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Minutes 01-24-08 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2008, AT 7:00 P.M. IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Stephen Waldman, Chair Mary Morera, Vice Chair Pamela Camel, arrived 7:34 p.m. Hattie Miller Loretta Wilkinson, arrived 7:05 p.m. Robert Chiste, Student, Reg. Voting Member Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Absent: Carol Lundquist Brianna Frank, Student, Reg. Voting Member I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and observed a moment of silent reflection for our troops in harms way. III. Approval of Minutes of November 29, 2007 Motion Ms. Morera moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Miller seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda Motion Mr. Chiste moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Morera seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 24,2008 V. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence A. Hugs for Kids: Joshua Hirsch Josh Hirsh, Director of Development and Training at Hugs for Kids, thanked the board for the opportunity to present the Hugs for Kids program. He explained the mission was to provide help, understanding, guidance and support to strengthen families and protect children. They are one of the largest service providers in the exchange for Child Abuse Prevention Centers. They have assisted over 60K families over the last twenty years, through their home visitation programs in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. He explained he was hoping to enter a partnership with the agency and the Education and Youth Advisory Board. They were seeking to bring child abuse prevention education to school aged children through afterschool programs. He suggested interested parties review their website at www.huQsforkids.orQ. A program they were hoping to implement was an afterschool program that discussed with children various topics such as bullying and other topical issues. The program grows by the students, in turn, becoming mentors for elementary aged school children. They were already speaking with another school in Boca Raton about the program. They are associated with an Exchange Club which was a philanthropic organization that focused on child abuse. They have established family mentoring programs, Healthy Start, healthy families, breastfeeding coalition and others. They serviced 4,823 families last year between Broward and Palm Beach Counties. April was Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Month. Mr. Hirsch advised they had secured three mayoral Proclamations from Mayors Taylor, Fisher, Frankel, and they were nearly finished securing a Congressional Proclamation from Congressman Hastings. They were hoping to push the Child Abuse Prevention and Education. They wanted to bring awareness to April and Children's Week which was the first week in April. Children's Day was April 6, 2008. They wanted to plan, as a Statewide Day, a type of graduation program for mentors and families. Mentors for the program have to be 21 years old and commit to one hour per week for a minimum of six months. Chair Waldman suggested he contact both area school superintendents. With their support, they could push the program through their regular meetings with school principals. He also suggested Mr. Hirsch revisit the board after contacting them to advise what the next step would be. Mr. Hirsch advised he would be happy to leave materials with the board and the program was a guided process to engage all youth. Ms. Wilkinson explained the Kiwanis Club has an annual walk for Hugs for Kids. Additionally, if a child had to be removed from the home, Hugs for Kids brought in supplies. Ms. Morera pointed out the City has a Youth Volunteer Program that was 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2008 looking for volunteer opportunities. If they held an event and needed volunteers, the participants in the Youth Volunteer Bank could assist. Chair Waldman also offered to discuss the program with the principal of Boynton Beach High School at his upcoming meeting. Chair Waldman reported Commissioner Ross was unable to attend the meeting and sent her apologies as did Ms. Lundquist who had to go out of town. VI. Public Audience Myra Jones, 311 NW 4th Avenue, explained she was present at the meeting with some of her peers who were community leaders representing the Heart of Boynton neighborhood associations. She invited the board to the Heritage Celebration 2008, offered though the City of Boynton. She reported all of the communities were participating and the HOB associations were having Black History Workshops. The first workshop would be held on February 2, 2008 at the Children's Museum and children were encouraged to attend. Ten, Five Brilliant Scientists books would be donated to each school library in Boynton Beach and each child who attended the workshops and the Gospel Fest, on February 9, 2008, would receive a book. There were other books that will be given away as well. VII. New Business A. YVPP Update: Stacey Robinson Ms. Claude reported Ms. Robinson was unable to attend. There was a written report submitted which was discussed later in the meeting. B. Closing of Galaxy Elementary School Chair Waldman explained there was talk of closing Galaxy Elementary School, and now there was talk it would not be closed. Commissioner Ross had requested the board support the continuation of Galaxy Elementary School. He read a letter he had drafted to the school board of Palm Beach County which is attached to the minutes. Ms. Wilkinson explained Galaxy Elementary had a huge historical significance and the school was an A-Rated school. It was a junior high school before it was an elementary school. There was discussion that the district might be closing the school because they only had 500 students. The feeling was, however, it should remain open and part of Boynton. It was noted this was similar with what happened to Poinciana School, and that school was saved because voices were raised. 