be more proactive, he could approach the Schoolhouse Museum and the Chamber of Commerce to determine the manner in which volunteers could assist these organizations. 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 25, 2007 Ms. Camel requested information on the program. Chair Waldman commented he would provide the information at the next meeting for the board to revisit, and suggested making this the focal point of the meeting. The board had previously considered revamping the wording of the board's rules to provide that the board, at its discretion, could award double points or hours for certain services provided by volunteers. While the board could have doubled points or hours for volunteer services provided at schools or religious institutions, the intent was to promote the board's activities, as well as beautification and clean-up efforts. Ms. Claude explained in the past and for several years thereafter, students were awarded a savings bond or other monetary award based strictly upon the number of hours accumulated. It was discovered certain students had accrued myriad hours, which did not appear to be time actually spent on volunteer activities. Yet, other students who had accrued only 25 to 40 hours were actually assisting in beautification projects or lending support to the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. Therefore, the board began awarding prizes in lieu of monetary awards, and focused less on the hours accumulated, recognizing that all volunteer work was important. It was noted while there were approximately 150 students listed in the database, possibly 20 students submitted their hours. Many youths volunteered for their school and would not necessarily take the time to fill out another form for the board's program. Chair Waldman suggested for City opportunities, volunteer forms for the Youth Volunteer Bank be placed at the Schoolhouse Museum. In order for the students to be aware of available volunteer opportunities, Ms. Claude had sent informational packets to guidance counselors at all schools in the area, requesting the information be provided to the students. Press releases were also provided to the print media in order to promote the program. As this program was established by the board, it would be within the board's purview to determine the direction in which it wished to proceed. Suggestions were to define volunteer activities, and to focus less on accumulation of hours and more on diversity. It was also to be determined whether to be more proactive, to continue awarding prizes or revert to monetary awards. The budget summary included $5,500 for the Borovy Award. A monetary award of $1,000 would be provided to a graduating senior residing within the City who made the greatest contribution to community service. This item would be in the purview of an established committee. Previous judges included Debbie Majors and Commissioner Charles Fisher. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 25, 2007 C. Fundraising The Community Caring Group would be holding a fundraising event at the Schoolhouse Museum on Saturday, October 27, 2007. Chair and Mrs. Waldman would be attending, as would Mr. Chiste and Ms. Camel, and Ms. Miller would be contacted. Neither Ms. Wilkinson nor Vice Chair Morera would be able to attend. Baked goods would be sold, and the funds realized could be applied toward miscellaneous expenses and board programs, including the Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year Award. Other events were anticipated, and Chair Waldman would be providing the dates. D. Violence Prevention There was no report on the Violence Prevention Project as Chair Waldman was unable to attend the meeting. Information would be obtained and provided at a later date. XI. Future Meeting Dates The November and December meetings would be combined and held on November 29, 2007. X. Adjournment Motion Ms. Lundquist moved to adjourn. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. "r Q-'\ i ! ." i, _' ~J~tj' /t-<--iL-- ," Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 110707 110807 5