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2008 Ms. Jones thanked the board for the comments made. She expressed they were very happy the board supported keeping the school open. She requested the letter be prepared and they would take it with them at end of month when they met with the school district about the issue. The letter would be emailed to Ms. Claude to put on letterhead. Ms. Jones reported part of the reason the community was upset was because the closing was not publically announced, rather it was listed on a website and it was already decided to be closed. She was hoping to have an audience with the school district on January 30th at 4:30 p.m. and they were looking to have as much support as possible. She expressed this was a community school and the merits of keeping Galaxy open. They liked seeing teachers walking students home after school. They wanted a neighborhood school and they needed neighborhood schools because they wanted to keep families together. She explained with today's homeland security issues, they wanted their children nearby so they could have walking distance access. Many families only had one car which was used during the day for work purposes at locations outside of Boynton Beach and parents did not want their children bussed out of City. She explained the students attending Poinciana were from outside of the school and there were very few local students there. Ms. Camel arrived at 7:34 p.m. Ms. Jones wanted to garner a team effort. She explained if it was indicated the children would have to be moved out of school to accommodate reconstruction, there were 30 acres there and they could build around the school. It was noted the school district operated that way with other schools, such as Royal Palm. Additionally, Ms. Jones explained the school just achieved an A-rating and the students would be taking the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, (FCAT.) The next year was the year the superintendent indicated was for the transition. She expressed the transition would stress the students and they would do poorly on the FCA T. Chair Waldman asked for a motion to keep Galaxy Elementary School open and to support the letter he wrote. He explained it was his understanding the school would be closed because it had a low number of students there and at Homos::lSs~ Plumosa Elementary, and they wanted to combine the students into a K-8 school at old Atlantic High School. Ms. Camel was unsure a K-8 school was in the best interest of the students in terms of mixing very young students with older students. Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to extend their support for Galaxy Elementary School remaining open. Ms. Miller seconded the motion. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2008 Ms. Camel thought it would be a good decision to argue against the rationale they used. Chair Waldman believed to use that approach undermined the intent of the letter. The board serves the community and the school serviced the community. It was his intent the letter would just signify the support of the board to keep the school open. Other recommendations were made, such as to expand on the historical significance of the school in the letter. There were no objections to adding that aspect and even to note that community leaders taught in that school. Elizabeth Jenkins, 711 NW 1st Street, explained the board's support was needed and the children would suffer. She expressed the need to keep Galaxy open, and many families could not otherwise drive their children to school. The school could be repaired, but the issue was the children need education and they do not want to go to West Palm Beach. Ms. Camel noted in learning about the Galaxy School, the subcommittee found that Galaxy never came up for remodeling because the erection date was based on a fictitious date. When Galaxy was remodeled some time ago, the district considered that date as the date the school was erected; in reality, the school was constructed in the 60's. As a result of the district's error, Galaxy missed many opportunities for remodeling, and that was through no fault of the citizens of Boynton. She expressed when they submitted the letter, the argument be a sound argument. When it came to remodeling efforts that were due to the school, the district was remiss because of their own error. Remodeling Galaxy would be a tremendous expense but it should not be closed because of their error and at the expense of the children. She implored the board to approach the district with a supportive argument. Ms. Jones explained they had numerous meetings in the community, and indicated they need to move quickly. They had many committees working trying to address the issues from every aspect. She explained they have met with the school board before, but this was the first time they would have an audience with the school. She expressed the board would be invited to the next meeting. Vote Chair Waldman explained the motion was to oppose the closing of Galaxy and to send a letter to that effect. The letter he wrote, if the board so approved, would include problems the children would suffer and to provide some of the history, but would not include anything about what the school district did or did not do in terms of the erection date. A vote was taken and the motion unanimously passed. 5 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 24,2008 A copy of the letter would be included with the minutes and also forwarded to Ms. Jones. Ms. Jones wanted it on record that the members of the board signed the petition to keep Galaxy School open. VII New Business, Item A. YVPP Update: Stacey Robinson The board was given a copy of the report to read. Chair Waldman explained the Youth Violence Prevention Program started a Teen Council. He noted they have in their Youth Council Budget $84, which could be supplemented. Chair Waldman thought the YVPP was a good effort and thought the board could be supportive in an ancillary way. The Carolyn Sims Center would be the location for the Youth Empowerment Program for the Youth Violence Prevention Project. The center was open to the youth and their parents on Monday - Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 4:30 - 10:30 p.m., and Saturday, 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Providers would be Mad Dads, the R.M. Lee CDC, The Boy Scouts, Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department, and the Boynton Beach Fishing Academy. These organizations have programs ranging from sports, academics, self-help, tutoring, mentoring, cultural arts, fishing skills and employment skills. There is a game room and computer lab open during operating hours. The activities were all free of charge and all youth were welcome to participate. They were looking for the teen council to take a leadership role. This would assist the community. C. All Star Cheerleading Program Chair Waldman explained there was a request regarding the All Star Cheerleading program. At a prior City Commission meeting, Commissioner Hay had letters looking for sponsors to support the City's All-Star Cheerleading Squad. The goal was to teach self-confidence, integrity, responsibility and quality skills and techniques. The squad would represent the City in various competitions, locally and nationally and was eligible to compete in the NASCC, National All Star competition March 7-9, 2008 in Orlando. They were looking for financial support to make the trip. Chair Waldman thought it would be nice to provide some degree of support to the organization. Ms. Wilkinson thought the effort would be something the board could support. Ms. Jones explained there was a Heritage meeting and Elizabeth Jenkins explained this past weekend, the squad won first and second prizes, and would have come home with two first place awards but the younger team performed techniques that were too advanced and had points taken away. She thought maybe they could work on the project together. It was unknown if any monies were donated so far. The board 6 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 24,2008 discussed how much money to donate and it was noted the funds would come from the Miscellaneous Fund. Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to donate $15 per child for a total of $480 total. Ms. Morera seconded the motion. Ms. Wilkinson amended her motion to add if the squad still does not have enough funds, they could come back to the board. Ms. Morera seconded the amendment, which unanimously passed. Ms. Claude would get in touch with Ms. DeGraffenreidt to let her know of the award. The board thought they should also deliver the message to Commissioner Hay and perhaps he could discuss Discretionary Funds with his colleagues on the Commission. Ms. Wilkinson suggested contacting individuals who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the City Commission to see if they had any funds that needed to be expended. The board had a letter for this purpose in the past, and it was suggested the letter be updated and used again. VIII. Old Business A. Tennis Carnival Ms. Stern had indicated to Chair Waldman she wanted to use Hunter's Run for the Tennis Carnival. She had contacted the board with two dates and Ms. Morera explained they would know next month what date was selected. D. Fundraising. (Heard out of Order) Ms. Wilkinson explained Panera Bread had indicated they have been supporting and giving out so many donations, they were curtailing their donations, but did not indicate they would stop donating. Donations would be going through the corporate office, and would undergo a more formal process. Ms. Wilkinson explained moving forward, this would mean Panera needed more notice than one week, more specifics such as letterhead, etc., and then they would send it to their corporate headquarters for approval. Some donations may be in the form of a gift card for a board to use to purchase what they need. The next Oceanfront Concert was scheduled for the third Friday in March. It was requested a letter be issued requesting a donation from Panera for that time. Chair Waldman suggested highlighting what the board does in the letter. The letter should be submitted directly to the store, however Ms. Wilkinson would obtain further information 7 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 24, 2008 such as contact information. The board could then discuss who would be working the concert. B. Youth Volunteer Bank Chair Waldman explained this item would be discussed at the next meeting. The board did, however, select May 30th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the next Youth Volunteer Bank Award at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse. The deadline for submitting applications for the Bob Borovy Award was May 4tA, 2008 April 4. 2008, and Ms. Claude would verify if the date was available. C. Bob Borovy Award Chair Waldman explained the board usually requests Debbie Majors and two previous winners serve as judges for this award. He wanted to continue that custom and the board concurred. The board thought former board member Alyssa Ewing may want to serve as a judge; however, it was decided there would be three judges. Ms. Wilkinson reported the Congress Avenue Boundless Playground proposal was ready to be presented to the Recreation and Parks Board. Ms. Claude would obtain further information and email members with the information. Ms. Claude would contact the new member on the board and advise when the next meeting was scheduled for. IX. Future Meeting Dates: February 28, 2008 and March 27, 2008 X. Adjournment Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to adjourn. Ms. Morera seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. ~~ltL~ Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary (Transcribed from one recording) 013008 8 City of Boynton Beach Education and Youth Advisory Board Stephen Waldman Chair Mary Morera Vice Chair Pamela Camel Board Member Carol Lundquist Board Member Hattie Miller Board Member Lori Wilkinson Board Member Robert Chiste Student Board Member Brianna Frank Student Board Member The Education and Youth Advisory Board exists to act as a fact-finding and advisory board on all issues pertaining to the youth of the Boynton Beach Community. January 25, 2008 Superintendent Art Johnson and The School Board of Palm Beach County 3340 Forest Hill Blvd, C-316 West Palm Beach, FL 33406-5869 Dear Dr. Johnson and Members of the Board: The entire Education and Youth Advisory Board of the City of Boynton Beach urges you to keep Galaxy Elementary School open. Galaxy is now an "A" school. Its students continue to learn and to achieve. The faculty and staff are dedicated and talented. Its recent principal and the current principal have demonstrated outstanding leadership. The community and the parents at Galaxy are tremendously supportive. Galaxy thus has all the ingredients of a successful school. It is part and parcel of the Boynton Beach community. Galaxy has historical significance. It was once Boynton Beach Junior High School, and the great grandchildren of some of its early students now attend the school. We are sure you know that closing this exemplary school would cause great hardship to both students and their parents. If Galaxy remains open, we will see great deeds accomplished. Please keep our Galaxy open. Sincerely yours, A~~ ~;/~d/L Stephen Waldman, Chair Education and Youth Advisory Board SW:sc xc: City Clerk's office Education & Youth Board members 100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd., P.O. Box 310, Boynton Beach, FL 33425, (561) 742-6000